Living better, Feeling healthy: Just when you think.....

Just when you think summer is here! Hot weather, fresh fruit, veggies, eating a bit lighter, trips to the beach and playground.... Oh the joys of summer! Bammm we get hit with damp,wet and cool weather. With this past weekend feeling like a cool September day, it put me in the mood for Collard Greens. Their not in season but this is what I felt like eating.

If you're feeling adventurous and want to try a new green this week this recipe is a good place to start. It's an easy one pot meal that's sooo yummy and probably a bit different then what you usually cook. Keep this one in the volt for Football watching on Sunday's.

Ok, here are some health benefits of this big, bold and beautiful green!
-high in vitamin A,C and folate
-also contains vitamin E and calcium
-good source of fiber

Black Eyed Peas and Collard Green

Ingredients:
1 cup dry black eyed peas, soaked overnight
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 a large onion, diced
4-6 minced garlic cloves
1 bunch collard greens (sliced thin)
1 cup vegetable broth
water (add as needed)
1/2 an 8 ounce can tomato sauce
few dashes liquid smoke
few dash worcestershire sauce
crushed red pepper or some hot sauce for some spice
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

soak your beans overnight then drain and rinse in morning.
heat a large pot with olive oil md to high heat, add you onion and cook till soft for about 5 minutes then add you garlic and saute a few minutes. In the meantime remove stems for collards and slice thin and add to pot and saute that for a bit. Next add tomato sauce, vegetable broth and a little water (1/2 cup) and then your beans. Add a few dashes of liquid smoke and worcestershire sauce. Then some red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to your liking. You can also put some hot sauce on it after if you like it spicy.

Bring to a boil then simmer for 45 mins. Always taste for seasoning. I serve this over brown rice and this time I added some organic tortilla chips on the side.