Swiss Cake

As I scribble my to-do lists and thoughts, I sometimes sketch or write about the treats beside me. This ritual lets me savor what I am eating now. Sometimes I snap photos of my meals before I dig in, then later capturing their flavors, aromas, and textures on the page.

The photo shows a Swiss Cake, also known as a sponge cake or roll cake, that I recently bought from a Japanese pastry shop in my neighborhood. These cakes have a light, delicate texture and a gentle, natural sweetness, which is quite different from the richer, heavier Western cakes.

.*Materials I used for journaling:

• Watercolor pencils and sketchbook

• 0.5 felt pen

• Cutouts from the magazines.

• Graphic Stickers.

• Print-outs of my drawing.

• Background music

• Ginger tea

Sometimes I journal during the day instead of at night. I write about what I need to do and plan my tasks. I often do this while sitting in a coffee shop in the morning with a coffee and croissant, or during afternoon breaks with snacks.

Drawing food in your journal is a rewarding creative practice that turns everyday meals into lasting art. Here are three main reasons why it is fun and beneficial to do:

• It Enhances Sensory Memory and Mindfulness: Drawing food forces you to slow down and observe details you might otherwise overlook, such as texture, color, and lighting. This process creates a deeper connection to your experiences, allowing you to "taste" the memory long after the meal is over.

• It Provides a Low-Pressure Creative Outlet: Food is a universal, accessible subject that doesn't require a "perfect" outcome to be meaningful. Sketching familiar items like a coffee cup or a favorite snack is a great way to practice art without the fear of ruining a page, fostering creative confidence and personal expression.

• It Serves as a Vibrant Visual Record of Your Life: Unlike a simple written list, an illustrated food journal captures your daily habits and travels in a colorful, storytelling format. It transforms a routine activity—eating—into a personalized gallery of your favorite recipes and shared moments with others.