Well let me start off by saying goodbye to 2019 and Happy New Year, May 2020 be the year for good health, healing & and making all your dreams come true. So, I have a question for you all. How many of you do the Cabbage and Black-eyed pea New Year’s traditional meal? I was talking to my friend Jennifer the other day and that is her tradition, the Cabbage is for Wealth and the Black-eyed peas are for Health. My New Year’s resolution is to Cook healthier food so I can lose weight, continue on my journey with the love of my life, and Continue my Journey with Disability Connections as Food Editor, which by 

the way is a huge honor and privilege, and all of these will be my main focus points going into 2020. The recipes I’ve chosen are a couple of my favorites starting with (Artichoke dip) and then Jeff’s (Chocolate Cheesecake) recipe. 

Artichoke Dip: 

1 (15 oz. can) Artichoke hearts 

1 c. Mayo 

1 c. Grated Parmesan cheese 

Chop the Artichoke hearts into a mixing bowl and add 1 c. Mayonnaise and 1 c. grated parmesan cheese. Mix well and put into an oven safe pan and set the oven for 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, just long enough to warm it thru, it is even good cold as the day goes by or even the next day. You can double it as much as you want to just remember for every can of artichoke hearts, use the same Cup amounts of the cheese and Mayonnaise, I make mine for a crowd so I personally use 3 cans hearts and 3 cups each of the cheese and mayo. 

Now for a sweet treat, 

Jeff’s chocolate cheesecake. 

1 chocolate pre-made crust 

3 (8 oz. pkgs) softened cream cheese 

1 c. sugar 

1 tsp. vanilla 

2 (4 oz. pkgs.) Baker’s semi-sweet chocolate, broken into pieces, melted & cooled 

3 eggs 

1/2 c. sliced strawberries, for garnish 

1) Heat oven to 350 degrees

2) Beat cream cheese, sugar, & vanilla in a stand mixer or electric hand mixer until blended, add eggs 1 at a time, mixing after each egg at low speed, add chocolate, mix well.

3) Pour into crust and bake 45 to 55 minutes or until center is just set.

4) Refrigerate 4 hours. Top with strawberries just before serving.