The van has officially arrived… and yes, I tripped the power cooking our very first breakfast.

In my defence, I was still on our own property — so the only person truly inconvenienced was my son… because I also tripped the internet 😬
Character building, apparently.

One thing I’m working on early is a cook inside / cook outside menu system.
Because while I love garlic and onion, I do not love sleeping on a pillow that smells like last night’s dinner.

So I’m putting together a short list of pre-organised, pre-made meals that:
✔️ reheat quickly
✔️ don’t perfume the van fabrics
✔️ keep everyone well fed
✔️ don’t require a full meltdown if the power trips again

Our Inside-Van, Reheat-Friendly Meals

🥔 Homemade baked beans in baked potatoes
Beans are pre-made at home.
Swap white potatoes for sweet potatoes for better nutrition and gut support.

🍗 Marinated chicken breasts + seasonal salad
Cooked ahead, gently reheated, fresh crunch added at the end.

🥧 Pre-made pie with steamed veg & mash
Comfort food that behaves itself inside the van.

🍝 Lasagna + rocket & shaved parmesan salad
Lasagna made at home = zero cooking smells, maximum reward.

🍆 Moussaka (pre-made) + leafy salad & paprika wedges
Big flavour, minimal effort, no lingering aromas.

It’s all about thinking ahead, keeping meals simple, and saving the smoky, garlicky, sizzling stuff for outside cooking — where it belongs.

Next step:
✔️ Outside-only cook list
✔️ Power-friendly breakfasts
✔️ Meals that don’t involve me apologising to my children

On the road… and learning fast.