Most people start the New Year off making resolutions. Not me. I found every time I would make a resolution, I'd fail my goals usually within the first, five minutes of saying them. That's because I'm a cusser and I'm comfortable with that. So, I would end up cussing no sooner than I said I would stop. It's a fact that most people fail their resolutions by the end of January. That's thirty days after they were made. I do believe you need to set goals for yourself, so I just say what I need to do, and then just apply it in my life. That may not sound any different from making a resolution, but it does weirdly in my mind.... Lol Here is a suggestion that might be easier to grasp. Set shorter timeframes on your goals. Instead, of saying I'm going to lose 10 lbs. in one month. Say, I'm going to work out for 3 days in 30 min increments in the 2nd week of January, I'm going to replace a meal with a salad or smoothie on the 3 days that I work out in 30 min increments in the 3rd week of January, so on and so forth. This way you're still achieving your resolutions but your able to do it according to how your week is going and you can adjust accordingly. I also suggest getting in groups or team up with someone as an accountability partner. Sometimes we just need that extra push or to know that someone is in our corner and trying to achieve the same goals.
Another tradition at New Year's is to eat blackeye peas and some type of greens. Keeping with tradition I did have both even though I am not a blackeye peas fan at all. When I was in North Carolina I would go to Watch Service on New Year's Eve and they would serve us blackeye peas and a piece of chicken after the service. That bowl was about all I could stomach. Since I'm no longer in North Carolina and I haven't been to any Watch Services here in Flint, I've had to make my own. This year I did use a brand called Ragin' Cajun Fixin's Seasoned Blackeye Peas. I have to admit much better than the way I have had them. My greens were Collards from Thanksgiving that I had frozen, and my son got me to make him some homemade Chicken and Dumplings. Needless to say, my New Year's Dinner rocked.
I've posted some recipes down below that are close to how I cooked my meal (but maybe not exact...take out or add as you like) and if you can't find the Ragin Cajun blackeye peas in your area I'll add the website. To be honest I've really only seen them in urban neighborhood stores. Remember, all my recipes are pretty versatile so they can be cooked with meat or made vegan or vegetarian.
Also, if anyone would like to start a 10-day salad challenge as a group let me know. I'd be happy to send you salad recipes, meals, and workout suggestions. If you're in the Flint area I can also help you get fresh, organic, and local grown kale, lettuce, spinach, beets and carrots or you can go to the link listed below.
Happy New Year's and remember, "When you know better, you do better."
Bon Appetit'