Luck for the New Year

[ecosophia]

Now that the last hours of 2025 are trickling away, it occurs to me that some readers may want a little good luck in the coming year. American folk magic has some options to suggest with this in mind. The first things you eat tomorrow should be: 

Rice and beans -- what version of this always-hearty dish gets recommended by tradition depends on where you live, but red beans and rice, hoppin' John (rice with black-eyed peas), or rice with black beans are all common options. Cooking it with a little ham or pork sausage is traditional in many areas. Since it's been the standard meal for working folks in much of America since colonial times, if you eat it on New Year's day you'll always have enough to eat in the year ahead. 

Corn bread -- I know there are savage regional rivalries about what counts as real corn bread, but that doesn't matter; whatever kind of corn bread you prefer is the one to eat. Its golden color brings you many sunny days in the year ahead. 

Ham, pork sausage, or bacon -- this guarantees that you'll be able to eat like a pig in the year ahead. 

Some kind of leafy green vegetable -- cabbage, collard greens, or any other kind of green leafy you like will do.  The leaves stand for money, and bring you ample cash in the coming year. 

So there you have it. You can do this as a one dish meal, as shown in the photo, or as separate dishes. Enjoy, and a happy new year to all!