You know how the saying goes, “the more things change, the more they stay the same”? After reading the post below that I wrote back in 2017, I’m feeling it more than ever. Back then I thought my health issues were connected to something deeper but what not one doctor could pinpoint was perimenopause being the real culprit.
I know so much more now than I did almost seven years ago. The one thing I’m still struggling with is accepting that my almost 50 year old body is just never going to be what it was before birthing two babies, grieving the loss of a husband (stress wreaks havoc on a body), and the major biological shift that comes with menopause.
We’re bombarded with images of women telling us that growing old gracefully means still looking young and being thin. How did youth and thinness become the virtues of graceful aging? What if doing it gracefully really means acceptance that we are a different version of ourselves, and loving who we are in the present instead of mourning who we used to be?
This can be said for more than just our appearance. The words are easy to type. They are not easy to live every day.
I went shopping for some new clothing recently, and finally (maybe?) accepting the number of the tag is just that—a number. It has two digits now instead of one. I’ve been a size 12 before, and while it isn’t my ideal weight, why am I living to be a certain size instead of just…enjoying living?
On that note, this recipe for garlic knots is something everyone in my family loves. While most people think of them as an appetizer, they’re also great as a main course served with some tomato sauce and a salad.
Sending you all peaceful thoughts this weekend. Be well, and remember to be kind. —xo, j.
Reminder for paid subscribers: our next cooking class will be Thursday, November 16th at 7:30pm EST. Link to the class will be sent out that morning. I’ll demo how to make my Perfect Pie Crust, and show tips for how to store it if making in advance. I’ll be taking any questions you have about Thanksgiving prep, so think about what you’d like to ask. Need ideas on what to make for vegetarian guests, or how to tweak recipes to make them allergy-friendly? I’ll share my decades of experience to help make your Thanksgiving meal planning easier.
The recipe related to this post is available for paid subscribers only. Join hundreds of other subscribers now for only $5/month or $30/year (that’s six months free!). Specialty e-cookbooks and monthly cooking classes are additional benefits of paid membership at no extra cost.