I simply could not endure a superstore trip amidst the current pandemic, AKA Coronavirus. Instead, I opted to go to the DG near my house to prepare for emergencies. It may be all for nought but it gives me peace of mind as I affirm to myself that this is a “just in case” situation. Besides, it’s food. You will eat it eventually unlike hand sanitizer.😂

I didn’t go too crazy and just bought a few extra things I thought my family might need. I try to eat fresh produce and am currently off red meat but honestly speaking, healthy food during a potential quarantine is not a high priority for me. I want convenience, comfort and carbs during a house arrest scenario. So just for fun, I decided to share what I bought and offer some easy meal suggestions along the way. 

Take inventory:  Note what you already have in your pantry and fridge before going to the store. Do a deep freeze dive and see what items are still in date that could be used such as casseroles, soups, etc. Then make a list of what else is needed to complete meals. You can even plan a few dishes to make ahead and freeze such as lasagna, tortilla soup, baked ziti, etc.

Bread & peanut butter:  This will get you through some hard times. Both items last a while and do not have to be refrigerated.

Milk and cereal:  A gallon of milk and a couple boxes of cereal can provide multiple breakfasts. 

Lunch meat/cheese:  Good for sandwiches, wraps and pinwheels. Experiment with different condiments to break up the monotony. Grilled cheese are also delicious anytime.😋

Pasta:  Ramen is cheap and tasty. Macaroni and cheese can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. You can even dress it up with meat, taco seasoning, frozen broccoli, etc. Get creative. I mean, when’s the last time you had chili Mac??? Pasta salad is a solid choice that you can easily customize. You can also use the ramen noodles for a stir fry with some soy, honey, frozen veggies and chicken. Or buy a jar of spaghetti sauce to use with some macaroni for Italian fare. Also, there is nothing wrong with good old fashioned Hamburger Helper.🇺🇸

The frozen section:  A bag of frozen chicken breasts can go a long way. You can thaw out a couple at a time for various dishes. You can never have enough frozen pizza as far as I’m concerned. Burritos and corn dogs are good lunch options for the sake of variety. A bag of chicken fingers and fries will also provide at least a couple of meals depending on your family size. Frozen bags of fruit and veggies are also good for filler and vitamins of course!

Canned goods:  You can make an easy chicken salad with a tin of chicken. Or tuna if that’s your jam. Chili, ravioli, spaghettios and the like are also solid choices. My little loves her ABC pasta. Aww man, I just realized that I forgot tomato soup to go with my grilled cheese.🤦‍♀️ Guess I’ll have go back tomorrow. Again…..☺️

Sides:  It’s good to keep rice, macaroni and instant potatoes on hand to go with your protein of choice. 

Junk food:  Sometimes you need to have a little fun. Staying indoors for days on end can make you go stir crazy. As cabin fever sets in, snacks can help lighten the mood and provide sustenance between meals. Chips, cookies, Little Debbie’s, crackers, Nutrigrain and granola bars will work here.👍 There are also several nut and trail mix selections if you’re still watching your figure at this point.👀

1. Other:  A). Supplies: I also grabbed non-edible necessities such as medicine, toiletries, paper towels and bottled water. All the nearby $ stores were out of hand sanitizer so I gathered a few stray bottles and packs of antibacterial wipes from around the house and put them in one area. If all else fails, you could consider buying a big, cheap bottle of vodka for disinfectant purposes of course.🤔 🍸                                       B). Entertainment: Once you’ve burned through all of the latest shows and movies, it may be a good idea to seek alternative sources of entertainment. Some options may be to bust out those board games from the basement or check out a few library books. Perhaps take up a new hobby to pass the time such as sewing or jewelry making. This is also a good opportunity to learn new skills such as a foreign language or how to play an instrument.                                          C). Stay informed:  Check the CDC website and reputable news outlets for the latest updates. Try your best to stay calm and not catastrophise. If you feel anxious, do something that relaxes you such as aromatherapy, listen to music, watch a comedy, exercise, bake cookies, take a warm bath, etc. Above all, be mindful and breathe! It’s going to be ok.                                                          D). Check in:  Reach out to your people, neighbors and others in the community. It’s good to stay connected, pool resources and offer support and assistance when you can.

Thank you for reading. I hope that everyone stays healthy, sane and well fed.✌️💜🍴

Categories: Uncategorized

Tagged as: coping coronavirus foodblog meal ideas survival prepping

Mood Ring Kitchen

I’m a self teaching home cook and aspiring foodie entrepreneur. I enjoy coming up with creative ways to prepare flavorful food such as snacks, desserts and everything in between. Cooking is a way for me to challenge myself and satisfy curiosities about different ingredients.

The hope is to produce something thoughtful, memorable or every once in a while maybe even wonderful. I enjoy following my “gut” and exploring new recipes that can be comforting, exciting and nourishing. Above all else, I enjoy exploring the emotions surrounding food and writing about those experiences. 😝👩‍🍳👩‍💻