Build Your Business Like an Artist: A Creative Leadership Mindset
The best leaders don't just manage—they create. Here's how Rick Rubin's The Creative Act changed the way I think about leadership, company culture, and building Apple Spice.
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
The Two Circles That Changed My Life
A difficult baseball game became the perfect opportunity to teach my son one of the most valuable Stoic lessons: focus your energy on what matters and what you can control.
Why Everyone Needs a North Star (More Than Goals)
Looking back at old journals, I discovered the difference between goals and a North Star—and how life can move in the right direction even when plans don't.
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.
Posts
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Summer Recipes
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
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.
Rancho Gordo 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, Rancho Gordo King City Beans & Caprese Salad Remix
A Mediterranean-style bowl with grilled chicken, Rancho Gordo King City Pink Beans, creamy yogurt sauce, crispy pita, and Caprese Remix. Fresh, herby, and perfect al fresco.
Made with Bullet