Featured Etsy Blogger for November: Storybeader's Beautiful Jewelry

This month's featured Etsy Blogger is Storybeader, who creates beautiful jewelry in her Etsy Shop! I just love this turquoise and coral choker that is up for sale - I love the color combinations and it would be the perfect accessory to wear while sunning yourself at the beach! Ah, I can just feel the cool ocean breeze right now...anyway, as I am brought back to the reality where we're about to have a big snowstorm tomorrow, I can bring back the memories of summer with this elegant necklace.

Also, if you're reading this right now, you can jump on a great sale that Storybeader is having - 10% off everything in store from Black Friday through to Cyber Monday, so now would be a great time to purchase some beautiful, handmade jewelry for your loved ones!

You can check out Storybeader's Blog: Stroll Through Storyland and here is the link to the Storybeader Etsy Shop.

Blog Carnival - A Project I'm Working On....

Here is a project that I've been working on for a really long time - I keep picking it up, then putting it down for months at a time, and then going back to it between other projects. It is my very first knit sweater that I'm making for myself - the Cabled Cardigan from the Vogue Knit 1 Magazine (Spring 2007). If you have a Ravelry account, you can check it out here, but unfortunately you have to have a copy of the magazine to get the pattern.

I chose a taupe acrylic yarn, Lion Brand "Vanna's Choice" so it would wash easier - the yarn is great to work with, isn't itchy, and was inexpensive. So far, I have the back of the sweater completed (as pictured above). The cables are pretty fun and not too challenging - once I looked over the pattern, it was pretty easy to understand!

Now, I just have to get motivated enough to start on the rest of the sweater! I wanted to have it finished for the winter last year, so hopefully I can get it finished for this winter!

On a sidenote, I wish I could subscribe to Knit.1 magazine...but they don't offer subscriptions to Canadians! Boo!

A Healthy Vegan Lentil Salad

Vegan Lentil Salad

Here is a great recipe for a lentil salad that I make regularly. It is super nutritious and tasty, and it makes a pretty large quantity that you can keep in the fridge for the next few days as leftovers. Lentils are especially excellent for vegetarians, vegans, or those of you who are looking to include other protein sources in their diet. Here are a few facts about lentils:

• They contain 26% protein - the highest content in any vegetable except soy beans
• They have a high fibre content (31% in green lentils, 11% in red lentils) and B vitamins
• Lentils have virtually no fat
• Lentils are one of the best vegetable sources of iron. This makes them an important part of a vegetarian diet, and useful for preventing iron deficiency

Now that you're familiar with the goodness of lentils, here's the recipe! It doesn't take long to prep, and takes about 25 minutes to cook.

Ingredients (Lentils):
1 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 bag of green lentils, washed (approx. 2 cups)
4 cups vegetable stock

Ingredients (Dressing):
6 garlic cloves, minced
1/8 cup freshly ground flaxseeds
1/8 cup flaxseed oil
1/8 cup olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper
salt to taste

1. In a large saucepan, heat 1 tbsp of oil on medium-low heat. Add garlic and onion, stirring for 3 minutes. Add the broth and lentils. Cook on medium heat until boiling, then cover, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes. Cook until all of the stock has been absorbed and there is just no liquid left in the mixture, but the mixture is still moist.

2. While the lentils cook, prepare the dressing. Grind the flaxseeds (you can easily do this in a coffee bean grinder). Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl for the dressing. Whisk until the mixture thickens. Set aside.

3. Once the lentil portion is fully cooked, remove from the stove and pour into a large bowl. Mix half of the dressing in with the lentils.

You can now place the lentils in the fridge and let them cool, or serve them warm. When serving, put a little more of the dressing on the lentils. Keep the lentils and the dressing in the fridge and you can have this tasty dish over the next few days if you wish! You can serve immediately after cooking, or wait until the mixture cools in the fridge.