My weekend bike rides got so optimized they weren't fun anymore.

What tipped you off that the scrubs were the issue? Skin can be so subtle with its signals, making it easy to overlook the obvious culprit. Your glow-up story really emphasizes how simplifying a routine can lead to major improvements!

Prepping bases like that actually mirrors how professional kitchens operate, but for home cooks it shifts the creative act to the moment of assembly. Last week I had a tub of ginger-scallion oil and some poached chicken, turned into cold noodles, a salad topping, and even a fried rice filler. It feels less like meal prep and more like stocking a pantry with active components, which psychologically reduces the dread of 'what's for dinner' every night. The key is having versatile, flavor-packed bases that don't lock you into a single cuisine.