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January 3, 2026

Weekly check in...

Happy New Year...

By Jonathan Murphy

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Julie K

3 months ago

Happy new year! I had a 50th birthday on 2nd Jan for my nearest and dearest and made him the old Jamaican ginger cake recipe you have given us. It went down a storm with all my friends and was a lovely end to the holidays. I hope your 2026 is all you hope for and more. 😃

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Jonny (Hungry Hooker)

3 months ago

Thank you Julie, Happy New Year to you as well 🙌🏻 Love hearing that, it's a real tasty one! Same to you, I hope 2026 is a great one for us all ❤️

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Joanne S

3 months ago

Happy New Year Jonny, to your lovely family also. Always love watching and trying out your recipes. Enjoy the laughs & telling offs from your grandparents, makes me chuckle 🤭 So glad you reach out & speak out. I’ve battled mental health over 30yrs, talking is definitely the key. God bless you and your family 🙏♥️

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Jonny (Hungry Hooker)

3 months ago

Thank you Joanne, Happy New Year to you and yours as well 🙌🏻 Delighted you're enjoying it and getting stuck into the recipes! Talking definitely helps, can be tough at times but all about learning how to manage it. I hope you're in a good place at the moment and keeping well ❤️

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Maura M

3 months ago

Happy New Year Jonny & all good wishes for 2026. Thank you for sharing all your delicious recipes with us and great to hear you have reached out for support as everyone needs it at some time in their lives 🫶

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Jonny (Hungry Hooker)

3 months ago

Thank you Maura and Happy New Year to you and all the family ❤️ I appreciate it, hopefully I'll be back to myself soon 🙌🏻

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Nikki F

3 months ago

Morning all and happy new year! I am just waiting to leave for the airport (ready over an hour early as always 🤣) and trying to distract myself from getting too emotional that I have to leave 😭. I always wish I could be one of those people that just feels happy that they had an amazing time but Instead I always struggle a bit with the come down and top that off with then being away from my family again something I never get used to. I have had the most fantastic time though, ate too much, Drank too much, Sang and danced and laughed non stop and I’m so grateful to have these amazing times and so much fun with my family, especially after losing myself and feeling low for so long, it makes it even better. I am determined to not sink in to my usual post holiday/good times depression and to go in to the new year feeling positive! I am looking forward to getting back in to cooking and eating (a bit) healthier, back to my workouts and continuing to feel better about myself. I’ve challenged myself to visit somewhere new each month, and go on at least one solo mini break .. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone a lot last year being single again and doing things alone but one thing that I would never have thought I could do is a full weekend alone but I think it’s time to push my self and for me always having something planned to look forward to always helps keep my mental health a bit more in check. I hope everyone had a great time though and sending everyone lots of love and I hope you’re all going in to the new year feeling positive and taking care of yourselves ❤️.

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Jonny (Hungry Hooker)

3 months ago

I hope it was a smooth journey back Nikki? I was the very same when I was away from home or on a trip. It's hard to get out of the mindset but I now try to live in the moment and enjoy the time. It goes a lot slower and you really savour the experience 🙌🏻 That's a great mindset for the year ahead. I'm in a similar position and it can be hard. Doing the things you love and enjoy really help. Those wee plans and things to look forward to really help, so be sure to have them in the diary! I hope it's an amazing year for you, I'm sure it will be! Can't wait to see what you rustle up in the kitchen and get up to ❤️

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Nikki F

3 months ago

Pit stop in London tonight and then properly home and back to reality tomorrow 😢 but i’m sure will be fine once I’m back in to my routine. I try my best to be more in the moment and not worry so much, but worrying is basically my middle name so it doesn’t come that easily to me 🤣. Keeping busy and having plans and things to look forward to has massively helped me this past year but I had to really fake it till I made it with doing things alone, initially i mostly did it to prove to my ex I was living my best life without him but now I don’t care about him and just do it because I am actually living my best life … well most days anyway 🤣. We will get there though! Just got to do the best we can, and be kind to ourselves along the way ❤️.

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Jonny (Hungry Hooker)

3 months ago

Just make sure you're doing things for yourself Nikki. Never try to be something or someone else to impress others, especially an ex 🙌🏻 That's what I've learnt to be a major help, especially in the long run! Be kind to yourself as always ❤️

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Nikki F

3 months ago

Definitely! It was more that I was pretending I was ok at the time despite the fact that was very far from true .. but time is a healer, and I find it mad now to think back to how heart broken and sad I was then … especially over a stupid boy!! 😷🤣. As cheesy as it sounds though I think most important thing is to love and put yourself first and focus on the ones you love and who love you back, and then when you’re genuinely happier and in a good place it will have a positive impact on all parts of your life … that’s what I’m hoping anyway 🤞🏼❤️

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Jonny (Hungry Hooker)

3 months ago

That's a great mentality Nikki ❤️ I had and have very similar feelings, it's best to feel them and allow the process to take it's course! But when we slowly get out the other side focusing on our own happiness is key 🙌🏻 It's something I'm really trying to work on and we can do it together ❤️

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Nikki F

3 months ago

It’s not always easy to think that way but you just have to try and remember how great you are and that you deserve the best ❤️. I used to feel really lost at first not having someone else to always worry about and care for but over time I’ve realised that unless you’re getting the same in return when you need it, it’s best to focus on giving that same time and attention to yourself .. give it 12 months and we’ll be writing a self help book! 🤣🤣❤️

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Jonny (Hungry Hooker)

3 months ago

Couldn't agree more Nikki 🙌🏻 We deserve to give ourselves that care and love just as much ❤️ As cliche as it is we need to love ourselves first and treat ourselves well first and foremost. Over the course of 12 months we can become completely different people and that's exciting! Be kind to yourself Nikki, it's something we all deserve!

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Pam G

3 months ago

Hi Jonny, Happy New Year to you and your family! I’m making one of your yeast bread recipes today. Smells so good already! It is so brave, smart and forward thinking to reach out to your Past Players Association to get as much help for as long as you need. As a young man your are leading by example to be unafraid to talk about your personal struggles and your desire to explore more help and counsel. So proud of you and your efforts. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself as you continue to find Your strengths and dreams. Being able to share your experience is important. Your devoted and caring family are also there beside you through it all. Letting all of us here get to know you is really a treasure. Not just all the videos and recipes ( I love them and have made several), but your truth and vulnerability. The world needs so many people just like you, Jonny. Please keep being courageous as you decide your path!! You are worth it !!!!! You rock!!!

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Jonny (Hungry Hooker)

3 months ago

Thank you Pam and Happy New Year to you and all the family ❤️ Love to hear that, how did it turn out? Those kind words mean more than you know! I'll continue the best I can and hopefully it helps change lives for the better 🙌🏻

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Pam G

3 months ago

Irish Batch Bread is a family favorite! The dark crust is delicious!

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Jonny (Hungry Hooker)

3 months ago

Delighted to hear Pam 😄 I hope it's a regular in the house now 🙌🏻

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David J

3 months ago

Happy New year to you all x

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Jonny (Hungry Hooker)

3 months ago

Same to you my friend 🙌🏻 x

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Tracey A

3 months ago

Happy New Year 🎊

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Jonny (Hungry Hooker)

3 months ago

Same to you Tracey 🙌🏻

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Amanda Jane

3 months ago

Happy new year to you and yours Jonny hope you have a brilliant 2026. Thank you for creating this lovely community I'm enjoying all the recipes and interacting with the lovely people on here. Just continue being you and bringing brilliant recipes that are easy to follow. Also thank you for how open you've been on mental health it helps to realise we all have bumps in the road and its okay to reach out for help for time to time and admit when you're not feeling okay. All the best to everyone for the new year hope its a good one for all of us ❤️

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Jonny (Hungry Hooker)

3 months ago

Thank you Amanda and I hope yours have a wonderful 2026 ❤️ There's no need to thank me, your support means the world. I really hope what I'm doing makes a difference and helps! I'll continue what I'm doing and hopefully it only grows and changes lives for the better 🙌🏻

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Carole Y

3 months ago

Hi Jonny, Happy New Year to you and your family. Yes it’s hectic but always always put yourself first. It’s great that you’re looking towards to talking to someone because it will help. We all need help at some point in our lives been there and bought the T-shirt. My daughter got me your book for Christmas and I love it. Maybe do one with some savoury recipes.

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Jonny (Hungry Hooker)

3 months ago

Thank you Carole, I hope your year is a great one! We're always toughest on ourselves, doing what's right now and I'll get back to myself soon🤞🏻Delighted that you like the book, can't wait to see all your creations! I'd love to and I'm trying my best to make that a reality ❤️

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