Food Find!

“today I found packets of tarter sauce for fish at a local deli....I grabbed a bunch as it was pretty good on my fish sandwhich!”

“On that note I picked up packets of peanut butter the other day at a resturant I was eating at. They had it with the jelly. I asked the waitress if I could pocket a few (as if she would care). She brought me a few more! It's packaged just like jelly: Plastic cup with a foil peel-away top.
last edited: 11/14/05 2:48:54 PM”

“I used quite a few leftover MRE parts on this past weekends backpack. The cheese packs and PB packs were great. Even used a MRE spoon for my Mountain House.”

“what is your opinion StoveStomper - I kinda like the MRE spoon for the long handle but I feel the bowl of the spoon is a bit small - the normal lexan spoon I use is a little shorter but the bowl is a good size - which do you like?
last edited: 11/14/05 3:34:37 PM”

“I liked the MRE spoons.
I have a bunch of them left over.
I'll be happy to give one to anyone who wishes, next time we hike.”

“I'll second on the MRE's spoons. I also have many if you need any.”

“..prelicked and all! LOL





Actually, they are still in their plastic wrappers.”

“Finally an excuse to go to Mc'D's. In the morning they have Picante Sauce packets for their breakfast burritos. Not to be confused with Hot sauce. Hot or mild they could be used to spuce up lots of stuff.”

“Good stuff. I like a packet of hot on my hash browns. Mild for dipping fries instead of catsup. They have it all day - just ask for it.”

“I went backpacking with a friend once. He stopped and bought a bunch of McDonalds sausage and biscuits. That is all he had for food that weekend. We caught some fish and I swapped some food for a sausage and biscuit. It was pretty good even day old.

No stove, plenty of calories and they don't spoil easily.”

“At work we got this in:
http://importfood.com/nrmm3600.html
(Scan down the page to see what the container looks like, along with the product.)
Now technically, they are made for the microwave or boiling on stove...but, heck, I tried it out cozy style-and it turned out perfectly!
Cool thing is the package comes with a spoon and a resealable (and recyclable!) container.
I opened up the package, added the oil package, poured in boiling water to the "fill line" on it, stirred, and put it in my cozy (for freezer bags..containers will fit in them. I used one made by AntiGravityGear.) I left it there for 15 minutes..and it was perfect.
I tried the Curried Shrimp style. 380 calories, serves one.
(If you aren't used to Thai style, think a bit sweet and spicy together....)”

“i'm sure backpackers have used these for years but i just stumbled on them...the asian meals that come in their own bowls...the brand of the one i got is Simply Asia...it's szechwan garlic chow mein and i got some packaged shrimp to go in it

meijer has a pretty good international food selection...there are a lot of varieties of these...the one i have has 650 calories

it's made by these guys

http://www.thaikitchen.com/
last edited: 4/04/06 1:14:29 PM”

“the only issue with them is sodium. Usually alot.”

“isn't it common to have low sodium when you hike?...maybe i'm wrong”

“yes. I suppose it would be benificial to replenish after sweating and they would do well for that.”

“I have eaten these before on the trail.”

“I have eaten these before on the trail.

yea, or nea?”

“I have not eaten them on the trail before. I have at work on a cold day theres nothing better. I particularly like the jalapeno which adds the benefit of capsasin. which is good for you.”

“I have not eaten them on the trail before. I have at work on a cold day theres nothing better. I particularly like the jalapeno which adds the benefit of capsasin. which is good for you.”

“Thriftyhiker..that is sadly one of the biggest myths of backpacking-that we need tons of sodium in our diet. We don't! While for most people it is ok to have some extra..it isn't soemthing you should strive for. Your kidneys actually retain what you need.
What you really need to watch is potassium :-) That is what cause the cramps in your legs on long hot days. That and getting dehydrated!

As for the noodles, watch for MSG-usually most Thai products have it in the stuff. (I run a Thai food wharehouse). Stuff is good, don't get me wrong ;-) Just can give nasty headaches to those who don't do MSG.”

“Hi Sarbar. I think you need to clarify that potassium intake needs to "increase" with the sodium (along with magnesium) when pushing your exertion level on hot days or cold.

As to the Thai bowls, they're not bad on the trail. (There's another brand with a name like "Joyce Chen" or "Betty Lu" that you should stay away from since the noodles aren't dehydrated, but cooked and sealed in plastic---they weigh a ton and are too sodium packed.)

Thrifty: invest in a dehydrator and put together your own combos. It's a hell of lot better, lighter and---best of all---cheaper.”

“Sodium rarely needs to be increased ;-) For most Americans, we get many times what we need daily...I get by on 1,000-1500 mg a day..average amount for most Americans? Around 5,000 mg a day! Eating out can cost you easily 2,500 mg at main stream places. One freeze dried dinner can set you back 2,000 mg or more.
Many AMericans consume 8,000 or more mg a day..no wonder so many of us have high blood pressure!
What one needs to watch, when getting the "hitting the wall" feeling is that an orange or orange juice or a bag of potato chips would be a very good idea to eat. Potatoes are one of the best sources for potassium around.

As you can tell, I do watch my sodium levels very closely. I have to. I have talked with my Dr quite closely on salt consumption in the outdoors (he is an avid outdoorsy guy also). He was the one who tuned me in on the low levels of potassium causing sluggy feelings when out there. Supplements are not the answer always-eating a balanced diet rich in what you need is when doing exertion-and no, Powerbars are not the answer ;-)

And as for the Thai Kitchen stuff, you can do better ;-) Buy the real stuff-Thai Kitchen is very Americanized...it ain't got enough chili in it..lol! The real stuff is brands like Por Kwan and my fave....Mama Brand noodles...so good!! The import stuff comes with packets of oil, chili packet and additional seasoning packet. Will make one sweat though ;-)”

“I found this site that you can purchase individual items from Mre's such as the chees and peanut butter packets. Havent ordered yet but they look reasonable.”

“Here is the link, Duh!

http://theepicenter.com/mre_military_meal_ready_to_eat.html”

“i stopped off at an army surplus store on my way to my last hike and was surprise that they didn't have any MREs...the owner said they're hard to get”

“I thought MRE's were not available to the public.”

“I assume these are old stock. I am particularly interested in the cheese and the coffee packets.”

“someone told be once there are two types, one only for the military and one for the public...i don't know if this is true or not

where's stovie, he knows all about these
last edited: 4/06/06 10:43:12 AM”

“Any MRE's that you buy are uhhh, requisitioned... For some reason the contract has always stated that MRE's are for military use only. The ones that make it to the public are generally redirected by someone in the military.”

“MapsnMammals had some awesome Zatterans brand meals at Hocking Hills. I checked our grocery and they have gumbo with shrimp and chicken, dirtyrice with blackened chicken, and a bunch of other combos. they're one serving at $2.99, right where the regular Zatterans rice is.”

“The U.S. Army was giving out cases of MREs after the hurricane.
A few of these cases showed up on eBay and the Gov. asked eBay to shut them down.
They are not to be resold.”

“Have you guys tried the Bear Creek soups and stews? They are really good. Most are just add water and simmer. One packet costs about $3.00 and it makes a whole gallon. You can divide it into small amounts for backpacking trips.”

“I used to get their potato soup in #10 cans at costco. I adore it. Delicious and so many ways to pep it up if you want to. Bear Creek makes wonderful soups.”

“I found Spam singles in Krogers today. First time they have ever carried it”

“EWWWW!!!”

“don't knock it till you try it”

“no thanks, I dont eat cat food.”

“neither do I”

“Spam is more like hotdogs, and bologna I think. Once in a while it is good, but I would go nuckin futs if I had to have it very often.”

“ask Spam about Spam”

“Ewker you found this valuable info and didn't send me an email? This is like...the most wonderful thing I've heard in months! LOL!”

“LMAO, Spam is on my must meet list.”

“SS, ask him about his world famous Spam burritos, just don't mention that and Mt Rogers at the same time..lol”

“"must meet" or "must meat"?”

“Try adding a couple foil packs of "Chicken of the Sea" whole baby clams to "Bear Creek's" potato soup for a pretty good clam chowder or divide the soup and use only one pack.”

“Why ruin good clams with soup mix? Real chowder is clam, potato, onion, and black pepper to taste,, anything more ruins it”

“This is a easy fix meal for a backpacker...apparently you are a food critic and got on the wrong site.”

“nah,, just too much salt in the soup mixes,, and they don't always taste right either”

“Mix up a portion of Bear Creek's tortilla soup with a bit too little water and it makes a great nacho dip.”

“Swamp yankee, You ought to try Bear Creek's potato soup before you decide it's not good. It pretty much consists of potatoes, onions and pepper.”