Linky party time {31}, Back to School Ideas & a Du Puy Lentil Salad Recipe

G'day sweet friends and welcome to Natashainoz.com and welcome to this week's Linky Party!

I am so sorry I am so late in posting this but with a new school term starting for the kids and for me this last week has been chaotic! Big Al started Middle School today and Maddy starts Senior School tomorrow....my babies are getting older!

Last week I found lots of great back-to-school ideas that I would love to share! 

Here are some of Favourite Finds for the week! 

Source: rebeccacooper.blogspot.com 

Source: chickabug.com 

Source: vol25.typepad.com 

Source: imom.com 

Creamy Avocado & White Bean Wrap

Source: eatingwell.com

I have also been watching what I eat and I have been keeping up with counting my calories, exercising as often as possible and maintaining a healthy diet.

Last week I created a new and delicious recipe for a lentil salad that was inspired by two recipes that I had pinned last year.

Source: kitchenconfidante.com 

Source: mynewroots.blogspot.com

This classic bistro salad makes a fantastic first course and could also be the centre of a weeknight meal. My Du Puy lentil salad recipe is a combination of both recipes and was a hit with everyone in the family!

Summery Lentil Salad

Healthy Du Puy Lentil Salad

Ingredients:
2 cups Du Puy lentils or one can of lentils
1 medium red onion, diced
1 cup dried cranberries (craisins)

Vinaigrette:
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. turmeric
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
½ tsp ground cardamom
¼ tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
Salt & Pepper to taste

I also added fresh flat-leaf parsley and coriander (cilantro), chopped carrots, chopped celery, chopped green beans and halved cherry tomatoes.

Directions:
1. If cooking lentils from scratch then rinse lentils well and then drain. Place in a pot and cover with water, bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. They should be cooked after 20 minutes but just keep checking so you don't overcook them.
2. While the lentils are simmering, make the dressing by placing all ingredients in a bowl, jar, tupperware container etc and shake to combine.
3. When the lentils are cooked, remove from heat, drain and place under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled slightly but still a little warm, place lentils in a large serving bowl and toss with dressing.
4. Add the onion and craisins and any other salad ingredients in a bowl. If using canned lentils, drain and rinse and add to the bowl. Mix everything together and serve straight away!

Pin It


This lentil salad is delicious on a hot summer's day and it tasted just as delicious the next day!

Don't you love salads in Summer!

Now, since this weekly party is all about summer I thought I'd share a song that is all about summer Down Under!!

So, have you been working on an exciting project this week? Have you posted any songs, craft ideas, decorating tips, recipes or tutorials on your blog lately? I would love it if you could share your favourite post at this week's

 Linky Party! 

If you would like to link up a post, old or new, just add the url of your particular blog post that you would like us to visit to the Linky tool below.

Thanks so much for joining in and linking up! Don't forget to come back later and say G'day to some of the lovely bloggers who have linked up!

Also, in case you hadn't heard, I have created a central list of Pinning Bloggers so we can all find each other's Pinterest pages more easily. It is called....

Natasha In Oz
Pinning Bloggers Master List.

If you would like to add your name to the Pinning Blogger's Master List just click the button below:

Take care and I hope you all have a fabulous, healthy and fun week! To everyone going back to school, good luck and have a great year!

Best wishes,

Natasha In Oz 

Please join me PINTEREST, TWITTER, GOOGLE+

INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!