Hey GUFAB-ers!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Day, and start to the holidays. This newsletter comes at an odd time - that transitory period between Christmas festivities and New Year. Hopefully some tips and tricks to make the most of the last few days of 2022. It’s a time for reflection but also lots of rest before the rush of the new year - where exciting, beautiful things will happen to all of us.
Poem for the New Year
So, I happened to find Brian Bilston’s poetry on Twitter earlier this year, and really liked it, because it was fresh and topical. Poetry has never really been my thing, but his words are enjoyable to read, so here’s a section from “My resolution will not be televised”.
My resolution will not be Facebooked.
My resolution will not feature next to an inspirational quote
set against the backdrop of a soaring mountain or a mirror-blue lake.
My resolution will not be posted beside a shining infographic
illustrating how many kilos I have lost, how many pennies
I have saved, how many drinks I have not drunk.
My resolution will not be Facebooked.
My resolution will not be tweeted.
My resolution will not be televised.
It’s about keeping your goals private inherently, and the inspiration culture which has surrounded some of the common ones. I like it. I don’t normally tell lots of people my own resolutions either, and prefer to keep them close to my heart, away from social media.
But I think social media and the power of connecting with others generally can have a positive impact for resolution-making - providing a sense of accountability. Telling a couple of friends you’re going to be sober instead of posting it on social media is obviously different - but the social pressure, or at least pressure for continuity and standing by your words might also be present when you post it.
I think if you can find a way to use social media to help you stick to your goals then that is a positive thing. Maybe a highlight reel to track your progress or show your efforts in something (perhaps you’d like to cook more and want to showcase things you’ve made). Who knows, you might inspire someone (but hopefully not annoy another). The trick is to perhaps not announce it is a resolution, or the specific goal you have in mind.
Social media can also just be a way to find others working on the same goal as you, or tips to help you along with it. TikTok, as mind numbing as it can be, has people bursting out of their boots to give advice for all sorts of things.
Feel free to read the longer version of the poem on Bilston’s website.
Journal prompts
I’m not sure about you, but sometimes I like a little guided inspiration for my journal, or just generally to answer questions that help me reflect in ways I hadn’t considered before. You may or may not have come across the following prompts, but hopefully they’ll be a little something to aid when you’re feeling reflective.
One word to describe 2022 is …
My biggest accomplishments in 2022 were …
An important lesson I learned was …
I forgive myself for …
I’m grateful for …
In 2023, I’d like to try … (eg. things outside your comfort zone, or perhaps good behaviours you’d like to adopt?)
In one year’s time, I’d like to be …
Seasonal food
Foods at their best in January.
Pink grapefruit
Avocado
Kale
Shallots
Cauliflower
Recipes
Festive hot chocolate
I know Christmas is over, but you can still make and drink this festive gingerbread hot chocolate. It’s an indulgent treat, and we’re on winter break. I made it the other day, and just loved the quiet process of creating a hot chocolate from scratch. Past winters have seen my family go on freezing walks then come home to make hot chocolate to a method similar to this, but this year we had terrible colds :(. Still made the hot chocolate though.
150ml milk
50ml double cream
¼-½ tsp dark brown soft sugar
½ orange, zested
pinch of ground ginger
pinch of ground cinnamon
1 clove
2 drops of vanilla extract
50g dark chocolate, chopped
Optional garnishes
whipped cream
1 mini gingerbread or speculoos biscuit, crushed
Stir the milk, cream, sugar, orange zest and spices together in a saucepan, then bring to a simmer over a low heat. Remove from the heat and pour through a sieve into a jug, discarding the clove and orange zest.
Pour the warm infused milk back into the pan and stir in the vanilla and chocolate until the chocolate has melted and is smooth.
Return the pan to a low heat to warm through, if needed, then pour into a heatproof mug. Top with whipped cream and crushed gingerbread biscuits, if you like, then serve.
Curried kale and chickpea soup
A seasonal and warming recipe to keep you cosied in the holiday lull. Soup has really grown on me lately - it’s a versatile dish that you can play around with, so feel free to alter the ingredients to taste.
1 tsp rapeseed or coconut oil
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp grated ginger
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 sweet potato (about 200g), peeled and cut into 2cm cubes
1 tsp turmeric
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tbsp medium or hot curry powder
400g can chickpeas, rinsed
150ml low-fat coconut milk
500ml vegetable stock (see tip, below)
160g kale, chopped
1 lime, juiced
1 red chilli, finely chopped (optional)
Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the onion for 5 mins. Add the ginger and garlic, fry for 1 min more, then stir in the sweet potato, spices and chickpeas. Cook for another 5 mins, adding a little water if the spices stick to the pan.
Pour in the coconut milk and 400ml of the stock, then bring to a simmer and cook for 8 mins. Season, then transfer a quarter of the soup to a blender and whizz until smooth.
Pour in the reserved stock to loosen, if needed, then add back to the pan with the remaining soup. Stir in the kale and cook for 5 mins. Add the lime juice, then ladle into bowls and scatter over the chilli, if you like.
Thank you for reading the December newsletter. I hope you have a wonderful start to the new year, and start as you mean to go on (or if not, know you can start over at anytime)! If you haven’t already seen it, “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” by Charles Mackesy has been made into a televised film, available on BBC iPlayer. It’s a joyful, heartwarming and affirmative book, and the film captures that beautifully. I’d recommend for half an hour’s bliss.
Aysha x