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.
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Apple Spice Behind the Scenes
Asian-Inspired
Beans
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Grilling
Chautauquas
Coaching
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Communication
Cooking
Emotional Health
Fall Recipes
Family
Gratitude
Grief
Habits
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Holiday Traditions
Italian Inspired
Kid Friendly
Kool Collectibles
Leadership
Leftovers Remix
Light Vibes
Meal Prep
Mindset
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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
Third Grade, Forever
On the last day of third grade, my daughter came home heartbroken — and reminded me just how deep a child’s heart can feel. A small story of grief, comfort, and boba tea.
The Woman Who Taught Me to Love Food
A personal story about the woman who taught me to love food — and how lasagna, crepes, and a secret pan of bacon changed the way I cook forever.
Borlotti Bean & Farro Stoup with Pancetta, Cabbage & Herbs
I wasn’t trying to go full Jacques Pépin tonight. This Borlotti Bean & Farro Stoup is quick, filling, and hits the spot on busy nights.
Why Do the Mets Roll Their Hands? The 1986 World Series Ritual
Behind home plate at Shea in 1986, a simple fan gesture became something more: a good luck charm, a curse, and a piece of Mets magic. Here’s the story of the rolling hands that still haunt opposing pitchers — and why the tradition lives on today.
Oh… This Is Why I Started Blogging
A reflection on how a simple Dad’s Advice slide deck became the seed of this blog — a place to store wisdom, life lessons, and love for my kids to return to someday.
How Jeff McNeil Reinvented His Swing — And What That Can Teach All of Us About Growth
Jeff McNeil retooled his swing and his mindset in 2025. His story offers lessons for anyone trying to evolve, adapt, and grow.
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.
Made with Bullet