A couple weeks ago I took the daughter to the park. As we were leaving I felt a sharp pain in my foot. I looked down expecting to find one of those little brown spiky spur things. Because apparently I forgot we live in Miami now. 🙂 Here there is grass. And flowers. And bees.

There was a bee wedged under my toe. A bee which had just stung me. I was so surprised that I just grabbed the bee and pulled it away. And then proceeded to curse under my breath from the pain. I was still cursing 6 hours later. I was still in pain, but yet at the same time, my foot was numb. It was the weirdest sensation.

It also made me slightly paranoid. I have always been a little afraid of bee stings, having watched My Girl numerous times. Poor Macaulay Culkin. So I started googling symptoms of bee stings and allergic reactions. After reading a few links I decided that I wasn’t allergic. But I still really hurt. So I texted my friend who is a bee keeper, to see if she had any recommendations on what I should do. She did, I dosed up, went to sleep, and most importantly, woke up in the morning.

The next day at school pick up I was telling a couple friends about the experience. When I got to the end, where I mentioned getting in touch with my friend who is a bee keeper, they stopped me. With laughter. They couldn’t believe I had a friend who was a bee keeper. Then they agreed that it made sense that if anyone would have a friend who is a bee keeper, it would be me. Because apparently no matter what your needs are, I have a friend who can meet that need.

I don’t think this is true, but how cool would it be if it was? To that end, I am looking for friends who are ninjas, embalmers, sherpas and fit models. I do not need a private yacht captain, because I just found out the husband of one of the moms at school is a private yacht captain. For the Bacardi family. As in Barcardi Rum. I’m going to start campaigning for a school fundraiser on one of their numerous yachts. 🙂

This story has nothing to do with the recipe I am sharing today. If I had thought it through I would have made something with honey. Cause bees. 🙂 Instead I have a recipe for Red Lentil Soup. Because I have made it twice this week and wish I had more lentils so I could make it a third time. It is that delicious. Averi loved it too. And, bonus, totally healthy. It is just carrots, lentils and a ton of seasoning. Double bonus, totally easy to make. Cause as mentioned, its just carrots, lentils and a ton of seasoning.

The seasonings are what make it awesome. Cinnamon, turmeric, cloves, cumin. And a few others. So very flavorful. The consistency is great too. The lentils absorb so much of the liquid that it really doesn’t have a true soup broth. But I don’t know how to describe it without using unappetizing words like mush and thick. 🙂

While you enjoy the soup, think of interesting people you can introduce me too, please. And Hillary, thanks for being my friend. And a bee keeper. 🙂