Who Is Cooking2Thrive?

Cheri Thriver

Writer, cook, recipe & product creator, mother, and grandmother. As a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences volunteer, I review grant proposals for the Translational Research Institute, serve as an Advisor on the PFCC Hospital Advisory Council, and am a Patient Advisor on the Quality, Experience, & Safety Team. I am certified in Mental Health First Aid.

I started baking apricot cakes and pumpkin bread for my mom to give away when I was 7 or 8 years old and I’ve been cooking ever since. I gardened with my grandmother who taught me to make chili and bake cookies. When James and Ben were small, I began baking homemade bread and rolls. I love playing with flavors.

In 2003, I eliminated gluten from my diet, then subsequently milk and cheese. I now limit foods high in FODMAPs. These limitations provide me an opportunity to be resourceful and inventive. I love that and I love sharing the results of culinary experiments with you!

James W. Honaker

Colorist for movies & television, husband, and father of two young boys. I have also worked as a graphic designer, web designer, video editor, and studio equipment consultant. You can find a list of my projects on IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2421941/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1.

I don’t remember learning to cook, I could just do it.  I see food combinations in my head. I never measure, and I make a mean sweet potato pie.

Ben Honaker

Lawyer, husband, composer of the Cooking2Thrive theme song, and father of two children–a healthy boy and a medically fragile girl with Down Syndrome. My daughter has a G-tube (gastrostomy tube) through which she receives food and meds.

I am in the habit of monitoring the protein, fat, and fiber content of all the foods in my diet, but the feeding difficulty we’ve experienced with my daughter has brought a whole new set of nutritional lessons.