I've been carrying some Mainstay Ration Bars ("lifeboat rations") in the get home bag I keep in my truck. I chose them instead of MREs because they are designed for long term storage in harsh environments. I've had them for a couple years and although still good, I wanted to replace them with fresher ones. So, earlier this month I got some more. Today I decided to try one.
Not bad at all. It has the consistency of a cookie and a lemony taste. I had some water along with the bar and didn't notice that it made me thirsty or if it had an aftertaste.
Assuming your not allergic to any of the ingredients, or don't have any special dietary restrictions, these are worth looking at for emergency rations.
Nice blog, Dave. I like the Mainstay rations - decent taste, long lasting and I guess they "don't make you thirsty". My youngest child carries a block of them in her BoB.
ReplyDeleteJoe
Dave - you bring up a good point about dietary restrictions. It's a good idea to know that what is set aside for emergency use doesn't create a secondary disaster. Not only are the ingredients important, but the facility where the food is made can also be used for other food products. Think nut allergies.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great posts!
Great Blog Dave. Currently being employed at the Mainstay manufacturing plant I can assure everyone that there are no nut based products, tropical oils, diary and so on. Also Mainstay bars are both Kosher and Halal certified. Mainstay bars are made to be non-thirst provoking.
ReplyDeleteEmail me if you have questions!
lisa@survivorind.com
Lisa, thanks for the inside scoop!
ReplyDeleteTry to take foods that do not take water to prepare, I see so many 72 hour
ReplyDeletekits with things like, instant oatmeal, hot chocolate & soups. The water should be for
drinking & take vitamins & protein bars. I also take a bottle of fiber, not only is
fiber needed but it also swells for a full feeling. I came across what is called
Lifecaps. They are a capsule that has everything needed to survive without food with
the exception of water. It is full of vitamins & minerals plus Iodine. Anyway, you take
three of them a day & drink water. I can actually take enough food in one backpack to
las 6 months because of these little Lifecaps, protein bars, fiber & water. I will run
out of water in a week so I do carry a small filter & a couple of those straw water
filters that filter the water as you suck.
You do not always have the ability or time to heat water to make soup or oatmeal. Anyway,
after I bought 25 bottles I found a coupon code & bought 75 bottles more. The coupon code
is... healthcap It will get you 33% off. There are also sites that have those filter straws
that are cheaper than any of the stores around here. (SLC) I think they are a really good
idea along with some purification pills. I cannot remember the sites off the top of my head
but you can Google for aquamira filter straw. Aquamira is the manufacture but do not buy
off there site because I have found them for almost 1/2 what they want on their own site
on other sites. Good luck, Gods speed & get serious about your bug out bag!
Todd in SLC