Order take-out!!!!

Eat fruits and vegetables that don't require cooking, or refigeration for that matter.

Eat something that comes out of a bag, like chips (and salsa), etc.

If you have a counter-top microwave, move it to the family room. If your remodel includes an new over-the-counter microwave, take it out of the box and move it to the family room. If it has the power cord already mounted, you don't need a cabinet, just put it on a table (or even on the floor).

Order take-out!!! (i already said this one but it's the perfect one)

Open a can of soup and heat it up over the fire.

Be creative :-)

Additionaly, do you have a backyard grill? You can go to the supermarket and buy enough fresh meat (hambuger, chicken, fish, steaks, anything really) and grill out. No refigeration or kitchen stove needed.

And if your kitchen is going to be offline for an extended length of time, there are all kinds of things you can do to feed your family. In addition to the grill, think crockpot or hotplate, or microwave as I've already mentioned.

And if you really want to get adventurous, visit a camping/outdoors store and pick up some freeze-dried meals. They're kind of expensive per serving, but it could be a fun thing to do while the work is going on. If you have kids you could have a camp-out right in your family room.

There are all kinds of options on eating and feeding the family while the kitchen is gutted.

thanks for all the great advice...lol....but i really meant, how do you go get food out of the fridge without being embarassed and in the way when they are working? they have lunch with them so feeding them isn't an issue, but how about me?

only one wall of my kitchen is being gutted, so the fridge and stove will be usable for my mini rennovation and feeding the family in mornings and evenings won't be a problem. but i've figured it out for tomorrow........i'm packing a lunch and keeping it in the mini fridge downstairs so i can eat unembarassed!!! silly i know, but i don't know these guys very well.

Why be embaressed? I do lots of different things when I have contractors in the house. I even go to the bathroom. LOL!

I offer them some of what I'm having ! :-) Even though a lot of them don't speak much English (and I don't speak much Spanish), they generally understand "would you like some of this?" in sign language. Obviously I only offer it if they are taking a break, and I don't feel that I HAVE to offer anything ... but the occasional dozen Krispy Kremes has certainly bought me a lot of goodwill ! My house is so small that I can't but help run into them frequently during the workday if I am home.

I am sure they would understand if you just want to run in and get a quick snack.

Regarding going to the bathroom ... hmm, I am a little more cautious there. Has something to do with the bathroom having no drywall or doors yet, and the fact that they are working on the waste lines. Wouldn't want them to get any sort of nasty shock. If I feel the need for the bathroom, I either take the dog for a walk to the park and use the conveniences there (only a block away), or wander down the street to the local coffee shop. And get coffee too ;-)

Oh my...... I thought your kitchen was totally demolished and you were looking for ideas....

My bad

The bathroom is a tough one. I swear, they are like my toddler: the MINUTE I go in there, they call me to come and check something!!!

I got past the "food embarrassment" after the second day (or so). Now I just try to get most of it beforehand, and then hurry for the stuff I forget.

It has really surprised me how stressful it is to have folks working in your home. I feel like an intrusion, and it can be hard to know what to do with myself! It can really be a huge relief when they can't come for a day!

Francy

It's a much bigger relief when workers DO show up. LOL

Pack a lunch the night before and take it out of fridge before workmen come (if it's embarrassing for you to get in their way). We used to take lunch to school and didn't die from lack of refrigeration for a few hours. Liquid...put it in a Thermos.

Francy, I know what you mean :-( My builder has been working on my place since the end of November, I think he took the first couple of Sundays off, but since late December they took vacations on Christmas day and New Years day only. Last weekend I had electricians crawling all over the place, and this weekend it will most likely be the same with plumbers and carpenters doing siding.

Sometimes I just wanna be home by myself :-(

But I really shouldn't complain, they are going as fast as they can, and are trying really hard to make the place as habitable as possible for me. The builder brings in a cleaning crew every Friday, so the place is spick and span for at least a couple days of the week ;-). The first time the cleaner came, I nearly cried ... I hadn't realised how much all the dust and grime was getting me down. Now it feels so much better.

don't worry, chap, i knew what you thought....your ideas are really great and im sure it will help those who are doing a real kitchen gut. it was thoughtful too.

it was even a little embarassing to admit to you all that i'm embarassed (i can be so neurotic sometimes) but so good to know that some of you know what i mean!

i have to laugh at the bathroom comments....i do try to plan it for just the right time. francy, like you, i worry about them calling for me or my phone ringing at a really bad time, lol.

i had coffee for them this morning and i'll get some donuts for them for tomorrow.