It was September 2012 when I watched Hedda Bolgar, PhD, a tiny 103-year-old woman take the stage and completely captivate an audience. Bolgar, who passed away the following year, was extraordinary – quick-witted, articulate and optimistic. What made her special wasn’t just her sharp mind, but how personable she was. I felt like I had known her much longer than our 90 minutes together. I loved her spunk when she told us she still drove her red Prius to work four days a week as a psychologist and to teach students on Fridays because she couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

It’s not every day that we are given the opportunity to receive life-changing wisdom from a centenarian and Bolgar wasted no time getting into it. She attributed her life’s success back to her parents – her mother taught her the power of empathy, while her father showed her how to tackle problems head-on. These weren’t just childhood lessons; they became the foundation of her remarkable career. 

When someone asked about her secret to staying engaged as a psychoanalyst for so many decades, her answer was simple: “I never got bored.” She said she learned to be fully present with every client, and that mindfulness spilled over into every corner of her life. But perhaps the most striking was how she reframed aging itself. While most people see getting older as loss, Bolgar saw it as gaining gifts. Her advice? Stop focusing on what’s declining and start recognizing what you’re gaining. And when you do need help, don’t be too proud to ask. She also shared the importance of cultivating friendships across all age groups to ensure having others to lean on. 

She intimately knew loss. After her husband died, she gave herself time to grieve. Then she did something unexpected – instead of revisiting the tropical vacations they’d shared, she went to the North Pole. She also channeled her energy into creating two thriving business ventures – a clinic and a teaching institute. Grief became a launching pad for new adventures.

Her thoughts on security, fear, and happiness were the best. From her perspective, security isn’t how much money is in the bank, it’s the relationships and community we build around ourselves. For her, fear served no purpose, and like any bad habit said it can be unlearned. It was her answer when asked about the best time in her life that was pure gold: “NOW, because each day liberates the next one even more.” That’s why every September I think about Hedda Bolgar and her 103 years of wisdom.

Originally published, Orange County Register, September 11, 2025

Soup is a one-pot wonder, the ultimate comfort food that soothes both body and soul. Now that we’re out of summer and our days are shorter and chillier, it’s time to get out the crock pot and put together a tried-and-true favorite or attempt something new. Since anthropologists tell us soup-making dates back at least 20,000 years, there are countless recipes to choose from like

Asian and French cuisines that offer clear, simple soups like miso, egg drop, or classic consommé. These minimalist soups may look simple, but I’ve learned that a well-made broth requires real patience and technique—stripping ingredients down to their essence while coaxing out maximum flavor.

Europeans take a different route with their pureed soups, transforming farm vegetables into smooth, refined dishes. Butternut squash, potato leek, cauliflower—these soups can turn humble ingredients into something elegant. The Irish have yet another approach, creating chunky stews and chowders that pack everything into one pot: protein, vegetables, and starches. Historically, these hearty soups kept working people going through brutal winters, and they still deliver that stick-to-your-ribs satisfaction we crave on a cold day.

Noodle soups such as pho, ramen, and chicken noodle are considered the most comforting of all, and scientists have actually studied why they make us feel so good. Turns out the combination of hot liquid, salt, and easily digestible carbohydrates triggers multiple comfort responses in our bodies. Nutritionists say adding protein and vegetables makes it a complete meal in a bowl. No wonder chicken noodle soup has been a popular favorite.

The cultural geography of soup tells its own story. Cold-climate countries developed thick, calorie-dense versions—Scandinavian pea soup, Russian borscht, Canadian split pea. Mediterranean regions created lighter options like Italian stracciatella or Spanish gazpacho. Each culture’s soup tradition evolved from ingredients that were available and what the climate demanded, yet everyone arrived at the same conclusion: combining ingredients in hot liquid creates something greater than the individual ingredients alone.

Of course, November brings the ultimate soup opportunity—Thanksgiving leftovers. A turkey carcass becomes the foundation for rich stock. Add leftover vegetables, stuffing, even mashed potatoes, and you’ve got soup that spans multiple categories at once. And the beauty of turkey soup is that no two batches ever taste the same—each family’s leftovers tell their own story of what was on the table.

Whether you’re making it from scratch, heating up a favorite from the store, or ordering delivery, soup remains one of November’s simple pleasures. From cultural and geographical traditions plus family favorites, your soup options are endless.

Originally published by Orange County Register, November 13, 2025