Happy New Year!

It is hard to believe that we are already saying goodbye to 2025 and ringing in a brand new year — 2026! They say time seems to fly by quicker when you get older because we experience less new experiences. As a person ages, we can learn new hobbies, travel more, and be more mindful of our experiences.

Having a list of New Year’s resolutions is a tradition for me. Mine would be to eat healthier and to start a gratitude journal. This is a journal that can help you feel rejuvenated. The idea is to write something down each day that you are grateful for, such as special moments, events, or people in your life that spark a sense of thankfulness. This is supposed to help you mentally and physically, while also helping you focus on the positive things in your life. I believe I will give it a try this year.

Easy Spaghetti

This is a great dish, and we enjoy eating spaghetti occasionally. If you don’t like cutting up the garlic and onion, you can substitute the onion, garlic and allspice by using the dried onion and parsley found in the spice area of your local grocery store.

If you like leftovers or are having guests, you may want to double the recipe as it yields only 4 to 6 servings. Of course, warm breadsticks are always great to have with spaghetti.

Ingredients

1 pound beef

1/2 cup chopped onion, more or less

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon or less of allspice

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 ounces dry spaghetti, broken (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 8-ounce can tomato sauce

1 3-ounce can sliced mushrooms

3 1/2 cups tomato juice

Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Brown ground beef, onion and garlic and place in a heavy cooking pot. Sprinkle seasonings over meat. Arrange spaghetti in a layer over meat. Add tomato sauce and mushrooms with liquid. Pour tomato juice over spaghetti, being sure all is moistened. Cover tightly. Cook, without stirring, for 30 minutes or until done. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese. This yields 4 to 6 servings.

Note: Two tablespoons of instant minced onion and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder may be substituted for onion and garlic. Also, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning may be substituted for mustard, allspice and pepper.

Taco Dip Tray

This recipe is perfect to take to a New Year’s gathering or game get-together, and is fairly easy to make.

Ingredients

1/2 cup fat-free sour cream

1 pound hamburger, browned, drained and cooled

1 to 2 cups finely-shredded cheddar cheese

1 to 2 cups salsa (medium hot)

Tostito chips

1 8-ounce package light cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup onion, diced

Lettuce, finely chopped

1 chopped tomato

Instructions

Soften cream cheese. Mix sour cream into it. Spread on a large serving plate. Brown hamburger; drain and cool completely. Crumble hamburger over cheese mixture. Next, sprinkle diced onion over the top. Spread salsa over the onion layer. Top with lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese. Serve with Tostito chips.

Holiday Egg Bake

Our family likes egg bakes, and I wonder sometimes why I don’t prepare them more often. With celebrating our Christmas after the big day, we will have family staying over. We will be enjoying this dish along with some fresh fruit. It is a joy to pop a dish in the oven first thing and have your breakfast/brunch all ready to go.

Ingredients

6 to 8 slices of bread, crust removed

8 eggs

4 cups milk

1 teaspoon dry mustard

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 1/2 pounds diced ham, bacon or sausage

8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan. Remove crust from bread slices and line bottom of pan with whole slices of bread. Bread can also be torn into pieces if you prefer. Set aside. Mix together eggs, milk and dry mustard. Season mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Pour over bread. Add diced ham, bacon or sausage. Sprinkle shredded cheese over top. Cover with foil. Refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes.

Easy Blueberry Muffins

These muffins are delicious, and it only takes one bowl and one spoon, so cleanup is fast and easy. A crumb topping can be added to this recipe or they can be served plain.

Ingredients

1 egg, beaten

2 cups Bisquick

2/3 cup milk

1/3 cup sugar

2 tablespoons oil

3/4 cup fresh blueberries

Instructions

Stir all ingredients together. Add 3/4 cup fresh blueberries. You may use frozen blueberries, but be sure to thaw and drain well. Grease bottom only of cupcake tins. (Add topping, if desired.) Bake at 400 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. (I prefer to use cupcake liners.)

Crumb Topping Ingredients

1 cup all purpose flour

3 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 pinch salt

6 tablespoons butter, melted

Crumb Topping Instructions

Combine the flour with the brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in melted butter, then pinch the mixture until it forms into pea-sized clumps.

Have a happy and healthy New Year!