#1: A Postcard From the Edge of Adulthood
High school begins, what books I'm loving, and a simple recipe for afternoon energy.
Welcome to the first in a series of monthly posts where I’ll be sharing glimpses of my life, what I’m loving right now, and a free recipe for you to enjoy.
Summer vacation is officially over and with it, our son is starting his first year of high school.
I’m sure many parents can relate to the feeling of time passing at an ever-increasing pace. It feels like just yesterday I dropped him off for his first day of Kindergarten and watched him walk down the hall with an R2D2 backpack on his shoulders. Now he’s taller than I am and confidently passed through the doors of his new school wearing his signature aviator sunglasses. How did we get here so quickly?
Someone once said that having a child is like watching your heart walk around outside your body, and I never understood this until my son was born. At times, I feel sadness thinking about all the adventures that are behind us.
When I catch myself feeling melancholy, however, I remind myself what a bittersweet privilege it is to see our children grow up. And I remember a woman I knew, years ago, who did not have that opportunity. Although we were never close friends, we were pregnant at the same time and our babies were due within days of each other. Naturally, we connected over this shared experience. But as it turned out, her baby came early and tragically passed away two years later after a valiant battle with cancer. What wouldn’t that mother do, what wouldn’t she sacrifice, to experience the same milestones I have been lucky to see pass before my eyes?
High school feels so close to the edge of adulthood. And yet, there are many more experiences ahead. So while I indulge in wistfulness from time to time, I strive to be thankful for the gift I have been given. Time is fleeting, but there is much to be grateful for in the present.
What I’m Loving Right Now
Books
From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find a Good Death, by Caitlin Doughty — A fascinating look at how cultures around the world encounter death. I especially loved the chapter about the Ruriden Columbarium in Tokyo, where two thousand floor-to-ceiling Buddhas glow and pulse with light, showing people the way to their loved one’s remains.
Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl — I was not ready to read this book until recently. Written in 1946, it recounts the author’s experiences during the Holocaust and offers advice on how to find purpose during times of despair.
The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield — “The more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it.” This line hit home for me regarding this Substack publication and a novel I’m finishing. In both cases, a little voice in the back of my mind continually asks, Who are you, that others would care to read your words? This book was an uplifting call to ignore that inner naysayer and embrace the daily battle that compels me to create.
Throne of Glass, by Sarah J. Maas — I read this series in 2018 and am revisiting it now. If you enjoy fantasy adventure, feisty female heroines, and unexpected twists, you’ll like these stories.
For Whom the Bell Tolls, by Ernest Hemmingway — This is our current family book club read. It tells the story of Robert Jordan, an American volunteer who fights with a guerilla unit during the Spanish Civil War and is assigned to blow up a bridge during an attack. It’s widely considered to be one of Hemingway's best works and is a fantastic introduction to his writing if you haven’t read him before.
Articles & Publications
—
’s essays always make me stop and think. Recently, I loved her post “Why Gender Discrimination Does Not End Even After Women Die.” I’ve been researching my family tree and have been surprised by how much information is available for my male ancestors compared to my female ones. In fact, I could only find an obituary for one of my female relatives.— Each of
’s “notebooks” take you to a new world, where you explore art and literature through varied lenses. My favorites so far are “Ice” and “Magic.”
Entertainment
Emily in Paris — This show reminds me a lot of “Sex in the City” back in its heyday. A young woman living in a grand city and living a lifestyle she can’t possibly afford? Check. Love triangles and miscommunication amid the backdrop of haute couture? Also check. Watching a series like this is different in my mid-40s vs. watching “Sex and the City” in my 20s. But it’s entertaining enough to keep me interested while I walk on my treadmill. (Sometimes I even workout longer so I can watch another episode and discover what happened). I find myself shaking my head a lot.
Gibran Alcocer — I recently discovered the music of this 21-year-old composer and pianist from Yucatán, Mexico. I can listen to his work on repeat (and I do). My most loved pieces are Idea 10, Idea 1 and Idea 9.
Current Project
A few weeks ago I got it into my head that I wanted to make friends with the crows in my neighborhood. I now have everything I need: two strategically placed bird baths and peanuts still in their shells. All that’s left to do is walk around my neighborhood making a yet-to-be-determined sound to attract their attention. I call this project “Operation Morrígan,” after the Irish legend of the crow queen.
This project is a sub-set of my overarching goal of being an old lady to remember. When my son is my age and he gets a call from me, I’d like him to wonder what sort of hijinx I’m up to. ;)
What about you? What have you been loving lately?
Chocolate Almond Energy Balls
More than a decade ago my friend Amy shared a recipe for homemade energy bars. It wasn’t a precise recipe per se. It was more along the lines of “add a bit of this and a bit of that and then just mix it until you like the way it looks.”
After many variations of her bars over the years, I finally settled on this one. It takes 5 minutes to make and is ideal for busy mornings, post-workout, or after-work/school snacking. Sweetened with dates and a hint of chocolate, they have a healthy combination of fats, natural sugars, protein, and fiber. This recipe makes about 15 energy balls and we always have a container of them in the fridge.
Ingredient Notes
Here are some quick notes about substitutions I have tried. You’ll find a printable list of ingredients at the bottom of this post. I also included information about how to make these into bars instead of balls in the recipe card. :)
Almonds – You’ll need whole, raw almonds. I have also used walnuts.
Chocolate Chips – This recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of semi-sweet chocolate chips. If you want a bit more sweetness, use milk chocolate.
Dates – A great source of natural sweetness and fiber. Don’t substitute these for other kinds of fruit.
Almond Butter – Almond butter has a more delicate flavor than peanut butter, but you can substitute peanut butter if you like. Cashew butter also works.
Vanilla Extract - Despite there being almonds and almond butter in this recipe, I don’t recommend using almond extract instead as it has a much stronger flavor.
Water – Just a tablespoon or two to moisten the mixture.
Wheat germ or flax meal – I always roll the balls in either wheat germ or ground flax meal. Both are healthy sources of nutrients and they add a small amount of texture to the outside of the energy balls that I quite enjoy. (As I mentioned in my yogurt bowls post, flax meal is a superfood I eat every day.)
Quick Tips
Adjust as Needed: If your mixture won’t hold together, add more almond butter or water 1/2 a tablespoon at a time. This will make it more sticky and bind it together. Don’t add too much at once.
Don’t Over-Process: Processing any type of nut will eventually result in, well, nut butter! Aim for a crumbly yet sticky mixture that holds together well when you roll or press it. The best way to test is to pinch a small amount together with your fingers. If it holds its shape, the mixture is ready.
Store or Freeze for Later
Store in the fridge: Place the balls (or bars) in airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
To freeze: Freeze the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once they are solid, transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe container. For bars, wrap each bar in saran wrap and then place them into a freezer-safe container. They will keep frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before enjoying.
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My nephew – who is almost like my own kid! – starts high school next week, too! I offered to walk him, but he flatly declined (right after wrestling the horrified look from his face.)
I really like the photos you shared and, of course, the noosphere is such a great Substack!! :)