Jesse- I think people just really like the term "prep" and use it whenever possible. I think of "prepping" a meal as getting everything measured and chopped and ready to dump in the pan (or pot, or bowl, or whatever. ).

But then I could make a case that last night after I made a huge instapot of lentils and rice and a skillet full of caramelized onions that portioning it out into four servings for the rest of the week kinda counts as "preparing" future lunches that I can just pop in the microwave at work. Like: I cooked food, and then prepared it into future meals. But also, that's gold star adulting.

erin, every time she pulls this, I worry it is a uti, and had her tested. Last time I bought an at home test, and it is never a uti. If she were to start running a fever or showing other symptoms (I get them all the time so I know the drill), I will take her in, but otherwise I don't want to risk a doctors visit right now. I'm 90% sure this is an "I feel powerless and I can control this" thing.

When I meal prep I do everything but the cooking, pretty much - Get everything measured and combined and ready to go into the pot or whatever. Is that not how people use it?

Not that I have done that in ages, it's all highly theoretical at this point. Lunch today was bologna and pepper jack on Triscuits, for example, no prep required.

For me meal prep, usually just means making sure I have all the ingredients, physically write down a menu, and take down the necessary items from the freezer.

I'm 90% sure this is an "I feel powerless and I can control this" thing.

I'm seeing this in adults as well. Including myself. I mean, I'm not peeing on the floor. But the concept stands.

I'm 90% sure this is an "I feel powerless and I can control this" thing.

That sounds about right, ugh.

When I meal prep I do everything but the cooking, pretty much - Get everything measured and combined and ready to go into the pot or whatever. Is that not how people use it?

My friend posts pictures of fully cooked meals or dishes or whatever and says she is "meal prepping" for the week! I say she is cooking for the week.

Huh. Well, I'm still inclined to suppose that she may have circumstances that make that a suitable description - perhaps her actual meals are beautifully plated or in some other manner not considered meals per se until they are served. It does seem to require a certain amount of stretching and contortion, though, so that you may feel justified in your irritation.

Is it obvious that I've been listening to Jane Austen all day? I feel like it's very obvious.

I guess I feel like if you are cooking, you're probably eating some of it right then, and maybe having leftovers. If you're meal prepping, it's that you're making multiple meals at once and not planning to eat them right away but rather during the week (or in the future sometime, if you're freezing them). Yes, technically that's "cooking for the week" but I don't have a problem with it.

If you're meal prepping, it's that you're making multiple meals at once and not planning to eat them right away but rather during the week (or in the future sometime, if you're freezing them).

Interesting! I can go with that, I guess.

Is it obvious that I've been listening to Jane Austen all day? I feel like it's very obvious.

I mean, not until you said that!

meara with the sense-making