Thursday, January 2, 2014

Food for Thought : Legumes & Greens

For many of us , January 1 marks  the opportunity  to make a clean start .  This is not  only for New Year's day  . The New Year's Day  food traditions  throughout  the whole year . Traditions  vary  from culture to culture , but there are some similarities  in what is consumed  throughout the world . Common themes  are making  a clean slate  , promoting  good luck  and fortune  in the new year . Here are a few tips to help you compliment  your meal  or create  a whole menu  of foods  to start off your new year .
                                      Legumes

 
Dry Legumes
                                                               Can Legumes
Legumes , particularly black-eyed peas  , are a classic  Southern  food consumed  on New Year's Day . According to folklore  , this  tradition dates back  to the Civil War  when Union troops  pillaged the land  and left behind  only peas and greens . No matter the origin , these peas  are high in potassium  and fiber , low in fat  and  an economical  of protein . A great food to have year round .
                                          Greens

Cabbage
                                             Collards
Greens , particularly collards  and cabbage  , have touted  to represent  money and prosperity  in the coming year . These nutrient-rich green leafy vegetables  are extremely  low in calories  , fat and sodium . These too , are great additions   to your foods year round .
Some traditions  promote some  foods to avoid . Some cultures  say it is a bad idea to eat lobster  because they move backwards  and could lead to setbacks . Chicken  or any winged  foul is also avoided because they "scratch" backward  and winged foul could fly away with good luck  (now we know why most people  do not  serve foul or lobster  on New Year's Day)
Some cultures  recommend leaving a little food on your plate  to guarantee  a stocked pantry  in the new year  , a habit many of us  could use  throughout the year.
Words of Wisdom :
A sense of humor is needed armor . Joy in one's heart and some laughter  on one's lips  is a sign that the person down deep  has a pretty  good grasp on life .
A person without humor is like a wagon  without springs ,. It's jolted by every pebble  in the road .
Imagination was given  to man  to compensate  him for what he is not ; a sense of humor  to console  him for what he is .
If I had  no sense of humor , I would long ago  have committed suicide .
The computer beat me at checkers , but I sure beat it at kick-boxing  (laughing my butt off).
A proud grandpa     G.

12 comments:

  1. Dad ... oh how I love you , let me count the ways [giggling] Dad I ran out of fingers and toes .
    I do so thank you so much and you will get a very special treat . This post is what a lot of people need to know about food , especially if they have kids , healthy eating is about choosing the right foods , fruits , vegetables . Man wants to take you to school for show and tell Hahahaha!
    I do so thank you Dad for just being you and that's saying a lot ,because you are a bad boy ...
    Your only daughter

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    1. My precious daughter , you are most welcome and there is more to come . You deserve the best for all you do for your family and people that asks you for help or advice . My son is so dang lucky .
      Now get in that kitchen and shake those pots and pans . (laughing my butt off)

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  2. Poppa , your pictures look good , Man said he help you , poppa we out the can food back and the dry peas and thank you for the ice cream and cake . mama is making you a peach pie . aunt Mae say mama is making some fry meat pies for dinner tomorrow , they are so good . Mama gave daddy her list and we got to the store daddy gave it to Nancy to get . Daddy and uncle Chris put Man and Bubba in their carts and away they went , poppa daddy is bad and mama is going to spank his musty butt . we read your post and aunt Mae say you are getting good , she do not know what you are getting good at . we love you poppa so very very much .
    Wrote by Sha

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    1. Hello my grands , thank you for replacing the can goods back in the pantry , now your dear mama will not talk me crazy . I do so thank you for the kind words , lets do something exciting this weekend if weather permits , ask your daddy . I am so proud of all of you and thanks for reading my post .

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  3. G. very interesting post , so this is what you was working on the last two weeks , well dear sir , job well done . G. you are so spoiled by everyone , Let me know when your something special is ready ?.

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    1. Dear Jean and Harvey , I know things are looking up and can Harvey come over for a playdate tomorrow . My boss says it will be OK because he will be out and leave Mae in charge , glad you liked the post . I like being spoiled .

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  4. Great post G. and very helpful to people that wants a healthy diet , as the saying goes , a little bit goes a long way .
    Here's looking at you big guy .

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    1. My dear Joanna , thanks so very much , I will need your help on the next few posts , herbs that is good for your health and cooking , yes , a little bit goes a long way and dear lady what you got I can get . (laughing my butt off) and here is looking at you .

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  5. Hi Poppa ,
    What a great post , I know aunty is so happy , she do need help because she is so busy down at Human Resources with the promotion of the hotel and casino , they are going world wide , uncle Gil said that his friend in Canada has seen them , just in time for vacation planning . I love the pictures of your suite and the lobby . Well done poppa .

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  6. Hello my mentor , glad you enjoyed the post . I seen the promotion of the pictures and they are awesome , especially my rooms and bath, Priceline is taking all the hotels and casinos world wide and I do so think daughter did a great job . She said she was going to put them on their private site when she get the time , do not ask me when that will be . The cubs got some pecan shortbread cookies out the freezer , they should be ready soon .

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  7. Hey dad , great post , practice makes prefect and everyone enjoys your rewards ( smiling) .

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  8. Hello my son , thank you for the encouraging words , The best reward I have is you my son and you are still making me happy with the wonderful family you produced . Thank you boss.

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Come on in , set awhile and have a cup of tea and cookies , as always you are welcome .