Meal prep during a kitchen renovation

I tried to be organized and plan for this remodel. After all it has been 13 years in the making. But sadly things didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped. I ran out of  space, patience, and time before demolition day. Procrastination should be my middle name. I came across some good articles on how to prepare and survive a kitchen remodel. (Here and Here) I only wish I had found them sooner. Or had the ambition to to be that organized.

I think by far the funniest moment about the kitchen remodel (so far) is when the hubbs said, "With no kitchen I guess we are going eat out every day for a few weeks."  Once I stopped laughing, I told him, "Nice try slick".  The stove is going to the garage temporarily. We have 220 in the garage, so if  the hubbs gets desperate enough he can cook  a frozen pizza while he is out in his man cave. So between the microwave, crock pot, sandwiches and grill (which also has a side burner) the eating out will be kept to a minimum-or so I hope. Which is good not only for our health but our bank account as well.

I did a lot of bulk cooking ahead of time to alleviate the burden of meal preparation. I cooked and portioned 6 lbs of ground beef, that can defrosted for spaghetti, chili, tacos, sloppy joes or whatever other recipe in which it can be used.


I prepped, precooked and have frozen meatloaves. I will either use the grill or we can plug the stove in the garage to heat them to temperature.

And I also made a ginourmous pan of banana bread-there were 2 but my dog decided to help himself to a half pan- sliced and froze for an easy grab-n-go breakfast.

 We have 7 grocery tote bags of canned goods (soups, raviolis, fruits and veggies). I bought individually wrapped chicken breasts for easy preparation and also less contamination since I don't have a kitchen sink. I have a couple of tubs of  frozen pulled pork which can be microwaved and I have lots of veggies pre-chopped and frozen for the crockpot or foil packets on the grill. I cam across a few good pages for crock pot freezer meals and slow cooker recipes (HERE and HERE). Another  web search to find recipes and tips on how to cook almost everything on a grill (HERE )

While I am not a huge fan of prepacked foods (artificial colors, flavors and high sodium content). I have stocked the freezer with a variety of frozen meals. It won't kill us to use these products over the next few months. After what we encountered this is no longer an easy remodel--but more on that later!

 I'm pretty sure I have the meal thing under control but I guess that is due my naivete and optimism of a young renovation. Let's see where I am in 6 weeks from now, haha

Anyone have any other tips for surviving the remodel with no kitchen?

Day 1 of Kitchen Remodel: Temporary Kitchen Set-Up

What to do with all my stuff from the kitchen?

Not gonna lie my house is a DISASTER. I can't believe how much dust there is already. The entire 1st floor looks like hoarders meets save my renovation. I have boxes, totes and bags of stuff everywhere. I need to keep somethings accessible but out of the dogs paws (and mouths).  I closed access to the first floor bathroom/ laundry room and shoved some of the totes, boxes and bags in there for storage. I have stuff in the dining room. Stuff in the garage. Stuff in the hallway. It is day 1 and I am already freaking out over the stuff....

Alot of stuff ended up in my wacky willywonka dining room (aka puppy prison) with the roller coaster floors...Next, once the kitchen is finished this room...will...be...next!  We will use the portable island to hold the coffee maker, electric tea kettle and microwave, The cupboard part will hold our paper plates, disposable cups and plastic ware.  I am not normally a fan of disposable but I refuse...REFUSE...to be hunched over the bathtub doing a kazillion dishes for a month. I already wash dishes by hand but I gotta draw the line somewhere...

Before the temporary kitchen

After shoving all my crap in the dining room

I know it will be worth the upheaval and aggravation to say goodbye to the ugly, old kitchen and hello to a clean, functional and updated one.

My step-Dad making quick work of the demolition

I told the hubbs I was so excited and can't wait until the kitchen is finished. I can't stop grinning! The hubbs who has been grumbling for weeks about the project said,  "he was excited too and it was going to look real nice when it is done."  Such a sweet talker that man of mine, haha

August Wrap Up

What's new? What's going on? Anything exciting? Funny? Mundane?

School Related
I am back in school  after I had a 1 week break from school mid August. I am now in my second to last semester (YAY) AND I made the Dean's List again (more YAY's).

But it wasn't much of a break. No lazing around in a hammock -assuming I had a hammock or trees to attach a hammock. Nope, I have been busy, busy, busy! I have been a canning and preserving fool! Lots of  pickles, relishes, and some sauce making. Lots of chopping, shredding, and freezing. Even some baking going on here at My Cozy Little Farmhouse.

Garden Related

I am trying to  get as much done before the kitchen gets ripped out (which is in 3 days y'all!). And to be honest my garden has slowed considerably. The cukes, melons, zukes, and other squash plants are done. The corn was a bust--either under ripe, over ripe and  much of  it was hit by nasty corn borers. Time for me to rip out the plants. The only thing left that has potential for harvest are my second succession planting of tomatoes which I expect in the next 2 weeks but it looks like it will be only enough for salads and sandwiches. But I am ok with that. since if it were more I would either have to can in the garage  (ick!) or lug my stuff to my daughter house to use her kitchen . I may have more  hot peppers and  sugar pie pumpkins  are coming but I don't think they are going to make it. The squash borers have taken over and I honestly don't have the energy to fight them. I had hoped to harvest the grapes to can juice and jam but sadly with the kitchen remodel that is unlikely.

Kitchen Related

My gigantic roll of linoleum arrived, as did my countertop-woot!

Now I faced with the logistics of WHERE am I gonna put all my kitchen stuff? I have some totes packed already. We will have a temporary kitchen with the bare basics (fridge, coffee maker, and microwave).

My kitchen entire first floor, is a disaster area as I pack up the kitchen. Feeling a tad overwhelmed and we haven't even demolished the room--YET.

Fingers crossed when I write my September wrap up I will be able to say the kitchen is finished.