So you finally decided to invest in that kitchen remodel. Congratulations! Not only are you one step closer to the kitchen of your dreams, you’re ensuring a nearly 59% ROI if you ever decide to sell. But now you’re out one whole kitchen for a few weeks. How do you stay healthy and eat well while your cooking station is out of commission? Here are a few tips to help you survive and thrive.
Set up a Temporary Kitchen
Whether it’s a toaster oven and an electric hotplate or you’ve stocked up on grillable goodies, make sure you still have somewhere to cook. The average American might eat out 4.5 times every week, but that’s not healthy or sustainable for anyone. If you really want to treat yourself for a few nights during your kitchen remodel, you should absolutely go for it. There are almost 5,400 Thai restaurants in the U.S., after all. But if saving money and eating well are your goals, eating out every night until your kitchen is finished isn’t a great plan. Now, here are some things you need to have in your temporary kitchen area.
- Electric stovetop
- Crockpot
- Coffee maker
- Counter/Table space
- Storage
- Access to a sink
- Microwave
Don’t Discount Microwaves
Microwave meals might not be the most delicious (or nutritious) things on the planet, but they’ll work in a pinch! And you can make more than just pre-prepared frozen meals in your microwave during your kitchen remodel. Use it to prep some frozen veggies as a side for the main dish you have cooking on the grill. Heat up that cup of coffee that you let sit for a few minutes too long. Make a brownie in a mug. If one out of every 10 restaurants in the U.S. can serve Mexican food to hungry customers, you can find a way to make tacos with a microwave. There are so many creative things you can do with a microwave that aren’t frozen meals!
Invest in Paper Plates
If you need to go disposable, that’s okay! Doing dishes in your bathroom or garage sink during your kitchen remodel isn’t a fun job. But going disposable doesn’t need to mean harming the environment. Instead of plastic or plastic-coated plates, consider going with classic white paper plates. They’re biodegradable and won’t cost you too much, either. As far as silverware goes, consider staying with your regular forks, spoons, and knives. They’re small and don’t take too much time at all to wash!
Plan Meals in Advance
Meal planning will be your best friend until your kitchen remodel is done. Knowing what you’re going to eat for the entire week and prepping it in advance can make your life easier and your tastebuds happy at the same time. Make sure you’re planning meals with lots of veggies, too. You don’t want your dentist to find a cavity during your bi-annual appointments. Throwing a bunch of ingredients in your crock pot and putting the result over a bed of instant rice might even make you think twice about badmouthing non-oven based meals, too! It also helps to incorporate fresh, raw fruits and veggies into your meals. No cooking needed there!
However you choose to stay healthy during y our kitchen remodel, remember that you’re not alone. Roughly 40% of home remodeling work is for minor additions and room remodels, and other homeowners have likely gone through the same experience. When in doubt, ask questions or check out a kitchen renovation guide like this one. Until your friends have answers, use this handy little guide!