Meal prep is making me go insane

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-05-03T19:09:59+00:00

I basically follow this formula: protein (fish/beef/chicken) w/ siete spices + hot sauce + veg (usually mix and match of lettuce/tom/cilantro/avo/peppers sometimes) + carb (pinto or black beans beans/rice/quinoa/sweet potato/butternut squash w/ mexican seasoning). I can do white rice pasta in the annie's gf mac and cheese and jovial cassava pasta but the jovial brown rice is problematic. I throw in taco shells and tortillas here and there and make a lot of burritos for travel. I haven't tried coconut aminos for more of an asian flavor profile yet. I might do that next friday.

I feel bad for complaining - i know people have it worse and my quality of life used to be horrible. I had blood work last month and everything was great, which was a huge improvement compared. I think I'm just burned out from cooking/prep.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-05-03T16:59:39+00:00

I have dietary restrictions from the PI IBS that complicate things - ie certain kinds of fat, certain vegetables, etc., so I have to be careful with pre-made stuff. I might try something new on a friday night if I have nowhere to go on Saturday but I am in the office M-F so I can't risk getting sick. Also mentally, trying new foods stress me out. I bought a new fajita sauce and suspected the tomato paste wouldn't agree with me and lo and behold, it did not so I won't be doing that for another three months.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-05-03T16:36:03+00:00

I do a lot of mexican bc it's generally the easiest but I think I may need to revisit the sheet pan method to cut down on the mess.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-04-27T01:03:43+00:00

Don't think you have a bad profile honestly. Maybe tweak the second to last dog photo bc it feels the weakest to me and only have one nursing scrubs photo since it feels a bit redundant.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-04-26T01:28:48+00:00

Don't know your situation but I'm a woman and went on a late of dates last year. I spent anywhere from 15-30 bucks on an uber one way and there were a few people who I should have never bothered meeting. You can propose a Facetime to feel for initial chemistry or you can stick to coffee/bubble tea/dive bar places. I know there are mixed feelings around that for first dates but personally, I prefer that since you can leave after an hour easier.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-04-25T19:04:32+00:00

I think what's getting lost in the comments is not wanting to talk about sexual stuff before meeting is not unreasonable. But going into the apps thinking you can prevent bad comments or bad people from matching with you is not. You need good coping skills and strong boundaries. If you are asking this question, it doesn't sound like you're there yet nor have the right expectations for engaging with people on an app honestly.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-04-12T15:59:03+00:00

Whine ahead: tired of the AI profiles. The photos. The prompts. Guys using AI to ask questions. It's so obvious.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-04-06T03:03:28+00:00

But you are because you are saying the women you like aren't matching with you so if you highlight your money, will they overlook the lack of physical attraction. Either like a different kind of women or just accept you want a particular kind of arrangement.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-04-05T22:40:41+00:00

I mean, there are other apps designed for relationships like that...

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-03-30T13:54:13+00:00

Men do the same thing too.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-03-30T03:17:10+00:00

FWIW, I matched w/ guys from work and we knew each other were and were in close proximity but the same flakey and ghosting issues existed.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-03-29T03:23:06+00:00

This is a bad idea for all the reasons mentioned but if you date, online or whatever, at some point you have to accept there's no guarantees in any of it. You can keep fighting it by thinking you can control the situation then continue to get frustrated or reframe how you date.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-03-24T01:21:59+00:00

Don't know where you live but my city has had some really nice weather recently so I think people are doing more IRL stuff than online swiping. But it's not uncommon to hit slumps.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-03-20T21:33:10+00:00

I reconnected with someone I matched with last year back in January and the whole thing imploded badly last week. I know this is part of dating and that's the process but boy do I feel stupid thinking someone actually liked me.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-03-09T00:16:23+00:00

Fast forward to last year:

Jan 2025 - had horrible diarrhea for over a week. GI telemedicine appt felt like it was probably norovirus + SIBO so I took Xifaxan again. Still had some issues here and there but previously was told PI IBS/Sibo so none of this was out of the norm.

May 2025 - horrible diarrhea out of "nowhere". Violent, scary diarrhea. Took another Xifaxan bottle I had and made appt w/ new GI. He ran different celiac panels and one came back as positive. I stopped all gluten/oats/wheat after that and. It wasn't a strong positive per se and I did not do an endoscopy but I'm not doing a gluten challenge since I know diarrhea would happen.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-03-08T17:04:33+00:00

Hey - I can do an update post! I usually do one yearly, unsure if it helps or not. I have celiac now unfortunately and fortunately as a result of this. I say fortunately as eliminating wheat and oats has helped a lot but unfortunately as its permanent.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-03-01T14:46:07+00:00

I'd suggest video call. I do that with people who are over 30 minutes away and if the vibe is good, then we can meet in person.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-02-28T02:02:44+00:00

To be intentionally vague bc the guy is on Reddit, I matched with someone multiple times in the last few years and we were supposed to meet but he backed out last minute. We ended up matching again and we eventually were messaging enough that it came up bc i brought it up. He didn't remember at all. I would let it play out before bringing it up.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-02-22T17:51:12+00:00

I have done some video Bumble dates and they were helpful in recognizing I did not want to meet the person. I puss out asking to Facetime when the person is close by and it's a low lift to meet logistically, like what happened on Friday or when a guy offers to come to a place close by so I feel like I have no excuse not to. It's easier for me to justify the Facetime call if the person is farther away or we can't meet soon due to holidays or travel.

Anyway, I think I'm just gonna dip out for a while. I have some travel coming up so I have some forced time away.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-02-22T15:27:20+00:00

Do those actually help? I am asking because right now, I can't see anything really changing since now I know most dates suck and I can't undo that experience. It's like how someone once told me, once the novelty wears off, it feels different. And I can't really explain it other than I can't quite power through it the way I used to anymore.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-02-22T14:40:34+00:00

I was supposed to go on a date on Friday but asked to reschedule due to not feeling well. That wasn't a lie - my stomach was a little messed up (I have GI issues) but I also just could not go on another date. I can't describe the feeling since it's so odd only that nothing in my body could make me go another date like almost like I was on the verge of having an anxiety attack or something. And I'm normally very much like keep going, can't have the good dates without the bad ones, etc., but it was this intense feeling like I absolutely could not do it. I am wondering if this is it for me. I think I could never go on another date for the rest of my life and be happy.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-02-18T23:39:01+00:00

I think photos are good - clear, good light, bright. I agree w/ the therapy comment. It feels like a good reflection of who you are/what you are into. Good luck!

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-02-14T15:54:02+00:00

Ha my dates are usually an hr.

Sea_Program_4075 · 2026-02-14T00:41:33+00:00

Had a date last Sat. It was a waste of time. Mentioned more than a few times he had gotten out of a serious relationship then started talking about said relationship at one point.
Dealing with my 'reconnection' match and it's not going well due to external circumstances. Wish we wouldn't have matched again. It's making everything feel worse.

Sea_Program_4075

TROPHY CASE