Month: December 2023

New Year’s Eve and journaling

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I stopped for coffee this morning and my barista asked if I had any New Year’s resolutions this year. I suddenly realized that I did. I’ve started keeping a journal, but I have trouble making it an every day activity. I journal more days than I don’t but I still want it to be a daily habit.

My barista told me she’s been journaling for several years and the things she found to be most helpful are 1) use a beautiful notebook, 2) use pens that flow nicely and fit well in the hand, and 3) set an alarm every day that means, “Write for ten minutes.”

I’ve been using a simple spiral notebook because I’ve learned over the years that I have trouble using a beautiful one. I feel like I’m messing it up when I write in it. But maybe things have changed? It’s been a long time since I tried journaling in a lovely notebook. My barista said our local Barnes and Noble has some particularly nice ones. Maybe I’ll run over and check it out.

I have pens that I like how they write and how they feel in my hand, so I think I’m good on pens.

I hadn’t thought of having a time limit on journaling. Ten minutes is short enough that it can fit into even the busiest day, but long enough that I can get into some substance.

Funny how my barista had some wisdom and thoughts to impart to me today on the very topic I’d been pondering.

Lentil Loaf

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This recipe doesn’t freeze particularly well, so it never ended up in one of my cookbooks. But this is what I make when I want meatloaf (or in my case, it’s usually meatloaf sandwiches I’m craving). Along the way, I developed a severe sensitivity to beef, so this is a reasonably good substitute.

  • 1 onion, chopped fine
  • 1 Tbsp oil
  • 2 cups cooked, drained lentils
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 tsp thyme
  • 2 Tbsp flour
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup broth or water
  • 2 tsp vinegar
  • 2 tsp soy sauce

Preheat oven to 350F.
Saute onion in oil until softened and clear.
Mix cooked lentils and other ingredients, and place in a greased loaf pan.
Bake for 30 minutes covered with foil.
Remove foil and bake for 10 minutes more. Let sit for five minutes.