Recipe Swap with The Everyday Adventurer

"The Everyday Adventurer is about celebrating the now that is happening all around us." What a wise concept to live each day by. Lindsey and Haley Chandler are the dynamic sister duo behind the Austin based blog, The Everyday Adventurer. A blog celebrating travel, food, fashion and everyday's adventures. I feel a kinship with these girls, not only because Haley and I were sorority sisters, but because we both enjoy the simple things in each day. Whether it's an adventure or a bite, life is meant to be celebrated!

When the TEA girls contacted me about doing a recipe swap, I happily obliged! We wanted to focus on featuring healthy recipes for the new year. Today I'm featuring Lindsey and Haley's recipe for Sausage, Kale and Lentil Soup, and on The Everyday Adventurer, you can find my Butternut Squash and Shrimp Stir Fry with Quinoa!

I love coming together with people over my favorite thing...food! Before I give away the recipe for this scrumptious soup, let's get to know TEA a little better!

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

L: Let's see, where to start? I am passionate about a lot of things: faith, family, cooking, travel and being outside. I graduated from TCU with a Finance degree about 4 years ago and started my career at a travel technology company in Dallas. I spent three years there completely falling in love with the industry and doing quite a bit of global travel for work before moving to Austin to continue my path in marketing in a sub-segment of the industry (vacation rentals). It's so fun to talk about something at work that you love to do personally! I've been enjoying the transition to Austin (such a fantastic city!), but also enjoy making it home to Dallas regularly to catch up with friends and family.

H: I graduated from OU two years ago. This sooner somehow ended up in longhorn territory. I moved to Austin for a job opportunity and to live with Lindsey. I have been enjoying living in a new city and all it has to offer. We are constantly trying out new restaurants and activities outside!

How did The Everyday Adventurer get started?

Lindsey started The Everyday Adventurer about a year after she graduated college as a place for creative inspiration outside of work and to document her travels and travel advice. Once we both moved to Austin together, we transitioned TEA to a lifestyle blog to document all of our interests including travel, fashion, food and everyday adventures in Austin.

What does an average day look like for you?

L: I am a big believer in starting your day out on the right foot. I usually get up about 30 minutes before I need to start getting ready for work to have quiet time, coffee and read news and email before the day starts. I work on a marketing team for a vacation rental marketplace, so my days are full of creating and executing marketing campaigns for our customers! After work, I love to catch up with friends, cook dinner and unwind with a glass of wine.

H: Typically I start my day with a few cups of coffee and watch the morning news. Although, my morning routine is different everyday. I work at an upscale boutique here in Austin and I’m constantly meeting interesting people everyday. I’m passionate about helping people and love what I do! I usually end my day by making dinner with my sister and watching a favorite TV show. Right now we are hooked on House of Cards and Downton Abby.

What has been your favorite “adventure” so far?

L: A hiking trip to the Dolomite Mountains in Northern Italy. Absolutely the most beautiful place I've ever been. It is also not a popular American tourist destination, so it was pretty cool to be one of the only Americans there.

H: Last year we went on a Mediterranean cruise and traveled to different parts of Italy, Greece, and Turkey. I would have to say Oia, Greece is by far my favorite adventure I have been on. The coastline and views were spectacular! I will definitely be going back in the future.

What is your favorite thing to “take a bite” of?

L: This is so hard! I think I'd have to say some type of pasta with really good red sauce.

H: Any type of Italian food! Pizza and pasta will always be on the top of my list!

Sausage, Kale and Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

8 oz hot italian sausage

1 bunch kale, torn

½ cup Lentils

10 oz can diced tomatoes

32 oz vegetable stock

2 carrots, diced

1 yellow onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 celery ribs, diced

½ tsp. ground coriander

1 tsp. ground cumin

salt and pepper

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a dutch oven or large pot over medium high. Add sausage and cook until golden brown. Add carrots, onion, and celery and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the spices and garlic to the pot and stir together, cook for about 1 minute. Add the canned tomatoes, vegetable stock, and lentils and bring to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer and cook until vegetables and lentils are tender, about 25 minutes. Add kale, salt and pepper. Cook until kale is wilted, about 5 minutes.

Serve with crusty bread! Enjoy!

It is so chilly in Oklahoma this week I could really use this soup to warm me up! No better way to celebrate the adventure of weather than by matching it with a warm and fuzzy soup! Soup or stir fry you take your pick, but I hope you enjoyed our little recipe swap!