The VA Healthy Teaching Kitchen presents a quick, plant-based, budget-friendly lunch or dinner option, featuring ingredients commonly found in food pantries. Lentil Tacos Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 45 minutes | Total: 55 minutes | Yield: 4 servings | Serving Size: 2 tacos without optional toppings Ingredients: 1 divspoon canola or olive oil 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning 2 cups (16 ounces) low-sodium vegediv broth 1 (8-ounce) can no-salt-added tomato sauce 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles 3/4 cup uncooked green or brown lentils, picked through and rinsed 8 (5 to 6-inch) corn tortillas Optional toppings: Cheese, bell peppers, onion, cilantro, lettuce Directions: 1. Add the oil and taco seasoning to a medium saucepan. Stir together to make a paste. 2. Place the pot over medium heat and cook until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. 3. Add the broth, tomato sauce, green chiles, and lentils. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits. 4. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. 5. Cover with a lid and cook until the lentils are tender, about 30-40 minutes. If any liquid is left at the end of cooking, remove the lid and simmer to evaporate. 6. Divide the lentil mixture between the tortillas (~1/3 cup each) and serve warm, adding toppings as desired. Nutrition Facts Per Serving: Calories: 280 | Total Fat: 4.5 g | Saturated Fat: 0.5 g | Sodium: 610 mg | Total Carbohydrate: 50.5 g | Dietary Fiber: 9 g | Protein: 11.5 g For more recipes, please visit www.nutrition.va.gov

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Virtual Health Resource Centers (VHRCs) are resources for Veterans and VA health care professionals who would like to learn about or need support with VA virtual care tools. The VHRCs’ health technology experts are trained to provide Veterans and VA staff with initial or ongoing education, hands-on training, and tips and tricks for using VA virtual care tools. Veterans and VA staff can get help setting up the tools, troubleshooting technology issues, and finding VA technologies to best meet their specific needs and interests. VHRCs are open for in-person, phone, and video consultations. To learn more, visit www.connectedcare.va.gov/virtual-health-resource-centers. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Contents of This Video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 0:00 – Introduction. 0:31 – What VHRCs are. 0:58 – How VHRCs can support Veterans. 1:08 – How VHRCs can support VA staff. 1:31 – What VHRC on-site experts can help with. 2:30 – VA staff member testimonial. 2:59 – To learn more about VHRCs, visit www.connectedcare.va.gov/vhrc.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has many virtual care tools, such as an online patient portal, web and mobile apps, and telehealth options. These tools make VA care more accessible and convenient for Veterans, their caregivers, and their VA care teams. This video provides an overview of the VA virtual care options and programs available to both Veterans and VA staff, along with the benefits they offer. To learn more about VA virtual care, and to access additional resources, visit the Office of Connected Care’s website at www.connectedcare.va.gov. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Contents of This Video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 0:00 – Introduction. 0:33 – Benefits of VA virtual care tools for Veterans. 1:19 – Overview of My HealtheVet. 1:59 – Overview of VA web and mobile apps. 2:39 – Overview of VA Telehealth Services. 3:47 – Learn more about VA virtual care on the Office of Connected Care’s website at www.connectedcare.va.gov.