Here’s a recap of May 2025. Captivations is a monthly post with links, stories, and news that captivated me.
May Recap
And just like that, we’ve moved into summer! May has been a good month with dinner parties, two weekends in Dallas, going back to one of my favorite restaurants, and trying out a silversmith class.
People keep asking what trip I’m taking this summer, which keeps reminding me that I don’t have my next trip planned! I think it’s a combination of wanting to save money, anticipating some big trips in the next few years, and not feeling strongly pulled to any certain location. If you have recommendations for a long weekend getaway in the U.S., let me know!
Wow, the universe
There’s a new photo from the James Webb Space Telescope (released 4/29/2025), and if you needed reminding, we are a micro speck in one galaxy in a universe of galaxies. This photo was taken when the universe was 6.5 billion years old, and it is currently 13.8 billion years old. What is space and time?
You need a midlife crisis
I liked this read about the midlife crisis. We know the “midlife crisis” from movies – the one that is reckless and juvenile. But what if it’s not about the crisis, but the opportunity to ask ourselves the big questions like “What do I want with the time I have left?” If you’re lucky, you can take the path you want. It’s not necessarily about fixing your life but having a lot more fun, finding meaning, and being honest about what you truly want.
Gravestone Cookbook
Have you ever seen a gravestone with a recipe? It’s a thing! And Rosie has been making these recipes (and sharing on Instagram, of course) for years. She’s taken 40 of the gravestone recipes from around the world and put them into an upcoming cookbook called To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes. Each recipe is accompanied by photos of the food, stories from the family, and a photo of the gravestone. If you were to have a recipe on your gravestone, what would it be?
Dancing with the limp
Andrew Knapp is one of my favorite writers that I follow, and his thoughts on grief (losing his dog and his mom) have been comforting. This piece is about learning to dance with the limp. The loss is the limp, and you can’t get rid of it, but you can learn how to live and find joy while having it. If you have kids (or if you’d like a quick, thoughtful read), Andrew also published a children’s book called Find Momo Everywhere about the passing of his beloved dog.
Asian Art at Really Small Museum
Really Small Museum: Point B features monthly installations, and May’s exhibit was called Rooted in Resilience: Heritage and Innovation in Agriculture. The installation featured nine Austin-based artists of Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese descent. It explores each artist’s connection between community and food. The stories about each piece are really cool! Two of my friends – Kathy and Kelly – were featured in the exhibit, and it makes me proud to see friends sharing their art.
Women’s Health
I like that conversations around women’s health are becoming more widespread and that there’s a movement toward more natural solutions. (Maybe I’m noticing it more because I’m seeking information.) These solutions look like food as medicine and supplements instead of prescriptions. From fertility to menopause to general overall health, I think there are other options than taking a prescription, especially when you aren’t aware of the long-term effects of that pill. Finding alternatives may take time, testing, and dedication, but optimal health has a lot to do with what you’re consuming.
Related to women’s health, here are three resources that could be helpful for you:
- Hormones: Dr. Jolene Brighten is a leader in women’s medicine, and I learned a lot by reading her book Beyond the Pill. Her website is a resource for learning more: https://drbrighten.com/
- Nutrition: I met my friend Sharon as a food blogger, and she has since gained abundant knowledge about food as medicine. Her drive was finding solutions for her then one-year-old son, who was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease. Contact Sharon if you’re looking for a personalized meal plan.
- Guidance: Through her personal health challenges and working in healthcare, my friend Abby has learned (and is learning) how to navigate the healthcare system and now guides others. If you’re not feeling well and need some advice on where to start, Abby can help.
Hormone-Free
Related to the above, this has been a personal journey as well. Last year, I stopped hormonal birth control (to a non-hormonal option) after more than a decade! Thankfully, I have not had serious issues before, during, and after hormonal birth control. I’ve been making moves toward optimal health for a while now (healthier diet, more exercise, less chemicals, etc), and it felt right, crucial even, to no longer have synthetic hormones. To ease the transition, I’ve been eating certain foods and taking supplements, which I assume are helping since I have no side effects. I had expected major acne, body aches, and mood swings. Overall, it’s comforting to know I’m more in control of my body.
Health solutions are a very personal decision, and I’m not saying taking hormonal birth control is wrong or bad. Doctors don’t typically share the full scope of side effects or long-term effects of prescriptions. They aim to solve the current symptoms in the fastest way possible instead of correcting the root causes. One example is prescribing hormonal birth control to teenage girls for acne. Some studies show these teens have an increased risk of depression, cervical cancer, and other issues as adults. It’s also much easier for patients to accept the quick solution of a pill than the long-term work of diet, exercise, and supplements.
We, as patients, have to do the extensive research and advocate for ourselves.
Wicked
I recently (finally) watched the movie, and I loved it! I saw the touring musical years ago, but the movie was another level. The music was fantastic, and maybe (probably) because of the political climate, the story felt even more meaningful. I can’t wait for part 2 to come out this year.
Ottine Mineral Springs
If you’re looking for a relaxing day trip from Austin, Ottine Mineral Springs is located about an hour away in Gonzales. I recently visited for a friend’s private reservation and found out they opened a larger resort-like area with additional pools. You can get a day pass to soak ($65 or $75), enjoy the cold and hot plunges, sauna, and lounge areas.
5 Things I Love Lately
- My friend’s new pizza oven – a fun dinner party idea
- Kwok chai – individually packaged, fried pastry that we blew through
- Ice cream season
- Pickle pizza
- Luling watermelon and watermelon season!
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