An Open Letter to My Children About Emotional Boundaries
A father reflects on emotional boundaries, relationship maturity, and protecting your peace in this open letter to his children about choosing the right life partner.
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
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.
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.
Starting Classical Guitar at 48 — Why I’m Learning Something New (and Hard)
At 48 years old, I decided to learn classical guitar — not because I needed another hobby, but because I missed the feeling of being a beginner again.
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.
Posts
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Apple Spice Behind the Scenes
Asian-Inspired
Beans
Books
Breakfast
Business
Grilling
Chautauquas
Coaching
Comfort Food
Communication
Cooking
Emotional Health
Fall Recipes
Family
Gratitude
Grief
Habits
Health
Holiday Traditions
Italian Inspired
Kid Friendly
Kool Collectibles
Leadership
Leftovers Remix
Light Vibes
Meal Prep
Mindset
Music
My Story
Nature
nature
Nostalgia
Parenting
Patience
Personal Finance
Process
Purpose
Quick Meals
Reflections
Sales & Strategy
Sandwiches
Seafood
Seeing People
Slammin’ Sides
Slow Living
Soups
Sports
Sunday Funday
Sweets
Vegetarian
Winter Recipes
Turkey Apple Pita Pressed Sandwich (And a Reminder That Your Fridge Is Enough)
Hungry after rowing, I made a turkey, apple, and Muenster pressed pita sandwich from what I had in the fridge. Simple, satisfying—and a good reminder that eating at home often hits the spot.
What Feels True: The Fall, The Wire, and the Power of Integrity
How The Fall and The Wire reveal the danger of performative goodness — and why integrity, small acts of care, and living with a clean feeling matter more than appearances.
Chautauquas: Communicate Like You Give a Damn
Why email is a terrible way to communicate, why clarity matters, and why you should still pick up the phone if you want to lead. A chautauqua on leadership and communication from Apple Spice’s front lines.
The Baseball Pain Glossary: Fan-Invented Terms for Surviving the Game
Baseball will break your heart in the dumbest ways. Here’s the ultimate Baseball Pain Glossary — from NOBLETIGERs to TOOTBLANs — to help you name, laugh at, and survive the agony of loving this game.
King City Pink Bean, Greens & Pasta Soup (Rainy Sunday Favorite)
This cozy bean, greens, and pasta soup features King City Pink Beans, spinach, a Parmesan-rich broth, and Rancho Gordo Tubetti pasta. Perfect for a nourishing, comforting meal on a rainy day.
Greek Power Salad with Grilled Chicken, Farro & Greens
Use up your Mediterranean grilled chicken leftovers in this vibrant Greek-inspired power salad with farro, spinach, Italian greens, and a lemon-oregano vinaigrette.
How I’m Approaching the New Baseball Season (And What I’ll Tell My Players on Day 1)
How I’m approaching the fall baseball season — and what I’ll tell my players on Day 1. Teaching effort, mindset, accountability, emotional discipline, and how to handle failure with resilience.
The Mediterranean Everything Bowl: Grilled Chicken, King City Beans & Caprese Salad Remix
A Mediterranean-style bowl with grilled chicken, King City Pink Beans, creamy yogurt sauce, crispy pita, and Caprese Remix. Fresh, herby, and perfect al fresco.
Hoppin’ John Remix with King City Beans & Kielbasa
A bold, one-pot take on Hoppin’ John with King City Pink Beans, Polska kielbasa, garlic paste, and hot sauce. Served over rice, full of Southern swagger.
King City Pink Bean Stew with Bacon & Cornbread
A cozy, one-pot stew featuring Rancho Gordo King City Pink Beans, smoky bacon, roasted garlic, and a surprise slaw topping. Cornbread required.
Tomato Butter Pasta – Soul-Satisfying Comfort Food
This tomato butter pasta is the ultimate post-hike comfort food—simple, rich, and satisfying. Make it with homemade sauce or Rao’s in a pinch. Kid-approved and pantry-friendly.
Post-Hike Italian Salad – Fast, Fresh, and Family-Friendly
This Post-Hike Italian Salad is crisp, cool, and loaded with fresh flavor—perfect after a long day of travel. Quick to make, kid-approved, and ideal for balancing out a hearty pasta dinner.
Made with Bullet