Posts about living in, understanding, and finding the best of mavenhood.
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There’s a daily ritual a surprising number of midlife women talk about, and a surprising number don’t admit to. The New York Times games have found their way into morning routines across the country, somewhere between the first cup of coffee and the official start of the day.
We’re sold on the idea that we need protein, weight-bearing exercise, to walk more, more fiber; there’s a list. And on that list, somewhere between don’t skip your annual mammogram and wear supportive shoes is keeping our brains sharp.
Nobody is entirely sure where they heard this was a good thing. A podcast, maybe, or something a doctor mentioned in passing. Somewhere along the way, the idea that word games are good for your brain became the kind of thing women in this life stage believe. Women in mavenhood are paying attention to their brains in a way they weren’t ten years ago. Whether the science fully backs it up is almost beside the point. The habit is already set. And then, almost perfectly timed, came a suite of free daily games that feel like mental exercise and take less than ten minutes.
Nobody posts a screenshot of finishing their fiber supplement. A Wordle solve in two is a whole other thing. These small victories, a Connections solved without any mistakes, a Mini completed in 20 seconds, have become a source of bragging rights for women who have long since outgrown report cards, standardized tests, and performance reviews. For a few minutes each morning, there’s a puzzle to solve, a score to compare, and occasionally, a reason to let the group chat know exactly how well things went.
There’s also that little thrill of feeling keyed in before the day starts. You start the day winning, at least in your mind. Yesterday’s time is a personal best waiting to be broken. At a stage of life when brain fog is a real and regular conversation, finishing the Spelling Bee at Genius level is its own form of reassurance. This is working. For a few minutes each day, there’s a problem with a solution.
The games have become a kind of ad-hoc membership card. Mention Wordle, Connections, Strands, or the Mini in the right company and chances are someone nearby recognizes you as a player. There are favorite games, least favorite categories, and most women have at least one story about a puzzle they couldn’t believe they missed. No preparation required.
On a recent road trip, while waiting for a food order at a roadside stand, one friend turned to another and asked, “Did you get the Wordle today?” This started a familiar conversation. What was the word? How many guesses did you get it in? Within a minute, another woman in line had jumped into this conversation with, “Are you talking about Wordle? I play every day.”
Another reason these games have caught on: multiple choice. Most of what women deal with in mavenhood doesn’t come with ready made answers. Which long term health care plan is the best? Should I get a second opinion on HRT? These aren’t nearly as cut and dried as: play this, help your brain.
These NYT puzzles, by contrast, are refreshingly straightforward. There is an answer. The Connections categories eventually reveal themselves, even if one of them turns out to be infuriating.
The lure of the daily puzzles is their nearly unicorn status: things that feel good and might be good for you, take ten minutes, have a clear beginning and end, offer some level of choice, and give you something to talk about. The New York Times stumbled on something in the middle of a pandemic. Women in mavenhood found it, and kept it.
Editor’s Note: Good Food, Good Company is where we ask contributors to share a two course meal pairing they love. These recipes take a little more time and effort than the dishes we typically feature, but the payoff is spectacular. They’re the kind of meals to make for a dinner guest, date night, or a celebration. For this first feature, we asked sister chefs Stacey Johnson-Calhoun and Audra Ortiz to share recipes that not only pair beautifully, but also reflect the style of cooking they love most. This is a delicious meal, packed with flavor.
Barbecue Jerk Chicken with Coconut Rice & Mango Salsa
This recipe is close to my heart because it brings together everything I love about soulful cooking — bold flavor, balance, and a little bit of sunshine on the plate. My Barbecue Jerk Chicken with Coconut Rice & Mango Salsa is a reflection of where I come from and the joy I feel when feeding people with intention. The jerk marinade carries the heat and heritage of the Caribbean, while the coconut rice brings a soft, comforting richness that reminds me of family kitchens and Sunday gatherings. The mango salsa is my favorite finishing touch — bright, fresh, and full of life, just like the dishes I grew up watching my elders prepare. At Soul N Such Catering, I cook to create moments, not just meals, and this dish is one that always brings people together with a smile and a story.
Barbecue Jerk Chicken
Prep 15 min + marinating
Cook 35–45 min
Serves 2
Ingredients
5–6 pieces chicken legs, thighs, or wings
Salt to taste
For the Marinade
4 green onions, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic
1–2 Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers (seeded for less heat)
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp allspice (crushed)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp vegetable oil
optional: a pinch of smoked paprika or a splash of dark rum
For the Finishing Glaze
1/2 cup your favorite barbecue sauce
optional: 1-2 tbsp honey
Instructions
1. Blend the marinade– Combine green onions, onion, garlic, peppers, ginger, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, soy sauce, lime juice, and oil in a blender until smooth. For extra smokiness, add a pinch of smoked paprika or a splash of dark rum to the marinade.
2. Marinate the chicken– Coat chicken thoroughly with the jerk marinade. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.
3. Preheat the grill– Heat the grill to medium-high. Oil the grates to prevent sticking, OR Preheat the Oven- Set the oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Line a baking sheet or roasting pan with foil and lightly oil it.
4. Grill the chicken– Place chicken skin-side down. Grill 30–40 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred and cooked through (165°F internal) OR Bake the Chicken- Arrange chicken skin‑side up. Bake 35–45 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and cooked through (165 °F internal). For extra color, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
5. Add barbecue glaze– Brush barbecue sauce over the chicken during the last 5 minutes of grilling or baking to create a sticky, smoky finish. If baking, return to oven until the glaze bubbles and caramelizes. For more sweetness, glaze with a mix of barbecue sauce + honey in the final minutes.
6. Rest and serve– Let the chicken rest 5 minutes before serving so the juices settle.
Serving notes
Coconut rice, grilled pineapple, or a simple cabbage slaw balance the heat.
If you’re not into rice, jerk chicken is fantastic with fried dumplings.
Coconut Rice
Prep 5 min
Cook 20–25 min
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 cup Basmati rice (rinsed until water runs clear)
2 cups Water
1/2 cup Coconut milk
1 1/4 tbsp Real butter (not margarine)
1/4 tbsp Salt, or to taste
Instructions
1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. This helps keep the rice fluffy.
2. In a medium pot, combine water, coconut milk, butter, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil.
3. Stir in the rinsed rice, reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
4. Turn off the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 5 minutes to finish steaming.
5. Fluff gently with a fork and serve warm.
Mango Salsa
Prep 10 min
Cook —
Serves 2–3
Ingredients
1 ripe mango, diced (Texture tip: Keep mango pieces slightly chunky for a satisfying bite.)
½ cucumber, diced
½ red bell pepper, diced
¼ red onion, finely chopped
1-2 tbsp scotch bonnet pepper, minced (adjust for heat)
1 tbsp lime juice
1tbsp orange juice, freshly squeezed
1 tbsp chopped cilantro
Salt to taste
Optional flavor boost: add a pinch of chili flakes or a drizzle of honey for extra depth.
Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Toss gently and chill for 10–15 minutes before serving. Avoid over-mixing to preserve color and freshness.
Serving Notes
Pairing: Spoon generously over jerk chicken or alongside coconut rice to balance the heat with tropical sweetness.
Presentation: Serve chilled in a small glass bowl or ramekin; garnish with a sprig of cilantro or a lime wedge.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days. This is best served fresh for vibrant flavor.
