Everyone has that one thing they think about more than they admit.
For some people, it’s the gym. For others, it’s money, history, or productivity systems. For me, it’s cooking.
Not in a Pinterest-perfect way. Not in a chef-coat, influencer-kitchen way. In a practical, comforting, “what are we eating tonight and how do I make it better” way.
Cooking is structure. It’s care. It’s control when everything else feels unpredictable.
There’s something grounding about knowing how to feed yourself well. Planning meals, grocery shopping with intention, figuring out how to stretch ingredients. It’s problem-solving with a reward at the end.
You take a few raw things and turn them into something satisfying. That matters.
Cooking is also one of the most underrated forms of self-respect. It says, “I’m worth effort.” Even on tired days. Especially on tired days.
It doesn’t have to be elaborate. A few staple meals you know how to make well can change how you feel about your days. Dinner stops being a stressor and starts becoming a ritual.
There’s pride in it. Comfort too.
The Roman Empire doesn’t always look like war or history books. Sometimes it looks like garlic sizzling in a pan, olive oil on standby, and a loose plan for the week.
And honestly, obsessing over how to nourish yourself feels like a pretty healthy fixation.
First & Jenn 
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