In an uncertain world, being prepared for emergencies and disasters is a necessity. Whether you’re a seasoned prepper or just someone looking to ensure their family’s well-being during unforeseen events, freeze-dried food has become an essential component of emergency preparedness. Among the many brands available, Mountain House meals stand out as a reliable and convenient choice.
In this article, we will explore the benefits of using freeze-dried food, particularly Mountain House meals, as part of your prepping strategy, and offer creative food ideas to ensure you’re ready for whatever comes your way.
The Advantages of Freeze-Dried Food
Before delving into specific meal ideas, it’s important to understand why freeze-dried food is a preferred choice for preppers:
1. Long Shelf Life: Freeze-dried food has an extended shelf life compared to fresh or canned alternatives. Mountain House meals, in particular, can last up to 30 years when stored properly. This longevity ensures that you’ll have access to nutritious meals even during long-term emergencies.
2. Compact and Lightweight: Freeze-dried meals are incredibly space-efficient. They are lightweight and come in vacuum-sealed pouches, making them ideal for storing in bug-out bags, emergency kits, or even smaller living spaces.
3. Nutrient Retention: Freeze-drying technology preserves the nutritional content of the food. This means you’ll still get essential vitamins and minerals when consuming freeze-dried meals, even after years of storage.
4. Minimal Preparation: Mountain House meals are incredibly easy to prepare. Most require only hot water, and you’re ready to eat in minutes. This simplicity is invaluable in a crisis situation when time and resources may be limited.
Now, let’s explore some creative food ideas using Mountain House meals that will keep your prepping strategy not only practical but also enjoyable.
1. Breakfast Bliss:
Start your day off right with a hearty and nutritious breakfast from Mountain House. Consider stocking up on options like their Breakfast Skillet, which includes a delightful mix of hash browns, scrambled eggs, pork sausage, peppers, and onions. This meal provides the energy needed to kick-start your day in a crisis. Pair it with coffee or tea for an added comfort factor.
2. Campfire Classics:
Mountain House meals are not just for emergencies; they’re also perfect for camping and outdoor adventures. Enjoy a taste of the wilderness with their Chili Mac with Beef or Beef Stroganoff. These meals are easy to prepare over a campfire or portable stove, making them a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts.
3. Family Favorites:
During a crisis, maintaining a sense of normalcy can be comforting for your family. Mountain House offers a range of family-friendly options like Chicken Fried Rice, Lasagna with Meat Sauce, and Spaghetti with Meat Sauce. These familiar dishes can provide comfort and stability during uncertain times.
4. Vegetarian and Vegan Choices:
For those with dietary restrictions, Mountain House has options as well. The Vegetable Stew with Beef or Pasta Primavera provides a balance of protein and vegetables for vegetarians, while their Pasta Primavera and Rice & Beans can cater to vegans. Ensuring that everyone’s dietary needs are met is crucial in a prepping plan.
5. Customizing Your Meals:
One of the advantages of freeze-dried food is its versatility. You can easily customize Mountain House meals by adding additional ingredients. Consider tossing in some dehydrated vegetables, herbs, or spices to enhance the flavor and nutritional content. This personal touch can make the meals even more satisfying during challenging times.
6. Dessert Delights:
Don’t forget about dessert! Mountain House offers sweet treats like Raspberry Crumble and Apple Crisp. While dessert may seem like a luxury during an emergency, it can provide much-needed comfort and morale boost during difficult times.
7. Portion Control:
Mountain House meals come in a variety of serving sizes, from single servings to family-sized pouches. This allows you to manage portion control effectively, ensuring you use your supplies efficiently while minimizing waste.
8. Food Rotation Strategy:
To maximize the shelf life of your Mountain House meals, it’s essential to implement a food rotation strategy. This involves regularly using and replacing your stored meals to ensure you always have fresh supplies on hand. Label your meals with purchase or expiration dates to track their longevity accurately.
9. Meal Planning and Variety:
Prepping with Mountain House meals should be part of a broader meal planning strategy. Ensure you have a variety of meals to prevent palate fatigue. Rotate through different options to keep your prepping strategy interesting and nutritionally balanced.
10. Storage Considerations:
Proper storage is critical to maintain the integrity of your freeze-dried food. Keep Mountain House meals in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Vacuum-sealed pouches should remain unopened until you’re ready to use them.
Conclusion
In uncertain times, having a reliable source of food is essential. Mountain House meals offer a practical and convenient solution for preppers, campers, and anyone looking to secure their food supply. With their long shelf life, ease of preparation, and delicious variety, Mountain House meals can be a valuable addition to your emergency preparedness plan.
Remember that prepping is not just about surviving; it’s about thriving in challenging circumstances. By incorporating Mountain House meals into your strategy and getting creative with your meal planning, you can ensure that you and your loved ones are well-fed and resilient, no matter what the future holds. So stock up, plan ahead, and embrace the peace of mind that comes with being prepared.
P.S. If you are interested in traveling to escape a bad situation on the horizon head on over to ExploreTraveler.com.
Ideas For Prepping – I find that people have a tendency to overthink what it means to be a prepper. It’s not a political concept but could align with one’s religion. For most people it’s just common sense ideas that allow you to slowly stock up extra items. food or gear in case it is needed. The most important concept is to understand you do not control the world around you and must consider the weather. geo-political, or other emergencies that are unknown.
Cold Weather Camping
Food – If you like something, and it can store for a while get two.
Water – Extra water and/or a way to filter water on hand. Stores are able to adjust if you add to what you need over time.
Shelter – Where do you live, and how do you plan to protect this area if need be. Warm. safe, and with good locals, but consider how they will act if they get hungry.
Clothing – Can your clothing keep you protected from the elements, or suffice an emergency within your local area?
Defense – Can you defend yourself, your family, and others if need be. Are you in shape, and with the skills to defend yourself without a weapon? Or can you use a firearm if need be?
Canning – Sometimes it’s easier to store and get ahold of vegetables, and vinegar to store them long-term.
Camping Supplies – If you needed to bug out can you do so for a long period of time? Do you have the gear, food, and ability to clean water?
Alternative food – Dehydrated food, MRE, and others can be stored for long periods of time. 10 years or more is a normal expectation, and some MREs can be stored for 20 years.
Shop for deals – Garage sales, swap meets, military surplus, and consider advertising what you need.
Fishing – This can be a replenishable resource, but if people needed to survive on it you should assume the big boys will not stop. So stock up on your supplies for all areas you are comfortable fishing.
Now, these are not the only tips, and We just want to bring these ideas to the surface for you to consider. Times are always changing, and if you are an adventure traveler like we are it does require you to plan ahead. With prices rising we may soon need to make our own meals for long-term use on the trails or while hiking and camping in the National parks. But what do you do if your flying to a Unesco site, and don’t know if the local supplies are up to your standards? You will need to bring your own, and have them on hand.
One of the possibilities is to order from the country in question a few test meals. If you feel they are comparable you can then do a pre-order and have them shipped to your hotel ahead of time. So make sure to be creative, and operate in a way that allows flexibility. Most countries have issues on bring in fresh food so that may not be even an option. So you will need to learn about what you need ahead of time. Consider these Ideas For Prepping while you plan your next adventure.
Make your adventurous trip perfect by carrying freeze dried desserts along with you. You can shop for the freeze dried ice cream sandwich, dark chocolate or whatever you want without worry about them melting.
Cold weather camping can be a little tricky. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time outdoors, it’s a good idea to learn a few tips and tricks before you go. This blog post will focus on some cold weather camping tips to help you get the most out of your trip. -In order to make your campsite feel a little less wintery, take a lightweight tarp and secure it to the ground with tent poles. You can then drape it over the tent. You can even set up the tarp to act as shelter from the wind. -Packing for cold weather camping is important. Just like in the summertime, you’ll need water, fire-starting equipment, food, and shelter.
Cold Weather Camping
5 Essentials for Proper Cold Weather Camping
Cold-weather outdoor camping can be a lot of fun with the right tools, supplies, and knowledge. With the proper gear, being outdoors in the cold will be an experience you are able to handle. Let’s begin by talking about what you will need when it comes to your wardrobe. A few must-haves are gloves, a hat, camping food, water, and layers. With these essentials in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy your night outdoors in the cold!
Heading outdoors in the cold is always an adventure. With these 5 essentials for proper cold weather camping, you’ll be all set for your next trip outdoors in the winter!
Cold Weather Camping Shelters
Cold Weather Camping Gear
Shelter and Clothing
The good thing about winter is that there are only two things to worry about when camping outdoors. The first is protecting yourself from the cold temperatures. The second is the best place to find shelter.
When it comes to shelter, there are many options. You can use a tent or tarp to create a makeshift outdoor shelter. You can also build a snow fort or igloo. Building an igloo can be a lot of fun and it’s a great way to stay warm while you’re camping in the snow.
As for clothing, it’s important to dress in layers and to pack clothing that is water and wind-resistant. Cotton clothing is not the best option for winter weather because it doesn’t insulate against the elements
The Right Sleeping Bag
When we talk about camping, we often think of warm weather. You usually find campers in the summer, and often in the desert! But what about when the temperatures drop and all you want to do is curl up in your nice, warm bed? Well, you can still camp in the winter! Read on to find out how to make a winter camping experience a fantastic one!
First things first, a sleeping bag is a necessity. Make sure it’s rated to a temperature that feels good to you. Most people think that a sleeping bag that’s rated 20 degrees Fahrenheit or less is sufficient for three-season camping. If that’s not your style, you might want to consider a 40-degree F-rated sleeping bag.
Hiking, Backpacking Gear It’s getting to be winter which means that cold weather camping will be on the agenda. However, that doesn’t mean that this is a bad thing! Here are some tips to remember when embarking on a winter camping trip:
-Pack a scarf. Along with a hat and gloves, a scarf will help create a barrier to keep heat from escaping from your head and other cold spots
-Include a balaclava or other cold-weather mask. It’s not enough to just bundle up your head, other parts of your face will need extra care, too
-Avoid winter blows by including a winter sleeping bag. In this cold weather camping post, we’ve mentioned a scarf, hat, and gloves, but a winter sleeping,
Winter Camping Dehydrated Food
Having food that stays well preserved is key while in a more extreme environment. Dehydrated meals from Mountain House, Backpackers Pantry, and more can ensure you keep your meals clean and dry. They are protected inside the pouch, and this helps them also withstand colder environments. It does not matter if you’re inside a cabin or a heated tent since these meals can be ready in a few minutes just by adding hot water.
Winter weather camping is considered by many to be more difficult than the summer. A lot more preparation is required during this time of year. You can’t just roll out of bed in the morning and hike up the mountain. One important preparation, before leaving your campsite on your winter journey, is to make sure your water bottles are completely frozen. Not half-frozen, but completely frozen. This will ensure that your water will stay cold long enough for you to finish your hike. If you are using hot drink packets, be sure to buy ones that are specifically made for winter. Hot drinks will fade your taste buds so your taste will change. You may find that even foods that you would
Camp Cooking and Heat You should make a small checklist of cold weather camping essentials to make sure you don’t forget anything. The first tip is to make sure you have a good sleeping bag. If you’re a camper who loves a cold outdoors experience, a heavy-duty mountaineering sleeping bag could be for you.
Another cold-weather camping tip is to bring a backup. If you’re backpacking, always bring a tent as a backup in case it gets too cold outside. This way you can enjoy two different experiences as a camper.
Another tip is to have extra clothing to bundle up. This way you can adjust to the cold weather conditions over time. Bring a fleece jacket, gloves, a hat, and a scarf so that you can stay warm.
Another tip is to make sure you have extra clothing to bundle up with. This way, you can adjust to the decreasing temperature over time. Some items you might want to bring are a fleece jacket, gloves, a hat, and a scarf.
It’s not difficult to camp in cold weather, but it requires a little bit of extra time and preparation. Before you head out, you should know how to keep yourself safe and sound by practicing simple techniques that cover food, water, and shelter. Don’t take your environment for granted, and ensure your winter camping food, clothing, and supplies are appropriate for the environment.
Food preservation is the art of retaining the longevity of food products until consumed. Two popular methods of food preservation are “dehydration” and “freeze drying”. One often makes the mistake of implying both the food preservation methods synonymously. However, freeze drying and dehydration are two unique and different food preservation methods used to extend the shelf life of food spanning decades.
This article explores the brief history of the two methods, their differences, their pros and cons, and presents a little FAQ section to help you understand better.
A Brief History
One of the oldest methods of food preservation is dehydration. Our prehistoric ancestors, dating back to 10,000 BC, used the natural sunlight to dry seeds and meat for years around consumption. Dehydration reduced moisture from the food and inhibited the growth of microorganisms. Food items like eggs, rice, fish, and meat were sun-dried and preserved through the process of dehydration as evident from evidence found in Japan, China, Italy and many other countries across continents.
Modern dehydration techniques were developed in France around 1795. Presently, there exists various dehydration equipment like vacuum dryers, kiln dryers, tunnel dryers, and cabinet dryers that allow foods to be dehydrated and preserved at home. Dehydrating can happen electronically through the use of above referred equipment or it can be natural such as drying seeds or meats under the sun.
Jacques-Arsene d’Arsonval invented the freeze-drying technique, technically known as lyophilization, in 1906 in Paris, France. It became immensely popular during World War II when a solution was needed to transport preserved blood serums which were otherwise getting spoiled by the time it reached the soldiers at the frontline. The technique was later applied to foods in the 1950s.
Freeze drying technique is widely used in the pharmaceuticals and the food industry. According to Mordor Intelligence, the freeze dried food industry is expected to reach $66.5 billion by 2021. The Asia Pacific and South America are the largest growing markets while North America has a 35% global share.
Freeze Dried vs Dehydrated Food: 5 Major Differences
There are five major differences between freeze dried and dehydrated foods:
1. Food Taste
The taste of the food is a strong determinant of our food choices. Some people prefer spicy foods while others enjoy a rather bland diet. Neither the freeze dried nor the dehydration process impacts the taste of the much significantly. However, given the nature of preservation techniques used, there might be a difference in the flavor of the food: one might seem richer than the other.
Food industry experts believe that since the freeze dried method uses minimal heat, the food retains its original taste to a large extent. The natural texture of the food is retained and the nutritional value remains intact. In comparison, the dehydration process uses a high heat percentage to remove moisture from the food which compromises the flavor, texture, and the original smell of the food. This is the reason why freeze dried foods are found to have better flavor as compared to the dehydrated foods.
2. Shelf Life
The shelf life of a food depends on its moisture content. Vegetables with higher water content such as spinach, cucumber, or gourds spoil easily whereas ginger and garlic does not. An increase in moisture reduces the shelf life of the fruit or vegetable. The primary governing principle involved in both the freeze drying and dehydration process is the controlled reduction of the moisture levels.
Home dehydration removes around 70% of the moisture which will increase the shelf life to around one year while the industrial dehydration process removes around 95% of the moisture content and increases the shelf life to around 15 years. In the freeze drying process, up to 99% of the moisture is eliminated which is why such foods can last for 25 years! The freeze drying method has been created for long term food storage. It successfully retains various vitamins and minerals, as per the American Institute of Cancer Research.
Both the freeze dried and dehydrated food should be stored in cool temperatures. A temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended by experts.
3. Cooking & Nutrition
The cooking or preparation time of freeze dried food is less than the dehydrated food. All you need to do is add the recommended level of water, heat it, and eat. All freeze dried foods are pre-cooked. Once heated, the natural flavor, taste, and nutrition of the food is back. In comparison, dehydrated food needs to be cooked after rehydration. The cooking time depends on the nature of the dehydrated food and it can have a significant impact on your work schedule.
As per experts, around 97% of the nutritional value is retained in freeze dried food while the dehydrated food retains around 60% of the original nutrients (source).
4. Weight & Storage
Food weight and storage are two critical factors when deciding between freeze dried food and dehydrated food. While either of the processes reduces the overall weight of the food due to the reduction in moisture content, however, compared to food dehydration, the freeze dried food is lighter, easier to store and carry anywhere.
For example, if you are trekking, hiking, or camping, you will need to carry food that does not take up too much space and is lighter in weight. All you need is enough water to rehydrate the food and consume. Freeze dried foods like fruits and vegetables require minimal water to become fit for consumption. In contrast, dehydrated foods are heavy and require a bigger storage space. Your preference between the two is dependent on your overall purpose.
5. Equipment
Freeze drying of food happens on an industrial scale. It requires advanced equipment and a complex process that cannot happen in home kitchens – the situation might change in the future though. Until then, you cannot freeze dry food at home and can only buy readied products from the market. The food is exposed to a low temperature of -40 degree Fahrenheit or lower, which creates a vacuum around the food as the temperature gets regulated, leading to the sublimation of the frozen water. Dehydration also happens on an industrial scale but there is equipment available for home use, as explained in the later part of the article.
Pros and Cons of Freeze Dried Food
The major pros and cons of freeze dried food are explained below.
Pros
Affordability
Freeze dried foods or freeze dried desserts are affordable. It is produced in bulk and transportation costs less than transporting other fresh available foods like fish or meat. They are packaged neatly and can be bought off-the-shelf from any departmental store.
Lightweight and Portable
The freeze drying process is such that it reduces the weight of the food, which makes it light and portable. It can be stored anywhere within airtight containers. Storing large amounts of freeze dried food would not make the storage bulky.
Nutritional
The freeze dried food retains its nutritional value – its quality, shape, size, and taste never gets reduced after going through the freeze drying process. Warming or directly eating freeze dried food will have the same taste and quality as the freshly made food.
Long Shelf Life
Freeze dried foods are extremely helpful in emergency situations as it has a longer shelf life. It can last months and years without refrigeration. For example, freeze dried foods are sent for astronauts living at the International Space Station (ISS).
Consuming freeze dried food requires rehydration of the food and it is not always necessary to cook it before consumption.
Cons
Some freeze dried foods are costly particularly because of the method and equipment used in producing it. However, if you want to depend on freeze dried foods for the long-term, chalk up a manageable budget and buy in bulk as it proves to be cheaper. Since freeze dried foods are edible for years to come, they can be stored easily without any fear of long-term spoilage.
Pros and Cons of Dehydrated Food
Fruit Raw Food Healthy Apple Chips Dehydrated Fruit
The major pros and cons of dehydrated food are explained below.
Pros
One-Time Expense
There are various kinds of dehydration equipment that can be purchased and installed in your home kitchen. With proper handling and management, these equipment can last for years and thus, it is a one-time expense. All you need to do is purchase fresh food and then dehydrate it at home. It saves a lot of money in the long-run. Buying dehydrated foods directly from the grocery store regularly will prove to be a costly activity.
Waste Reduction
The food dehydration process helps to reduce kitchen waste. It has been seen that around 40% of foods purchased by families are wasted. For example, overripe fruits are often thrown in the dustbin. Instead, you can put it in the dehydrator to control spoilage and store it for later consumption. The same works for leftover foods that can be dehydrated and consumed at a later date.
Retains Taste
Dehydrated foods retain the exact taste and texture of the food. For example, dehydrated corn tastes amazing when roasted, right? It assumes its fresh nature again when cooked and tastes delicious. It retains its nutritional value as well. Dehydration techniques are akin to natural preservation of foods as our ancestors did. Air drying or sun drying foods retain their natural element.
Cons
Preservatives
While the dehydrated foods bought from the grocery have a higher shelf life, remember that the reason is the addition of preservatives that might be harmful to the health. Preservatives, which are often chemicals, successfully prolong the life of the food but it can also change the composition of food.
For example, dehydrated bananas or berries may not be good for your health because a high amount of sugar is added as a preservative. High sugar consumption is often harmful for your health. This is the reason why home dehydration and preservation of food is recommended as you can control the process.
High Calorie Intake
Dehydrated food sees an increase in calorie count as compared to fresh food. The reduction in water content during the dehydration process increases the calorie content in the food, which can often trigger gain in body weight. To state an example for better understanding, a cup of fresh apples has 57 calories and a cup of dehydrated apples has 208 calories. If you are dieting, rethink before opting for consumption of any kind of dehydrated food purchased from grocery stores.
A Short FAQ
Is freeze dried and dehydrated food safe for consumption?
Yes, both the freeze dried and dehydrated food is safe for consumption. Both the methods reduce the moisture content from the food to prevent the growth of microorganisms.
Is freeze dried and dehydrated food nutritious?
Yes, they are. Freeze dried food retains higher nutritional value due to the method used in storing the food.
How are freeze dried and dehydrated food stored?
Both the freeze dried and dehydrated food should be stored in airtight containers to prevent the growth of moisture from the air. The airtight containers can be purchased from retail stores at an affordable price.
Are freeze dried and dehydrated foods recommended for kids?
Kids should consume freeze dried and dehydrated food in moderation; freshly made food is recommended and preferred. However, such preserved vegan freeze dried foods retain their nutritional value; therefore, even kids can consume them.
From where can freeze dried and dehydrated food be purchased?
Since freeze drying is a complex process that requires high-end machines, they are best purchased from retail outlets, grocery stores or online freeze dried food stores where they are preserved at the right cooling temperature. The dehydration process can happen at home too if the proper method is followed.
Conclusion Both freeze dried and dehydration are preferred methods of food preservation. They have their own pros and cons. Choose either one based on your food preferences and requirements. If you want to start exploring food preservation, try dehydrating foods in your home kitchen. Taste few freeze dried food products to understand the differences between the two.
