happy 2014! & a recipe

2014 is here! i celebrated mine with my parents at home in front of the fire and my ankle in a brace (thanks to me missing a step a few nights ago - if a sprained ankle hurts this bad, i can't even imagine a broken one).! i know that doesn't sound like the usual 21-year-old NYE, but i'm not exactly the typical 21-year-old when it comes to partying...

to ring in the new year, last night we had authentic chicken tamales, homemade guacamole and salsa with sliced veggies (i cut up jicama and bell peppers to use instead of chips... saves both carbs and calories!). we then had our annual chocolate fondue as a NYE treat, complete with cubed angel food cake, pineapple and strawberries! (back to healthy eating tomorrow, right!?) NYE has never been a favorite holiday of mine so i may have been asleep before it actually struck midnight here, but i did ring in the new year with NYC... this old woman couldn't keep her eyes open another minute! nonetheless, it was the perfect way to end 2013 and to welcome 2014!

i don't totally understand the concept of new year's resolutions because i think if you want to make a change or start something new, you shouldn't have to wait until January 1st to do so. however, i am jumping on the resolution train and making a few. in 2014, i resolve to:

1. continue "documenting" my life by taking pictures more
2. continue to eat healthy and maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight
3. relax a little & stress less 
4. socialize more 
5. travel more 
6. read more
7. work towards achieving my career goals 
8. stay organized and purge the unnecessary 
9. step outside my comfort zone 
10. just be happy

it may be a cliché, generalized list of resolutions but i think they are good starts to living the life i want to live. 

tonight for supper we are feasting on traditional new year's foods for good luck in the new year. we always make a big new years day supper and my grandparents come over to munch on the good luck with us! our menu this year includes:

• pork tenderloin, so that we can embrace the challenges and adventures that await us 
• black eyed peas, to bring prosperity  
• greens, to bring wealth (recipe below) 
• cornbread, also to bring prosperity 
• baked squash casserole, just because we like it

new year's day greens

6 Canadian bacon slices, chopped
1 sweet onion, chopped
1 16 0z package fresh greens of choice (turnip, mustard, collard or mixed)
1 12 oz. can light beer
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp butter spread
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

1. sauté onion and bacon in large dutch oven over medium-high heat until onion is tender.
2. add greens in batches and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted. 
3. stir in beer and bring to a boil.
4. reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 25 minutes. stir in remaining ingredients. 

(recipe courtesy of Southern Living)

here's to more happiness, more smiles, more sparkle, more laughter and more love. happy 2014 y'all.

xoxo,

clp