40 In My 40s | Cooking 40 Meals From Recipes Over the Next Decade

jwhetstoneatc
Aug 24, 2025
3 min read

The 40 In My 40s campaign is built on intentional choices—small, meaningful actions that compound into a better life over time. Some goals are bold. Some are quiet. This one happens in the kitchen.

Cooking 40 meals from recipes over the next decade is a commitment to nourishment, presence, and purpose—one meal at a time.

It’s not about perfection. It’s not about gourmet skills. It’s about slowing down and choosing to create something good.

Why Cooking Deserves a Place in 40 In My 40s

Modern life makes eating convenient—but often disconnected.

Takeout. Drive-thrus. Eating on the run.

Cooking from a recipe reintroduces intention into something we do every day.

When you cook:

You engage your senses
You control what goes into your body
You create space for connection

Cooking becomes more than a task—it becomes a practice.

The Health Benefits of Cooking & Eating Well

Preparing meals at home is one of the most effective ways to support long-term health.

🥗 Better Nutrition & Ingredient Control

Cooking from recipes allows you to choose whole foods, reduce excess sodium and sugar, and prioritize lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber-rich vegetables.

❤️ Cardiometabolic Health

Home-cooked meals are associated with improved cholesterol levels, better blood sugar control, and healthier body weight—especially when meals emphasize balance and moderation.

🧠 Energy & Mental Clarity

Nutrient-dense meals support sustained energy, cognitive performance, and mood stability—fueling both body and mind.

🔄 Sustainable Habits

Cooking regularly reinforces consistency over extremes. It’s not about dieting—it’s about stewardship.

More Than Food: The Benefits of the Act of Cooking

Cooking itself provides benefits beyond what’s on the plate.

🍳 Mindfulness & Stress Relief

Following a recipe creates focus. Measuring, chopping, stirring—it all slows the nervous system and pulls attention into the present moment.

🧠 Skill-Building & Confidence

Each recipe builds competence. Over time, cooking becomes less intimidating and more enjoyable—turning effort into confidence.

🤝 Connection & Community

Meals bring people together. Cooking invites conversation, shared responsibility, and moments that linger longer than the food itself.

Purpose & Intentionality Behind the Goal

This goal isn’t about quantity—it’s about meaningful repetition.

Cooking 40 meals over a decade:

Honors health as a long-term investment
Encourages planning instead of reacting
Creates rituals around nourishment
Reinforces the idea that caring for yourself and others is worth the time

Each recipe becomes a moment of alignment—between values and action.

What am I choosing to fuel my body with today? Who am I sharing this meal with? How can this moment serve something bigger?

Why This Belongs in 40 In My 40s

This commitment represents:

Intention over impulse
Creation over consumption
Health as a responsibility, not a reaction
Presence in the everyday moments

Cooking reminds us that progress doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like a well-made meal on a regular night.

That’s STRIVE lived out—quietly, consistently, intentionally.

Recipe Number 1 - Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

August 24th, 2025 - First time rolling out a recipe since kicking off STRIVE. If you're like me, cooking is not something that I ever prioritize, however, is a daily necessity. Typically something processed and easy is the go-to, especially with three littles. Knowing the importance of nutrition (and also loving food), this goal was meaningful for me to be intentional with.

I was not sure what I wanted to start this goal with, and definitely did not want to do something too complicated, so I decided on a delicious creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta. (Link to the recipe here).

The meal was able to be cooked mainly on the stove top and did not require too much prep work. I think the end result tasted great and was definitely worth the work.

We had a great evening hosting our friends Lyndsey and Alex!