Welcome to Best Meal Preps! I’m so glad you’re here.

My name is Marlene Weaver, and I’ve been cooking with heart and hands for over 40 years. I’m 49 now, living just outside Dayton, Ohio, in a cozy spot where neighbors wave from their porches and you still hear birds more than traffic.

I started cooking the way most folks did back in the day by watching. Mama didn’t use recipes. She measured by memory and taste, and somehow everything always came out just right. I’d sit on a chair beside the counter, asking questions and sneaking bites when her back was turned. I still remember the first time I made mashed potatoes by myself. I went overboard with the salt, and my daddy nearly choked but he laughed, and we ordered pizza instead.

Most of what I know, I learned through trial and error. I raised four kids on packed lunches, Sunday casseroles, and holiday pies that barely cooled before someone took a slice. I never had a fancy kitchen, but I had a lot of love to give and plenty of mouths to feed. I used what I had and made it work. And honestly, that’s still how I like to cook.

When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find me fishing. Early mornings at the lake with my rod and reel are my kind of peace. Sometimes I go alone, sometimes with a friend, but I always come back a little calmer. And if I catch something? Well, you can bet it’s going in a skillet that night with a knob of butter and a sprinkle of whatever herbs are growing out back.

Now that the house is quieter, I’ve started sharing what I know with folks who are just getting started. Especially older women who might feel like they missed their chance to learn. Let me tell you you haven’t. It’s never too late to find joy in cooking. You don’t need a chef’s hat or a perfect kitchen. Just a spoon, a stove, and the willingness to try.

I keep things simple. Good soup. Soft biscuits. Meals that feel like a warm hug. If you burn something, so what? We’ve all done it. Cooking isn’t about being perfect it’s about making something real with your own two hands. And once you do that, you’ll be surprised how proud it can make you feel.

So if you’re standing in your kitchen, wondering where to start, just know I’ve been there. Let’s take it one dish at a time. And if you ever want to swap stories while casting a line, I’ll be down at the lake, coffee in hand, waiting for a bite.