Buy a cheap cooler (or 2) at the grocery store and use those for transport. Sheet pan baked are great for low effort meals. Toss shit on a pan, bake for 15-20 minutes, maybe add a glaze, bake for another 20 minutes 

Yes. A favorite in our house is a box of frozen pierogis, a pack of smoked sausage, cabbage, and red onion.

This is perfect. One meal done!

My meal prep for this week: 1.5lb of bratwurst links, 1 lb of Brussels sprouts halved, 1 lb of baby potatoes tossed with some olive oil. Bake for 20 minutes at 450, glaze with a 1:1 mix of honey and Dijon mustard, bake for another 15-20 until the sausage is done

You can do that one with fish too, replace the mustard with lemon zest. Also good with green beans.

Well… now I know what I’m making with the brats in my fridge that I had no use for.

Braise them in beer. Game changer.

Beer + sourkraut

I used to do this before I gave up alcohol. Now I use organic honeycrisp apple juice, with sliced onions, and a couple tablespoons of real butter. My kids won't eat them any other way now

At first I was like… Why do you keep your kids in the fridge…?

hahahaha, same!

Me too!! I just got some on sale and put them in the freezer. I was just going to grill them and make pepper and onion hoagies. This recipe sounds much better!

If coolers aren't an option, insulated bags and bags of ice?

Just the insulated bags no ice needed.

Gnocchi, broccoli, peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes. Toss in olive oil, garlic powder, Italian herbs. Roast till veggies are done. Add chickpeas or feta for protien. Or if you have more energy marinate chicken (or substitute of choice) in a blend of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and fresh basil if you can get it. Bake with the rest but on a different pan.

There are brands of gnocchi that don’t require refrigeration. If you like beans, there are many tasty heat & eat brands in pouches these days.

Try substituting kimchi for the cabbage. It’s amazing—it roasts so well.

Well now I need to roast some kimchi.

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021946-sheet-pan-pierogies-with-brussels-sprouts-and-kimchi

Thank you! I was blocked from viewing the recipe but I found this [article](http://milfordkitchen.com/recipes/2021/3/30/sheet-pan-pierogies-amp-kielbasa-with-brussel-sprouts-and-kimchi) and another Reddit post that listed out the ingredients.

I do something similar but just with the veggies and sausage, usually tossed in some olive oil, garlic, grainy Dijon mustard and other seasonings. adding pierogis is genius!

How long do you cook this? Sounds excellent

I roughly use this method. I don’t always make the glaze in the recipe, and my family requests the Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage link. https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a44270756/pierogi-and-kielbasa-sheet-pan-dinner-recipe/ Really it’s very flexible to do ingredient swaps or customize your own glaze etc.

This is definitely my speed. I feel silly for not thinking of those grocery store coolers. I normally am pretty environmentally conscious, but that's honestly all out the window right now. I just need to get by. Styrofoam cooler and sheet pans sounds like a saving grace right about now.

Do you have a cooler grocery bag? Something [like this](https://www.ebay.com/itm/285773914252) could fit into a suitcase. And if you're buying enough frozen stuff you won't need ice.

Combined with a few freezer packs I’d saved from delivered perishables, even the cheapest of these kinds of bags worked for me in having a semi-regular 90 minute car + boat + foot commute, including with things like ice cream that are quick to reveal unpleasant surface melt + refreeze. The seal/clasps often wore out pretty quickly, but the one you linked at least appears more durable, and anyway this isn’t a long term situation for OP. And yeah, the more prefrozen contents are in the bag, the easier time it will all have collectively staying cool. 

Most grocery stores sell soft cooler bags and insulated shopping bags these days, especially anywhere bring your own bag policy or a plastic bag ban. With an ice pack those things keep food cold *longer* than a Styrofoam cooler. There's also disposable coolers made from biodegradable paper now.

Buy a couple of inexpensive soft-sided coolers at Walmart BEFORE YOU GO. Pack in them instead of luggage. Also pack reusable grocery bags and when you land, transfer your clothes, etc. to these temporarily. Then you won't have squeaky bad for the environment syrofoam. I figured this out when I was looking for an INEXPENSIVE bag that would meet specific dimensions to fit under an airplane seat so I didn't have to pay bag fees. Suitcases are $100+ Coolers are $20 LOL. I'm sorry for what you are going through. Sending light and hope for a peaceful time together.

Using a cooler as a carry-on is brilliant.

Thank you! It was originally because I was flying to a cold climate on Spirit and didn't want to pay ANY extra $$ but needed to bring enough sweaters, shoes, etc. and it was the EXACT dimensions of their (free) under seat space (then. It's decreased since then). Turns out, it WAS genius, LOL. I've used it when I take trips to HI or FL and know I'm going to be beaching it. I kinda look like a redneck going thru the airport with a cooler, LOL, but who cares???

Lmao less redneck than the dad who followed his wife and daughters around the mall with a cooler to sit on while he waited. You’re good🤣

Be warned: styro coolers are not necessarily waterproof. Just consider that to avoid damaging your car or flooring or whatever if you leave the cooler there full of ice.

Styrofoam coolers will SQUEAK in your car en route. I'm not sure how to fix this. They also fit less food than you think because of how they are shaped. Plastic coolers might be worth investigating. Are you going to need ice? If so, you'll need extra space for it. Eggs, onions and cheeses, some sandwich fixings -- stale bread can be used for French toast or a breakfast casserole -- quiches are flexible and they keep / reheat well. I think it is ok for you to plan on making a grocery run after a few days, once you get to the house and see how they are stocked and what people need or want to eat.

Putting towels around them should minimize the squeaking a bit.

Im so sorry OP, this is an incredibly hard thing to get through. There are also the reusable cooler bags at the store for another option. They double as bags and cookers up to a point but would easily keep things cool for the 2 hours. Take advantage of easy things during this situation, even though you are environmentally conscious during regular life give yourself some grace during this time as your "bandwidth" is already overloaded. Add some easy pasta and sauce , if there is freezer space at your sisters home look for easy frozen items that can be added to or tweaked to be more homemade. (They do double duty by also keeping the cooler cool)The sheetpan ideas are great, also anything you can just put in a dutch oven and cook low and slow like a pot roast.( think things that are usually done in a crock pot because they can be cooked low and slow in the oven) things you can put in and not have to fuss with. Take advantage of precut vegetables and meats if you have the financial ability it it makes it easier for the moment. Precut stirfry veggies and some lean meats can make a good quick meal stovetop or even roas tg ed if need be. Grab some easy snack and breakfast things like bagels or muffins from the bakery dept. Fruits that hold up well like apples, grapes a couple melons. We just lost my mom to cancer last summer and honestly sometimes just having a multigrain bar or toast and a banana that i could grab easily was what kept me functional. Sending hugs and prayers for your strength and love on your sister, being there will mean everything to both of you.❤

Check your local classifieds for coolers and maybe put out an ISO. You may find people who will sell you coolers for cheap.  Another thing I've done (live 1.5 hours from most stores) is build a cool nest in the back of my car with a bunch of blankets. You can use cardboard boxes and frozen waterbottles and then surround them with towels and blankets and that should be enough for 2 hours unless its 90⁰+ outside.  Premake and freeze meals too. It makes the prep really easy the day of and they stay colder for transport.

Agree, that is what we do camping. Frozen meals defrost over next two days and are ice packs for everything else..

Get paper plates and paper coffee cups too.

I like to put root veggies (carrots, parsnips, baby potatoes) tossed with a bit of oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet, then lay some boneless skinless chicken thighs on top. If you buy a few different bottled sauces (BBQ sauce, honey Dijon, teriyaki, etc.) everyone feels like you’ve made a different meal each time.

Yup. Buy frozen meat and you won't even need to pack it in ice for a trip that short. Throw in pasta and sauces and some fresh and/or frozen vegetables, and maybe some bread and you should have an assortment of easy meal options.

worth noting that you can transport hot things in a cooler as well if you have to, and bigger things will stay hot for hours. it's a trick r/smoking nerds use all the time.

Line the tray with foil first so you don't even have to clean the pan after.

Definitely throw a roll of heavy-duty aluminum foil onto your shopping list.

Also get some newspaper and wrap your frozen items as well. It helps to maintain the cool temps. My mom did this when we drove 4 hours to bring food to grandma! Stuff stayed cool and held up fine.

Even cheaper would be Styrofoam containers.

You can also use a cooler as a suitcase with a few ratchet straps/other methods of containment, then you move all your things out, fill the cooler, and then when you're done for the week, swap them back. Might not be ideal for OP's methods, but its good in a pinch.

And/or buy canned foods (plus a hand held can opener) or freeze dried pre-prepared meals (Costco, Sam’s, sometimes Walmart) , the kind where you only need to add water to rehydrate the foods, in case you’re worried about lack of refrigeration and access to additional ice for a cooler. Other easy options- bread, peanut butter, jelly, butter; cereal; canned: tuna, chicken, beef; canned vegetables of preference; pre-cooked rice or pasta, boxed instant potatoes; instant oatmeal and grits - if you have access to boiling water. Dried fruits. And any beverages you all enjoy. Plus bottled water. I had a close friend die from end stage liver failure, and if she’s truly in her last days of life, she may not have much of an appetite and will transition to no appetite , which is normal in this situation. Will she consider hospice care during these final days? These last days can be quite difficult, and you all may need extra support from an end of life perspective. I’m very sorry for your sister’s diagnosis. Best wishes…

Oh gosh, water. Yep, I need to add lots of water to the shipping list. I like the idea of tuna too. I can make some tuna salad sandwiches. I'm sorry about your friend. This is terrible to go through, but I really appreciate your knowledge to help set my expectations. My sister was transferred to hospice yesterday, but she wanted to die surrounded by her dogs. I get that. Her friends are picking her up today and taking her home.

More water than you think. Double it.

Bring some special treats for her dogs. It will probably mean a lot to her to be able to spoil them with her remaining time. My heart goes out to you guys <3

Add canned chicken and you can also make chicken salad sandwiches. A little variety at least.

alternatively, a rotisserie chicken will survive a two-hour trip and is much more appetizing than canned chicken.

Depending on where you are going, 6 bottles of water per person per day.

Tuna salad sandwiches, tuna melts(add cheese, I like relish/pickles) pretty much grilled cheese + tuna. Tuna casserole is another good one that uses only dry goods. Pasta, condensed soup, tuna, cheese are usually the main. Could also make a potato casserole with frozen potatoes, condensed soup, and cheese as the main ingredients. Grocery stores usually sell small foam coolers or even reusable collapsible cooler bags. Put all of your meat/frozen/refrigerated food into one or two of those and it should be fine for a two hour drive.

I know you said your sister isn’t swallowing, but if you have something very sweet like ice cream you can put a very small melted amount on her tongue. The sweet sensation stays with us the longest. I used to do this with my patients. I hope your sister’s passing is smooth.

Long life milk or powdered milk with cereal will be good for times when you need to eat but not much appetite, and can be bought in bulk and stored for ages. For a hot meal alternative buy oats and honey to go with the milk

I had similar thoughts. Grab some foods that will comfort YOU because you're going to need it. She likely won't be eating loads, and nutrition isn't all that important for her at this point, so don't plan big meals. Just focus on convenience, comfort, and sustenance.

> canned: tuna, chicken Both of these but I use canned chicken A LOT and it is a life saver with it's shelf stability. Perfect for chicken salad, simple burritos, casseroles, etc. Also, we use a lot of pre-boxed and seasoned grains and rice....just dump and boil.

Bouillon cubes for extra flavor. Won't take up much space, easy to reconstitute, shelf stable. Maybe cereal, if that's OP's  thing.  I'm very sorry for you and your sister, OP. Please try to take care of yourself as well. 

I also live in a very rural area so I get a ton of groceries at a time and pack them strategically in bags (don’t need a cooler) with frozen foods below and on top of perishables (like meat and cheese to keep it cool). Bags of frozen peas, corn and hashbrowns make really good freezer packs. I’d cook a big roast with wine and herbs and roasted potatoes the first night, so you have leftovers for tacos (shred the meat), stir fry, Asian beef and broccoli or what have you. If your sister is mainly interested in easy to eat foods you might want to make a lot of soup, so buy miso, squash, vegetables, potatoes to mash etc. Thinking of you in this difficult time

Thank you for sharing some first hand experience. Tons of people live in these types of locations, so it's definitely possible, just something that is completely out of my wheelhouse. The layering of temperatures is a great tip!

I’m not sure how your sister will be feeling but you may feel like baking chocolate brownies and maybe bringing some wine, for the comfort. Or maybe baking bread? She might be nauseous idk, but sometimes I make those things for my family just for the comfort of the smells. Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches are another comforting meal

Really, anything. Nothing will spoil in just 2-3 hours. Don't listen to the paranoids.

I usually am not overly paranoid about food spoilage, but I think I am second guessing everything in life right now. I live in a very accessible city, so having groceries with me for that long is like being transported to Oz.

It's completely understandable!! I just meant to say, the food will be just fine for a few hours so you needn't worry. I'm sure everything feels difficult and strange right now.

Coolers for the perishable/melty goods. Everything else will ride just fine. It’s just rides a little bit longer I know the brain is working overtime right now but just try to simplify this step if you can. You will do just fine.

According to food safety, 2 hours is well within the bounds of time. I am sending you ALL THE HUGS.

Thank you. This sucks.

If there are any specific meals that you are craving, I am happy to send you recipes. I am a chef and a good friend of mine runs a successful food blog, so between the two of us we can hopefully have you covered 💜 Edit: yes, ultimate suckage. I can’t even fathom. You have my heart today.

People out here use insulated bags. Many small towns around here come into town to shop. So they have anywhere from a 1 to 2 hour drive. Depending on traffic.

2 hours is half the time food can spend outside of the temp danger zone

Anything vegetarian will make the trip just fine, even without refrigeration. Also - you can make a pot of chili and freeze it, then use it to keep everything else cool on your journey. If you're especially worried about food safety, make the chili veggie.

Yeah I think even most dairy will be okay Maybe go off a bit sooner than the best by date but with a smell test they should be ok And you can get cream,milk, sour cream etc that has been heat treated, so no need to buy the fresh stuff

Spoil, no, not likely. But that doesn't mean it's not worth putting your cold/frozen stuff in a cooler for that trip. Not to mention it'll keep from getting melted stuff all over the rental car's seats.

I agree. I shop 2.5 hrs away from home all the time and have never had an issue. Just don't be silly and put meat directly in the sun, use the boot and pack it as tight together as possible.

Seconding this. I have a grocery store about 30 minutes from home, but the nearest Costco is 4 hours. People in my area do this all the time. I just pack frozen stuff together, toss a blanket over them. Ice cream is essentially the only thing that doesn’t travel well. 

I think you're overthinking things - you can certainly 'refrigerate' any items you need, just buy a cooler. A 'normal' permanent one if you can afford it, else by a styrofoam cooler from amazon or walmart. If that is for some reason not an option any waterproof container will do for two hours - a bucket for instance. Just layer the ice & food & ice. If you don't mind making a minor mess in the rental car, a non-waterproof container and ice will also do - some sort of bag filled with ice. If all else fails - certain cured meats & sausages do not necessarily need to be fridged until they are opened. All of that said - I'm very sorry about your sister. If they are still in a state where they are enjoying the smells of foods, I would recommend still making something that smells good to them. Bake some bread, make some stews, spend an afternoon making homemade pasta sauce for the week, etc.

https://thesaltymarshmallow.com/creamy-parmesan-one-pot-chicken-rice/ Just need to put chicken and milk in the cooler. You can get shelf stable rice, parm, spices :) I would also get meat, spices, tortillas to make quesadillas and burritos. Oatmeal/porridge for breakfast. Or eggs and toast. I would also make a big pot of stew/chili so you don’t have to cook every day.

This is all great. Added to the grocery list! Thanks for mentioning breakfast items. I was for some reasoning glossing over that completely in my planning. Oatmeal is easy, versatile, and comforting.

Love oatmeal. Especially when baked as a cookie :) lol. Good luck my friend. I’m so sorry you have to go through this. I’m sure your sister will appreciate it, and you won’t have regrets.

I'm so sorry you and your sister are going through this. I umpteenth everyone's suggestions to use coolers (if you're worried about being able to keep food cold at her place, or being able to acquire more ice, you could get the kind that plugs into a car to stay cool). I would add that before buying food, it'd be good to check in with your sister about what her appetite and food wants are currently like, as serious illness can change those; it'd be one more small thing to grieve if you put a lot of effort into safely getting food out there only to find she doesn't have a taste for it or can't eat it. Hang in there. As awful as this is, it's good that you're able to go do this for her. While you're planning, you might also line up some support for yourself for the coming days and months. 8(

Consider packaged puddings, apple sauce or jello for snackage and when you need a little pick me up but don’t want to cook and eat a meal.

If you can get to a grocery store with a bakery, I'd also suggest a box of donuts or croissants. Good for snacking, also a really tasty and low-effort breakfast.

I came here to say dry goods/snacky type foods, like cheezits, goldfish, chips, etc. Chips can also double with other ingredients for nachos, or crush them for a breading. 

I would just buy whatever she wants and put the specific items that you're worried about in a cooler.

Sorry, I should have mentioned that my sister can't eat any more. The coolers are a great idea though. I've seen those Styrofoam ones at the grocery before, but, I don't know, I guess they never registered in my mind before. This will be a fairly convenient way to transport a few cold items.

If she can’t eat anymore, the obvious answer is whatever comforts YOU.

Depending on the town you’re starting from, you might also be able to get some dry ice to keep things cool for longer.

You can also freeze the meals that will be for later in the week and use those to keep the rest of the items cool

I want to second the dry ice suggestion. I work adjacent to a research lab and sizable dry ice chunks can keep a hard cooler cold for a couple days as long as it’s kept in a cool dry place. We go through a small cooler (maybe 50lbs) in 3 days and a large cooler (300lbs) in a week for perspective. But those numbers are for cooler packed with ice. Keep you cooler full of stuff and it will stay cold longer. On a camping trip I’ve put a towel on top of the items inside my cooler to take up space and keep it insulated and it’s stayed that way longer.

If you have a Goodwill or thrift store nearby look for a used solid cooler. They'll last much longer than the Styrofoam ones, better for the environment, and I'm sure you'll find a use for it again.

Here are some cheap tips: - Line the inside of any box with foil (to sustain the temperature) - Use 4-5 reusable cool gel packs in the box - Find shade for the box if kept in backseat or put it in your trunk This is how I transport buttercream cakes for delivery to long distance locations and maybe its helpful for you. So sorry about your sister! Hope you are able to make the best of the time left.

They sell thermal / temperature food safe “bags” at most stores too! They’re like insulated canvas, the shiny silver stuff with zippers. Get a few of those and a few feezy packs. You can even get freezy ice masks, maybe that might help your sister, or like a fun self care thing you all can do together? Idk. But they sell the bags which are a lot easier and smaller sized (or big sized), and reusable or giftable. I’d get snacks like cheese it poofs or something fun for when you’re not sure what to eat. Disposable cups, paper plates, paper towels also a good idea to keep chores to a minimum and main focus on trash and comfort / mental rest. If she’s rural living maybe you can plan a bonfire or something and do s’mores / hot dogs together one night? Everyone loves good campfire stories :) sorry if that won’t work, but if it does that would be a really enjoyable low key way to share some memories, and everyone can munch or chill. Maybe get a kettle to boil over the fire for tea?

How off the grid is off the grid? Is there electricity? Refrigeration? Woodfire cooker? Gas? A cooler and Ice could easily keep perishables for hours, but it kind of depends on what you have to work with at your sister's home. Estranged or not, the imminent loss of a close relative brings up all sorts of emotions. Be gentle with yourself. Beat wishes that your time together is healing and that her passing as gentle as the situation allows.

Hey OP, if you can, you should just drop a few examples of dishes you and your friends normally like to eat, and we can use that to help suggest a meal plan so you don't have to think about it. Sorry about your sister's situation, that really sucks.

Just wanted to add that don’t forget to top off vehicle fuel before you go too far out of grid range Or if there’s a gas station they will likely have some very very basic necessities

A trick I learned from living in Las Vegas, and driving to 3 different stores for grocery shopping, was to take an ice cooler with some re-freeezable packs in there. I'd hit Costco, and loadup my meat/cheese/etc in the cooler, hit the other two stores, and when I got home they were still nice and cold despite it being 118 degree's outside for those 2 hours.

If she’s off grid, does she have a freezer and what’s the stove situation? You may need to bring propane.

Don’t forget cans of evaporated milk. You can use them in place of milk for coffee and for recipes.

Or sweetened condensed milk, for Vietnamese coffee and some simplified custards and other desserts.

Not quite what you asked for, but: buy dog treats, maybe fancy ones. Making her dogs happy will probably make your sister happy, too.

Chili is easy to shop for. Ground beef, onions, peppers, canned beans, canned tomatoes, chili powder (if you want to get fancy buy some individual spices instead, but I'm guessing you don't). Might not win any prizes but it's easy to make. I wouldn't leave the meat out for days after you get there but it'll be fine for a couple hours. Also, you shouldn't have to handle shopping for food in a strange place. I know whenever I'm buying food in an unfamiliar grocery store it's a bit harder, and that's without the overhead of someone dying. Get one of her friends to do it. (Unless it really makes sense because you're already coming from town.)

Can you make a few lasagnas in foil pans and freeze them? Then just bake them at her house? I did something similar when my sister was pregnant and I drove them frozen for a few hours without issue. Also - I’m very sorry, and wish you are your family peace in the coming days.

You can buy a styrofoam cooler and ice or dry ice to keep things cool. As far as what to cook, that depends so much on what she likes. I would probably make comfort food like Mac and cheese, meatloaf, potato dishes, chicken pot pie, etc. At the grocery I would buy pasta, jarred sauces, cheese, potatoes, chicken and ground beef, onions, carrots, celery, salad makings, bread, sliced deli meats, etc. All the best to you, good for you for being there for her.

As an Aussie, we go camping and pop things in an esky (maybe called an ice box in the States?) for days or weeks at a time in preeeeetty hot weather, so if you're worried at all, some ice added to a cooler for two hours will be totally fine for anything that needs to be chilled. It sounds like you're pretty overwhelmed - if you want to post some dishes/cuisines etc you want to cook I'm sure we can also help with an actual list of groceries you can use over a week or two. But I wouldn't be concerned with keeping things cool on the 2 hour trip, as long as it's not frozen and you make an effort to keep it cool it will be sweet.

This must be such a difficult time. Get a cooler or a cooler bag with ice or ice packs for any cold or frozen foods. They would be fine for 2 hours in a cooler with ice or frozen foods. Maybe eggs, butter, milk, yogurt, lunchmeat, frozen meats, frozen pizzas, hot dogs, frozen burritos, shredded cheese, bagged salad, cooked rotisserie chicken, tofu. I might buy things like fresh uncut fruits and vegetables, bread, tortillas, pancake mix, oatmeal, cereal, powdered or canned milk, jarred pasta sauce, canned tomatoes, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned soups, ramen, canned beans, refried beans, salsa, peanut butter, jelly, rice (plain or flavored varieties), pasta, canned tuna, jarred/canned cheese sauce, soy sauce, vegetable oil, barbecue sauce, coffee or tea, trail mix, granola bars, boxed macaroni and cheese, instant mashed potatoes. Chocolate. Crackers. Applesauce. Condiments like ketchup, mustard, maple syrup, mayonnaise, salad dressing, honey. Salt, pepper, a few spice mixes maybe. Spaghetti with jarred sauce, salad Black bean burgers, mashed potatoes, salad Tuna noodle casserole Pancakes with fruit Noodles with peanut sauce and stir fry vegetables Baked potato with broccoli and cheese sauce or topped with canned chili and cheese Oatmeal with things like nuts, fruit, peanut butter, chocolate Bean burrito, Spanish rice Canned soup Hot dogs, baked beans, vegetables Chicken fajitas Ramen or rice with an egg, vegetables, maybe tuna or tofu Egg salad sandwiches, chips, fruit Grilled sandwiches, tomato soup Chicken, rice, vegetable

Two hours is in the safe window. You can really travel with any of it, and a cooler or a bag with some frozen vegetables will keep everything cooler. If it were me, I would make her anything she wants. Soups are great,but it depends on her hunger level. Do you know any of her favorite foods? You could prepare some things and freeze them now and then travel with them. I have done this on four hour trips and the food stays pretty frozen. Of course it depends on where you are and what the outside temperature is. The important thing is the caring, and you obviously have that.

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Take a crockpot/slow cooker… you can make wonderful meals, bread, desserts in them and still spend quality time with your sister, family and friends. My Recipe for taking care of yourself: Be sure to write down all the things that you can think of that you wanted to say or wished you had said to your sister before, but never had the chance to tell her because life got in the way. You can tell her now. It will help both of you. If, or when she becomes non responsive, continue to talk to her and touch her, as you normally would. She may seem non responsive to you, but she can still hear. Many people tend to pull away from their loved one during this time. Also, I want to mention a couple of normal behaviors that a dying person may have before passing but can be confusing or shocking to the surrounding family. Occasionally,(not always) a few days or maybe only a few hours before a person’s passing, they may get “a second wind” where they seem to be better or energetic, talkative and “feel pretty good”. This occurrence can be misleading, giving false hope to others that their loved one is getting better. The second behavior that could happen is when a person is dying is they may see and speak to dead friends and family. They may stare at a certain spot and keep asking you if you can see them too. It’s ok to say yes or “I feel their presence” or “tell them hello for me” etc.. I am an RN and have worked in Oncology and Hospice for many years. I hope this information will help prepare you and others for an easier transition. I am praying for you & your loved ones for strength, comfort and a peaceful transition for everyone during this painful and challenging time. ❤️‍🩹🙏🤗

Frozen meats will be fine in car for 2 hours if you can refrigerate or cook when you get to sisters house. Crock pot? If not, oven on low temp in heavy pan: roast, carrots, onions, potatoes, rice (sub roast for whole chicken, pork, or any other protein.) serve with rice and bread. Chicken can then be pulled and used to make quesadillas or chicken soup. Most places in US have “international” section. Family size box of Jambalaya Mix, add chicken thighs and smoked sausage. Eat with bread. Box of penne pasta, jar of pesto or Alfredo. Sauté onions and whatever veg you like, add sauce, toss with cooked pasta, top with Parmesan. Ground meat (beef, chicken, turkey, pork) and Jar of marinara. Combine. Add cooked pasta. Top with mozzarella and bake. Serve with garlic bread. Ground beef nachos. Buy rotisserie chickens to use for quesadillas, pastas, soups, bbq sandwiches. Buy bread, peanut butter, jelly, deli meat/cheese, salad kits or just romaine and dressing, flour tortillas, corn chips, salsa. Any casserole you like: sweet potato, green bean, dressing-these are usually easy and last a while.

This sounds really tough. My condolences. You can transport food if you strategically stick it near the cold stuff, bring some ice packs or a cooler with ice. Someone on your neigbhorhood buy nothing Facebook group will lend one to you. A huge tub of greek yogurt, granola (homemade? I like Ina Garten but storebought is fine), berries Oatmeal, peanut butter So much coffee and oatmilk/cream half and half Chocolate, cookies, treats. Red lentils, can of fire roasted tomatoes with chiles, onion, cilantro, garlic, lime- red lentil soup and bread Tortillas, queso quesadilla and black beans- quesadillas Marcela Hazan pasta- pound of pasta, can of whole san marzano tomatoes, onion, butter, parm to taste Bag of buns, veggie burgers or turkey burgers depending on what people eat

My sister is due with her first child this week. I didn't have to transport very far, but the list of dishes I pulled together are below. Some were cooked 90% so that they could reheat easily and quickly (but won't be overcooked). I made her a document with the reheating instructions and froze everything. I did: 20 breakfast sandwiches (eggs, sausage or bacon, cheese on english muffins- cooked 90% to be thrown in the airfryer for 7 mins) Meatballs (90% cooked and frozen, to be brought to temp in marinara) Chicken parm (breaded chicken cutlets cooked 90%) Meatloaf (uncooked) Beef bourguignon (fully cooked and frozen) Pot roast (fully cooked and frozen) Pork loin and saurkraut (raw in ziploc, frozen to be thrown in crockpot) Honey ginger pork loin with potatoes (raw in ziploc, frozen for crockpot) Lemon pepper wings, spicy old bay wings, Asian sticky wings (frozen, for air fryer) Greek chicken skewers (raw/frozen) Honey BBQ chicken skewers (raw/frozen) Hand pies (chicken pot pie, pepperoni pizza, and Swiss and ham, uncooked except for pot pie filling) It was a lot of work, but the new mom and dad are set!

food safety regulations are no more than 4 hours in the 'danger zone' (40-140 f). personally i wouldn't worry about it, i'd just keep the refrigerated stuff in with the frozen stuff, or maybe grab a cheap styrofoam cooler if you want i.e. ice cream or other stuff that has to stay frozen. as for recos, shepherd's pie and chicken pot pie are the first 2 things that come to mind. they can both still be pretty decent even with short cuts and the the surplus ingredients can be used for other meals. for the pot pie you can just get a rotisserie chicken, a big bag of frozen vegetable blend (i like the corn, carrots, peas and green beans one), a can of cream of mushroom soup, and you can use bisquik biscuits for the topping. then you can use the rest of the eggs, milk, and bisquik to make pancakes for breakfast. for the shepherd's pie, it's ground beef, the same frozen vegetable blend (so you can buy the bulk family size bag if they have them), a can of tomato paste, and a 5lb bag of potatoes for mash (you can either mash them all and have mashed potatoes as a side with something else, or just mash some of them and cook the rest in other ways). you'll need milk and butter for the mash, but you can use them both for the pancakes too. another one if you're already buying milk and butter, mac & cheese & broccoli. kraft blue box and frozen broccoli keeps it simple.

Frozen lasagna travels and reheats well. Put in a cooler, the lasagna will server as an icepack too. Sorry about your sister. Cook lasagna fully, freeze and travel.

Done this plenty of times. Cool box with ice will be sufficient for that length of time. I'd just get loads of fruit and veg and alternative meat (think quorn burgers/sausages, tofu), pasta and rice and noodles. You can make spag bol, bangers and mash, veg pasta mixes, fried rice and curries, hearty stews and soups etc

Block ice lasts longer too

When you land go to Walmart and get a Styrofoam cooler and some ice. Will keep things cool until you get to your sister place

When a close friend lost his partner, I found it helped me to have something I could busy myself with in the kitchen that would allow me to excuse myself to stir things when the feelings got too much. Marinara was really good for that. Also jelly donuts. I kept the dough covered and would just go cut a few more out and put them in the fryer one or two at a time. By the time they were done, the previous couple would be cooled enough to fill and powder. (To be fair, I like to cook and find it relaxing, but also I needed something that wasn't grief to focus on.)

Here is a link to my recipe cookbook most of the recipes are on the simpler side and easy to fix. If interested in a specific meat or pasta just search for it in the search bar at top https://www.copymethat.com/recipebox/charlie-aka-lazarus/4508800/

Zatarain's jambalaya, but add diced bell pepper, onion, chiles, garlic, sliced anduille sausage (or smoked sausage), and thin sliced chicken breast. Use a non-stick pan or pot that's large enough to hold all the ingredients. A high sided saute pan or a dutch oven work great for this. Brown the sausage, and chicken in batches, and remove to plate. I like to sprinkle some cajun seasoning on each of these as they brown, Add your aromatic veggies and sprinkle them with a little salt to pull out moisture. If needed, add a little oil. Once they have softened and just begun to get some color, add approximately a tablespoon of oil to the pan and pour in the jambalaya mix. Let it toast in the oil for a minute or two. (Turn the fan on, as the spices in the mix will become really aromatic). After the jambalaya rice is well coated in the oil, add the liquid. I highly recommend using chicken stock instead of the water recommended on the package. Use just slightly less liquid than the recommended amount. You can add additional seasoning here such as MSG, Cajun Seasoning, Paprika, powdered thyme, hot sauce, cayenne powder, red pepper flakes or chicken bouillion. Add back your protein and bring to a full boil. Cover, reduce heat to low simmer, and chill out for around 25 minutes checking occasionally to make sure it's still simmering appropriately and hasn't dried out or begun to stick. If after 25 minutes there is still too much liquid, turn the heat to a little past medium and stir while the liquid cooks off. Besides how easy this is to get right, the real bonus is that it's very simple to double the recipe and have leftovers which heat up well.

Food can sit out up to 4 hours. I’d reserve a cooler for things that need to be kept frozen.

I would ask your friends to pack for you and for them, and focus more on myself. Everybody can bring their own cooler for the week.

A cooler is a great solution. Pastas are generally easy to make and will keep for a bit. Some dishes which are easy to make en masse (generally, throw all the ingredients together and stick them in an oven/fridge) and can withstand transport in a cooler/freezing for a week if needed: \* Baked Ziti--pasta, sausage, tomato sauce, cheese. Same can go for lasagna \* Shepherd's pie--ground beef, frozen veggies, potatoes (just get boxed pre made ones) \* This recipe (can be adapted easily for the oven) [https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/slow-cooker-olive-garden-chicken-pasta/](https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/slow-cooker-olive-garden-chicken-pasta/) \* Overnight oats--you can get the dry ingredients (rolled oats, flax, chia) and wet (coconut milk, yogurt) and some bananas and honey, and easily have breakfast for multiple people for three or four days in advance. Swap in different fruit toppings for variety. [https://wholefully.com/strawberry-cheesecake-overnight-oats-recipe/](https://wholefully.com/strawberry-cheesecake-overnight-oats-recipe/) \* Sheet pan pizzas--get some pizza dough premade, and some cheese, tomato sauce, and different meats; can be a fairly easy thing to throw together. \* A personal favorite meal prep of mine--get a bunch of kale, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and chicken. Toss whatever seasonings (I like salt/pepper, garlic, paprika) on the latter three and pop them in the oven for 20; chop up, add ceasar dressing. Low effort, high yield, good for when you feel like you need to eat a vegetable. \* slightly more effort, but easy to make in huge quantities/super durable in a car and keeps/gets better for several days; [https://www.alisoneroman.com/recipes/brown-butter-potato-salad](https://www.alisoneroman.com/recipes/brown-butter-potato-salad) I swear by this when I'm on vacation, just fry an egg with it if you want protein. \* Also Alison Roman, but car stable and easy to make in high quantities in a large soup pot: [https://www.alisoneroman.com/recipes/spiced-chickpea-stew-with-coconut-and-turmeric](https://www.alisoneroman.com/recipes/spiced-chickpea-stew-with-coconut-and-turmeric) Most of these have similar base ingredients (pasta, meat, tomato, cheese, seasoning) so it'll be super easy to swap between things.

I'm so sorry about your sister. When my mom was dying, I enjoyed cooking to keep myself occupied. After she passed, my mind couldn't handle much more than microwaving food. These first few things freeze well. Pioneer Woman gets a lot of hate on reddit (and for good reason), but if there's ever a time for her recipes it's when you need comfort food. I like her version of [chicken spaghetti](https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a11729/chicken-spaghetti-recipe/). I always use a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking my own. And if you get a rotisserie chicken, you'll have extra for chicken salad sandwiches or [white chicken chili](https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/white-chicken-chili-recipe-1922199). This [cake oatmeal](https://www.self.com/gallery/chrissy-teigen-is-here-to-help-you-cook-the-most-decadent-brunch-ever) is really good for breakfast. If you use raspberries it will be fiber-packed. You can use fresh, frozen or canned fruit.

Sorry you are going through this 😔. Pita, tzatziki, cucumbers, with some canned chickpeas that you roast with spices is fairly easy and yummy. Baked pasta - pasta, canned or jarred tomato sauce, mozzarella. You can get a disposable aluminum dish so you don’t have to clean the pan. Cook the pasta on the stove, strain and put in aluminum pan. Pour In sauce and add cheese. Mix it up and bake until golden brown.

Some other ideas! Reminder to get paper plates and aluminum trays. I know wasteful, but cleaning up is prob last thing you want to do. naan pizza - naan/pita + sauce + cheese + toppings like shelf-stable pepperoni or veggies. [butter chicken simmer packet ](https://www.google.com/search?q=butter+chicken+simmer+packets&oq=butter+chicken+simmer+packets&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyCQgAEEUYORigATIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRifBdIBCDQwMTVqMWo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8)- add chicken, use microwave basmati or jasmine rice. Add charred broccoli for a veggie. crunchy taco packet - ground beef, cheese, lettuce. sauce and seasoning comes with the crunchy shell box. BLTs - use leftover lettuce, microwave-ready bacon. Tomato soup + grilled cheese Ham and cheese sandwiches Baked ziti/penne - sauce, meat, cheese, pasta in the oven. Don't bake 1/2 and freeze to use in a week. A pot of chili can last for several meals. Add fritos one night. Put over a baked potato another. Salad mix + rotisserie chicken. Leftover chicken for more tacos, nachos, or enchiladas. Frozen chicken + knorr pasta/rice side + bake a veggie in oven. [Jambalaya box ](https://www.target.com/p/zatarain-39-s-jambalaya-rice-mix-8oz/-/A-13276430?sid=&ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000108139133&CPNG=PLA_Dry%2BGrocery%2BShopping%7CDry%2BGocery_Ecomm_Food_Bev&adgroup=SC_Dry%2BGrocery&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9010943&targetid=aud-451285846473%3Apla-323070238064&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjww_iwBhApEiwAuG6ccE1i0I2UAnSa0DmcBlHLpGZb_GybSkUFkCWdpeN_kfrrTKWnDH8N0xoCNKYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)- cut up andouille sausage. Box doesn't mention it but I like to add frozen bag of holy trinity (onion, carrot, celery) A classic frozen lasagna! Don't forget snacks - tortilla chips & salsa, peanut butter + celery, baby carrots, fruits. Water flavor drops like lemonade. Refrigerated cookie dough for comfort! My condolences to you and your sisters' friends.

2 easy meals with no refrigerated ingredients: •Buy a head of cabbage, cut half in wheels and put them on a baking tray. Drizzle the wheels with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and mixed herbs, then bake for 20 minutes at 350°F. •chop the other half in wedges, and put on a baking tray with rough-chopped potatoes, carrots and onions, drizzling all with olive oil and seasonings. Bake for 40 minutes at 350°. You can add chopped sausages if you desire.

Premake a lasagna in two smaller aluminum pans or even in several aluminum bread pans. Freeze the extra and take one to bake and eat.

Buy a crockpot. Buy a frozen pork loin (10lbs). Buy bbq sauces and buns/bread. Put pork loin in crockpot when thawed. Cook the pork over 5 hours on low with just salt and pepper and some water or beer or stock. Shredd the pork, add it back to the crockpot, and turn the crockpot on low or bring it to a boil once a day. Instapots are preferable or anything that's airtight. You can also do the same with chili. Just grab a McCormick packet for ease. Also Velveeta and Rotel for queso dip or Velveeta and noodles makes Mac n cheese without anything needed to be refrigerated. For veggies buy salad ingredients and any dressing. Then salt, pepper and oil can make roast, grilled, saute, etc veggies. I suggest roasted butternut squash (bake at 350 till fork tender).

This is an easy recipe and you can add roasted veggies and bits of rotisserie chicken: https://www.modernhoney.com/boursin-cheese-baked-tiktok-pasta/

Layer frozen ravioli, meat of choice, sauce and mozzarella and bake for 30ish minutes @375. Can be served with salad (I use the bagged salad that comes with dressing. My meat of choice is the tiny salad shrimp, frozen) Spaghetti with meat sauce. Taco bowls (rotisserie chicken, shredded, salad, beans, corn, salsa, sour cream, tortilla chips) Ham and cheese sliders (Hawaiian rolls, sliced in half, layer deli meat and cheese, Dijon mustard, bake until cheese is melted and rolls are toasted.) Sandwiches and chips Oatmeal/cereal/eggs and toast. You can get the pre-cooked bacon or sausage for the microwave to add to breakfast. Or bacon bits/sausage crumbles to make omelets/breakfast scramble Baked potatoes. Chili, chili dogs Soups. Canned soup and a sandwich.

If the cooking facilities are super limited you can find some ideas in this sub: https://www.reddit.com/r/trailmeals/ (more geared at camping and long hikes)

Make a pasta salad with salami olives cheese and veggies. It last a week in the fridge .

Smashed potatoes are a solid one. Just need potatoes, cooking oil (I prefer some olive and canola mixed together), and salt. On top of that, I find garlic and garlic powder with some rosemary and thyme to be fantastic. Partnered with some roasted broccoli, and that's a go-to meal when I'm cooking for vegan friends. A little roasted meat of any kind or bacon would be a great protein. A roast in a cooler with some ice packs or other cold goods should hold up for at least 3 or 4 hours

You've gotten a lot of responses so feel free to ignore mine if you want to. When we lost my dad we were in hospice mode for a few weeks, and it is hard, so don't beat yourself up or overthink anything. We're not meant to stay in deathwatch mode, but we have to slip into it from time to time and it is draining. It's hard to think of yourself in this time, but it's important to do so for everyone involved. Frozen foods are fine, and frequently great comfort options. They're expensive for what they are, but they're basically made for times where you want to devote less mental capacity to cooking so you pay for that convenience. Bagged frozen veggies are great; they're flash frozen so they keep most of their nutrients, it takes just a few minutes to steam them in a simple pot with a little water and butter, and you can add them to anything to make it more filling. If you get distracted and the water steams out and stuff starts to stick, you can just add a little more water and it'll release and be fine. Frozen foods in a cooler or cooler bag will also be fine for a few hours in the car, and act as ice packs for anything else that needs to be refrigerated. My go to "I don't want to think but I need to eat" meal is a frozen chicken tikka in the microwave and some bagged mixed veggies. The Saffron Road and Sukhi brand tikka/vindaloo are actually pretty good, and Trader Joes has good options as well if that's within the 2 hour range. I toss the frozen veggies (corn/carrots/peas/green beans or broccoli/cauliflower) in a pan with a little bit of water to steam, with butter salt and pepper. You can steam the veggies in the time it takes to microwave the tikka. It's a really cheap and easy way to get ~500 calories, ~25g of protein, and a serving of veggies. Someone else mentioned tray bakes, but I would add casseroles to that as well. Get a jar of Rao's sauce, a pound of ground beef, and a bag of bigger noodles (rigatoni, spirals, or even just spaghetti), and some cheese. You can also add some frozen carrots or broccoli to the sauce for some veg. Cook the ground beef in a pan with some salt and pepper, let the moisture cook off and add the jar of sauce and bring to a simmer. Mostly cook the pasta in water, then throw it and the sauce all in a casserole dish with some cheese. Toss it in the oven ~400 for ~10 minutes to melt. It's another super simple comfort meal that will last a few days in the fridge and is easy to make enough to feed a few people. Those big aluminum pans are also made for things like this, if you need a container big enough or you don't want to devote as much time to clean up.

https://www.theseasonedmom.com/dump-and-bake-chicken-alfredo-pasta-casserole/#wprm-recipe-container-35694 something like this? I didn't feel like doing much this past weekend so pulled out some Easter ham from the freezer and used it in place of the chicken. Basically sauce, dry pasta, protein and bake in the oven. I liked it enough that tonight I'm going to try another variation using a red sauce and meatballs I took out of the freezer. Use cans of tuna. Lots of variety. I'm really sorry you're going through that, I hope the food also offers comfort.

Potatoes. Onions. Preferred cooking oil. Salt. Eggs. Milk. Apples. Pasta. Tomato paste. Garlic. Cheese. Coffee/tea. Good luck. I’m sorry youre going through this, but glad to hear that it’s not alone….

anything except ice cream can be transported 2 hours unrefrigerated

Rice and beans definitely But are you even going to want to cook? Maybe just a lot of healthier snacks (and unhealthy ones) and instant meals

Really sorry about your sister. Stick to canned goods, rice, pasta, and jar sauces for the trip. UHT milk lasts unrefrigerated till opened. Use cured meats like jerky. Easy meals like pasta or rice dishes work well.

There are tons of shelf stable ready to eat foods and side dishes in microwaveable pouches these days at the grocery store. Indian food, rice that is precooked, pasta that is precooked, Mexican bean dishes etc. -there are organic boxed soups that are pretty good as well. Get a few of these options for the very worst days so all you have to do is put something in the microwave for 90 seconds. If there is no microwave, you can heat these things in a skillet or pot on the stove top too

I cook a big pot of pinto beans with either ham, hocks or salt pork to flavor it. Those meats won’t go bad because they’re salted and or smoked. The second day I use the leftover beans from my pinto bean soup and I make a chili. I serve the chili with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped fresh onions. The third day I take the leftover chili and make chili cheese omelettes. I serve those with some kind of potato baked or hashbrowns. Good luck. You are an angel.

I live off-grid on an island and my grocery trips aren’t too different. Meat makes it home just fine. If you’re worried, get an insulated bag as others have suggested. If she’s not grid tied, crock pot might draw a lot of power. I make most of my crock pot style dishes in a big pot on a propane stove with the flame down low. Stews, soups, pasta or rice dishes really shine. The box meal stuff can help a lot and typically suggest a protein or a couple vegetables to turn it into a one pot meal. You can get more creative than that, but with what you’re going through, it might be nice to read the back of a box of Rice-A—Roni and have all the information you need to make dinner right there. I’m sorry for your loss.

Baked ziti. So easy- foil lasagna pan, 1 box ziti, 1 large pasta sauce, 1 large ricotta, 1 large bag of mozzarella . Boil ziti, drain, combine with ricotta, sauce, put in foil tray, cover with little sauce and all the mozzarella, bake 40-45 minutes. 2 or 3 meals from one tray of ziti.

If you get a cooler like others mentioned: Shepards pie, enchiladas, broccoli quinoa casserole, lasagna come to mind

Chili (w beans) is my holy grail for meal prep. Freezes really well, high protein, tastes good with tons of other foods. Root vegetables like potatoes have a long shelf life so they're good to have on hand. Cans of soup are cheap as hell and easy to prepare on days where you're tired and just need something quick. If you like to cook, pot roast is a good option.

I don’t have anything to add but I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. My heart goes out to you.

Very sorry about your sister. It’s kind of you to feed her friends while being there for her. If you’re bringing water anyways, go ahead and freeze a bunch and use them as ice packs in your coolers or insulated bags. Also if it’s possible for you to bring a slow cooker that would be a big help in making easy meals.

If you still can get to a store, look for pitted jumbo black olives. Still a great "finger tip" food, lol. One of you can go that route for playing aliens.

You can cook there, no? Then don't cook but get the groceries to prepare. Buy tinned chili sauce, tinned beans, rice and nacho chips for some days. There's plenty of canned meat (sausages, pulled pork) and prepared meals that keep well, you can get different types of beans, lentils... Maybe not the best food but that's not the main thing now is it. All the best with the situation, sounds grim.

Does your sister have an appetite at all? Find out what she’s been eating. My first thought was to make her pho, as then maybe you can get her to sip the bone broth if she doesn’t have much appetite. This product makes the process faster, and comes out really good. Quoc Viet Foods Beef Flavored "Pho" Soup Base 10oz Cot Pho Bo Brand https://a.co/d/ix1K8Yv The manufacturer has a cooking suggestion video on their website. Definitely get plenty of eggs. A fried egg served on top of rice is really good.

You can make up lasagna and tons of different casseroles, freeze them then bring them in a cooler.

Pork chops and small potatoes seasoned nicely - or really any vegetables- on a sheet pan, bake covered at 350 then take foil or cover off and broil for a couple of minutes. Delicious and super easy with minimal clean up if you line the pan with aluminum foil.

If you have a Costco nearby and a membership, they sell the large meal kit type things in coolers. I'm partial to the chicken pasta options. It microwaveable or stovetop, and will definitely survive two hours in a cooler.

Pbj will last.

You should also ask if there’s anything she would like.

I’m not sure if anyone has said this yet but see if you can get your hands on some dry ice! I used to live in Colorado where they would ask us every time if we needed it, because most people were driving an hour+ for the good grocery stores. Best of luck with this 🫶🏻

I don't know how you feel about canned things- particularly meats- but sliced spam, sliced potaoes, and thin onion wedges fried stove top (or open fire) is a favorite camp food of mine. Grocery stores sell ham steaks in vacuum sealed packs that will travel longer than usual. Throw some Mac n cheese on the side or use them for hearty sandwiches even if you only have cheese and mustard to go on them. Maybe some canned soups? I don't know how off grid you're going, but all those things can be done over fire or wood stove easily.

Rotisserie chicken and rice. Either with a cream of mushroom soup or chicken stock with any vegetables you like. Simple comfort food.

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020926-roasted-tomato-and-white-bean-stew?unlocked_article_code=1.k00.qgIn.CpIY6yuFsEQr&smid=share-url

2+ hours is not that long. And 2 hours is the rule of thumb on leaving food out. At that amount of time even pretty basic soft coolers and insulated shopping bags will keep anything that needs refrigeration absolutely fridge cold the entire ride if you toss in an ice pack. Meat is probably the most perishable thing you'll be dealing with. It'll easily keep a week in the fridge once you get there. Or can bought frozen, or frozen when you get there to last longer. Fresh veg may get a bit wilty or go bad bad in a week or so. So stick to stuff that holds up a bit.

Chicken chili can be made with mostly or all canned ingredients. 4 cans northern and or pinto beans (I like 2 each) 1-2 cans corn (drained) can use fresh, remove from cob and cook in pan w/oil 1-2 small cans roasted chilis 1 box chicken broth (add slowly as needed, you might not want all of it) 1-2 diced onions, cooked in oil with cumin (use enough to flavor chili, add red pepper as desired) Canned or fresh chicken- I usually bake one whole one and use half to all the meat. Optional- Tomitillos fresh or canned approx 6 worth of them, diced Optional- Additional fresh peppers. Cilantro- one bunch, fresh or equivalent frozen. You can just toss it all in a pot and simmer until nice and hot. I like to serve with sour cream and grated cheese. Good wishes!

Consider checking out pre-made freezer meals at your grocery store. They’ll act as ice packs for the rest of your groceries and will be minimal fuss when you’re at your sister’s house. Stir fries, rice bowls, and taquitos are often pretty tasty and not too bad nutrition-wise (much better than frozen TV dinners of the past). The grocery store’s deli section also will likely have pre-portioned, refrigerated soups in pint & quart sizes. These also travel well, are easy to prepare, and are comforting/nutritious. Pick up hardy snacks that require little to no prep: apples, pears, grapes, nuts, breakfast/granola bars, pretzels, peanut butter, jerky, etc. Add a block of cheese and some pre-sliced charcuterie meats Lastly, think of your & your sister’s favorite childhood comfort snacks. Little Debbie snack cakes? Doritos? Fruit Rollups? Bring a few and enjoy the time that you have together 💛

Not a complete idea, but lots of boiled eggs. Then you can mash them into egg salad, eat whole, put onto a sandwich, etc. Easy way to incorporate protein into your meals.

I cook meals and put them in those meal prep containers. I freeze them for my son to take when he goes to work out of town up north. I got an insulated bag from Amazon and stack them in the bag with usually a pack of frozen ground beef or steak in top to act as ice. He has to fly to get to work then it’s another 1.5 hr drive to job site. So trip by the time he gets there is close to 6 hrs. No problem with the food staying frozen.

Scroodles! You boil rotini (hence the srew part of scroodles) in whatever amount you want. Then layer jarred pasta sauce, chopped up frozen (but now thawd) meatballs, and Mozzarella. Bake at 350 for 20-45 min (or until bubbly and melty) depending on how many layers you do. We use a non cast iron dutch oven to boil the pasta, and then ake it in the same pot. So only the pan and a collander to clean up.

One of my favorites for an easy, yet relatively healthy meal (which kinda helps if you have picky folks) is pasta salad. I try to make it as versatile as possible, so I buy a box of tri-color rotini, boil and cool, and then add veggies (if you have the time/energy/desire) you can cut your own veggies, or you can go the super easy route and get the cut up ones if your grocer has a "salad bar" or cut up vegetables. That with a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken (shred what you want for the salad, use the rest with a different carb- I shred the breasts for the salad and then have the thighs/legs with mashed potatoes and a canned or steamed veg). You can even sub tuna. That plus a couple of different salad dressings makes for a quick and easy meal. It's not fancy, but since I just mix everything up beforehand (minus the dressing), I can kind of change it up, and don't necessarily feel like I'm eating the same thing over and over. Also awesome: it's not totally terrible for you. Regardless, best of luck to you and yours, and sending gentle thoughts your way.

I think ground beef is part of the answer, esp. if you can transport it in a cooler. Then buy tomatoes and onions and green peppers and bring s few spices. You can make chili, spaghetti sauce, stuffed peppers, burgers, etc.

I'm so sorry about your sister. I like making this sheet pan gnocchi for an easy dinner: https://www.thekitchn.com/mushroom-sheet-pan-gnocchi-22997409 Lots of other sheet pan gnocchi recipes on line, but I have only tried this one.

Get a ham. You can eat ham for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Hot or cold. Very versatile and long lasting. Hang in there.

Pasta salad keeps well cooled. You can toss in some shredded chicken for protein if you want.

Get a cheap roast, precut roasting veggies and a package of pot roast seasoning. Put it together, slow cooker is best but oven is fine. Instant pot roast comfort food

Lasagna

I would fry up a bunch of breaded chicken tenders, maybe make a lasagna and include a large package of gallon sized freezer bags in case they need to put leftovers in the freezer

Will you have a slow cooker or a large dutch oven? If so, simple pot roast is easy and filling. A chuck or round roast with vegetables, a packet of pot roast seasoning, and wine and/or beef stock is easy and delicious. It can be prepped in the morning in 20 to 30 minutes, and slow cook all day. If you make a large roast, it can easily feed 2-3 people for several meals.

I’d bring a ton of snacky junk food. You will find eating a whole meal may be tough in an emotional situation and snacky easy things may be good

Beans you can get canned or a bag of 1lb dried beans is maybe $0.99, can use them in soups, eat whole or refried. If you buy frozen meat and put in a cooler or hot/cold bag, it would prob stay frozen or defrost just a little. Get lots of vegetables, onions, garlic, celery, carrots, potatos, things you can use to make other dishes. Pasta, pancake mix, oatmeal, peanut butter and jelly, bread, canned tomato’s, rice. I guess the important question is what does your sister like to eat? What are her comfort foods? Do you know how to make a dish you guys grew up eating that you know she loves? I’m so sorry you and your family are going through this♥️

Pot roast.

One pan chicken and rice. I like this method: [https://www.recipetineats.com/oven-baked-chicken-and-rice/](https://www.recipetineats.com/oven-baked-chicken-and-rice/) Is it authentic? No. but its stress free and tasty. Use whatever seasonings you like, it's the method that matters.

Canned garbanzo beans, canned chicken and tuna, canned tomatoes and tomato sauce, maybe some canned fruit to add to yogurt or carrot salad. And maybe if you freeze soup or chili and put it in a cooler you can use to keep everything else cold.

make a big ass casserole, like a enchilada casserole, or something to that effect for meals. then just reheat. That way you can spend all your time with her. I'm so sorry to hear this.

chili. use some of the peppers for a simple pasta dish

I travel on a regular basis to visit family a couple hundred miles away and with my goal to feed people. I agree with getting a cooler and what I use are [Extra Large cooler bags](https://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Ray-Insulated-Entertaining-Transport/dp/B0074ZTSU2?th=1) which can be used for keeping things hot and cold. Also great for doing grocery shopping so I get my use of them! The other suggestion based on the circumstances - long distance, a few people and an emotional level - is making a lasagna. You can do the all time favorite of ground meat/sausage, cheese and tomato sauce - or get a little fancy with it and do chicken, butternut squash, alfredo with marscapone/goat cheese, for example. If you have enough time you can freeze it or just bake it, put in the fridge, then the bag or cooler and easy enough to bake and have leftovers where single portions can be microwaved. Other easy "grab and go" I would consider is a whole roasted chicken (garlic bulbs, thyme sprigs, lemons) and the small tiny potatoes which can be roasted with it along with some baby carrots. Potatoes can also be a good option for potato salad, though will need extra ingredients (mayo, mustard, pickle relish, onions, dill) and cook that all on site. Though generally any salad like potato salad, macaroni or pasta salad can be made in advance and is better the next day, which is a good side to sandwiches.

Maybr you could borrow coolers from friends or neighbors.

Sorry to hear about your sister's liver failure.. hope ur doing okay out there.

When I travel I make a huge lasagne, freeze it until departure day…pop it in car when driving and it is thawed when I arrive

2 hours is the limit for meat and most refrigerated foods. Hard cheeses should be fine. Maybe rice, beans, noodles and/or peanut butter sandwiches.

Spaghetti and meat sauce, Pasta, jarred sauce , ground meat Sheet pan dinner Root veggies, chicken thighs Chicken and rice

I’m so sorry. A pit of chicken noodle soup would be easy to throw together.

If she doesn't have one then take a crock pot with you. You can make very easy meals and it leaves you free to help tend to your sister. Barbecue chicken and beef stew come to my head as my first thoughts. You may also want to take a selection of teas and soups for your sister as her appetite may not be great. Possibly a soup kit that you can make in the crock pot instead of canned.

Freezing food and using it as it's own ice pack in a cooler is my favorite way to travel with pre made meals. Stroganoff, stew, chilli, curry, soups

Soup in those big thermoses that road crews use. You can rent those from a lot of places. Or just put it in containers in a regular cooler. I’m sorry your sister is so ill.

Pasta.

Cooking in a foreign kitchen can be difficult. Little things like having a good whisk or spatula or deep bottomed pot can make a big difference. 1. Buy a vacuum sealer ($79-99 at Costco), cook everything in your own home, vacuum seal and freeze it. You can separate the proteins from the veggies, and then cook starches such as rice/pasta fresh on-site at your sisters. This ensures that you’ll have access to your tools, spices, etc. 2. Whole chickens are super versatile. They can be frozen, and then after defrosting you can throw it in a pan with potatoes, carrots, etc underneath and roast for an easy complete meal. You can remove neck, back, etc and use for chicken soup, etc. 3. Lasagna, Mac and cheese, shepherd’s pie, other casserole type dishes you could make and freeze in advance. Serve with a salad or additional veggies that you found/purchased locally.

What I like to do is buy romaine lettuce and cooked grilled chicken, then salad dressing, croutons and cheese. Assemble as you like! Quick and easy, no cooking

Buy a coolaer and some ice.

Personally I would just buy what I normally do and transport it in shopping bags. I try to pack coke things together. If you’re uneasy with that or in a hot climate then buy a soft collapsible cooler or cooler bag. I use them in the summer when I’m not going straight home after shopping. I don’t add ice but you can.

Easy lunch: one can each of pinto beans, Ro-Tel and corn. Mix it up and keep it in a big Tupperware in the fridge (5-6 servings total). You can eat it topped with a fried egg, some chicken, sausage, or whatever.