Lura, you are just fine. I have never eaten a black-eyed pea in my life and all is well in my world. HOWEVER ... I was raised believing you had to have some type of pork on New Year's Day. As long as we eat a piece of ham we are good to go. One year we had none in the house, and I made Husband drive to a CVS or Discount Drug Mart and buy a Lunchable so we could have our ham! I also use salad for prosperity, too (lettuce = money) because I can't stand sauerkraut. Hey, if I believe it will work, it will! :)