Beans, tomatoes, and spinach over mashed potatoes

I haven't posted in a long time. I always want to post, and then just make excuses not to post. The excuses range from being tired, too much work, etc. The school year is full of lots of work as usual and I am normally there from 6:30-5:00ish. So, when I get home I cook, eat, clean, and do work, eventually falling asleep on the sofa. I tell John not to let me go horizontal on the sofa or I am gone.

Since I last posted I am eager to say that John and I are engaged! After 8 1/2 years of dating we are happy to take our relationship to "the next level." He proposed while we were hiking a few weekends ago. It was cold and raining, but it was wonderful. At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter where/when you propose, especially when it comes to John and I. I always see these elaborate proposal like going on scavenger hunt, etc. and I told John I didn't want anything like that. We have been together for so long (since junior year of high school) that we have way too many special places. John was retelling a story about how he would tell his parents when he got home late from being with me in high school. It goes something like this: When you put  your hand on a hot stove for a second it feels like an hour, and an hour with a beautiful girl seems like a second. Then he got down on one knee and asked the question. I was speechless and had no idea he was planning to do this! We celebrated that night by going to a really nice vegan restaurant and celebrating our relationship. I was looking through old pictures of us today, and became a little overcome with emotions. I forget how long 8 1/2 years really is. Generally people date, get married, and have kids in less time than we have been together. John and I are unique in that sense. We like to take things at our own pace. We both over plan, try to be over prepared for every situation, put our education/careers first and made plenty of sacrifices. But through it all, I would not have changed anything. We are so happy where we are now, living in Chicago, working where we work, and finally feeling like we are a "normal" couple. We are definitely a great team. Being a team is what it is all about. Having each other's back, helping one another, trusting in each other, etc. Let the wedding planning begin!

After that long diversion from cooking, I made a pretty yummy dinner tonight! I feel a bit bad since John had to leave for NYC on a business trip around 5:30 so he didn't get any. I think I have better creativity when he isn't here. I'm always afraid that what I make won't be that good, but if I am the only one eating it, no one will know! Tonight I needed to use up some spinach and wanted something warm. So, I concocted the recipe below:

Mashed Potatoes

7 mini red potatoes, washed and cut

Boil until very soft

Strain and mash

Add 1 tablespoon vegan butter

Sprinkle in garlic powder while mashing

1/4 cup soy or almond milk to bind

Tomato/Black Eye Pea Combination

Saute 4 cloves of garlic diced-I used pre diced garlic

Saute for 2 minutes of medium heat

Add 1 can drained and rinsed black eye peas

Add seasonings of your choice-i used a combo like thyme and basil

Cook for 4 minutes

Add 1/3 cup tomato juice

Add 2 roma tomatoes diced

Bring mixture to a boil

Lower to a simmer until the mixtures absorbs most of the liquid

Spinach

I emptied the bean mixture into a bowl and used the same pan to saute the spinach

Add 2 tablespoons olive oil

Add a generous amount of spinach

Saute until wilted

Assembly

Add a bed of mashed potatoes to the plate

Put spinach on top of potatoes

Spoon bean/tomato combo over

Happy Cooking!