It’s New Year’s Day, a time for hangovers, resolutions and lucky foods. Have you taken care of all three yet?

First things first. We have to deal with the hangover. The key is plenty of water. Unfortunately, it should be drunk along with — or better yet, instead of — the other libations, not after the fact. Something I never remember until the next morning. I hope you did better.

I’m writing this in advance, but if history is any guide, my first actions today will be to down a giant pot of tea and half a dozen ibuprofen tablets. That will lead directly to my first resolution — to try to remember what Champagne does to my head, and not allow it to cross my lips again. I make that one every year, and I can usually keep it — for about 364 days and 20 hours.

I have to make an exception for our amazing annual New Year’s Eve dinner in Washington, D.C. And especially so this year: My friend Roman’s folks are visiting from Russia, so I expect that dinner will be start off with honest-to-goodness Russian caviar. And truly, what is caviar without Champagne? I am already in denial about the headache problem. (Though I have packed extra ibuprofen along with the Domaine Carneros.)

Then, having feasted extremely well, I’ll pull out that other evergreen resolution: lose five pounds. I don’t mean to brag, but I always follow up on that one, and quite successfully. By May I expect to have shed most of the “muffin top” peeking out of my jeans.

Then, in a wonderful cycle that enables me to have the joy of dieting without actually wasting away to svelteness, the extra pounds I have dumped will obligingly creep back on, thus enabling me the satisfaction of losing them again next year.

How appropriate — after all, this time of year is all about cycles. As the old year ends and the new one begins, we take stock of the past and look ahead to the future, wishing everyone a spiral of health, happiness and prosperity.

Which is where the lucky foods come in. Do you have any New Year’s traditions or superstitions? The most common one in this country is black-eyed peas.

I have Southern friends who won’t start the year without Hoppin’ John, a mixture of black-eyed peas and rice. I’ve done my usual intensive Googling, and so can state with absolutely no authority whatsoever that the peas (and in other cultures, lentils) probably represent coins, and are a way of invoking wealth.

Similarly, some folks insist on cabbage or greens. They (the gurus of the Web) claim that represents folding money. Given that green paper money is an American thing, and only dates back a couple hundred years, I’m skeptical. But dark leafy greens are healthy, and cabbage is supposed to be good for hangovers, so it couldn’t hurt.

But my favorite is a Dutch custom I came across.

Forget those savory dishes. Have you had your doughnut yet?

Apparently the Dutch consider anything ring-shaped — especially donuts — to be lucky, representing “coming the full circle.” (Coincidentally, or perhaps not, fried foods also seem to help with a hangover. Oh those clever Dutch.)

Krispy Kremes — a superstition I can get behind.

In a pinch, I suspect that fried onion rings would work. A bundt cake, bagels, a Jell-O mold or even Cheerios might also suffice — but do you honestly want to build a holiday tradition around Froot Loops?

For maximum luck and a really sweet year, I’m sticking with the donuts.

“Oh no!” I can hear you saying. “It’s only Jan. 1, and she’s already forgetting her resolution to lose weight!”

Never fear. I haven’t forgotten. But you’re looking at the wrong calendar. I have lots of time before I need to start worrying about that.

Did I forget to mention this? My resolutions don’t take effect until Chinese New Year.

There are still five weeks left in the Year of the Pig, and I intend to enjoy them.

———

Are you crazy? Of course I’m not giving you a recipe for donuts. I make a lot of things from scratch, but I draw the line at foods that require deep vats of boiling oil. Besides, they’re too much work — it’s the holidays, and I’m on vacation. I’m heading to the store, and I recommend you do the same!

Recipe for New Year’s Day

3 tea bags (real tea with caffeine, not some weird herbal concoction, preferably English or Irish Breakfast)

1 quart boiling water

sugar and milk or lemon to taste (all optional)

1 bottle ibuprofen

1 dozen Krispy Kremes*

* If you can con someone else into going to the store to get them, do so. This recipe is much tastier if you execute it in your PJs, robe and slippers.

Place the teabags in a large teapot and pour the boiling water on top of them. Let steep for 5 minutes.

When the tea is ready, pour a cup and allow it to cool slightly. If you choose to do so, you may add sugar, milk or lemon, or some combination thereof, at this time.

Open the ibuprofen bottle and select the appropriate number of tablets for your headache. Put them in your mouth and wash them down with the tea.

Open the box of donuts and spend a moment enjoying the lovely circular shape of the objects within, so symbolic of the cycle of life. Then remember that life is to be enjoyed — so go ahead and start eating.

And have a happy New Year!

Serves 1-12, depending on how willing you are to share.

Napa writer Betty Teller is a serious foodie who tries not to take food too seriously. She can be reached at amuse-bouche@sbcglobal.net