Comfort Meals When You Need Them Most: Create a Prepared Kitchen

3 Steps for Creating a Kitchen That’s Prepared for Emergencies

When trouble strikes, it can flip your world upside down in seconds. Everything around you feels like it’s moving a hundred miles an hour. And if you’ve got kids or grandkids around, that can feel downright terrifying. But you know what helps? Keeping a little slice of “normal” in your day—especially mealtime.

Here’s 3 simple ways to keep your kitchen running during any emergency:

1. Turn Your Kitchen into a Survival Station

When you’re hunkered down at home, you’ve gotta make sure your kitchen is ready to roll. Find a good, airy spot to set up your cooking gear. I like to use a solar generator—quiet, no fumes, and safe indoors. A little table, a cart, or even a big cutting board can be your prep station.

Make sure your generator has enough juice to power a slow cooker, rice cooker, or hot plate. And here’s a trick—dark-colored appliances hold heat better, so you won’t be draining your power as fast.

Keep your most-used ingredients in 1 container for easy access. Add a kid-friendly snack bin low to the ground so your kids or grandkids can grab a quick bite, like on a normal day.

2. Put the Sun to Work for You

A solar generator is a versatile tool during a power outage. It helps you use what you already have without needing new gear. Another option is a solar cooker. These turn sunlight into heat for cooking with 1 burner. They’re simple, and they work effectively.

You can get the whole family involved in mealtime during an emergency. Younger kids and older kids can lend a hand and learn valuable skills. Plus, it’s a great way to keep them engaged and focused on safety during an emergency.

3. Keep Food That Actually Tastes Good

Look, rice and beans are fine, but in a real emergency, you need food that’s easy to make and something your family won’t groan about eating. That’s where good survival food comes in. I recommend food kits with meals your kids already love. And get enough to last at least a few days, if not more.

Listen, bad days will come. But a warm meal can make the worst day feel a little bit better. Keep routines as normal as you can, and you’ll keep the calm in your home—even when the world’s gone sideways.