So here in Michigan we are used to snow days, hazard weather days, and power outages. We get high winds, freezing rain, below zero temperatures and sometimes we get 12″ of snow dumped on us overnight. Like most people who live in states with winter weather conditions we are usually always ready for whatever mother nature sends our way. Recently we had two back to back storms both resulting in power outage both lasting over 4 days. It is what it is. I plan for such events by having what I may need. Flash lights, batteries, fuel, propane, food, water and other such necessities. We also have a generator. It does not run the entire house but it give us what we need.
So on our latest power outage the temperature in the house dropped down to 32 degrees. But that was warm compared to the 13 below zero temperatures and high winds outside. We keep it simple when the power goes out. We run a small generator for a lamp, our TV and a small room heater, we also are able to charge our cell phones. We have a propane heat buddy that heats our bedroom. I have a Nuwave heat top that I use to heat cans of soup and easy heat up can meals, I saw it on an infomercial and then later found it at Kohl’s. It worked out so well. It does not use a lot of energy so it safely runs off my generator. I also really rely on hearty protein meal replacement bars and healthy snacks.
Having a generator is not a cure-all for a power outage, unless you have an entire house hook-up. We have a portable one so it cannot run the entire home. We also have a well for our water so to run our pump and the well we have dedicate the entire generator to the water when we need it. We take showers and wash dishes and fill up water bottles and get done what we need and then reconnect back to our lamp, tv and heater. Our propane heat buddy is a life saver, it really kicks off heat and keeps us warm when the generator is hooked up to the well and pump.
When we go to bed we shut off the generator to conserve the fuel and we go dark. We have our routine down quite well. So when it comes down to it my main concern is always food and water. I always have lots of options on hand but I am always looking for easy meals and foods that keep us going.
Some new health snacks recently arrived at my door. Thanks to my wonderful friends over at Van’s Natural Foods.
Check out their new snack line. So many snacks, so much snow.
Van’s Multigrain Chips (MSRP: $3.29-$3.49) in Nacho, Nacho, Man! and Mighty Good BBQ! are loaded with 18 grams of whole grains and just 130 calories per serving. Made with gluten-free oats, brown rice, millet, quinoa and amaranth, Van’s Multigrain Chips are crispy, crunchy and bursting with flavor. These guilt-free treats keep it real, containing no high fructose corn syrup, artificial ingredients, hydrogenated oils or GMO oils, and they’re great for dipping or enjoying right out of the bag. 15 chips/130 calories.
Hello Nacho, Nacho, Man. They certainly did not skimp on the Nacho flavor one bit. Like Pow! In your face Nacho Flavor. Loved the Mighty Good BBQ flavor also, they were really crisp chips packed with flavor.
Van’s PB&J Sandwich Bars (MSRP: $3.99 – $4.49), a delicious, classic blend of real peanut butter and fruit jelly, sandwiched between two whole grain, gluten-free bars. This sweet, chewy delight, available in Blueberry and Strawberry, is perfect for a quick, healthy breakfast, lunchtime treat, snack or dessert featuring 10 grams of whole grains. 1bar/160 calories.
I am obsessed with these bars. They literally taste like a PB&J. So rich and smooth. Perfect to just pack in your bag and go or snack on anytime. Very satisfying.
Van’s Love Your Heart Waffles (MSRP: $3.49). These Non-GMO Project-certified waffles feature 1 gram of heart-healthy soluble fiber, 34 grams of whole grains and is made from a mix of whole grains including whole wheat, barley, oats and more. Warm, yummy and deliciously heart healthy—talk about a loving way to start the day.
Van’s also included this serving platter with a quote from Julia Child. Loving it!
Thanks Van’s, you certainly turned a snowy situation into a better snacking opportunity. I know I’m gonna keep a box of those PB&J Sandwich Bars on hand just in case we get hit with another storm. Well maybe I’ll keep two on hand..
Check Out Van’s Twitter Page Here.
Van’s History
You may not know it, but Van’s has been cooking up tasty, good-for-you waffles for almost a half century. It all started back in the 1970s at the original Van’s restaurant. It was there, inspired by our California beachside roots, that we first dished up whole grain and gluten-free hot ’n toasty waffles. By the late 1980s, we decided it was time to bring our tasty waffles to a whole new group of customers – right in their local grocery stores.
That same passion for seriously healthy, seriously tasty foods lives on at Van’s today. We value artisanal quality and we cook our products in small, minimally processed batches with always-fresh ingredients. And since we want everyone to be able to enjoy our waffles, we offer gluten-free waffles along with organic, mini and our signature 8 Whole Grain varieties.
The original Van’s restaurant may no longer be dishing out waffles on the beach, but we still pack the same sunny Southern California spirit into every product we make. Our only hope is that you’ll enjoy Van’s foods as much as we enjoy creating them.
Check out my previous Van’s Posts here:
Check Ya Later.
We also got hit with the ice storms and although the surrounding townships lost power, we didn’t. I suppose it has to do with all the felled trees on the electrical lines that cut the power in the older neighborhoods. Our neighborhood has mature trees, but I haven’t seen them around the electrical lines. I supposed the electric company prunes them on a yearly basis, which would account for us not losing power. But we did experience the Frost Quakes and the Arctic Vortex! Now, those were events I’ve never heard of before! BTW, awesome photos!
So glad you didn’t lose power. Trees were down all over the place around us and we had people across the road from us with power. Guess it was a different transformer feeding their homes. That or luck! I appreciate the power much more after losing it.
Those frost quakes and ice quakes hit us too. What a noise that creates. Sounds like a zombie apocalypse scenarios.
That snack plate is so cute!
Wow – quite the weather scenario. We had a few super cold days in WI…I can’t believe I didn’t think about weather prep. Thankfully power remained on but in the future I’ll be more mindful about water, supplies, etc.
Loving that platter! I sometimes take prepping to far, but in this case I was ready to battle the beast. Lol.
Ugh. Your weather sounds worse than ours! Glad you stay warm (ish) and have a plan when the power goes out.
Feels like the never ending winter that really has a long way to go. Just gonna stay positive and realize its gonna end eventually. Hope your well. Xoxo
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