Health, Happiness and Prosperity New Year's Dinner!

Hi all!

Its that time of year again... 2010 is coming to an end.  What can you reflect on from this year?  What did you attract to your life in 2010?  What are you affirming for 2011?  On or about New Years Eve, I like to take the time to reflect on what I accomplished the past year and think about all that I want to accomplish in the coming year as well as give thanks for the blessings I've received and the blessings I'm going to receive in the years to come!  We all have something to be thankful for!  If you are reading this blog, you have at least 2 things to be thankful for!  1.  You can read and   2. You have Internet access!

As a child, each year, my grandmother would prepare black-eyed peas to eat on New Year's Day.  Black-eyed peas are a symbol of prosperity and good luck when eaten on New Years Day. This year, since I will not be home for dinner on New Year's Eve, I am planning dinner for New Year's Day! I am going to prepare a

Feast of Health, Happiness and Prosperity for New Year's Day 

to usher in the New Year!

My Feast will be a calibration of dishes from many cultures that I have gathered over the years. Each dish represents either wishes for good health, wealth, prosperity, happiness on a spiritual, mental, physical or emotional level for the new year!  I am really excited!

Check out my menu:

Sharron's New Year's Day Feast
for Health, Happiness & Prosperity

(...and the meaning of each dish)

1.  Black Eye Peas:  They are small, look like coins and expand when they are cooked so they symbolize wealth and prosperity!  These are commonly eaten in the US on New Year's day, originating in the southern states.

2.  Fish:  Whole fish with silver scales symbolize wealth and good luck as well as surplus and abundance! Not to mention that fish are packed with many nutrients that are good for us! 
  

3.  Greens:  Greens represent good family ties, spiritual growth as well as wealth because of their color.  Greens such as Kale, Collard Greens, Spinach, Cabbage and Swiss Chard are very rich in nutrients and a key to eating for good health.   I plan to prepare some Kale and Swiss Chard. 
TIP:  Don't cook down your greens!  Cook them just long enough to maintain the bright green color to ensure that you retain all of the nutrients.   Cook them about 10 minutes max. Also, the greener the greens, the more wealth ;)

4.  Grapes:  In Spain, Portugal and parts of Latin America, many people eat 12 sweet grapes, symbolizing the 12 months of the year, at midnight on December 31st.    1 grape equals good luck for each month in the coming year. I am going to have some sweet black grapes as an appetizer with my feasts!

5.  Steamed Shrimp:  In Japan, shrimp are specifically eaten for longevity.  

6. Pomegranates:   This super fruit, a native from Iran to northern India, which has been cultivated and naturalized over the whole Mediterranean region since ancient times, is gaining increasing popularity.  Pomegranates are considered the "New Fruit" and symbolize new beginnings, good luck and fertility!

Well, based on my menu, it sounds like I have a great recipe for a successful year!  Of course, in all things, put God first and give thanks to God for all of His blessings!

Hope you enjoy this and perhaps decide to try some of these dishes as well!  Do you have any plans, traditional meals for New Year's Day?

NOTE:  I will also be starting the Daniel Fast beginning on January 5, 2011.  The Daniel Fast, in a nut shell, a spiritual, mental and physical commitment to only eat certain foods and focus your spiritual thoughts in prayer and meditation.  My goal is to stay on board for 21 days, but I may extend beyond and do 40 days with a few friends and family!  If you are interested in joining me, please let me know.   I will be posting on this soon!!!

tata... and HAPPY NEW YEARS!