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Discussion: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
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Unassigned |
Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 16 2011, 8:50 PM EDT
I see a lot of random and unhealthy choices going into Bug Out Bags, not that granola bars and ramen noodles aren't good choices, however it is optimal to choose a balanced diet while on the move. You can easily throw in some chocolate, trail mix and Spam in a bag and be fine, but you will lose energy quickly and the calorie consumption is too low for comfort.When I began making my bag, I thought about taking the easy way out and going with a few Menu B choices on the MRE list. After opening one of them and trying it out, I didn't like the fact that it took up so much room in my bag and only fed me for a single meal. Thus, I began researching long shelf-life foods that will make for great meal choices. Price is an issue for some, and if you consider that most MRE's are $6 each or more, that provides $18+ a day to spend on your personal one-day MRE. One Sample DIY MRE in my BOB. Intended to last a whole day, if not more: 580 calories = 1 x Mountain House - Chili & Beef Mac 440 calories = 1 x Uncle Ben's Ready Rice Teriyaki. 480 calories = 1 x Knorr Pasta Sides Chicken. 280 calories = 1 x Jack's Links Beef Jerky - Teriyaki. 500 calories = 2 x JIF To-Go Peanut Butter. 100 calories = 1 x Ocean Spray Dried Craisins. 280 calories = 1 x M&M's Mini's. 240 calories = 1 x CLIF Bar - Chocolate Chip. 280 calories = 1 x Planters Honey Roasted Peanuts. 2 calories = 1 x 5 Hour Energy 0 calories = 2 x Individual Wet Wipes. 0 calories = 2 x McIlhenny Tabasco Sauce Mini's. 40 calories = 2 x Werther's Original Caramel Hard Candy. The combined calorie count is 3,222 calories. This may seem like a lot, considering that the average American should consume a recommended 2,400-2,600 calories a day. As I maintain an active lifestyle, and expect to be on the move while bugging out, my calorie count is increased. (Continued...) 13 out of 14 found this valuable. Do you?
Keyword tags:
Bug Out Food
MRE
MRE's
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Unassigned |
1. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 16 2011, 8:55 PM EDT
(Continued...)Additional choices for DIY MRE’s that I would recommend are: Ramen Noodles Townhouse and Ritz Crackers Nature Valley Granola Bars Quaker Instant Oatmeal Packets. Chicken Of The Sea Salmon or Tuna Cups or Individual Packets. Tyson White Meat Chicken Packets. StarKist Salmon Packets. Bouillion Cubes. Vienna Sausage. Summer Sausage. SPAM/SPAM Lite Tins or Individual Packets. Country Time Lemonade On The Go Packets. Lipton Green Tea Packets. Virtually ANY Coffee Packets. Any of these items are easy to purchase and relatively inexpensive. Tailor your meals to your plan. I have hence made DIY MRE’s for my wife’s bag. She is a little more picky on the food she eats (I am downplaying it… she’s a PITA to cook for!) and have adjusted her calorie intake to match our needs for a bug out scenario. Her meals include items like: Chef Boyardee Ravioli Microwavable Cups. JIF On The Go Peanut Butter Cups. Ramen Noodles. Starburst. Townhouse Crackers Travel Packs. Supreme Protein Protein Bars. Ritz Cheese & Crackers Snacks. Quaker Chewy Granola Bars. Gatorade Individual Drink Packets. GoGo Squeez Applesauce On The Go Packets. Tampons (Light, Moderate, Heavy) Being smart about balancing nutrition and calorie count will help you in the long run. If you are in the market for travel size foods and/or toiletries, check out this site. Many of the items I’ve listed can be found here: http://www.minimus.biz/default.aspx Hope this helps those who were a little let down with the results of the recent Food thread ;) 12 out of 13 found this valuable. Do you? |
toxic_shock |
2. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 12:00 AM EDT
Great advice! I have a couple of MRE entrees in my bag, but I know its not going to be enough food. Full MREs are too big and too pricey. I'm going to take your list and go to the store tomorrow and see what I can put together.How may of these meals are you planning to carry? Do you find this valuable? |
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Unassigned |
3. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 12:12 AM EDT
| Post edited: Aug 17 2011, 12:16 AM EDT
Thanks Toxic! I have three in my BOB thus far, but I'm considering downgrading it to two for space since I *could* stretch the calories out to three days if the situation calls for it.My wife, as hers are much smaller, has three. She's also carrying some items for our son. Speaking of which, I think I might buy some dehydrated milk for the boy. I'm planning on taking and uploading pictures either tomorrow or the day after. Do you find this valuable? |
LadyAeries |
4. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 12:26 AM EDT
M&M Minis instantly make this a winning thread. :DOn a serious note, though, excellent advice. I've -finally- started throwing together my BOB after months of researching and making my list... which, oddly enough, didn't include food because I figured I'd figure it out once I could actually afford to start. Yes, I was -that- poor. D: I'll definitely keep this in mind when I hit the grocery store on the way home from work tomorrow night. :) Do you find this valuable? |
Maricely |
5. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 1:02 AM EDT
Here's my million dollar question: How do you keep your crackers and granola bars from getting squished/crumbly? I know it doesn't really matter, but it annoys the crap out of me.
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VagabondVance |
6. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 1:13 AM EDT
"Here's my million dollar question: How do you keep your crackers and granola bars from getting squished/crumbly? I know it doesn't really matter, but it annoys the crap out of me. "Wrap it in a million dollars! :D 3 out of 4 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Unassigned |
7. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 1:27 AM EDT
"Here's my million dollar question: How do you keep your crackers and granola bars from getting squished/crumbly? I know it doesn't really matter, but it annoys the crap out of me. "I'm anal about how I pack my MRE's. The crackers that I've packed for my wife are in a few plastic containers from my sons baby fruit cups with covers. I know that Glad makes similar plastic containers that are just about the same size. Things like the Cheese & Crackers packs are already inside a plastic package that can withstand pressure. Granola, Protein and CLIF bars simply don't squish in my experience, that is, unless I am in a seriously hot area in which case you've got to expect melting/lowering of the bonds that hold it together. If you are worried you might want to be mindful about how you pack. Think of the old science experiment where you surround an egg with Twinkies and drop it from a window. Just create a "padding" with your food. 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Maricely |
8. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 1:36 AM EDT
"Wrap it in a million dollars! :D"Screw you VV. And an egg covered in twinkies? Sounds delicious. Do you find this valuable? |
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Sekirio |
9. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 3:37 AM EDT
I took delivery yesterday of my latest BOB addition - a couple of boxes of liferaft survival rations. About the size of 4 packs of cigarettes and weighing 500g, they apparently contain everything nutrition wise that a body needs for 24 hours and contain 2500 calories. I haven't been brave enough to try them yet, but I gather they are 18 hard, bland biscuits wrapped in packs of two. Cost wise they were £4.00 ($6) per pack - so slightly cheaper than the mre's but if weight/size is an issue they may make a good addition to a BOB - oh and shelf life is 5 years. Do you find this valuable? |
John_234 |
10. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 3:56 AM EDT
The only real problem is that you're including freeze-dried food as some of the main entrees. An MRE is supposed to be eaten hot or cold with no prep. Freeze dried is great for stocks at home with gallons and gallons of water, or a nice dinner on a three-day hike. Canned and wet-bag food is heavy, yeah, but so is water and a cooking source. Though, this stuff is definitely delicious with some creativity and will be a big shot to morale in those first, essential days. Speaking of actual MREs, I want some British 24 hour rat packs. They're absolutely packed with food, a little over four thousand IIRC. Whereas an MRE is supposed to be eaten one or two a day, the 24 hour box is obviously designed for an entire day. It'd be a good vehicle ration when everyone is eating a little at a time, or just as high-energy food to stockpile. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
OutlawJames |
11. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 1:15 PM EDT
| Post edited: Aug 17 2011, 1:16 PM EDT
Excellent ideas Unassigned.My only reservations is/are that a lot of shelf bought food does not have the longevity ( shelf life) of MRE's 1-11/2 years as compared to 3-5 years for MRE's. So in order to keep your bob current you would have to replace many items 2 or 3 times more often, and there goes the cost savings....that being said, MRE's obtained the ( Meals Rejected by Ethiopians) tag for a reason. While much better tasting than the old C-Rats I have had ( and more convienient), off the shelf food blows MRE's away in the taste department. Do you find this valuable? |
boater1217 |
12. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 2:03 PM EDT
Old C rations weren't bad, you could get creative with them by combining entrees and adding a little sauce.:)I think that if you are bugging out, anything that keeps the hunger down to a managable level will be fine. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
rabidbeaver |
13. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 2:58 PM EDT
I am part of PETA to. People eat tasty animals.... ;)On a serious note great list I have much of this in my home food storage maybe I should move some of it over to my bag. Don't forget rice though someone famous survived months in the wilderness with just a bag of rice and a .22lr. Its also very easy to store in your bag. I have almost a months supply in my BOB. Do you find this valuable? |
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Unassigned |
14. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 3:02 PM EDT
@ John - Very good point and very true. The water factor is important to consider. I have measures for this, but many readers might overlook this. I feel that having a cooking source is an important tool for survival. As such, you should feel comfortable using it. I'm not suggesting that MRE's are a bad choice, or a "lesser" choice, but moreso suggesting alternatives that some might enjoy.@ OutlawJames - Thanks! Rotation isn't as bad as you might think. The thing I find myself rotating the most have been the CLIF bars and the Knorrs Pasta Sides. Both of which I eat frequently as it is - so it's not really an issue keeping them current. But yes, I agree with you and John about the taste of familiar foods being great for morale. @ boater - I've looked into designing your own meals by purchasing the entrees and sides individually, but found that S&H kind of screwed with the cost-effectiveness of that idea. Do you find this valuable? |
DonovanRichter |
15. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 3:02 PM EDT
Oh my gosh, coming up with meal plans sounds like fun! =^_^= I just threw some cans into mine and called it a day but that makes a lot of sense! I'm going to reimagine my BOB food. But then again, I like to go with things that I would eat under normal situations anyhow, rather than things I would only eat if I had to. =*_*= This might be tricky...
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Unassigned |
16. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 3:06 PM EDT
"Don't forget rice..."DOH! I definitely forgot about rice. Might add some of that in mine, come to think of it. Do you find this valuable? |
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OutlawJames |
17. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 3:06 PM EDT
"I think that if you are bugging out, anything that keeps the hunger down to a managable level will be fine."I agree, its a wonder what a little starvation can do for your sense of taste. Do you find this valuable? |
timberrattler |
18. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 6:02 PM EDT
Big thumbs up on your lists Unassigned!!!I have no MREs. They're expensive and I doubt that I'd ever eat them in all honesty. The foods you've listed are in my pantry to begin with. A good combo that I believe strongly in is a mix of walnuts and dates. Fat, protein and calories from the walnuts and fiber and simple suger carbs from the dates. Walnuts will keep a good long time in the freezer. Do you find this valuable? |
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John_234 |
19. RE: Do It Yourself MRE's - On The Cheap!
Aug 17 2011, 8:29 PM EDT
Well I don't mean all your entrees, but some of it. With early bugging out there's going be times where you're too tired or in too much of a rush to break out the cook kit for a meal. A good chunk of your kit should be brewable for size and weight savings, but some should also be stuff you can eat at any time, and not just crackers and canned meats.Since you're basically designing these as sort of MREs, what type of packaging are you using? Do you find this valuable? |
