View Full Version : Food Ideas for Winter Car Kit / GHB
I think this came up on another thread recently, but it's that time of the year again. Time to start thinking about swapping out car kits and prep bags to ensure you have cold-weather gear and fresh water/food. Thought I'd post what I was thinking about what I was planning to toss in there this year, and see if anyone has any other ideas. We have a lot of BOB/kit threads but I didn't see one specific to car food... unless I missed something.
For me - I'm specifically focusing on food that is likely to be consumed rather than true emergency rations. So while I may stash a MRE here, or a Datrex/SOS boat ration there, I consider those more of an emergency prepping thing than I'm talking about here. Boat rations keep for quite a while and I don't swap them out that often, so they can sit unused in the bottom of the bag. I subscribe to the "pack what you'll eat" idea, and in previous years have been happy to see some of this stuff get used on occasion, even when it's not a true emergency.
So:
-Low effort (prefer not to have to boil water etc. for ramen or M.House)
-Wife and kid friendly
-OK to keep in the car for at least 6-9mo.
1) Protein/Granola/Clif bars (I like the Clif Mojo PB Pretzel bars myself) http://amzn.to/Y272HE
2) Individual GORP-type bags. I like these, they have them at Costco: http://amzn.to/1CbCdiI
3) Jerky - Looking for ideas for individual small bags of Jerky that would be good for car storage. Slim Jims aren't my personal favorite but they'd work well. Maybe some of those Jack Links snack packs? How long will these keep?
4) Hard candy like jolly ranchers or something, few packs of gum
5) Powdered drink mixes
My wife really likes these Go Picnic meals http://www.gopicnic.com/ because they're great for kid meals on roadtrips or on the way to sports practice, etc. I shot them an email to see if they had any comments about how well they'd keep in a car. They'll pack a bit better if you remove them from the boxes and put in ziplocks, etc.
SouthPaw
09-23-2014, 12:46
I keep mine pretty simple.
Ramen noodles - cheap, can be eaten dry, easy to replace
SPAM - can eat cold or hot, no tools needed to open package
Jerky - fairly cheap and can suppress hunger well for a short period of time
I think I will add a jar of peanut butter as well. Lots of calories, good fat and protein ratio. I would be interested in others ideas as well.
How about individual peanut butter packets? That's another popular kid-food my wife packs, and is easier/less messy to eat with the squeeze packs... The Justin's brand are gluten-free and all natural which is important to our kids, but probably means they don't keep as long. Since we use/pack these in lunches already, would be easy for us to rotate them into a car pack.
http://amzn.to/1mqSLPT
http://amzn.to/1sWhNTY
What jerky do you use? What's the longest you've kept it in the car and still eaten it?
I don't have a specific food kit but this is what's typically in the car on any given day:
Jerky
Sunflower seeds
Trail Mix (aka M&Ms with obstacles)
Granola bars
Mio drink mix
Dog food
SouthPaw
09-23-2014, 13:22
How about individual peanut butter packets? That's another popular kid-food my wife packs, and is easier/less messy to eat with the squeeze packs... The Justin's brand are gluten-free and all natural which is important to our kids, but probably means they don't keep as long. Since we use/pack these in lunches already, would be easy for us to rotate them into a car pack.
http://amzn.to/1mqSLPT
http://amzn.to/1sWhNTY
What jerky do you use? What's the longest you've kept it in the car and still eaten it?
I can see how your scenario is different than mine, but those are expensive. I am pretty cheap :).
Great-Kazoo
09-23-2014, 13:23
How about individual peanut butter packets? That's another popular kid-food my wife packs, and is easier/less messy to eat with the squeeze packs... The Justin's brand are gluten-free and all natural which is important to our kids, but probably means they don't keep as long. Since we use/pack these in lunches already, would be easy for us to rotate them into a car pack.
http://amzn.to/1mqSLPT
http://amzn.to/1sWhNTY
What jerky do you use? What's the longest you've kept it in the car and still eaten it?
For us it's how everything is stored.If you rotate your food stuffs there should no safety issues. Are the items you have able to take extreme / sustained temp swings. Jerky's great unless the sun is on it, same for canned meats bottled drinks etc. A few caprisuns (since they store easy) in a freeze they have room to expand in those foil pouches. Sunflower seeds, i like the peanut butter packet idea, maybe some other condiment pkgs, like sugar, salt. The items depend on how far you are from home daily. We're local, maybe 1-2 miles from the homestead.
I can see how your scenario is different than mine, but those are expensive. I am pretty cheap :).
Yeah I didn't even look at the prices that I linked - it's just easier to link to amazon because it's so fast to find stuff. I think they are usually about 25c/pack local though.
SouthPaw
09-23-2014, 13:29
What jerky do you use? What's the longest you've kept it in the car and still eaten it?
It keeps for awhile. After a long period of time and some extreme temp changes it gets a little stale. I still ate it with no side effects. As long as the expiration date is still good, you should be fine. It might not taste as 'fresh' as the stuff you keep in your pantry.
I also love saving the peanut butter jars after they are empty. I wash them out and use them to make homemade first aid kits. They are tough jars, water proof, and can fit a lot. Plus being clear you can see what is in them. They are big enough to fit a lot of stuff crammed in or don't take up too much space in the pack. One in the truck bag, one in BOB bag, and two on my ATV bag (one first aid and the other fire starter kit).
StagLefty
09-23-2014, 13:59
TV dinners-they're already frozen [Sarcasm2]
HoneyBadger
09-23-2014, 14:01
I have a couple of Datrex boat rations stuffed under the back seat of my car that I replace every few years. I think the current ones have been there since 2011. I also have a few ziplock baggies full of animal crackers, cheerios, and other kid stuff for HB Jr. Any time I'm going outside of my usual commuting pattern, I grab a prepacked small or large B.O.B. Any time I drive into the mountains I bring the big B.O.B. Driving up to my in-laws' place in Parker, I usually grab the small one.
Otherwise, I keep extra jackets, boots, and towels in the car year round. In the winter months, I'll throw some gloves and a hat into the back. My B.O.B.s each have a proportionate amount of food in them, but I always intended to find food instead of carry it everywhere.
SouthPaw
09-23-2014, 14:21
Might look at getting some of HERE (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MF41LI/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B007C8EN06&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=13Y79ME0TP579KDPW252)
The above are all fine ideas.
I can add tuna or sardines in oil. The oil can be burned. Sardines are excellent cat bait. Swimming and land based.
I keep salmon in the pouches and some crackers. Adding some relish and ranch packets and you get gormet. Various cheese and peanut butter spreads.
Ive eaten 5 year old jerky before
HoneyBadger
09-23-2014, 16:31
What is the oldest Datrex ration anyone has ever eaten?
TV dinners-they're already frozen [Sarcasm2]
LOL. Man I can't think of the last time I've had a "Hungry Man" frozen dinner. You never forget that taste though. :)
The above are all fine ideas.
I can add tuna or sardines in oil. The oil can be burned. Sardines are excellent cat bait. Swimming and land based.
Are you saying you eat land-cats? Not sure if serious. :)
mcantar18c
09-23-2014, 16:49
I have a few MRE's, a few space blankets, chem lights, a box of protein bars, and a med kit.
Picking up a box of MRE's would be well worth it, IMO.
The bulk boxes of cans of tuna and chicken breast they have at Sam's Club/COSTCO would be good too.
I had a bag of Jerky go moldy in less than a year so pretty much anything I put in my get home bag gets checked often.
They have tuna in Mylar bags that are flavored (BBQ, Lemon Pepper, Asian, ETC) I like those they are durable...and last a while. They also have the bags in chicken and salmon. They also have spam slices in these mylar bags as well. I also keep 100% honey packets (quick carb boost and kids love it) which can be eaten and has antibiotic properties.
I Figure though there may be a time where I might need to boil water and for that I keep a minimal cooking/hobo stove set I made out of a SS thermos. I also have some low weight options for a hot meal (it is the winter, and warm food could be a morale booster) Lipton noodle dinner/ramen of which I could dump some of the jerkyor tuna or whatever I have in while it is cooking. I also carry some instant rice (light weight) in those beverage bags you get out of MRE's (they are more durable than zip locks).
I also carry a couple each of the gatorade packets (not sugar free)/hot chocolate packets/and buillion cubes for a hot drink.
Aloha_Shooter
09-23-2014, 17:00
The main thing you want is potable water. Hunger pains aside, most of us could stand to go a few days without eating as long as we have enough water to meet our needs. I'm figuring I could go a couple weeks on the weight I've gained since retiring from service. I keep an MRE in each vehicle but you're probably good with a bag of jerky or pouch-style tuna and a bag of granola but the real key issues are heat and water. I keep an Emberlit stove in each vehicle and am making my own fuel with cedar sawdust and candle wax. I save the bottles from Sobe LifeWater or Gatorade and try to keep 3 or 4 liters of clean water in each vehicle.
What is the oldest Datrex ration anyone has ever eaten?
Tracking thread.
Also interested to know if it tasted like stale plastic barrel.
:D
The main thing you want is potable water. Hunger pains aside, most of us could stand to go a few days without eating as long as we have enough water to meet our needs. I'm figuring I could go a couple weeks on the weight I've gained since retiring from service. I keep an MRE in each vehicle but you're probably good with a bag of jerky or pouch-style tuna and a bag of granola but the real key issues are heat and water. I keep an Emberlit stove in each vehicle and am making my own fuel with cedar sawdust and candle wax. I save the bottles from Sobe LifeWater or Gatorade and try to keep 3 or 4 liters of clean water in each vehicle.
Water is important. I have several ways of purifying/and several ways of bringing heat to water to boil it. I also have washed/sanitized 8 2-liter bottles for each car and keep them in thebottle rack that pepsi or coke uses to stack them on pallets. They don't roll around all over the trunk that way.
HoneyBadger
09-23-2014, 17:06
Tracking thread.
Also interested to know if it tasted like stale plastic barrel.
:D
I feel some foggy subliminal messaging, but I'm not sure what it is... Weird! [Coffee]
What is the oldest Datrex ration anyone has ever eaten?
I have one that expired july of 2011 I'm going to snack on eventually. Feels like the vacuum is gone also.
Are you saying you eat land-cats? Not sure if serious. :)
I've been to quite a few asain households.....
Not all land cats are domestic.
Also sardines bait in racoons even in the city. So I'm told.
Aloha_Shooter
09-23-2014, 17:45
What is the oldest Datrex ration anyone has ever eaten?
I don't know from Datrex but I had a pre-Korean War In-Flight Meal Box (sort of like K-rats) for lunch on a school trip back in 1982 -- roughly 30-35 years old. It was spaghetti with meat sauce, canned fruit cocktail, and I think had a candy bar. The kid next to me offered me his lunch if I'd just throw out the spaghetti after I opened the can. I think it would have been tastier if it had been warmed up; as it was, it was like bland Chef Boy-Ar-Dee. The fruit cocktail was excellent.
jerrymrc
09-23-2014, 18:12
I keep a few MRE items with heaters and other items in a coffee can. The good thing is one can pull the items out and use the can to heat water/melt snow. Also had matches and candles in it. Space blanket and a cheap sleeping bag were always in the truck. Running around town is no big deal but I used to go to BCGC all the time in the winter. Even camped out a few nights in the cabin back in the day.[Flower]
HoneyBadger
09-23-2014, 18:17
I have one that expired july of 2011 I'm going to snack on eventually. Feels like the vacuum is gone also.
Yeah I'll go check the expiration dates on mine. We should have a "nasty old ration taste testing party" one of these days. [Coffee]
jerrymrc
09-23-2014, 19:20
Yeah I'll go check the expiration dates on mine. We should have a "nasty old ration taste testing party" one of these days. [Coffee]
Done that. 14 YO MRE's have been tested and a bunch of canned goods have been tested. Most of the results would scare the soccer moms. [LOL]
Another thing I think for winter is to carry stuff that won't freeze into a big block of ice effectively making it inedible if you don't have a heat source (fire, etc) or can't afford to utilize your body heat to thaw it if it is too cold to do so.
I just keep a few MRE's in the car with the heaters and a canteen.
I just keep a few MRE's in the car with the heaters and a canteen.
K.I.Simple. I like
When I was stationed in Alaska, there was a surplus store that had Winter MRE's I tthink they were Long range patrol ones or "MCWs" never ate one myself, I was always curious. Had more calories in them supposedly.
4997149973
Holger Danske
09-23-2014, 20:31
i have a few datrex and a bunch of cliff bars in the get home bag and two liters of water. The kids made me a winter survival kit for xmas several years ago. Basically a coffee can and waterproof matches to melt snow, plastic and tubing to make a solar still, and a space blanket.
i have a few datrex and a bunch of cliff bars in the get home bag and two liters of water. The kids made me a winter survival kit for xmas several years ago. Basically a coffee can and waterproof matches to melt snow, plastic and tubing to make a solar still, and a space blanket.
That is a pretty badass present. Kinda jealous really.
buffalobo
09-23-2014, 21:29
We pack couple cans of mixed nuts and home made trail mix, check them for freshness monthly. Couple canteens of water. Protein bars in the BOBS.
Dry oatmeal packets are easier to eat dry than Ramen. Plus they have sugar for a boost.
Great-Kazoo
09-24-2014, 15:44
I see a lot of food, high protein bars etc. Something i'm not seeing, toothbrush, tooth paste, or baking soda. Baby wipes, something along the lines of those clorox wipes for actual sanitizing, AND TP, or those travel tissue packets. You stuck for more than 3-4 hours, something to clean teeth and lower extremities never hurts. We have a small travel toiletries kit packed with everything else.
We look at a breakdown bag as carry on luggage. What do you need if everything else is unavailable.
jerrymrc
09-24-2014, 16:03
I see a lot of food, high protein bars etc. Something i'm not seeing, toothbrush, tooth paste, or baking soda. Baby wipes, something along the lines of those clorox wipes for actual sanitizing, AND TP, or those travel tissue packets. You stuck for more than 3-4 hours, something to clean teeth and lower extremities never hurts. We have a small travel toiletries kit packed with everything else.
We look at a breakdown bag as carry on luggage. What do you need if everything else is unavailable.
I think we did this a few years ago and yes TP in a zip-lock bag is what I have always used. I even have that in the car just in case.
Great-Kazoo
09-24-2014, 16:10
^
Fooooooooooooooooood
There's only so many westword and thrifty nickel boxes on street corners. You eat, eventually you need to leave a reminder.
jerrymrc
09-24-2014, 16:19
I found my list of what I used to carry in the truck.. This came about because I almost got stuck off of FR550 in the winter. All this fit behind the seat of a std cab dodge.
SLEEPING BAG
BLANKET (MYLAR 2)
BLANKET (WOOL)
CHAPSTIK
CANDLES (10 HOUR 3)
COFFEE CAN (WHAT I KEEP THE MRE'S IN)
DUCT TAPE
FIRST AID KIT
FLARES, AUTO
FLASHLIGHT LED
FOOD, MREs (3 MEALS W/HEATERS)
GARBAGE BAGS
GLOVES
HAT
HEATERS CHEMICAL 10
KNIFE
MATCHES & FIRE STARTER
PAPER & PENCILS
PAPER TOWELS
TARP
PONCHO
BATTERY RADIO
ROPE
TOW STRAP
TOOL KIT
SOCKS (1 PAIR)
TOILET PAPER
TOWEL
WATER (TWO GALLONS)
WIRE
WHISTLE
I see a lot of food, high protein bars etc. Something i'm not seeing, toothbrush, tooth paste, or baking soda. Baby wipes, something along the lines of those clorox wipes for actual sanitizing, AND TP, or those travel tissue packets. You stuck for more than 3-4 hours, something to clean teeth and lower extremities never hurts. We have a small travel toiletries kit packed with everything else.
We look at a breakdown bag as carry on luggage. What do you need if everything else is unavailable.
This is mostly what my EDC bag is already. When I do fly some where. I just toss the whole thing into the suit case and I'm good to go with my overnight back. Very convenient.
There's only so many westword and thrifty nickel boxes on street corners. You eat, eventually you need to leave a reminder.
Today I learned something. Jim poops. Here I thought he was superhuman.
(btw, you might want to ask SouthPaw if you can borrow one of his empty peanut butter jars)
When I was conducting surveillance, I'd always look for foodstuffs that could be eaten without refrigeration. My mentors were a big help in this area.
The container I keep everything in is large enough for a pee canister for ladies (or children, if need be) : It's a 50 ounce Nestle creamer container (Sam's club carries them online.) It's got a plastic screwtop lid, has built-in grips and is a fair size for a vehicle kit. I keep everything contained in a larger plastic bag that I can use as a trash bag.
I use a Foodsaver for everything in airtight bags to help keep things fresh.
Pepperoni / salami sticks
Turkey Jerky
Beef Jerky
Triscuit crackers
Many varieties of nuts
Flavor packets for water (I've seen them for Crystal light, Kool-Aid, Mio, etc)
hot cocoa packets
single-serving cappuccino powder
Breadsticks
applesauce packets
vegetable chips (I use a dehydrator)
dried fruits
Fruit leather
peanut butter (sealed in a Ziploc)
nutella
Hard candies
mints
gum
That's all I can think of right now
Great-Kazoo
09-28-2014, 21:45
^ ^ ^ Nice set up ^ ^ ^
^ ^ ^ Nice set up ^ ^ ^
Thanks! :)
Yeah I like that idea of a hard case. Might not fit as well in my bag but it would keep stuff from getting shook around.
Over the weekend I did some jerky taste testing. I love jerky but I usually eat "real" jerky - whether homemade or store bought, the big pieces that taste and look like strips of dried meat. My concern is that a) packages of jerky that tastes good usually start around $5ea and higher and are more than I'd eat at once (so high probability for waste), and b) rumor is they aren't supposed to keep as well. I'm trying to restock 3 cars plus a couple spare bags, and don't need $30 of jerkey each time I repack.
So I dove into "beef stick" land. Man, I don't know how people eat this stuff. Maybe in a real emergency I guess.
Slim Jim Meat Sticks
(small individual multi packs, about the size of a short pen, maybe $.20ea)
- Kids/wife hated it, I only ate one bite. Threw the rest away.
Slim Jim Mild Meat Stick
(basically the same as above with the same result - not good)
- These slim jims taste like oily cardboard to me.
Jack Links round Beef Sticks
These are bigger/longer, the taste is slightly better, but honestly not anything I'm planning to buy again
- Wife and kids say they'd rather eat just about any other dried food vs. these things.
Jack Links "Tender Bites" Teriyaki
So these came from Walmart in a box with 5x .625oz baggies in them. Great for packing as a snack, not a ton of food though per baggie.
They look "weird" - kinda like some plastic dog food. They're not wet, but they look wet. However, the flavor was not bad. It's not like real jerkey, but honestly they didn't taste bad, if your expectations aren't too high.
If the price is right, I may buy some of these again for ease of use - would be a quick small protein snack for the kids to supplement other stuff.
Jack Links "Beef Steak" - too expensive here but you can at least see what I'm talking about: http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Links-Steaks-Teriyaki-1-Ounce/dp/B005DVIKIU/
These are about 1oz strips of what looks like might be actual meat, about the size of a thin pistol mag. They were about a buck each at walmart, and come in a bunch of flavors.
These were pretty good, not as good as homemade jerky but they don't taste like some weird plastic experiment.
So for now, I'll probably stick to the individual wrapped beef steaks and the tender bites bags when I need something without a lot of effort. But honestly, more than anything this makes me want to start working on my own jerky, or if nothing else buying some good stuff local in bulk and vacuum sealing it into smaller baggies, even though that would be a lot more effort than a quick trip to walmart.
Over the weekend I did some jerky taste testing. I love jerky but I usually eat "real" jerky - whether homemade or store bought, the big pieces that taste and look like strips of dried meat. .
Have you tried the "Small Batch" I think made by Jack Links? It is pretty darn close to real jerky right off the drying rack.
Have you tried the "Small Batch" I think made by Jack Links? It is pretty darn close to real jerky right off the drying rack.
Is that the grey bag? I did see those I think - the bags were a little big for what I was looking for, but I'll grab one and try it if they're good. I can always reseal in smaller vacupac bags.
Is that the grey bag? I did see those I think - the bags were a little big for what I was looking for, but I'll grab one and try it if they're good. I can always reseal in smaller vacupac bags.
Yeah they are grey There are a couple of different "recipes" I think I liked No. 11 and I think No. 17 was a little bit too salty for me. they also have teryaki and peppered, etc. It is worth a try... if you are a jerky connosoir. For commercially made stuff it isn't bad.
Over the weekend I did some jerky taste testing. I love jerky but I usually eat "real" jerky - whether homemade or store bought, the big pieces that taste and look like strips of dried meat. My concern is that a) packages of jerky that tastes good usually start around $5ea and higher and are more than I'd eat at once (so high probability for waste), and b) rumor is they aren't supposed to keep as well. I'm trying to restock 3 cars plus a couple spare bags, and don't need $30 of jerkey each time I repack.
So I dove into "beef stick" land. Man, I don't know how people eat this stuff. Maybe in a real emergency I guess.
Slim Jim Meat Sticks
(small individual multi packs, about the size of a short pen, maybe $.20ea)
- Kids/wife hated it, I only ate one bite. Threw the rest away.
Slim Jim Mild Meat Stick
(basically the same as above with the same result - not good)
- These slim jims taste like oily cardboard to me.
Jack Links round Beef Sticks
These are bigger/longer, the taste is slightly better, but honestly not anything I'm planning to buy again
- Wife and kids say they'd rather eat just about any other dried food vs. these things.
Jack Links "Tender Bites" Teriyaki
So these came from Walmart in a box with 5x .625oz baggies in them. Great for packing as a snack, not a ton of food though per baggie.
They look "weird" - kinda like some plastic dog food. They're not wet, but they look wet. However, the flavor was not bad. It's not like real jerkey, but honestly they didn't taste bad, if your expectations aren't too high.
If the price is right, I may buy some of these again for ease of use - would be a quick small protein snack for the kids to supplement other stuff.
Jack Links "Beef Steak" - too expensive here but you can at least see what I'm talking about: http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Links-Steaks-Teriyaki-1-Ounce/dp/B005DVIKIU/
These are about 1oz strips of what looks like might be actual meat, about the size of a thin pistol mag. They were about a buck each at walmart, and come in a bunch of flavors.
These were pretty good, not as good as homemade jerky but they don't taste like some weird plastic experiment.
So for now, I'll probably stick to the individual wrapped beef steaks and the tender bites bags when I need something without a lot of effort. But honestly, more than anything this makes me want to start working on my own jerky, or if nothing else buying some good stuff local in bulk and vacuum sealing it into smaller baggies, even though that would be a lot more effort than a quick trip to walmart.
Have you tried the "Small Batch" I think made by Jack Links? It is pretty darn close to real jerky right off the drying rack.
Is that the grey bag? I did see those I think - the bags were a little big for what I was looking for, but I'll grab one and try it if they're good. I can always reseal in smaller vacupac bags.
Yeah they are grey There are a couple of different "recipes" I think I liked No. 11 and I think No. 17 was a little bit too salty for me. they also have teryaki and peppered, etc. It is worth a try... if you are a jerky connosoir. For commercially made stuff it isn't bad.
I'm not a strong jerky lover but I do like the Jack Links stuff. Always grab a bunch when it's on sale.
Expensive, but if you enjoy it, and it helps you prep, worth it IMHO.
sellersm
09-29-2014, 16:28
Don't mean to hijack (don't think it really is), speaking of using jerky in our car/go bags: anyone try the Kirkland (Costco) "steak strips" jerky (or whatever it's called)? I was tempted yesterday to grab a bag and then divide them up into smaller sealed bags for my car bags...
Don't mean to hijack (don't think it really is), speaking of using jerky in our car/go bags: anyone try the Kirkland (Costco) "steak strips" jerky (or whatever it's called)? I was tempted yesterday to grab a bag and then divide them up into smaller sealed bags for my car bags...
I haven't, I like to add jerky to ramen even when making ramen at home. If anyone has tried it chime in cuz I might just do that and add it to my get home bag.
So this is where I ended up. More store-bought stuff than previous years, so I'm sure the price went up per car some. Thankfully I chose to do this right after a costco run, so we had a bunch of this stuff bought in bulk already. Wouldn't have bothered to post this but it seems like someone is always asking about car kits, bug out bags, food, etc. I think the average person just starting out thinking about this stuff needs to just focus on the easy preps, and not go crazy with buying boxes of MREs and stuff, which seems like your default answer on arfcom and other popular boards. Don't try to defend your car without your glock, 870, AR15 and MREs. :)
http://i.imgur.com/QRhXYbn.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/D1lV7Mw.jpg?1
GunsRBadMMMMKay
09-29-2014, 16:42
I kind of skipped a lot in this thread, but I have packs of datrex bars I keep in my vehicles (along with a couple other odds and ends in case of emergency).........they might taste funny, but they fill the hole - and don't take up much room,last near forever and don't freeze. They are just basic calorie bars, something to keep you fueled in case of an emergency, but they come sealed up tight since they are meant for marine use like life rafts and such.
GunsRBadMMMMKay
09-29-2014, 16:44
So this is where I ended up. More store-bought stuff than previous years, so I'm sure the price went up per car some. Thankfully I chose to do this right after a costco run, so we had a bunch of this stuff bought in bulk already. Wouldn't have bothered to post this but it seems like someone is always asking about car kits, bug out bags, food, etc. I think the average person just starting out thinking about this stuff needs to just focus on the easy preps, and not go crazy with buying boxes of MREs and stuff, which seems like your default answer on arfcom and other popular boards. Don't try to defend your car without your glock, 870, AR15 and MREs. :)
http://i.imgur.com/QRhXYbn.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/D1lV7Mw.jpg?1
I couldn't do it......I would eat all the jerky before the zombies come :)
I haven't, I like to add jerky to ramen even when making ramen at home. If anyone has tried it chime in cuz I might just do that and add it to my get home bag.
Dang, I grabbed some of that korean jerky we like here at costco, but didn't think to grab any of the rest.
The "steak strips" are not bad, have had them before. They're pretty thick if I remember right, so that's good.
I kind of skipped a lot in this thread, but I have packs of datrex bars I keep in my vehicles (along with a couple other odds and ends in case of emergency).........they might taste funny, but they fill the hole - and don't take up much room,last near forever and don't freeze. They are just basic calorie bars, something to keep you fueled in case of an emergency, but they come sealed up tight since they are meant for marine use like life rafts and such.
Yeah I think I have some 4-5yr old datrex bars in the bottom of my car kits too! Just in case... kinda taste like a stale cookie, but they work.
I do have to pack a lot of gluten-free stuff for at least one member of the family though, so those were out.
Brian, I like how you have hard candies/gum in there. When you are humping it anywhere it helps keep the mouth moist when you are working something between the gums. Plus it is a carb kick. If you are short on water I guess it can make those rationed sips of water stretch a bit further.
I'm bringing this thread back, because I discovered a pretty nifty site that would be handy for people making their BOB or car kits (especially if they don't care to buy in bulk):
http://www.minimus.biz/
This site carries items in travel-sized packs. It also carries survival kits, pet products, and toys/games.
I'm bringing this thread back, because I discovered a pretty nifty site that would be handy for people making their BOB or car kits (especially if they don't care to buy in bulk):
http://www.minimus.biz/
This site carries items in travel-sized packs. It also carries survival kits, pet products, and toys/games.
Hmmm now that's interesting. The trial-size aisle at the store is often one of my stops, so this could be cool.
Side note - I'm not a huge fan of plastic bottled water in a hot (or cold) car, but these little packs from WalMart have worked well for us. Noticed them maybe a year ago and we've used them for a while now. They're small enough to where they don't take up a lot of room. The smaller individual sizes serve a dual purpose - we keep some for "just-in-case" but also have some on hand for the kids if they get thirsty. Plus since they're wrapped up in a nice little package, they don't roll around and make a mess.
Hard to tell from the picture, but they're only 10oz, so smaller than the average bottle, but bigger than those single-gulp things you find at costco.
http://i.imgur.com/h7NPvtt.jpg?1
GilpinGuy
06-24-2015, 16:10
I'm bringing this thread back, because I discovered a pretty nifty site that would be handy for people making their BOB or car kits (especially if they don't care to buy in bulk):
http://www.minimus.biz/
This site carries items in travel-sized packs. It also carries survival kits, pet products, and toys/games.
This is a cool site - thanks for the tip!
zimagold
06-24-2015, 18:12
Wife and I did a head to head taste test with different marine survival rations. We ended up with the datrex bar packs as well for our vehicles. Not terribly good, but they are meant for the environment of a car trunk year round.
We also have the aluminum water packets, about 1.5 gallons in each car. They are dense and freeze proof.
Food and water are rated for 5 years just check for leaks/animal damage.
No temptation to snack on the emergency kit.
Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Can you please talk a bit more about aluminum water packets? Where do you get them? How sturdy are they? How are they freeze proof? How much do they hold?
Perhaps he is talking about the mylar (I think) emergency water packets.
http://www.amazon.com/Datrex-Emergency-Survival-Water-Pouch/dp/B00ANY4EXM
I agree with the Datrex Bar choice. I think they were the least offensive tasting, (kinda like a shortbread cookie) and the most important thing to me was the ingredient list.
Wheat flour, Vegetable Shortening, Cane Sugar, Water, Coconut and Salt.
(I don't know where the heck they put the water... but as soon as the bar hits your mouth it immediately sucks up every drop of saliva in there.) I have a few laying around in the typical strategic places.
Well, how about that! I've never seen these before. Interesting!
Datrex Bars....ick. Coconut. UGH. [Puke]
Well, how about that! I've never seen these before. Interesting!
Datrex Bars....ick. Coconut. UGH. [Puke]
I'm with you on that. I can tolerate a little fresh coconut, but the fake/shredded dried is just foul tasting and artificial coconut flavoring and heavy oils are foul smelling.
Yeah, I'm not too keen on coconut either. But I look at my preps as an onion. I'm in the center with the different preps around me. If I am in a situation where I have these bars in my hand and I am about to eat them... I think I can handle the taste, because at this point I have nothing else to fall back on and I am eating purely for calories to get myself out of the current situation.
Oh, I'm sure if I was hungry enough, I could choke them down.
I'm going to do a little research and see about making my own granola bars or something.
Heeey, look what I found!
http://rethinksurvival.com/how-to-make-diy-survival-ration-bars/
There are recipes for energy bars on that life hacks website as well.
Oh, I'm sure if I was hungry enough, I could choke them down.
I'm going to do a little research and see about making my own granola bars or something.
Heeey, look what I found!
http://rethinksurvival.com/how-to-make-diy-survival-ration-bars/
MMMMMmmmmm..... granola.
Now, I am craving a big batch of granola. I may have to do that this weekend if the temps allow the oven running.
Perhaps putting it in mylar ith some O2 absorbers would extend the shelf life.
These Millennium bars aren't too bad, some flavors are better than others. The links below are for a smple/combo pack of different types.
They're smaller packages than the larger lumps that you usually see with boat ration options.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049J5DXW
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/FOOD-900
Now I want some granola too. LOL.
zimagold
06-25-2015, 18:23
Meant to post a link, but I have been experiencing issues posting with my phone.
Perhaps he is talking about the mylar (I think) emergency water packets.
http://www.amazon.com/Datrex-Emergency-Survival-Water-Pouch/dp/B00ANY4EXM
I agree with the Datrex Bar choice. I think they were the least offensive tasting, (kinda like a shortbread cookie) and the most important thing to me was the ingredient list.
Wheat flour, Vegetable Shortening, Cane Sugar, Water, Coconut and Salt.
(I don't know where the heck they put the water... but as soon as the bar hits your mouth it immediately sucks up every drop of saliva in there.) I have a few laying around in the typical strategic places.
Those look to be the same as ours. They are a polymer-foil packet (same material type as Mylar), but mine feel a lot more like heavy aluminum foil than the Mylar bags I have encountered.
By design there is sufficient room for expansion during freeze and thaw.
Ours packets have been through 3 full summers and winters now (2 back east in the Great Lakes Region). No issues and they taste same at 3 years as day one. I keep them sorted into 1/2 galloon lots in freezer bags for convenience and to help keep them from directly making contact with other items in the car kit. I also leave an empty water bottle in the kit.
They're expensive, but I got tired of most other containers failing after a winter of freeze and thaw back east.
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