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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: TIM B on August 14, 2016, 05:44:00 AM

Title: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: TIM B on August 14, 2016, 05:44:00 AM
In the back country wisdom post a couple guys spoke about packing a days food in a ziplock.  Anyone else do this?  I was going to PM a couple guys but thought it would make a interesting thread.  Would like to hear the contents that go in each bag.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: kill shot on August 14, 2016, 07:35:00 AM
Macaroni & cheese is a good meal. Also ramin noodles and beef jerky (the cheap flat stuff that's dryer than a popcorn fart) also makes a good meal. Those meals like mountain house are kind of pricey. Add some boiling water and your happy.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: Mike Vines on August 14, 2016, 07:54:00 AM
Inside my daily ration gallon bag is: either a Mountain House meal, or a homemade dehydrated meal (MUCH healthier and better tasting and brings the smells and tastes of home along with you); 1/2 cup each of cashews and almonds; 1/4 cup of dehydrated peaches and bananas; two Lara Bars; two oatmeal packs (with a spare freezer ziplock to cook it in); 2 links of Hunters's sausage; 2 corn tortillas that go with the evening meal; snack bag of powdered Gatorade or powdered Tang.  

Just grab a bag and go.  I don't worry about the contents being what I want or not.  When it's time to eat, I'll be hungry and I'm not picky at all.  I just look at it as being fuel.  I also pack the correct gear (for where I'm hunting) to supplement meals with fresh caught fish        :)  

To make things real easy and light, I combine with the below container to eat really healthy...

  (http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/miklvines/image.jpeg) (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/miklvines/media/image.jpeg.html)
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: Dave Earley on August 14, 2016, 07:59:00 AM
it's a good idea but i've never tried it.  One trick i have used is smaller OPSAK bags with my own version of high power oatmeal - instant oatmeal, protein powder, and some dried fruit.  Add boiling water, stir, wait a bit, and you have breakfast.  Rinse when done, roll up tight, wash at home and reuse.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: kill shot on August 14, 2016, 08:17:00 AM
Yes the oatmeal is a very good idea and so is the gatorade. Does anyone know how long it takes for beans to hydrate?
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: PeteA on August 14, 2016, 08:18:00 AM
Do a Google search for DIY backpacking meals. You can find a lot of alternatives to the more expensive Mountian House like options. Most ingredients are available right at you local grocery store. We travel with all dehydrated ingredients for the most part. All we need to do is boil water to cook a meal.

As for packing meals. When I backpack, we pack individual meals in either zip lock bags or we vacuum seal meals. For example a breakfast consists of an indiviual packet of instant Oatmeal, some dehydrated banana, an individual packet of Trader Joe's instant coffee, 2 Nutri-Gain bars, a small napkin and a wet wipe. That's an entier breakfast. That all goes into one small ziplock You also want to get as much air out of the bag as possible. Lunch consists of a meal that does not require cooking. You're usually on the trail so you want something fast and high in calories and fat. Summer sausage, those indiviual round cheeses, a couple small tortillas, an individual package of Keebler peanut butter crackers , and a snickers bar. Again this all goes into one quart size Ziplock freezer bag. I put all my individual meals into one food bag.

Search freezer bag cooking. Really good way to rehydrate meals. No mess, no cleaning.

There's a lot of great stuff available right at your local grocery to put together some really good meals. Some indiviual ingredients include: Knorr Sides, foil packets of tuna or chicken, Trader Joe's indiviual packets of instant coffee (include sugar and powered milk), microwave Mac and cheese,  Indiviual ice tea packets. There's a lot of really good DIY meals on backpacking forums. Just make sure you test any meals you try at home before you hit the trail! This way you know what agrees with your system.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: kill shot on August 14, 2016, 08:25:00 AM
this is a cool thread, good knowledge here
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: Rob W. on August 14, 2016, 09:08:00 AM
This year a typical day will have :

Oats with chia seeds and powdered whole milk
Dark chocolate cocoa
Peanut butter bacon tortillas
Jerky/pepperoni
Cheese
Granola
Instant pudding with powdered milk

In the evening I have either mountain houses, teriaky noodles, couscous, or instant potatoes and Spam. I break up my 2 serving mountain houses into individual serving ziplock bags for space.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: Sam McMichael on August 14, 2016, 10:13:00 AM
Reminds me of the times when I was a Boy Scout leader. We used to do a lot of things like the meals discussed here. It is fairly easy to pack nutritious meals that are very light and easy to prepare. Dehydration is the backpacker/hunter key to good eating.  

Kill shot, it takes beans a long time to rehydrate. They would work okay if you stay in a campsite for a couple of days, but not if continually on the move.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: TIM B on August 14, 2016, 10:16:00 AM
Good stuff boys!!
Keep'em comming
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: elkhunter45 on August 14, 2016, 11:59:00 AM
I pack broccoli, baby carrots, cauliflower, grape tomatoes, along with some dried fruit such as craisins all mixed together for a little healthy snack. For main meals I usually pack a can of tuna, peanut butter tortilla wraps, pork and beans, and a small tube of Pringles. I also have a pack of instant coffee for those sleepy mid afternoon glassing sessions.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: Jon Stewart on August 14, 2016, 12:13:00 PM
Stop by the deli section of your local grocery store and ask them if you can have some condiments.  Almost always they will give you some.

They include, mayo, catsup, mustard, lemon juice and tartar sauce. They are easy, light and help dress up a meal without carrying the large bottles.  I also ask the waitress in restaurants  for a few  jellies and peanut butter for the same reason.

Mc Donalds have your salt , pepper and sugar.

BUT, I always ask and have yet to be turned down.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: wingnut on August 14, 2016, 12:40:00 PM
Do you calculate the calories you need to maintain in the mountains.  So far I've red mostly daily meals at about 1000 cals.  You burn 3-4000 cals a day in the mountains.  You will burn out in 4-5 days at that rate of exchange.

Work your daily meals from a calorie need formula and you will feel and hunt much better.

We cook and dehydrate all of our meals and get our calorie per oz up as high as we can.  

It took years for me to realize it's not a forced diet but a fuel vs burn contest.

Mike
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: Pat B on August 14, 2016, 01:26:00 PM
On both trips to Colorado I ate trail mix for my day time meal, snacked all day on it. It was a basic Walmart trail mix with dehydrated fruit and vegetables from my host's garden aded plus dehydrated ham. The basic mix had assorted nuts, seeds, dried fruit and M&Ms. I carried a quart of water in 2 bottles plus had a filter straw in case I ran out. With a good breakfast and a hearty supper I never felt wanting for food. We hunted between 9K and 10K. This was in late August and early September
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: Daz on August 14, 2016, 02:39:00 PM
Usual meal plan per gallon ziplock:
1 ProBar (breakfast)
1 pack Pop Tarts or Cliff Bar or second Probar (9AM snack)
2 bacon/almond butter tortillas plus a coffee (lunch)*
Almond/cashew/m&m trail mix (1pm snack)
Cliff shot bloks/Jerky (3pm snack)
Surprise pouch** (5PM)
Dehydrated meal (homemade stew/chili whatever with Idahoan potatoes or rice, etc plus added olive oil).

*-May substitute Moose Goo for bacon/almond butter
**-Surprise pouch may have homemade snack bar, chocolate bar, some sour gummies or other nice treat that breaks up the day.

I aim for 2600-3200 calories per day minimum. I try to follow a set snack routine if possible to aid in getting food in, but will also snack at different times if i feel i am starting to lag.
I remember being on a goat hunt a few years ago and by day three i was craving fats so bad i was fantasizing non-stop about licking a stick of butter. Since then i have realized that olive oil is a thing of beauty to help with energy/calories per gram. At times i have also just had a "shot" of olive oil and chased with water.

I consume between 3 and 6 liters of water per day, with every second liter having emergen-c added to it for sodium and electrolytes.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: kill shot on August 14, 2016, 09:24:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Daz:
Usual meal plan per gallon ziplock:
1 ProBar (breakfast)
1 pack Pop Tarts or Cliff Bar or second Probar (9AM snack)
2 bacon/almond butter tortillas plus a coffee (lunch)*
Almond/cashew/m&m trail mix (1pm snack)
Cliff shot bloks/Jerky (3pm snack)
Surprise pouch** (5PM)
Dehydrated meal (homemade stew/chili whatever with Idahoan potatoes or rice, etc plus added olive oil).

*-May substitute Moose Goo for bacon/almond butter
**-Surprise pouch may have homemade snack bar, chocolate bar, some sour gummies or other nice treat that breaks up the day.

I aim for 2600-3200 calories per day minimum. I try to follow a set snack routine if possible to aid in getting food in, but will also snack at different times if i feel i am starting to lag.
I remember being on a goat hunt a few years ago and by day three i was craving fats so bad i was fantasizing non-stop about licking a stick of butter. Since then i have realized that olive oil is a thing of beauty to help with energy/calories per gram. At times i have also just had a "shot" of olive oil and chased with water.

I consume between 3 and 6 liters of water per day, with every second liter having emergen-c added to it for sodium and electrolytes.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: kill shot on August 14, 2016, 09:26:00 PM
a shot of olive oil? You are tough
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: Daz on August 15, 2016, 12:28:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by kill shot:
a shot of olive oil? You are tough
Common mistake to confuse tough with kinda slow...    :D  

I just look at it as doing what it takes to meet caloric load and essential fats. Plus it helps me stay regular.
Besides, my Gran used to force cod liver oil on me as a tyke. Compared to that, olive oil is easy.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: old_goat2 on August 15, 2016, 05:21:00 AM
Me and the wife together don't consume a gallon bag of food together in a day, but we are in our fifties and move slow in the woods, we carry food and eat what we need. Salami is a big staple for us out there, that's the food that fueled the RomanLegions on their campaigns. We also share a two portion Mountain House most nights. We have found some mre style power bars that are delicious, same company makes small 350cal packages of dried fruit and some mre dessert packs of sugar cookies. I've thought about dehydrating the salami, bet it would be good crunchy!
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: ScottinPA on August 15, 2016, 07:22:00 AM
For you guys looking at electrolytes, look at GU Brew or Nuun.  I mix a Nuun Energy in my water bottle and will take a few tabs with me to remix as needed thru the day.
I have more MH meals than I really wanted but my focus was on other gear etc for this hunt.  That'll be my breakfast and dinner.  
I also have instant potato packs and tuna or chicken to add.
Snacks & lunch are ProBars, trail mix, Clif bars, GU shots, Belvita cracker with Almond butter, bagel with PB and craisins.
Should be around 3+K cal per day.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: tracker12 on August 15, 2016, 08:19:00 AM
Can someone explain the bacon peanut butter wraps.  How do you cook the bacon and how long will it last.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: old_goat2 on August 15, 2016, 09:10:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by ScottinPA:
For you guys looking at electrolytes, look at GU Brew or Nuun.  I mix a Nuun Energy in my water bottle and will take a few tabs with me to remix as needed thru the day.
I have more MH meals than I really wanted but my focus was on other gear etc for this hunt.  That'll be my breakfast and dinner.  
I also have instant potato packs and tuna or chicken to add.
Snacks & lunch are ProBars, trail mix, Clif bars, GU shots, Belvita cracker with Almond butter, bagel with PB and craisins.
Should be around 3+K cal per day.
You should try the Mountain Ops Enduro for drink mix!
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: two4hooking on August 15, 2016, 09:32:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by tracker12:
Can someone explain the bacon peanut butter wraps.  How do you cook the bacon and how long will it last.
I'd like to know also???   :help:
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: Kelly on August 15, 2016, 09:46:00 AM
Just be thankful none of you have type 2 Diabetes. Trying to figure out backpack meals that contain few or no carbs is nearly impossible.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: two4hooking on August 15, 2016, 10:28:00 AM
I have been diagnosed with a wheat/gluten, egg, milk and oak allergy.  It is quite a challenge also.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: Daz on August 15, 2016, 10:41:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by two4hooking:
 
QuoteOriginally posted by tracker12:
Can someone explain the bacon peanut butter wraps.  How do you cook the bacon and how long will it last.
I'd like to know also???    :help:  [/b]
Take pound of bacon. Fry it until crispy.
Place on paper towel to cool (this will get excess grease off). Take bagel or tortilla and spread PB or almond butter, and add bacon.

For those with a food saver, use this to seal in packaging, or just place in a good ziplock. If making before season, put in freezer. If making day before trip, just throw in pack.

I tried pre-cooked bacon once, but wasn't a fan.
During average fall temps they last a week. If you are hesitant, cook a few pieces and leave on your counter for a week. The nitrites in it prevent spoilage to an alarming degree.

The best insurance is to add honey as well ( if you can handle the extra sweet). Honey is a natural anti-biotic and preservative, plus the calorie boost is good too.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: Diane.A on August 15, 2016, 10:52:00 AM
Pemmican An Acquired taste but Type 2 friendly.
(and boring)
Dehydrated vegetables help long as low carb, most nuts, dried salamis,landjager sausage and don't forget some fat,coconut oil solid at room temp and gee( clarified butter no milk solids to go off.)

Dried berries without the sugar coating read labels or make your self, watch serving size sugar can add up fast even with blueberries.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: kbetts on August 15, 2016, 01:17:00 PM
Nature Valley makes a few different granolas that are high in protein.  I'm a big fan of the tuna packets.  Cliff bars are also another easy one one at about 250 calories a piece.  

My biggest suggestion, and this comes from being on the smaller side size wise and trying to maintain strength and stamina through multi day lacrosse tournaments, is sports supplements.  Amazing stuff these days.  From amino drink mixes that you can feel in your toes, to the addition of testosterone in lean muscle building complexes (especially over 40 which I am), the stuff is simply amazing as to how it makes your body recover from exertion.

Add a scoop of chocolate lean mass builder or protein powder to your coffee and you end up with a 300-600 calorie cafe mocha depending on ingredients.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: dringge on August 15, 2016, 09:34:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Daz:
Usual meal plan per gallon ziplock:
1 ProBar (breakfast)
1 pack Pop Tarts or Cliff Bar or second Probar (9AM snack)
2 bacon/almond butter tortillas plus a coffee (lunch)*
Almond/cashew/m&m trail mix (1pm snack)
Cliff shot bloks/Jerky (3pm snack)
Surprise pouch** (5PM)
Dehydrated meal (homemade stew/chili whatever with Idahoan potatoes or rice, etc plus added olive oil).

*-May substitute Moose Goo for bacon/almond butter
**-Surprise pouch may have homemade snack bar, chocolate bar, some sour gummies or other nice treat that breaks up the day.

I aim for 2600-3200 calories per day minimum. I try to follow a set snack routine if possible to aid in getting food in, but will also snack at different times if i feel i am starting to lag.
I remember being on a goat hunt a few years ago and by day three i was craving fats so bad i was fantasizing non-stop about licking a stick of butter. Since then i have realized that olive oil is a thing of beauty to help with energy/calories per gram. At times i have also just had a "shot" of olive oil and chased with water.

I consume between 3 and 6 liters of water per day, with every second liter having emergen-c added to it for sodium and electrolytes.
What is Moose Goo? Thats a new one on me.
Title: Re: Meals by the day....gallon ziplock
Post by: Daz on August 15, 2016, 11:15:00 PM
Moose Goo: (with credit to some guy out there from the PCT)

1 part organic honey
1 part organic almond butter
1/3 part quality protein powder
1/3 dried berries of choice (blueberries/cranberries)
Or nuts, or coconut. Whatever you feel.

Warm up honey, mix in almond butter and protein powder. Add in fruit.
Place in wax paper in whatever portions you like. Can also be added to camper's squeeze tubes to dispense like toothpaste.

This mix can be frozen for ease of cutting into blocks, or left as is. Eat in small squares, can be baked on sheets like a cookie (mookies). Put on bagels, tortillas.
With the honey it has an almost indefinite shelf life.
Brilliant backpacking food that originated on the Pacific Coast Trail in the late 80's.