It’s Time To Start Prepping Your New Year’s Meal
You can say “New Year/New You” all you want but we all know someone who will be making collard greens and black-eyed peas for New Year’s dinner! And I will be one of them! It’s been a Southern American staple for more than three centuries. My mom and my grandmother before her, made them every New Year and I plan on keeping the tradition alive.
Some say it’s a silly superstition that somehow eating greens and black-eyed peas and rice for the New Year will bring good luck and will ensure a prosperous year. My son makes fun of the practice since after all the years of partaking in the tradition we haven’t won the lottery, but to be honest, I just really like collards and black-eyed peas so it’s a win either way for me!
Southern Tradition
Collard greens are the oldest leafy green within the cabbage family dating back 2000 years, originally grown by ancient Greeks and Romans but most of us got our first taste of collards at grandmas house. And while collard greens can be purchased all year round it’s not your imagination that they are tastier in the cold months. They’re even more nutritious this time of year especially January through April. They’ve been associated with cancer prevention, you’ll find them in detox support, they have anti-inflammatory properties, and they support heart health and digestive ease. Collard greens were even named the state vegetable for South Carolina in 2011. I’m not too sure about the nutritious value of adding a ham hock to your pot of collards but it sure is tasty!
Rounding Out The Perfect Plate
For me the collards are not complete without the black-eyed peas and rice. The sticky rice is the perfect compliment to the peas and adds a nice filling element to the meal. If you serve black eyed peas with cornbread it is said to represent gold and if they are stewed with tomatoes, it represents wealth and health.
Whether you’re making collards by themselves or going all out with some Hoppin’ John, enjoy your New Year’s dinner! Superstitious or not, it’s delicious!
13 Baskets, Boxes, and Containers to Help you Get Organized in 2024
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Life is chaotic which can lead to less time to keep your home or space organized. I know it’s not an easy task to organize your space, but there are so many reasons to. It can have a real effect on your physical and mental health.
Now I want you to imagine walking into a disorganized space. Maybe it’s a cluttered room, a messy desk, or even just a chaotic closet. Immediately, your brain starts to panic. It’s like a tiny fire alarm goes off, warning you that chaos is about to start. First, your mind becomes very confused. You start to feel overwhelmed because you can’t figure out where anything is. It’s like being lost in a maze with no map. You realize is no way you are going to find that one little item you’re desperately on the hunt for. Next, you’ve been there, I’ve been there, and your patience decides to take a vacation. It’s stressful and testing your nerves.
Mental Effects
As the messiness piles up, so does your stress. Your brain can’t handle the chaos anymore, and it starts shutting down. Concentration levels plummet, productivity dwindles, and you find yourself spending hours scrolling through videos completely avoiding tackling that important project.
Physical Effects
Now let’s talk about the physical effects. Tripping over random objects is like getting through an obstacle course. Well, you don’t get through it because it’s never-ending. Bruised, stubbed toes and maybe a few not-so-nice words happen. We’ve all been there.
But there is hope! There is light at the end of the tunnel. With a little bit of effort, some determination, and some great music you can conquer the chaos. Organizing your space will help restore order to your life, and your brain will be more at ease and grateful. Let an organized place set you free. I truly enjoyed creating this list of items below to help you, and me frankly, get organized and get some peace.
Please note that items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time we published this list. Have an idea for a fun theme for a gift idea list you’d like us to create? Drop us a line at shopping@bbgi.com.
Michelle is the producer for the Austin Rhodes show afternoons from 3pm-6pm on WGAC. She's known and been friends with Austin since they were both starting out in their 20's. She's been in the Augusta market on News Talk, Top40, Country and Rock radio on morning shows, middays and afternoons for many years. You also may have heard her in Charleston SC, Columbia SC, Savannah GA and even Des Moines Iowa! Michelle likes to focus her stories on local history, local happenings and local animals in need. She loves spending time with her rescue dogs, her horses and listening to fun new music.
