Healthy Hoppin’ John (that’s good any time of year!)

This is not a typical New Year’s Day post.  I’m not sharing new resolutions, new intentions or a new word for the new year.  I’m also Not going to moan about our past year and refer to 2020 as a “dumpster fire” which I see and hear all the time.

I honestly do not look at 2020 in that way.  I think we can have what can be referred to as a “dumpster fire” year any time.  I could go on and on about many of the good things and blessings that we have all gotten from 2020.  I think we’ve all seen and experienced that in some way.  I say that while also acknowledging that my family hasn’t been affected by COVID-19 in the way that others have so I do not want to downplay or sweep any of the trauma or destruction under the rug.

In looking forward I always love the start of a new year.  I love the thought of a clean slate and new beginnings.  I also feel like this year we have an extra day over the holiday weekend that I’m looking forward to use to get my new year plans, thoughts and ideas all sorted and on paper.  In the meantime I’m doing what I always do on New Year’s Day.  If you are from the South you know what I’m talking about.  In the South we eat black eyed peas and greens on New Year’s Day.  Sometimes we call it Hoppin’ John.  Another thing I do is . . . . as little as possible.  My grandmother always said that what you do on New Year’s Day you do all year long.  So, I make sure I do NO ironing, cleaning toilets or laundry.  Just in case. . .

Here is what I have cooking in the kitchen right now and it smells so good.  I think this recipe can be eaten any time of the year.  You can swap out the black eyed peas with black beans or any other kind of beans.  It’s a light, healthy one pot meal perfect for the cold weather.

(Inspiration is from Eating Well)

A little history lesson: 

• The first Hoppin’ John recipe appeared inThe Carolina Housewife in 1857 and called for one pint of rice, one pint of peas, and one pound of bacon. 
• Hoppin’ John is traditionally served with collard greens, whose green color symbolizes wealth.
• The black eyed peas are symbolic of coins (more good fortune), and an actual coin is sometimes added to the pot. This is where eating black eyed peas on New Year’s came from.

Just a little New Year reminder that I had on my Instagram 

(Come on over if you don’t follow me!)

Thanks for sticking around with me this past year.  I appreciate all of your support, comments, time and encouragement.  Let’s keep moving forward into 2021 with joy, laughter, love and resilience. 

Stay Well!