sorry in advance this post is kind of all over the place...
Swick- I use dry blackbeans. The amazing part of the slow cooker is that you are not required to soak the beans prior to cooking because they cook so slowly! Re: breakfasts, it might be too similar to oatmeal, but I like to use leftover rice for breakfast (any kind of rice, heat up with milk-dairy, almond, coconut, whatever, then add coconut oil or butter, cinnamon or other spices if desired, honey, raisins, nuts, chopped fruit, or anything). I am guilty of having milky coffee as my breakfast sometimes but I also like to eat dinner leftovers for breakfast or a hardboiled egg + sourdough toast (I lucked out and received some delicious homemade jams around the holidays!).
Caligulala-Dijon and balsamic with apples?! that sounds delicious! I love chopped apples in my salads so I'm sure I will love this.
also tasty is to melt 50-50 chocolate chips and almond butter in the microwave for 30 seconds and use that as an apple dip (just made this discovery a couples days ago!)
Platypus- I always think hot soup using lentils (mmm greek lentil soup) but I am definitely going to expand my mind to cold lentil salads. Your recipe sounds great and a good way to throw in chopped up veggies that might be a bit past their prime.
I have also been re-introducing myself to my blender this week for smoothies/soups/flavored waters. We had a watermelon that was tasty but not the best texture. Blended it with a bit of ice water and it was AMAZING!
other delicious waters (my version of 'agua fresca') that will keep in the fridge for a day or two:
blend up a pitcher of water with a cucumber, lemon, and mint leaves
blend up a pitcher of water with a peeled orange, grapefruit or lemon (any combination) and their zest.
I have also thought about making a pitcher of water and steeping a few sprigs of rosemary but haven't tried it yet...?
**I have easy access to citrus trees, mint and rosemary although sadly that is where my gardening ability ends. However, agua frescas are also made with melons, strawberries, pineapple... use what it is nearby! repeatable with almost any fruit you can think of, and a bit of simple syrup or sweetener can also be added if needed.
***also can be used in a refreshing cocktail with gin (or vodka, tequila, etc). Just sayin'