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.

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