I Don’t Recognize America Anymore
A veteran reflects on state power, anonymity, and why America no longer feels like the country he believed in.
Embracing Enough: Welcome to Lou LaMedica’s Personal Blog
"Embracing Enough" is my exploration of a life well-lived—where gratitude meets growth. From mindset and parenting to small business insights, easy family recipes, and personal finance, this blog shares practical wisdom on appreciating what we have and finding fulfillment in the everyday.
Featured Posts
Make the Good Stuff Happen Automatically
What if the key to long-term health, savings, and peace of mind isn’t discipline, but removing decisions? A reflection on building a life that works automatically.
52 Weeks Under the Bar: How Strength Training After 50 Changed My Life
A year of small, steady habits transformed my strength at 50. From rowing to barbell training, here’s how I became stronger than I was in my 40s.
Living Well Within Our Means
We’ve learned that living well isn’t about having the biggest house or the flashiest things. It’s about shaping what you have into enough, planning with purpose, and choosing experiences that last longer than stuff ever could.
Your Gut Knows the Way
From culinary school to combat zones, parenting through COVID to rebuilding a business—this is the story of trusting my gut when nothing else made sense.
Breadcrumbs for a Life Well Spent
Journaling helps me live with intention. From food to finances to bird calls in the woods, here’s how I track what matters and leave breadcrumbs worth following.
How I’m Going to Teach My Kids to Drive (Assume Everyone Else Is an Idiot)
Driving is the most dangerous daily task. These seven driving commandments will help new drivers stay safe, avoid accidents, and keep their insurance rates low.
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Apple Spice Behind the Scenes
Asian-Inspired
Beans
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Grilling
Chautauquas
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Cooking
Emotional Health
Fall Recipes
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Gratitude
Grief
Habits
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Holiday Traditions
Italian Inspired
Kid Friendly
Kool Collectibles
Leadership
Leftovers Remix
Light Vibes
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Mindset
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My Story
Nature
nature
Nostalgia
Parenting
Patience
Personal Finance
Process
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Quick Meals
Reflections
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Sandwiches
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Seeing People
Slammin’ Sides
Slow Living
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Sunday Funday
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Vegetarian
Winter Recipes
Aliens, Guitars, and Maxell Tapes: The Epic Fifth Grade Mixtape That Had It All
Van Halen. KISS. The Carpenters. A wild mix of noise and wonder—and a drum solo that rewired my brain. Music has a way of opening portals.
When a Spill Is Just a Spill
Two cups of water hit the floor at the gym. Some people called it a disaster. I called it practice. The small stuff trains us for the big storms.
My Version of Red’s Bean and Cheese Burrito
A homemade take on Red’s burritos: Rancho Gordo pinto beans, melty Costco Mexican blend cheese, red onion, and Hatch green chile cream, rolled tight and crisped golden. Air fryer and freezer-friendly.
Living in the Bubble of Boyhood
Parenting a pre-teen means protecting the bubble of boyhood while teaching responsibility. Here’s how I’m using scaffolding to guide my son through chaos, bad decisions, and growth.
Ritual de lo Habitual: Finding Meaning in Life’s Maintenance
Adult life is full of maintenance—health, budgets, routines—that can feel monotonous. But with intention, maintenance becomes ritual, bringing joy, presence, and meaning to the everyday.
The Courage to Say It Out Loud
Unspoken expectations lead to resentment. In this reflection, I share how courageously setting expectations changed my relationships, reshaped my coaching, and brought peace. Saying what you need out loud is uncomfortable at first, but it’s the only way to move past turbulence into calm.
Pasta Puttanesca
A late-summer afternoon, Gio’s first record, and the most satisfying pasta dish I know. This lusty, briny puttanesca hits with bold flavor and a touch of family ritual.
Caramelized Onion & Cheddar-Brie Mac and Cheese
A cozy, elevated twist on mac and cheese: buttered penne layered over a silky aged cheddar-Brie sauce, folded with caramelized onions, and finished with fresh Serrano heat. Even my picky daughter said, “Yum, that’s good!”
Easy Miso Cod Recipe (Also Works with Salmon) – Fast Weeknight Dinner
This miso cod recipe is a weeknight cheat code—marinate, broil, and enjoy silky, savory fish with rice and bok choy. Effortless, delicious, and restaurant-quality.
Let Them Play: Why Parents Shouldn’t Coach from the Sidelines
At a youth baseball game, I watched a dad coach his son after every pitch. The boy kept looking at him instead of playing. It reminded me why parents need to stop coaching from the sidelines—and let their kids fail, learn, and grow.
Trouble Sleeping? Why Midday Meditation Can Save Your Day
Some nights, even with all the right sleep rituals, I still find myself staring at the ceiling until 3 a.m. The next day feels foggy, heavy, and frustrating. But I’ve discovered one small practice that helps me reset: a short midday meditation. It won’t cure insomnia, but it can save the day.
A Rustic Riff on Scampi Shrimp, White Beans & Ditalini
A rustic twist on shrimp scampi—creamy alubia blanca beans and ditalini take the place of plain pasta, creating a silky base for buttery shrimp, bright tomatoes, and a little Serrano heat.
Made with Bullet