Here in the Northeast, we’re on the other end of a pretty massive snowstorm that kept us homebound for more than 24 hours. I spent the week planning our meals and navigating crowded supermarkets. When the snow piles up, it’s tempting to skip real meals and just graze on the couch all day. I’ll admit most of my day was spent on the couch with football on the TV—and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy some popcorn and nachos. But I’ll also confess I had my usual breakfast, an unusual lunch, and made a lasagna with garlic bread that we enjoyed together as a family.

I was very fortunate not to lose power—but what do you do if you lose your refrigerator and stove? You can rely on no‑cook options like bean salads, avocado‑tuna on crackers, and simple snack plates with nut butter, fruit, and nuts to stay fueled and warm.

And for the kids, here are two fun “snow day” twists:
Snow ice cream (if you’re comfortable using clean, fresh snow): fold sweetened condensed milk and vanilla into a big bowl of fresh snow and serve immediately with sprinkles.
DIY hot cocoa bar: whisk cocoa powder, sugar, and milk on the stove, then put out toppings like mini marshmallows, cinnamon, and a few chocolate chips.

So what’s the takeaway? Plan ahead, be prepared, don’t forget your meals, and enjoy the day off!