Being 55, Without Apology


There’s something quietly beautiful that happens in your fifties especially around 55 if you let it. A kind of clarity settles in. The noise fades. And for many of us, life finally begins to feel lighter.

You stop worrying so much about other people’s judgments. You don’t replay conversations the way you once did. Embarrassment loosens its grip. At some point, a simple truth clicks into place: most people aren’t paying attention to how you live and if they are, it’s often because they wish they had the courage to live more freely themselves.

Peace starts to feel like the ultimate luxury. Home becomes a sanctuary. Your bed, your routines, your dog, the quiet these things matter more than appearances ever did. You realize you don’t need more… you need less.

This is also the decade when many people finally learn to let go. You recognize when relationships carry ill intentions through words, actions, or patterns and you walk away without guilt. You stop taking things personally, because emotionally healthy people don’t invest their energy in trying to hurt others. And those who do? You wish them well. You pray for them. Then you choose distance.

So much comes into focus in your fifties. You step outside your comfort zone without fear. You simplify your space, your finances, your emotional world. You stop living above your means and start living within your values.

You no longer chase people to like you or love you. Real connection doesn’t need pursuit. And there’s a quiet confidence in knowing that the right partner the right people will fit your energy naturally, without force or performance.

Most of all, you learn how to speak honestly. Calmly. Directly. If something involves you, you address it with clarity, not defensiveness. Because by now, you understand that protecting your peace isn’t selfish it’s necessary.

Your fifties teach you this: letting go of nonsense isn’t loss it’s freedom.
It’s the season where you stop living for approval and start living with intention.
And for many of us, that realization feels like coming home to ourselves for the first time and living in the moment.

And the most surprising part of all? I don’t feel my age I feel younger than I ever did. It’s crazy! Not in a chasing youth kind of way, but in a grounded, settled way. I feel lighter and freer. There’s an ease now that didn’t exist before now, when everything felt rushed, heavy, or uncertain. This kind of feeling comes from self-acceptance, from knowing who you are and no longer apologizing for it. I never thought I would reach this point in my life, but I did and so could you at any age actually.

Clinton Farmer’s Market, Clinton, NY


Clinton’s Farmer’s Market is held on Thursdays from 10-4. There is something to be said about farmer’s markets. They make you feel rooted I guess. If that is the word I am looking for. I feel like I go back in time when I go to a farmer’s market. It’s a shopping experience that is out of the ordinary. You have to try it to get the vibe.

BBQ Chicken and Bacon Cauliflower Crust Pizza


Okay so when I get home from work I usually just wing it for whatever I am going to make for dinner. Tonight I had a hankering for grilled chicken bbq pizza. I have Celiacs Disease so I always opt for the cauliflower crust when I have pizza. Honestly, I like it better then regular crust. It’s whatever your preference. My kids would say, “yeah no.”

I never realized how much I love to cook. Especially when it’s not under pressure etc. I have been having fun with it so I am going to try and post more.

Here is the recipe. I take bits and pieces of other recipes and make it into my own. If you make it, let me know how it comes out.

BBQ Chicken and Bacon Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Ingredients:

  • 1 premade cauliflower crust (about 12 inches) Use the brand you like best
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (choose a low-sugar option for a healthier version) I use Sweet Baby Rays Sweet and Spicey
  • 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced (diced mine and cooked it in a fry pan with a little bit of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup cooked crispy bacon, crumbled
  • 1 cup shredded thick cutt mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (I sauted the onion first)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the cauliflower crust package.
  2. Prepare the Crust: Place the premade cauliflower crust on a baking sheet or pizza stone. Cook to a golden brown
  3. Add BBQ Sauce: I like to spread the BBQ sauce evenly over the crust first.
  4. Add Toppings: Put shredded chicken and crumbled bacon over the BBQ sauce.
  5. Add Cheese and Onions: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken and bacon, then add the thinly sliced red onion.
  6. Bake: Bake the pizza according to the instructions on the cauliflower crust package, usually around 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Finish: Remove the pizza from the oven and add seasoning of your choice. I used salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder
  8. Serve: Slice and serve hot. Serve ranch on the side for dipping.

Estimated Nutritional Content (Per Slice, 8 slices per pizza):

For the entire pizza:

  • Calories: 1280 kcal
  • Total Fat: 68g
  • Saturated Fat: 27g
  • Cholesterol: 320mg
  • Sodium: 3800mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 60g
  • Dietary Fiber: 8g
  • Sugars: 24g
  • Protein: 104g

Per slice (1/8th of the pizza):

  • Calories: 160 kcal
  • Total Fat: 8.5g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.4g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg
  • Sodium: 475mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 7.5g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g
  • Sugars: 3g
  • Protein: 13g

Notes:

  • The nutritional content can vary based on the specific brands and types of ingredients used (especially the BBQ sauce and the cauliflower crust).
  • To reduce the sodium content, look for lower-sodium bacon and BBQ sauce.
  • The calorie and fat content can be adjusted by using less cheese or opting for a reduced-fat cheese.

Enjoy!!

What a great read for the summer!! Trust me and get it!!


Love it!!!