Question from a newbie....where does one buy these delicious MREs???? Is there a large selection??? Thanks. -Andy <anargyro_at_mbay.net> *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Boy you must been under a rock some place to call these MRE's delicious , eatable yes , delicious not in this life time. Dana At 10:23 AM 4/13/99 -0700, A Cominos wrote: >Question from a newbie....where does one buy these delicious MREs???? Is >there a large selection??? > >Thanks. > >-Andy <anargyro_at_mbay.net> > > >*************************************************************************** >PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List >Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net >Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ >*************************************************************************** > > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
dldecker_at_se.mediaone.net wrote: > > Boy you must been under a rock some place to call these MRE's delicious , > eatable yes , delicious not in this life time. > > Dana You might try Long Life Food Depot at http://www.longlifefood.com. I wrote an article in my newsletter about 6 years ago. Actually, it was written by my son who is a career soldier. Here it is: START ARTICLE--- Sometime last year, I got a phone call from Steve Paley of Port Angeles, Washington wanting info on folding kayaks. Somewhere along the line he brought the conversation around to MREs, i.e. government issue Meals Ready to Eat. Steve maintained that they were an ideal food for kayaking. I winced. What a terrible idea! The butt of jokes during Desert Storm. Steve insisted and put my name on the mailing list for a company that specializes in distributing MREs to the civilian market (see box). My son, Jason, was visiting when I got the catalog from Resourceful Foods Co. and I showed it to him. Jason is an authority on the subject . . . four years in the Army. A good deal of this was in Germany, not all bratwurst and beer since his division (the Big Red One) was in the field one week each month. And he was with the 24th Mechanized Infantry in the Saudi desert (definitely no bratwurst and beer) from the very start of Desert Shield to the 24th’s month long stay in Iraq. Jason had a lot of fun looking through the catalog but he basically agreed with Steve on the merits of MREs. They may have a point in terms of price, convenience and nutrition. Taste, of course, is critical. The key, as Jason points out, is knowing which selections are good or bad and, more importantly, how to deal with them. Here then is a critical appraisal written by a veteran of a thousand meals of the stuff. MREs may be Meals Ready To Eat in Army parlance but we soldiers called them Meals Rejected by Everyone. At least that was what I was telling my folks to get the mountains of care packages of cookies, baking and other food goodies that they, friends and relatives regularly sent us. Most people don’t know this, but MREs went through several generations. As a veteran of both the old and the new menus, I must say that the government finally did get around to doing a good job. With very few exceptions, the old menus were Grade Z ALPO that even the hungriest of stray dogs would walk away from. Surprisingly good choice The big problem with MREs is one a civilian would never face -- limited choices. In the Army, MREs came in large boxes with a variety of meals within. We fought over the best choices or ate them first; then we were stuck with lesser items. Too, 12 available selections can get pretty monotonous when you are eating just MREs for months at a time as I and others had to do while in Saudi. The Resourceful Foods people let you package MREs in various combinations that will avoid the unappealing items. The best thing about MREs is that with a little ingenuity and imagination, you can come up with a very palatable meal. For example, the cheese spread mixes well with just about every meal. And putting the main course on a cracker makes a decent open-faced sandwich. Ideal for kayak camping While they may be eaten cold, my suggestions is to avoid this at all costs, especially the ham slice. Warm, it is great. Cold, you have to scrape off the “ham jelly” before even thinking about eating it. You can’t imagine how awful that jelly is if you have to down it cold. As a paddler, you never ever need to eat an MRE cold. Take advantage of your paddling to warm up one of these meals before you need it. For example, slip the MRE under your PFD next to your body, say a half hour before you think you will pulling up for lunch. The body warmth generated by paddling will heat up the ingredients to a tasty level. If you have had a long day of paddling, nothing would beat having an MRE warmed up this way when you feel exhausted. The meal truly is ready to eat and high in calories. It provides a quick pick-me-up to get you going again to set up camp and prepare a regular meal later, which could be another MRE or something else you may like. Another plus. Since MREs contain liquid, in effect, they add to your water supply. The MREs do not have to be re-hydrated as do freeze dried foods. This saves your water for other uses. How to heat the right way One note about heating them. The MRE pouches have some notches on them. The Army intends you to tear the foil at these notches after heating and then eat out of the top. Wrong! The best way to eat out of the pouch is to tear the package along its length, not at the top. This gives you a wider opening for spooning out the last morsels without getting residue all over your fingers as you do when digging in from the top. Another proof of the truth of the old saying that there is the right way, the wrong way and the Army way. To heat your meal, just boil water. It need not be clean water, since the contents of the package are never in contact with it. So you can use brackish or salt water without risk. By the way, the Leatherman tool (Folding Kayaker, July/August 1991) is a handy device for dealing with a hot MRE. In Saudi, I found that the Leatherman’s pliers worked well for fishing MREs out of boiling pots. Since I always had the one my dad sent me in my pocket, I usually could beat my buddies to the choicer selections. Another note about MREs: easy disposal and cleanup. You eat the main meal out of the pouch. Other items come in their own wrapping. And all of it is in a larger foil container. When you finished, the larger wrapper is a ready garbage bag for storing everything until you can dispose of it. The Ins and Outs of MREs The meals, while high in calories, can leave you feeling hungry. To fill your stomach, you need to eat a couple. It’s the same as with freeze dried foods which claim they can feed two people but are really only practical for one person. I’ve looked over the selection of MREs in the catalog. Here are my evaluations, suggestions and comments starting with the good ones, marked with a thumbs up, and ending with a thumbs down for those to avoid except when starved (maybe not even then). Up Meatballs Great on crackers or bread. Up Spaghetti The best of the bunch. Up Ham slice Heat it up. Up Chicken Needs tabasco sauce. with rice Up Escalloped Heat it up. potatoes with ham Up Bread This is one of the true delights of the MRE family. Almost worth killing your buddy for. Up Applesauce Don’t bother with spoon; cut off corner of packet and squeeze. Up Jelly Something no one can mess up, not even the Army. Up Peanut butter Be sure to follow instructions and knead well. Up Pound cake Ranges from OK to great. Old fruit cake was a loser. Up Chocolate Affectionately known as cookies “track pads.” Down Tuna with Never have tried it, never noodles will; looks like brain matter. Down Potatoes aka Potatoes All Rotten. Au Gratin Down Oatmeal Tastes like sweet compressed cookie bar sand; aka sand bar. END ARTICLE That was written back in 1993. I believe there are new flavors of the stuff. The source used then was Resourceful Foods Co at 1-800-SUBSIST but they may have moved or changed. So try that website mentioned above. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Very well written!! HOWEVER, just like anything else, what some people will eat and enjoy, some people can't stand.(my wife throws up at the sight of ice cream) I personally like them all, hot, warm, or cold. Yep, even the rejects below. (the oatmeal bars are one of the best!!) Maybe it has something to do with having a rough winter or two in alaska.? :>) Locally, MREs can be found at the local military surplus store and on the base, at the BX. Prices vary. Much cheaper by the case. Send all unwanted MREs to: James....., hungry in NM rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote: > Down Tuna with Never have tried it, never > noodles will; looks like brain matter. > > Down Potatoes aka Potatoes All Rotten. > Au Gratin > > Down Oatmeal Tastes like sweet compressed > cookie bar sand; aka sand bar. > > END ARTICLE > > That was written back in 1993. I believe there are new flavors of the > stuff. The source used then was Resourceful Foods Co at 1-800-SUBSIST > but they may have moved or changed. So try that website mentioned > above. > > ralph diaz *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Check this web site for a list of MRE dealers - http://www.millennium-ark.net/News_Files/INFO_Files/MRE_Sources.html Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska > > At 10:23 AM 4/13/99 -0700, A Cominos wrote: > >Question from a newbie....where does one buy these delicious > MREs???? Is > >there a large selection??? > > > >Thanks. > > > >-Andy <anargyro_at_mbay.net> > > > > > >************************************************************* > ************** > >PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > >Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > >Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > >Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > >************************************************************* > ************** > > > > > ************************************************************** > ************* > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > ************************************************************** > ************* > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
|Question from a newbie....where does one buy these delicious MREs???? Is |there a large selection??? Besides the other places already given, the best mail order prices I have seen are from Sportsmans Guide. I think their phone number is 1-800-888-3006. The best prices I see are a case, 12 meals, for about $50. Watch the shipping though. A case is heavy. I have not bought anynew MREs since the early 90s. Still have a case plus of the old stuff. Hope this helps.... Dan. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com wrote: > > |Question from a newbie....where does one buy these delicious MREs???? Is > |there a large selection??? > > Besides the other places already given, the best mail order prices I have > seen > are from Sportsmans Guide. I think their phone number is 1-800-888-3006. > The best prices I see are a case, 12 meals, for about $50. Watch the > shipping though. A case is heavy. > Be VERY careful in reading the ad, before you order any MREs from the above company. The wording is tricky and you likely won't be getting a full "unopened" MRE, at the above price. They sell it as "entree" only and also complete meals that have been sorted through.(you will only get the culls) They are advertising a sealed case for $59.97, and half case for $34.97. That's in the latest catalog I have. As Dan mentioned, the shipping adds alot, PLUS this company will tag you for quite alot for the handling. Just a word from someone that has bought from them, once. James, hiding my oatmeal bars from Dan.. :>) > I have not bought anynew MREs since the early 90s. Still have a case plus > of the old stuff. > > Hope this helps.... > Dan. > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
James Lofton warns us about MRE's from Sportsmans Guide ... > Be VERY careful in reading the ad, before you order any MREs from the > above company. The wording is tricky and you likely won't be getting a > full "unopened" MRE, at the above price. They sell it as "entree" only > and also complete meals that have been sorted through.(you will only get > the culls) > They are advertising a sealed case for $59.97, and half case for $34.97. > That's in the latest catalog I have. > As Dan mentioned, the shipping adds alot, PLUS this company will tag you > for quite alot for the handling. I've gotten two cases from Sportsmans Guide and have been satisfied. Just a reminder that much of the stuff sold IS from surplus and closeouts. Reading carefully is often good advice. Gary Olen has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If after trying some of the MRE's and you don't like them, I think you could ship back the unopened ones and get a pro-rated refund for those you send back. You would be out the shipping and the cost of the ones you had 'tested'. Still not a bad deal. The only MRE's I have gotten have included the dessert and the cracker and the spread (for cracker) and two entrees one of which almost invariably turns out to be some sort of rice concoction. There is also some powder to mix with water for a drink but I don't think I have ever been tempted to try one of those. Then again I often consider myself lucky and I might just have been very lucky. Personally I like the Tuna Noodle stuff and I also greatly enjoy the oatmeal bars too. I like keeping a few around for 'just in case'. I can toss a couple in a bag and head out for any adventure knowing that I won't go too hungry. If you have a 'euro-sealer' you can even re-use the outer bags to waterproof and protect your own stuff ... whatever that may be. As much as I like the MRE's, they are a bit pricey though. What I've also found good and inexpensive are various 'Dinty Moore American Classics Entrees'. Although these don't qualify as complete meals, they are good entrees and they are far less expensive than the MRE's. I've found them at 'Super K-Marts' and at a local discount shop known as 'Marcs' for as little as $1.50 each. Inside the box is an oval plastic bowl with a plastic covering that is sealed air-tight over the food inside. These require no refrigeration and are basically like canned goods, only stored in plastic. I've put them in a pot of boiling water for about 10 minutes and then enjoyed the hot contents. When I ride my bike to work, I can take them along and pop them in the microwave to enjoy there. Certainly I don't expect the Dinty Moores to have anywhere near the shelf-life of the MRE's and the are not a complete meal. I go through them pretty fast and they don't cost much for what I get. neal_at_bellhow.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Good list. Thanks for the info. BUT, 8-) I like the tuna noodles. It is one of my favorites! 8-) The oatmeal bars I buy to eat as my energy food when paddling. My wifey even likes the oatmeal bars. Much better than a candy bar. The oatmeal bars take the heat and the foil package makes it water proof. A Hershey bar with almonds may be YumYum but it is a bit sticky to eat after after a couple of hours in hot weather. One caveat about the oatmeal bars. They don't float. I watched one flutter to the bottom of a lake one day. Felt really quilty about the pollution aspect. That is until I paddled another mile or so and started seeing the basketball sized, hmmm, hmmm, "stuff", that was floating in the water from the sewage spill the week before. The spill had been contained and cleaned up according to the several news reports. My a...s it was. Foam all over the water and the "stuff". Went into low and slow paddling mode when I hit the "stuff". I was on a 20 mile paddle, 10 miles up the lake and 10 miles back. At least 5 miles of the west shore was "foamed" because of the spill. Sick thing was that people were swimming in the water on the east side. My hat got wet. A'int wore that hat in a year. 8-) Left it in the sun all summer long of the UV to sanitize. Still cant wear that hat..... Later.... Dan McCarty *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
'Ya know, if you just enlist you can get those meals for free. Larry "I've done my time" Mills -----Original Message----- From: dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com [SMTP:dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 1999 1:38 PM To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Where do you buy MREs??? |Question from a newbie....where does one buy these delicious MREs???? Is |there a large selection??? Besides the other places already given, the best mail order prices I have seen are from Sportsmans Guide. I think their phone number is 1-800-888-3006. The best prices I see are a case, 12 meals, for about $50. Watch the shipping though. A case is heavy. I have not bought anynew MREs since the early 90s. Still have a case plus of the old stuff. Hope this helps.... Dan. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Larry, What a bargain! And I can eat all the MRE's I want? I also love cleaning toilets, can I do more of that as well? ;-) - Scott Larry Mills wrote: > 'Ya know, if you just enlist you can get those meals for free. > > Larry "I've done my time" Mills > > -----Original Message----- > From: dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com [SMTP:dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com] > Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 1999 1:38 PM > To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Where do you buy MREs??? > > |Question from a newbie....where does one buy these delicious MREs???? Is > |there a large selection??? > > Besides the other places already given, the best mail order prices I have > seen > are from Sportsmans Guide. I think their phone number is 1-800-888-3006. > The best prices I see are a case, 12 meals, for about $50. Watch the > shipping though. A case is heavy. > > I have not bought anynew MREs since the early 90s. Still have a case plus > of the old stuff. > > Hope this helps.... > Dan. > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** -- Scott Ives ssives_at_erols.com - avid father, husband, lawyer, photographer, kayaker, jet skier and Mustang Cobra convertible owner *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Those who have had to live off of them for any period of time will most likely agree....TABASCO SAUCE...! -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of Larry Mills Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 1999 11:11 AM To: 'dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com'; paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Where do you buy MREs??? 'Ya know, if you just enlist you can get those meals for free. Larry "I've done my time" Mills -----Original Message----- From: dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com [SMTP:dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 1999 1:38 PM To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Where do you buy MREs??? |Question from a newbie....where does one buy these delicious MREs???? Is |there a large selection??? Besides the other places already given, the best mail order prices I have seen are from Sportsmans Guide. I think their phone number is 1-800-888-3006. The best prices I see are a case, 12 meals, for about $50. Watch the shipping though. A case is heavy. I have not bought anynew MREs since the early 90s. Still have a case plus of the old stuff. Hope this helps.... Dan. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Scott Not only cleaning toilets, you can do as many unnecessary push-ups as you'd like, wake up at really odd hours so you can fire a weapon at complete strangers and with luck, Scotch still only costs 25 cents a drink in the NCO club. What could be better. Larry -----Original Message----- From: Scott Ives [SMTP:ssives_at_erols.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 1999 7:12 PM To: Larry Mills Cc: 'dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com'; paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Where do you buy MREs??? Larry, What a bargain! And I can eat all the MRE's I want? I also love cleaning toilets, can I do more of that as well? ;-) - Scott *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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