Reflections: January's Habit- Eating less meat

In the Red Clover Cottage newsletter I have a section called "A Little Greener Tips"... as I am on a continual path to becoming a little greener than I was before. This year I’d like to concentrate on simple ways I can live a more natural lifestyle. Readers can join me on my journey as I practice a new habit each month. January's habit was eating less meat. These are my reflections:

So I stopped eating meat, except for fish in the middle of last year. At first I was doing good and I looked forward to Thanksgiving when I would indulge in a true Thanksgiving meal. It was really nice, however I slowly let meat creep back in. After some more practice in January, which went well most of the time, and some reflections, I have come to three conclusions or enlightenment for myself:
1) I am best suited to being a "part time" non meat eater, perhaps going meatless 4 of 7 days; and that is ok, probably healthiest even for me. If fulltime meat eaters would opt to eat even just one meatless day a week, it would do a world of good... Not only for the environment but also for their health!
2) If you are just starting out on this lifestyle: Not telling your kids about your new state of cooking or eating is a good thing... just ease into it without making a fuss! This is best to avoid the: "is this 'real' meat" comments, and whether it's good or not they don't like it! Just introduce your new creations and meals as something new. There are plenty of tasty non meat dishes to keep trying until your family likes them. Or just try a finger food tray with veggies and bean dips etc... you'll be surprised the creativity that exists within! If all else fails, grilled cheese and soup mmm....
3) Lentil Loaf rocks! Here is the recipe I adapted. There is a lot of room for playing with this to get the texture and spices they way you like.

This is basically a double batch because I LOVE a meatloaf sandwhich and a lentil loaf sandwhich was almost better than lentil loaf smothered in ketchup the night before! Yummmo!

2 c. dried Lentils (cooked and cooled)
I cooked the lentils in 3 c. water 50 min +/- , do not salt the water!
1/4 c. walnuts (finely chopped) optional
1/4 c. flax seed (finely ground) optional
2 c. oats (not the quick kind)
4 slices bread or 2c. (toasted and chopped or bread crumbs)
1 sm/md onion or 1c. (chopped)
3 small or 2 large eggs
Spices - you could use what you have and like, here is what I did:
1/4 tsp. Tumeric, 1 tsp. chopped garlic, 1/4 tsp. poultry seasoning, pepper,

Baked at 300 for 1 hr.
I also drizzled olive oil and added potatoes & carrots before cooking.