You two never cease to amaze me. The box of 1/2 cup emergency water alone was astonishing! Brilliant and exciting! The MRE heaters I didn't know about them existing. Thank you! Preparedness in many ways. Making your own MREs bordering on genius. Perhaps even over the line into geniuses. I so love your hearts.
Fantastic! We have been experimenting w FD MREs as well. Most commercial meals are high carb and low protein. Suggestion: seal the water in extra pouch to protect the MREs from puncture or rupture. Store utensils wrapped in the napkins to cushion. Keep up the great work. I love it when you do all the hard work of figuring things out for me haha! You guys are remarkable.
@@fazz4444 Harvest right - medium size is ideal for a family of 4-6. I bought the small size three years ago, because that's what I could afford then but I wish I bought the medium size harvest right freeze drier.
@@fazz4444 Perhaps you could go in with a family member or good friend. I suggest I’d you do, everything is written in a contract…spelled out completely.
@@fazz4444. Do lots of research. Customer reviews can be helpful. I went with StayFresh freeze dryer. Much better quality equipment and so far my new freeze dryer is working perfectly.
I am always amazed how smart you are. You think of every detail that will be needed. Thank you for teaching us how to prepare for future needs. You’re more in depth than any prepper site I’ve seen.
This is fabulous! When hurricane Rita roared through Texas, I was 100 miles inland and we were still without electricity and water for 28 days. We had stations where we could go to pick up MREs, water, and ice. I couldn't have survived without them. Your MREs look much tastier than the government issue ones.
Brilliant, informative video. Thank you so much for showing the rehydration process. Theres many MRE videos out there, so, most dont show the rehydration…. (Which for me, is the part I struggle with) I found this so helpful. Thank you so much Pam, and Jim.
I am very glad I clicked onto this video! Although we don't get MRE cookers on the civilian market, you have given me food (!) for thought! Lol. Thank you, Miss Rose!
Wow! This is fantastic. I’ve eaten many MREs. My brother was a civilian worker on a Marine Corp base back in the 80s and 90s and would bring home uneaten MREs that were going to be thrown away after overnight maneuvers. We took them on all of our camping and road trips. Everything was included even matches and TP 😆 They were actually quite good. We all had our favorites. And thank you for doing the food-math, I appreciate it.
Just got a freeze dryer and am in the process of running electric for a dedicated outlet. Can't wait to use. Saw other users that say pre-freezing the food on the trays (if you have room) in your regular freezer shaves hours off of the freeze drying process. Also started grabbing hot sauce packets from fast food restaurants to include in my MRE packets. I've also made accessory packets with plastic utensils, a tea bag or instant coffee packet, wet nap, match book, etc... I also use the emergency water packets. Good stuff. Keep the videos coming.
Pam, I also buy emergency water from Datrex. In addition to keeping them with our Mountain House meals, my version of MREs, I keep several in all my first aid kits. A great addition when you need to clean a scrape or scratch before treating.
great ideas for a meal on an emergency situation and I had never heard of water like these I often keep bottle waters under the seats in my truck its been so hot in south Texas that when I don't have any waters we have had to stop at a dollar tree store to get some
Great video but if I might suggest, try putting a pouch or 2 of water into the heater instead of the fd food. When the water is hot pour it into your food pouch and set the pouch back into the mylar to keep hot while re hydrating. Doing it this way you should be able to fit enough water pouches into the heater to take care of more meals or like you said add some potato pouches to the meal as well. Take care, thanks for all the info you pass on.
@@chapman1569 They are saying to put the pouch of water in the heater, then pour the amount of water needed to activate the chemicals. The pouch of water stays closed so it does not get contaminated at all. But you would need two pouches of water to do this, one to add to the heater and one to heat and then pour into the food.
the la croix fizzy water makes a pure or plain fizzy water, which when the fizz goes away is great for cooking or you can use it to help make fluffy pancakes. we experimented with flavored fizzy La Croix waters and no flavor was added to the food. so it's an idea as they are in aluminum cans. I love what you have done for making home made Meals ready to Eats!
Another tip is if you are out of eggs / oil you can use a box of cake mix with a can of sprite to make a cake. Granted, that won't help if you are without an oven. However, with how prices are these days thought I would mention it for anyone reading this as your comment about fizzy water reminded me of how it also can be used to make fluffy cakes!
Me too. Trying to get a group together to cost share the price of one. Kind of like a library where we check out items like dehydrator, freeze dryer, pressure canner, multicooker etc. 🌷
Hey Jim and Pam, and department of defense use of the MREs the instructions tell us that we can lean the MRE heater pack against a rock and then lay the food packet on top of the MRE heater packet to heat up the food. We don't need to put the food packet inside the MRE heater because the heater heats up enough to heat through the plastic bags.
LMFAO 🤣😂😂😂😂 you never heated that way in the field have you? There's a reason you put the IN the bag and in the box or sleeve to get a barely warm meal in slightly cool conditions. Former ranger who NEVER got a hot meal from an FRH
This was very informative. I had no idea there are emergency water packets and instant heaters. Kind of like the instant hand and foot warmers. You are completely prepared with those items. No need for building a fire, traveling with a butane stove etc…. Thanks again for a thorough, comprehensive and thoughtful video!
I found you a couple of videos ago. I love your directness. "Well what can i do? "the top and bottom are sealed? Well, we'll just cut one off!!!" hahaha Love it.
Harvest Right sells dividers of various sizes, your finished product is in your preferred serving size. I have them and love them. I can do individual eggs, meat sized for a sandwich, and a couple in between sizes.
I just love you! I live in Germany and just wish I could be living like you! Such a wealth of knowledge and the strength and good company to try all of these wonderful things! I think I studied the wrong thing😂
Ive been looking forward to this video since you mentioned it a few weeks ago… It was brilliant. So many great ideas. Thank you both, as always. You are awesome x
Sorry, Pam, I would have to be really hungry to be able to spoon that chicken into my mouth. LOL! BUT I get your point! AND I love how you think out every little detail. Did you ever do any code writing? I took programming back in 1985 and the first thing we had to do was to write (basic) code to make a peanut butter sandwich! I learned a lot from that exercise.
All of the food looked delicious! I love the MRE heaters. I have seen those before, but have not tried them yet. I'm going to have to employ a different way of cooking, other than the vacuum seal bags. We don't cook or heat in any plastic at all, due to the leaching of the plastic chemicals. We don't use plastic in our microwaves, or anything. (Even if they say microwave safe or BPA free.) Just following warnings from several doctors that I follow on YT, about the scourge of illnesses caused from so many plastic chemicals in our foods. I'm good at finding alternative options on how to do things, LOL! :)
Your microwave kills your food so why go thru the trouble of no plastics and then use a microwave? Microwave popcorn is pure poison. Not trying to be snarky but a microwave really does kill your food and can actually change the composition of oils/fats especially. Blessings🌷
I feel the same. I'm going to try and put the food into small mylar bags and heat it that way. Love that the water pouches come in mylar bags too! New items for my next Amazon order!
You are a wealth of information! And inspiring for preparedness. I only have a set up of cheap dehydrator here, and a vaccum sealer, but it gives me ideas to make up a few mre's with that. Drying food is indispensable, for many situations. Very important now a days. Thank you for sharing!
Perhaps it would be less expensive to purchase small mylar bags, fill with 1/2 cup or 1 cup of water, etc. and seal? Problem sealing liquid? Freeze first or use ice. Thanks for your practical approach!
First i was sceptical. As i watched & thought about it, my mind changed. Imagined being stuck somewhere & having the comfort of a hot meal. How a simple thing might ease an anxious mind & increase a will to live. Plus you made it yourself so you
Maybe you can get one of those little army mess kit to wear the ball the silverware all that just stores together and it wouldn’t take much water to clean them up.
Yes so amazing! I will be doing some Of these for sure and my prepper husband will be so amazed! Love it! You keep blowing my mind! I watch every one of your videos and people think I am so smart! Thanks to you! Lol
Just found you and glad I did. I’ve been wanting the equipment but I just can’t afford it but I’m so happy to see so many people learning about preparation for what ifs. ❤
Just want to say that I really appreciated this video. I wasn’t sure it would apply to my family because we have multiple food allergies to consider and would never be able to use the prepared meals from a store like you did. But the actual method you used to package it and heat it is very useful! I saw in one of your replies to purchase bulk FD ingredients if we don’t have a FD so that has me thinking of possible ways to come up with MREs of our own. I’ve found a company that has certified gluten free chicken pieces but it comes in jumbo cans and I wasn’t sure I would be able to eat it all before it goes bad but splitting it into several meals makes more sense. And actually, we probably need these even more than most people because we wouldn’t be able to eat most of the food offered by relief groups in emergency situations. Thank you very much for this Pam & Jim! Much love and blessings from Margo in Colorado! 🙏💜
Margo, the multiple food allergies and health issues - that’s what started me on this journey too, it’s so important to prepare for our families’ particular needs. Would you mind sharing the name of the company that provides the gluten free chicken pieces? Thanks very much if you can, and thank you for sharing that it exists. 🙏
I like your video however I would like to point out that you can purchase one cup mylar bags for about 28 cents a piece and use them for your water much more economical
I adore yall! These videos give me so many great options. We are planning to move from the community we reside in and buy some land to start homesteading in the next two years. But in the mean time I've been stocking up just in case, but also as a hedge against inflation lol. These meal ideas are fantastic even without a freeze dryer I can do similar by just portioning and freezing etc. We've got solar so our freezer should stay in a power outage but our long term goal is to homestead so I would love a freeze dryer eventually so we don't have to rely so heavily on electric once we have a good supply stocked up etc
This is a great video! I am under the impression that preparing dehydrated food is easier and safer than canning. Although a freeze dryer is very expensive! Botulism is probably not a concern with freeze dried food. I know that these are not gourmet meals but wouldn't it be nice to have a chicken a la king or spaghetti and meatballs?
Those heaters are a miracle. Thanks for the very informative demonstration. You do a fantastic job and I really appreciate the time, work and sharing you put into your videos. Bless both of you.🥰
Want to save some money on those little clips you are using to seal the bags? I saw this tip some where on U tube. You know those plastic clothes pin hangers for pants at the store? When you get them home break off the little pincher things from the hanger and use them instead of buying new ones for my potato chip bags, bread closures and so forth. I think the stores throw them away, so grab all you can. I really enjoy your videos. I would love more videos on rehydrating freeze dried items that you have stored for over a year. I took the summer off from my freeze drying as my garage is too hot. But plan to start back next month. What do you think about lab made beef?
Wow very interesting glad I ran across your channel I think that is a great idea to have in one’s emergency kit in your boat Moho car or bike thank you very much for sharing blesses n cheers from Canada 🍁
Please show more homemade MRE ideas as you fine tune your process. I'm interested in the freeze dried "meal in a jar" type recipes since I don't have a freeze drier yet. I think keeping something like this in my car makes so much sense.
Cathy, just an idea - you might use the MRE heater packet and emergency water packet to make hot instant mashed potatoes (from potato flakes) that you could add some gravy mix to, or macaroni and cheese (from the box), that would give you something hot to eat. Pack with some jerky for more protein and some dried fruit. Also, some powdered soup mixes have good protein content (is the brand Bear Creek?). Just some ideas for a hot, comforting meal that is still lightweight and long lasting enough to be an MRE. Creativity and other Blessings to you! 🙏❤️
This is a silly question and pardon me for asking but what exactly is [an] MRE? It doesn’t say in the description and I’m not a camper/trailgrazer. I usually watch your homesteading channel but this video came up in my notification. 😮 Thank you from 🇨🇦🎇🎆
MRE is " military speak" for Meals Ready to Eat. These are meals that are issued to soldiers in the field. Similar meals are now available to civilians but are pricey.
@@cindysue1139 Thank you so much 😊 I tried all sorts of combinations in my head but couldn’t get what the “E” stood for … now it makes sense! Thanks for taking the time to explain. 😊
One of my four sons can be quite sarcastic when he wants to be. Someone had asked me what MRE stood for and I was about to tell them but my son piped up and said "Meals Refused by the Enemy". I didn't whether to laugh or be annoyed, he apparently is not a big fan of them.
Thanks or sharing, Nice to know how to do this because I have food allergy and salt sensitive people in my family, which makes it near impossible to find a MRE type meals to purchase. I have to make most our everyday food from scratch. One thing though. I don't know what chemical reaction causes the heater to work, but setting the food bag on to the little plate might transfer some of it, in the drops of water, onto the plate. I would treat the outside of the food bad as if it was contaminated and then pour the food on to the clean plate.
Please double check. I looked up the Datrex water pouches and the pouches are plastic. I don’t see that you left a link to the ones you purchased so maybe they are different. Look at the description which is further down.
i see a lot of chamber canners is see chamber canners for around 350 will they work for the retort bags....none of them talk about retort bags for canning ..can you help me find one in that price range that i can can with ...i love the idea of cooking it in bags...with pressure cooker
Retort pouch canning is a whole other ball game that I have not done. I checked it out including the chamber vacuum sealers, which I think are great, but it is more expense than we want right now.
Soldiers use these out in the fields, in units together and keep them in their vehicles when they travel. There was ample research to ensure the heating units were safe in all situations.
You two never cease to amaze me. The box of 1/2 cup emergency water alone was astonishing! Brilliant and exciting! The MRE heaters I didn't know about them existing. Thank you! Preparedness in many ways. Making your own MREs bordering on genius. Perhaps even over the line into geniuses. I so love your hearts.
Thank you for your kind words! We appreciate that.
I love your users name. Haha
@@mairzydotes3548 Thank you. Hubby REALLY is Chief Tuckabuckaway. 😊🫠😉 he's a riot!
Do you have a link for the emergency water. That was genius
Fantastic! We have been experimenting w FD MREs as well. Most commercial meals are high carb and low protein. Suggestion: seal the water in extra pouch to protect the MREs from puncture or rupture. Store utensils wrapped in the napkins to cushion. Keep up the great work. I love it when you do all the hard work of figuring things out for me haha! You guys are remarkable.
Thanks for the tips! I did wrap the utensils in napkins.
I wish so badly I had a freeze dryer, I'm so unsure of which brand to get
@@fazz4444 Harvest right - medium size is ideal for a family of 4-6. I bought the small size three years ago, because that's what I could afford then but I wish I bought the medium size harvest right freeze drier.
@@fazz4444 Perhaps you could go in with a family member or good friend. I suggest I’d you do, everything is written in a contract…spelled out completely.
@@fazz4444. Do lots of research. Customer reviews can be helpful. I went with StayFresh freeze dryer. Much better quality equipment and so far my new freeze dryer is working perfectly.
I am always amazed how smart you are. You think of every detail that will be needed. Thank you for teaching us how to prepare for future needs. You’re more in depth than any prepper site I’ve seen.
Wow! Thank you so much. So glad you like the info we present.
Wow, bless her, the people she loves will never go hungry.
This is fabulous! When hurricane Rita roared through Texas, I was 100 miles inland and we were still without electricity and water for 28 days. We had stations where we could go to pick up MREs, water, and ice. I couldn't have survived without them. Your MREs look much tastier than the government issue ones.
You are proving you can teach an old (I am almost 😊70 ) dog new tricks. Thank you.
You are so welcome!
Brilliant, informative video. Thank you so much for showing the rehydration process. Theres many MRE videos out there, so, most dont show the rehydration…. (Which for me, is the part I struggle with) I found this so helpful. Thank you so much Pam, and Jim.
I am very glad I clicked onto this video! Although we don't get MRE cookers on the civilian market, you have given me food (!) for thought! Lol. Thank you, Miss Rose!
Wow! This is fantastic. I’ve eaten many MREs. My brother was a civilian worker on a Marine Corp base back in the 80s and 90s and would bring home uneaten MREs that were going to be thrown away after overnight maneuvers. We took them on all of our camping and road trips. Everything was included even matches and TP 😆 They were actually quite good. We all had our favorites.
And thank you for doing the food-math, I appreciate it.
You are very welcome.
Just got a freeze dryer and am in the process of running electric for a dedicated outlet. Can't wait to use. Saw other users that say pre-freezing the food on the trays (if you have room) in your regular freezer shaves hours off of the freeze drying process. Also started grabbing hot sauce packets from fast food restaurants to include in my MRE packets. I've also made accessory packets with plastic utensils, a tea bag or instant coffee packet, wet nap, match book, etc... I also use the emergency water packets. Good stuff. Keep the videos coming.
Pam, I also buy emergency water from Datrex. In addition to keeping them with our Mountain House meals, my version of MREs, I keep several in all my first aid kits. A great addition when you need to clean a scrape or scratch before treating.
Thanks for the tip!
great ideas for a meal on an emergency situation and I had never heard of water like these I often keep bottle waters under the seats in my truck its been so hot in south Texas that when I don't have any waters we have had to stop at a dollar tree store to get some
I have been reading about the Texas heat...wow! Stay safe!!
Great video but if I might suggest, try putting a pouch or 2 of water into the heater instead of the fd food. When the water is hot pour it into your food pouch and set the pouch back into the mylar to keep hot while re hydrating. Doing it this way you should be able to fit enough water pouches into the heater to take care of more meals or like you said add some potato pouches to the meal as well. Take care, thanks for all the info you pass on.
Yes, I was going to mention this. Boil the water and pour it into the Mylar bag with the food. Then you don’t have to dirty the pots.
Wouldn't that water be contaminated by the chemicals that produce the heat? Would that be safe to prepare food with?
@@chapman1569
They are saying to put the pouch of water in the heater, then pour the amount of water needed to activate the chemicals. The pouch of water stays closed so it does not get contaminated at all. But you would need two pouches of water to do this, one to add to the heater and one to heat and then pour into the food.
the la croix fizzy water makes a pure or plain fizzy water, which when the fizz goes away is great for cooking or you can use it to help make fluffy pancakes. we experimented with flavored fizzy La Croix waters and no flavor was added to the food. so it's an idea as they are in aluminum cans. I love what you have done for making home made Meals ready to Eats!
Another tip is if you are out of eggs / oil you can use a box of cake mix with a can of sprite to make a cake. Granted, that won't help if you are without an oven. However, with how prices are these days thought I would mention it for anyone reading this as your comment about fizzy water reminded me of how it also can be used to make fluffy cakes!
Add little dumplings to the chicken and gravy. Just little balls that u can pinch off of biscuits or ur own dough. 😊
Can you dehydrate these meals in a dehydrator instead of a freeze drying?
THANKS a lot Pam. I'm new to MRE's.
Thank you for some great ideas! I wish I could afford a freeze dryer!
You are so welcome!
Me too. Trying to get a group together to cost share the price of one. Kind of like a library where we check out items like dehydrator, freeze dryer, pressure canner, multicooker etc. 🌷
You can pay in installments. Harvest right accepts installments.
My husband says a couple paper towels vs napkins. We also never throw out condiments we get and use them in these situations.
Great idea, Mary. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Jim and Pam, and department of defense use of the MREs the instructions tell us that we can lean the MRE heater pack against a rock and then lay the food packet on top of the MRE heater packet to heat up the food. We don't need to put the food packet inside the MRE heater because the heater heats up enough to heat through the plastic bags.
Another good tip. Thanks.
LMFAO 🤣😂😂😂😂 you never heated that way in the field have you? There's a reason you put the IN the bag and in the box or sleeve to get a barely warm meal in slightly cool conditions. Former ranger who NEVER got a hot meal from an FRH
woohoo! i love this content. thank you. 😊🙏
You're so welcome!
Love y’all so much!!!
Am I the only one thinking, that’s not how to roll silverware.
LOL! thanks.
This was very informative. I had no idea there are emergency water packets and instant heaters. Kind of like the instant hand and foot warmers. You are completely prepared with those items. No need for building a fire, traveling with a butane stove etc…. Thanks again for a thorough, comprehensive and thoughtful video!
I have found that some shapes of pasta rehydrate better than others. Spaghetti noodles and elbows work well. Egg noodles also work well.
Good to know. Thank you.
I found you a couple of videos ago. I love your directness. "Well what can i do? "the top and bottom are sealed? Well, we'll just cut one off!!!" hahaha Love it.
Maybe put a small book of matches and some drink mix as well?
Harvest Right sells dividers of various sizes, your finished product is in your preferred serving size. I have them and love them. I can do individual eggs, meat sized for a sandwich, and a couple in between sizes.
I just love you! I live in Germany and just wish I could be living like you! Such a wealth of knowledge and the strength and good company to try all of these wonderful things! I think I studied the wrong thing😂
Ive been looking forward to this video since you mentioned it a few weeks ago… It was brilliant. So many great ideas. Thank you both, as always. You are awesome x
Sorry, Pam, I would have to be really hungry to be able to spoon that chicken into my mouth. LOL! BUT I get your point! AND I love how you think out every little detail. Did you ever do any code writing? I took programming back in 1985 and the first thing we had to do was to write (basic) code to make a peanut butter sandwich! I learned a lot from that exercise.
All of the food looked delicious! I love the MRE heaters. I have seen those before, but have not tried them yet. I'm going to have to employ a different way of cooking, other than the vacuum seal bags. We don't cook or heat in any plastic at all, due to the leaching of the plastic chemicals. We don't use plastic in our microwaves, or anything. (Even if they say microwave safe or BPA free.) Just following warnings from several doctors that I follow on YT, about the scourge of illnesses caused from so many plastic chemicals in our foods. I'm good at finding alternative options on how to do things, LOL! :)
Your microwave kills your food so why go thru the trouble of no plastics and then use a microwave? Microwave popcorn is pure poison. Not trying to be snarky but a microwave really does kill your food and can actually change the composition of oils/fats especially. Blessings🌷
I feel the same. I'm going to try and put the food into small mylar bags and heat it that way. Love that the water pouches come in mylar bags too! New items for my next Amazon order!
Lol, it always makes me laugh when you call it the Kelvin Lab. One couldn't tell you are scientists 😉😃
LOL!
You are a wealth of information! And inspiring for preparedness. I only have a set up of cheap dehydrator here, and a vaccum sealer, but it gives me ideas to make up a few mre's with that. Drying food is indispensable, for many situations. Very important now a days. Thank you for sharing!
Glad to help! For lots of years that is all I had as well. I saved up for 5 years to get our freeze dryer.
@cuparea543 at least it’s a start. Some folks don’t do anything! You are on your way and ahead of many 😊
I love this video. I had no idea a little heater like that existed. What a smart idea for emergency, hiking and girls camp. Thank you for sharing.
Perhaps it would be less expensive to purchase small mylar bags, fill with 1/2 cup or 1 cup of water, etc. and seal? Problem sealing liquid? Freeze first or use ice. Thanks for your practical approach!
First i was sceptical. As i watched & thought about it, my mind changed. Imagined being stuck somewhere & having the comfort of a hot meal. How a simple thing might ease an anxious mind & increase a will to live. Plus you made it yourself so you
Loved your comment!
Holy cow…I had no idea you could order packaged water! Yay! Thank you…this is a great video Pam…❤
The cost of everything is cost prohibitive for most people though. It would be great if big groups could work together to share costs.
You are so welcome!
I appreciate you demonstrating how to use the heater! Saving this video to show my husband. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Maybe you can get one of those little army mess kit to wear the ball the silverware all that just stores together and it wouldn’t take much water to clean them up.
Awesome 👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽I learn something new 👍🏽
I just love you. You are so smart, scientific, and simply adorable. I have learned so very much from you. This is one of my favorite videos.
thank you so much!
Now this was clever! Well done!!
Yes so amazing! I will be doing some
Of these for sure and my prepper husband will be so amazed! Love it! You keep blowing my mind! I watch every one of your videos and people think I am so smart! Thanks to you! Lol
Just found you and glad I did. I’ve been wanting the equipment but I just can’t afford it but I’m so happy to see so many people learning about preparation for what ifs. ❤
So glad you found us and welcome! Glad to have you join us on our adventures.
Just want to say that I really appreciated this video. I wasn’t sure it would apply to my family because we have multiple food allergies to consider and would never be able to use the prepared meals from a store like you did. But the actual method you used to package it and heat it is very useful! I saw in one of your replies to purchase bulk FD ingredients if we don’t have a FD so that has me thinking of possible ways to come up with MREs of our own. I’ve found a company that has certified gluten free chicken pieces but it comes in jumbo cans and I wasn’t sure I would be able to eat it all before it goes bad but splitting it into several meals makes more sense. And actually, we probably need these even more than most people because we wouldn’t be able to eat most of the food offered by relief groups in emergency situations. Thank you very much for this Pam & Jim! Much love and blessings from Margo in Colorado! 🙏💜
So glad some of the information was useful for you!
Margo, the multiple food allergies and health issues - that’s what started me on this journey too, it’s so important to prepare for our families’ particular needs. Would you mind sharing the name of the company that provides the gluten free chicken pieces? Thanks very much if you can, and thank you for sharing that it exists. 🙏
I just love those silicon measuring cups. One of my favorite kitchen gadgets.
So do I! I bought them awhile back and even have given them for gifts and people love them!
Mine too!
More great ideas! Thank you Pam and Jim! 😊
Hey guys, i really love the intro music. Pam your hair looks great.
Would be nice to have a cost analysis for the home made MREs vs a store bought brand. Great video! Love your channels ❤
Those would be great for a day back pack. Since that can only hold enough food for a snack.
You guys are great. I love the confident sashay into the unknown.
LOL! Loved your language....
Thank you! Very informative. I'm new at freeze drying. You make this look easy 😊
Really great informative video, thank you for all the info
I like your video however I would like to point out that you can purchase one cup mylar bags for about 28 cents a piece and use them for your water much more economical
I adore yall! These videos give me so many great options. We are planning to move from the community we reside in and buy some land to start homesteading in the next two years. But in the mean time I've been stocking up just in case, but also as a hedge against inflation lol. These meal ideas are fantastic even without a freeze dryer I can do similar by just portioning and freezing etc. We've got solar so our freezer should stay in a power outage but our long term goal is to homestead so I would love a freeze dryer eventually so we don't have to rely so heavily on electric once we have a good supply stocked up etc
Thank you so much. So glad our content is useful for you.
I do not have a freeze dryer, but you gave me ideas for a mre. Thank you.
I'm so glad!
Great in-depth well informed video. Enjoyed 👍
This is a great video! I am under the impression that preparing dehydrated food is easier and safer than canning. Although a freeze dryer is very expensive! Botulism is probably not a concern with freeze dried food. I know that these are not gourmet meals but wouldn't it be nice to have a chicken a la king or spaghetti and meatballs?
Yes, those would be great meals for MREs!
Those heaters are a miracle. Thanks for the very informative demonstration. You do a fantastic job and I really appreciate the time, work and sharing you put into your videos. Bless both of you.🥰
Want to save some money on those little clips you are using to seal the bags? I saw this tip some where on U tube. You know those plastic clothes pin hangers for pants at the store? When you get them home break off the little pincher things from the hanger and use them instead of buying new ones for my potato chip bags, bread closures and so forth. I think the stores throw them away, so grab all you can. I really enjoy your videos. I would love more videos on rehydrating freeze dried items that you have stored for over a year. I took the summer off from my freeze drying as my garage is too hot. But plan to start back next month. What do you think about lab made beef?
So in your video, each cup of food needs a 1/2 cup of water..so you need 1.5 cups of water to rehydrate the MRE correct?
That sounds right. Different foods take different amounts of water to rehydrate, so I usually do some practice tests before packing up MREs.
Wow you continue to amaze me.
Thank you.
This is a Fantastic idea! I am so excited to try this weekend! Thank you so much Pam & Jim for sharing your knowledge! Always grateful❤ ❤❤❤ ❤
You are so welcome!
Did you base your portion sizes on nutritional values/calories? Thank you for sharing all these wonderful ideas!
Great info for a newbie! Why not vacuum seal or sou vide seal the mre bag?
Brilliant!
Wow very interesting glad I ran across your channel I think that is a great idea to have in one’s emergency kit in your boat Moho car or bike thank you very much for sharing blesses n cheers from Canada 🍁
Thanks for watching! And welcome to our channel--so glad you found us!
Fantastic video! I just love your ideas!♥️♥️
Fantastic video!
Thank you
Gotcha early! I’m looking forward to doing this
LOL! Thanks!
Thank you for all that you do ❤
You are the best! God bless.
Wow, thank you!
Pam could we dehydrate these or not if we haven't a freeze dryer?
Please show more homemade MRE ideas as you fine tune your process. I'm interested in the freeze dried "meal in a jar" type recipes since I don't have a freeze drier yet. I think keeping something like this in my car makes so much sense.
I would love a video showing how to make MRE meals, not using a freeze drier. Many of us can not afford one. Thanks
Cathy, just an idea - you might use the MRE heater packet and emergency water packet to make hot instant mashed potatoes (from potato flakes) that you could add some gravy mix to, or macaroni and cheese (from the box), that would give you something hot to eat. Pack with some jerky for more protein and some dried fruit. Also, some powdered soup mixes have good protein content (is the brand Bear Creek?). Just some ideas for a hot, comforting meal that is still lightweight and long lasting enough to be an MRE.
Creativity and other Blessings to you! 🙏❤️
Jen, my reply to Cathy was meant for you too! 🙏❤️
WOW, what a loaded video. Thank you so much!!
You are so welcome!
I never thought to do this. Great video.
Glad you liked it!
We just picked up that same Chicken Alfredo meal at Kroger last night, We have purchased it before at Sam's.. Very delicious!
It's so good!
I always wondered how to make MREs. Thanks
My pleasure 😊
This is a silly question and pardon me for asking but what exactly is [an] MRE? It doesn’t say in the description and I’m not a camper/trailgrazer. I usually watch your homesteading channel but this video came up in my notification. 😮 Thank you from 🇨🇦🎇🎆
MRE is " military speak" for Meals Ready to Eat. These are meals that are issued to soldiers in the field. Similar meals are now available to civilians but are pricey.
@@cindysue1139 Thank you so much 😊 I tried all sorts of combinations in my head but couldn’t get what the “E” stood for … now it makes sense! Thanks for taking the time to explain. 😊
One of my four sons can be quite sarcastic when he wants to be. Someone had asked me what MRE stood for and I was about to tell them but my son piped up and said "Meals Refused by the Enemy". I didn't whether to laugh or be annoyed, he apparently is not a big fan of them.
Love your channel you are so inspiring
Wow ... impressive!
Thanks!
I don't have a freeze dryer. Can I dehydrate the bought chicken and meats in my Excaliber? If so can you tell me the times for each please?
Awesome!
Thanks!
Since I don't have a freeze dryer can I do that in my dehydrator?
Fruits and veggies work well in a dehydrator, but never meat.
Thanks or sharing,
Nice to know how to do this because I have food allergy and salt sensitive people in my family, which makes it near impossible to find a MRE type meals to purchase.
I have to make most our everyday food from scratch.
One thing though.
I don't know what chemical reaction causes the heater to work, but setting the food bag on to the little plate might transfer some of it, in the drops of water, onto the plate.
I would treat the outside of the food bad as if it was contaminated and then pour the food on to the clean plate.
Good idea--makes a lot of sense.
I don't have a freeze dryer, can a dehydrator work the same.
Also can the MRE heater be used again.
Please double check. I looked up the Datrex water pouches and the pouches are plastic. I don’t see that you left a link to the ones you purchased so maybe they are different. Look at the description which is further down.
This video was so helpful! Thank you for all your work sharing wonderful tips to get us going!
You are so welcome!
This was awesome and so helpful!
Glad you think so!
THIS WAS WONDERFUL INFORMATION. I WATCHED IT ALL ! Thank you so much😀
So glad it was useful.
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it.
I don't own a freeze dryer only a dehydrator, can I still make these MRE's with it?
i see a lot of chamber canners is see chamber canners for around 350 will they work for the retort bags....none of them talk about retort bags for canning ..can you help me find one in that price range that i can can with ...i love the idea of cooking it in bags...with pressure cooker
Retort pouch canning is a whole other ball game that I have not done. I checked it out including the chamber vacuum sealers, which I think are great, but it is more expense than we want right now.
My concern would be carrying the chemical back to a place to discard it. Could it start a fire in my backpack or a trash can?
Keep the videos coming!
No, I think it is pretty harmless after it is spent.
Soldiers use these out in the fields, in units together and keep them in their vehicles when they travel. There was ample research to ensure the heating units were safe in all situations.
Love the celebratory Woo Hoo
Thanks!
Are there other options other than freeze drying?
Yes, some things can be dehydrated. Others can be purchased in bulk then broken down into smaller packages.
I am taking care of my elderly Uncle. He is a Diabetic and I am having trouble putting together MRE’s for him. Any help is appreciated
would a wooden clothes pin work?
Fantastic video. You don't need oxygen obsorbers in any of those? And how long do you think those would last on the shelf?
Not if they are vacuum sealed. I think they will last several years, but we will eat them before then!
Hello.. I am learning so much from your videos. Thank you for doing them. My question is, can you do these with just dehydrated foods?
Yes, absolutely, but you will have to allow more time for rehydrating the food since it dries harder than freeze dried foods.
Thank you so much 😊