New Years Day Dinner

New years has been a good day....I started the day with the http://www.promotionevents.com/ResoRun/default.htm resolution run and ended it with my traditional new years day meal of black-eyed-peas, collard greens and corn bread (recipe below). 

I started the run with a little anxiety for some reason.  I have done this run many times but i was a little anxious and cranky, just ask Craig, my husband of 25 years.  i started the run with the typical http://www.coachlesley.com/ photo and then i ran to the start of the run with fellow IMC finisher, Eileen.  I was really good about running my own race and started easy....my first mile was 9:18, it was a different course at magnuson, nice, flat and okay.  the second mile was 9:18 and went by the dog park, i love dog parks :-), i felt okay, i was running a little bit harder but it was doable and pretty easy for me.  the third mile had a little climb :-), i decided to try to keep my pace steady.  the last mile was 9:13 and the dip took my breath away, wow the water was COLD! 

I had a great run today.....I went to the beer garden after the run  but i did not see any  of my friends, i think they spent way too much time on their hair or something ;-) so no beer for me which was good because i had a dinner to make.  i went home without having a post race beer.

I think i have perfected my new years day meal of collard greens and black-eyed peas....they were really good.  Craig and Robin agree that the meal was good.  Next year i might have my open house again....last year i had about 30 people stop by.  If you are in my area next new years day let me know, i will invite you to stop by and have my yummy, healthy new years day meal :-).

here is the black-eyed-pea and collard greens recipe......

Sjohn’s Black-Eyed-Peas

1 ½ pound dried black eyed peas

1 ½ onions chopped

3 carrots chopped

4 celery ribs

1 red pepper

1 green pepper chopped

5 garlic cloves shopped

2 + cans veggie stock (Swanson's)

1 large can of chopped tomatoes

1 ½ teaspoons smoked hickory

1 + teaspoons red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon Tabasco

Salt and pepper to taste

Place 1 ½ pound dried black-eyed peas in pot and cover with water, at least 3 inches over beans.  Bring to boil, cover and let sit for 1-3 hours.  Rinse and drain beans. 

Saute all veggies and add garlic at end and then add stock, tomatoes and the remaining ingredient and cook for 2+ hours until beans are tender.  Season to taste.

Collard Greens
Clean and de-stem  3 bunches of collard greens.
slice 1/2 an onion (1/2 moon)
Slice greens in 1/2 moon thin slices
chop 3 gloves of garlic

boil greens in well salted water for at least 5 minutes
place boiled greens in ice bath

saute onion in 1/4 or less of olive oil
add garlic and saute until fragrant
add greens
saute until greens are tender (15 +minutes)