I don’t believe that lasting happiness is typically achieved through stuff like a job promotion, a new home or adopting a puppy, although there’s no doubt that such happenings deliver a jolt. According to the new documentary Happy, status (career, relationship status, income) only account for 10% of the differences in our levels of happiness. The film also says that 40% of potential happiness is unaccounted for, suggesting that there is a lot one can do to become a happier camper. Which leads me to ginger root.
Ginger is a magical, but not terribly attractive, root that’s used in a variety of culinary and medicinal preparations. On a whim I picked up a “hand” of ginger at the market. What’s the deal with this little guy? I excitedly hurried home where a quick Google search evolved into a full-blown project.
So what makes ginger so remarkable, and why should you (and I) keep some in your kitchen so that happiness is just at your fingertips?
Sorry for the long title, but that is the conclusion that I came to after reading this New York Times article, 
From the kiss at midnight to hoping (or arranging) for a tall, dark-haired male to be the first to enter the house, there are many traditions and customs done to step into the new year on the right foot. We Southerners get out our pots and pans and cook up black-eye peas representing health, collard greens for prosperity, and cornbread representing gold or wealth. I usually just simmer a small pot of black-eyes and force my family to have at least at spoonful. This year I remixed things a bit with this recipe for black-eye pea fritters. While I’m not an advocate for fried foods, this is just too good not to share. Enjoy today, hit the gym tomorrow:
