Ever found yourself staring into the refrigerator, completely drained by the thought of cooking yet another meal? After decades of feeding others and managing everyone's food preferences, midlife often brings a peculiar relationship with cooking – what once felt like an act of love now feels like just another chore to check off your list.

This burnout is completely normal. The mental load of cooking isn't just about the physical tasks; it's about the constant decision-making, the pressure to "do it right," and the loss of purpose many of us feel when our cooking routines change. Whether your kids have left home or you're simply tired of the endless meal planning cycle, the kitchen can become a space of exhaustion rather than creativity.

But what if cooking could become an act of self-love rather than obligation? In this episode, I share five practical strategies to transform your relationship with food preparation. From shifting your mindset to embracing seasonal cooking, these approaches help release the pressure and perfectionism that drain the joy from feeding ourselves. You'll discover how simple meals can be deeply nourishing, why setting the scene matters even when cooking for one, and how letting go of "shoulds" creates space for genuine pleasure in the kitchen.

Ready to rediscover the joy of cooking? Join our Summer Inspired Recipe Club starting June 21st, where we'll use seasonal produce to guide our meals and bring back the simple pleasure of cooking. Because midlife isn't about doing more in the kitchen – it's about reclaiming your relationship with food in a way that honors exactly where you are now. Click the link in the show notes to sign up!

Join The Summer Inspired Recipe Club! We start June 21st, 8 weeks, over 40 recipes that you get to keep for life, tons of inspiration and fun. Click HERE for all the information and to sign up.

I would love to hear from you! What did you think of the episode? Share it with me :)

Let's Be Friends
Hang out with Heather on IG @greenpalettekitchen or on FB HERE.

Let's Talk!
Whether you are looking for 1-1 nutrition coaching or kitchen coaching let's have a chat. Click HERE to reach out to Heather.

Did You Love This Episode?
"I love Heather and the Real Food Stories Podcast!" If this is you, please do not hesitate to leave a five-star review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts.

From dreaded adversary to unexpected ally, menopause transforms from something women merely survive into a doorway to authentic living. This candid conversation between two menopause specialists—one navigating perimenopause in her 40's, the other firmly in menopause at 57—delivers the straight talk about hormones, fitness, nutrition, and identity that's missing from most menopause discussions.

Erika Shannon reveals how early perimenopause symptoms disrupted her life as a fitness instructor, eventually leading her to specialize in menopause-specific fitness approaches. And I share my struggle to get medical support in my 40s when perimenopause "didn't even have a name." Together, they dismantle popular myths and misconceptions about exercise, supplements, diets and social media (weighted vests, high-intensity workouts, creatine supplements, and protein obsessions and our the cottage cheese craze just to start), offering evidence-based alternatives that actually support women's changing bodies.

Whether you're approaching perimenopause, in the thick of symptoms, or emerging on the other side, this episode offers practical wisdom about hormone therapy, efficient workout methods, nutritional priorities, and the profound opportunity to reimagine your life. Because as both of us emphasize, well-nourishment extends beyond food to encompass sleep, movement, stress management, and creating space for what genuinely feeds your spirit.

The greatest takeaway? This transition represents the unexpected gift of menopause: permission to prioritize what truly matters.

How To Find Erika

Erika's Website HERE

Erika on Instagram HERE

Get one FREE month of Erikas Moving Through Menopause Bundle HERE

I would love to hear from you! What did you think of the episode? Share it with me :)

Let's Be Friends
Hang out with Heather on IG @greenpalettekitchen or on FB HERE.

Let's Talk!
Whether you are looking for 1-1 nutrition coaching or kitchen coaching let's have a chat. Click HERE to reach out to Heather.

Did You Love This Episode?
"I love Heather and the Real Food Stories Podcast!" If this is you, please do not hesitate to leave a five-star review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts.

What does the next chapter of your life really look like? Whether you're dreaming of a slower pace, planning a big adventure, or simply craving clarity about your future, this conversation with Camille Walsonovich offers a fresh perspective on reimagining what comes next.

After 35 magical years at Disney, Camille found herself at age 50 searching for guidance on transitioning to her next chapter. When she couldn't find resources specifically addressing women's retirement experiences, she created My Aspirement - a movement helping women explore purpose and possibility beyond traditional retirement concepts.

We dive deep into the unique challenges women face during this life transition - from career shifts and caring for aging parents to health concerns and seeking meaning. Camille shares powerful strategies for navigating this "perfect storm" of midlife, including the concept of "backcasting" (envisioning different possible futures based on today's choices) and taking "micro actions" that build confidence through small, manageable steps.

For those feeling overwhelmed or filled with regret, Camille offers compassionate wisdom about extending grace to ourselves and recognizing how our values might shift during different life seasons. She suggests treating this transition like college - giving ourselves years, not months, to explore new possibilities for what could be a third of our lifetime.

The most refreshing takeaway? Retirement isn't about stopping - it's about starting a new adventure with purpose, possibility, and playfulness. Through community support and intentional planning, women can design futures aligned with their deepest values and aspirations.

CONNECT WITH CAMILLE

Click HERE for Camille's website My Aspirement and her Membership

I would love to hear from you! What did you think of the episode? Share it with me :)

Let's Be Friends
Hang out with Heather on IG @greenpalettekitchen or on FB HERE.

Let's Talk!
Whether you are looking for 1-1 nutrition coaching or kitchen coaching let's have a chat. Click HERE to reach out to Heather.

Did You Love This Episode?
"I love Heather and the Real Food Stories Podcast!" If this is you, please do not hesitate to leave a five-star review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts.