Black eyed peas and greens

Okay, another New Year's Day has come and gone, and if you ate black eyed peas and greens for good luck in 2007, or if you are still thinking about serving them and eating them, here's a tip: Eat this dish because its a good old fashioned southern meal, but as for bringing good luck, I don't know.

Growing up in Atlanta, we followed tradition and had the peas and greens on New Year's Day.

Of course I would much rather have had a burger and fries from the Dairy Queen down the street, or what about a big box of Fried Chicken from the Pick Rick Restaurant?

But, nope, it was black eyed peas and turnip greens - two food sources I did not develop a real appreciation for until I reached adulthood.

You see,the peas stood for copper and the greens, you guessed it, were dollars.

Dad said with each pea you ate you earned a dollar, and with each serving of turnip greens you earned $1,000.

Wow!! We should have been millionaires after sitting through a meal like that, but we never were, at least I never was.

Mom said even if it did not make you rich, it was good for you because the greens and the peas clean out the digestive system.

Now that is a good thing... guess you would have a prosperous digestive system during the new year, or at least part of it, but then you would have to keep eating black eyed peas and greens regularly wouldn't you?

Oh, and speaking of New Year's traditions, how about those resolutions?

I mean hey, since most of us don't keep them so why bother making them, but I guess its the thought that counts.

So, I hereby resolve to eat black eyed peas and greens on a regular basis during 2007 for a clean and healthy digestive system and as for wealth and prosperity, I will put my trust in thrift, skill, and a bit of luck.

After all, those peas and greens are very economical.

Happy New Year.

(Jerry Gunn is a reporter for WDUN NEWS TALK 550, MAJIC 1029, SPORTS RADIO 1240 THE TICKET, and AccessNorthGa.com.)