I can't believe I was able to make a homemade MRE from my local Walgreens! Gear List Trucker's Lunchbox: amzn.to/3UuY6sF Bamboo Sporks: amzn.to/3UtuqMl Mylar Food Storage Bags: amzn.to/3ONV5Sd Amazon Wish List: www.amazon.com...
I enjoy your videos. I would like to see your approach to some "Extreme MRE" limitations such as: 1. Flip your first rule around and only include items which require Hot Water (and only Hot Water) to prepare, such as oatmeal, rice, etc. 2. Can Only MRE - everything must come in a can. As an alternative, Pouch Only MRE - everything must be pouched. 3. 36 MREs In A Shoebox = 4 Family members x 3 Meals Per Day x 3 Days (72 Hours of Survival for a Family of Four - the ultimate space saving MRE) Keep up the great vids!
@@curtwinterstein1067 Buckee's is like a fever dream - in a good way. Where else can you buy beef jerky, not just bagged but from a case, venison snack sausage, barbecue sandwiches, tactical backpacks and a Cold Steel SRT all in the same store? (At least the one in Crossville, TN has a small selection of both of the latter).
Love the way you think out of the box (or bag in this case!) Hoping to see you use some of these MREs out camping this summer. And maybe some more Cryptid tales.
I don’t know how close you are to Crossville, Tn but building a DBA MRE at a Buc-ee’s might be a blast to do, especially if they let you film in there. I just noticed that your shirt matches your beard 😂
Here is a challenge for you. You know how some hotels have a little "convenience store" down in the lobby area? Try finding one of those and see what you can do. Of course, that would likely not be Budget friendly. I have another spot to try: Bass Pro Shops. Do you have a video about your Jackery setup?
Today would have been a great Mexican themed MRE to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Margaritas in a pouch please! Always enjoy your videos and appreciate you sharing them.
Your videos started popping up in my RU-vid feed after I started reviewing my emergency supplies, preparing for the start of hurricane season. But, yeah, I used to keep some food stashed in my desk.
You’ve stumbled on a RU-vid format that really works. How about taking it up a notch. Get a small backpack and try this food in the woods. One condition would be 2MRE’s and 2 days of water just in case you end up a little lost or have downed a game animal that you track until dark. Me personally I would enjoy seeing this in the situation lots of us might use it. Again great video and Thanks again
DBA, good morning from Kentucky. Another great video. I looked for some of those Nudge Coffee Bombs from your last video, but our local Walmart didn't have any. But I did notice that SPAM has Spam Singles in pouch's, with a 3 year shelf life. So I may try to make an MRE with those, I love SPAM and usually eat it uncook right out of the can. You got my wife hooked on the Tuna pouch's (Starkist Smart Bowls), she buys them for work now. Have a great week, and God Bless. JT
Thank you so much. It’s always fun hearing that people are finding new things they enjoy because of my videos. If you have a Bargain Hunt in your area look there. I found the Nudge candies there last week for half the price of Walmart.
You might consider doing videos of frequently asked questions as you grow your audience. Like maybe a youtube shorts playlist or a faq video that you can reference or link in the descriptions. Really enjoying these videos.
Another well done video, I have kept Bumble Bee snack kits at work for a long time for break times and missed lunch brakes. Also a couple of Carnations breakfast beverages for the skipped breakfast days.
Another great video. Whats i find funny is, I dont enjoy the video as much when you dont enjoy the food! 😂😂 But, what i do like is the "food for thought" you've given me for good food during a power outage. No more sandwiches!! Thank you, keep 'em coming!
Fun and challenging project. I used to buy the individual nut packets from Walgreens when I lived in the city. Good for portion control. Nuts are healthy and good protein source. Walgreens also sold hard boiled eggs, great snack after a workout (obviously not an option for a diy MRE). I like the honey roasted pistachios, not salty. I had no idea pickles were sold in packets. There are a plethora of freeze dried meals now. We are no longer limited to Mountain House. More expensive but lightweight.
I wish more stores carried freeze dried meals. It would be nice to find them in supermarkets. Maybe having more out there would help bring the prices down.
The pickels were a great addition, I like the idea of having pickels in an MRE. Great video Walgreens MRE is a good idea because they're everywhere and if I need to grab things on the fly now I have a good starting point. Thanks!
I use a paper clip (butterfly clamp) to close trail mix bags etc. They are flat and light weight. You're only missing a libation to make something not so good a whole helluva lot betta! 😊
That’s a great idea. I’d love to include a small bottle of spirits but unfortunately where I live you can’t buy liquor in regular stores so it would break the pattern of getting everything from a single source.
Yes, these videos are absolutely entertaining as well as informative and just plain fun. I hope you don't get tired of doing them or run out of ideas any time soon. When you were saying that you hoped the Chunky was more of a meal than soup I was thinking that you were going to be disappointed. Sort of like how 'Dunkin' Donuts' is now going just by 'Dunkin'', Campbell's Chunky Soups are sometimes just labelled 'Chunky' but they are still 'Chunky Soups'. You probably remember the tagline used to be 'the soup that eats like a meal'. I will say, though, that there are a couple in the cans that are good, especially some of the newer varieties. They have a Cajun Chicken Alfredo with Andouille that is really good. They have a few spicy versions of their regular soups and even have a Ghost Pepper Chicken Noodle. Many Walgreens locations in my area now have a section that is called Kroger Express or something like that where they stock a few shelves of items more like you would find at a Kroger grocery store. Not that these would work for a homemade MRE but at least one I can think of even has a limited amount of fresh produce and, if I remember right, a very small selection of fresh meat. If in your travels you ever come across a UGO (United Grocery Outlet - sometimes they are just called Grocery Outlet but it is the same chain - the original location in Etowah, Tennessee is called 'Bargain Barn) that might be a fun place to try. It is pretty much an overstock/closeout/discount grocery store so you don't always find the same things but I bet with your creativity you could build out a pretty good MRE there
Those Chunky "Bowls" are just microwave safe single portion soups. You'll get twice the amount of the same thing in the regular cans. If it doesn't have to go in the microwave in that container, the cans are well ahead of the game. Not all of them are winning flavors either, but these are good choices: - Beef Barley - Chicken Broccoli Cheese - Chili Mac - Jazzy Jambalaya With Chicken, Sausage, and Ham - Sirloin Steak/Burger with Vegetables
Dude, here is an idea for an syore assembled M.R.E.. The Asian market. Of you are on the West Coast like California the Asian store seafood city, or 99 Ranch Market also Pacific Island Market. There is also smaller Mom and Pop stores to. Keep putting out content, and best wishes and good fortune to you all.
12:12 remember the lessons from Vietnam. An excellent reason for carrying the cheap ninety-cheap version of Walmart brand Crystal Light crystals (lemon or punch or ice tea) is to mask the flavor of chemically treated trail water or flat boiled water or (God forbid) unscented bleach treated water. In country soldiers and Marines bartered their precious pouches of grape or Choo Choo Cherry to make the drek water somewhat palatable
Exactly. I’ve mentioned that in other videos that treated and even filtered “free range” water can have some really funky flavors. You’ll be glad for that little bit of refreshing flavor to help it go down!
Speaking f candy bars, I think a Salted Nut Roll or a Payday would be great for an mre. They are sweet, salty, and they have lots of protein packed peanuts.
I would never have thought a Walgreens MRE would be possible, thanks for reminding me to think outside the box! I look forward to Sundays because of your content.
12:42 the seasoned trail bum knows to carry a few Ziplocks and a couple mini binder clips. Even a large office paper clip (another great addition to a small McGyver kit) will hold the folded down seal on a snack bag of nuts, dried fruit or candy
Thanks for the video. I have a an Idea for you, Menard's. I have gone in there for tools and got sucked into the groceries... at a hardware store! Take care and wish you the best.
Would love to see a hot beverage themed episode. Would like to see what you come up with with creamer/milk situation with shelf stable solution. I can’t drink it black. I enjoy the watching the content so I went back and watched some older ones. Your early vids with little to no facial hair, holy Ron Jeremy. Made me laugh. Keep up the good work
Great! What about goods from a Mexican market. Also Texan shops and from a Chinese market. There are good italian, spanish, Chinese , Thai products . ❤
Hey dad! My scout and I are headed to summer camp in June. He is not a huge fan of bars, nuts, or trail mix. Could you please, please, please, do a “top 20-50 walking around snack” video? Thanks in advance. PS. You are entertaining; and I appreciate how well you describe the flavor of what you are sampling.
Really liking your videos. Thank you. I would suggest to have an episode of best overall, a matrix ranked 1 to 3 on the best entrees, sides, snacks, etc. Thanks a lot.
Of course you are entertaining! And motivating! Great ideas in these MRE videos. I had high hopes for that drink with real sugar. We tried a brand of lemon lime from a previous video and the artificial sweetener aftertaste was too much for me. I thought that dumpling bowl could've used a big dose of black pepper. Looking forward to the next one, keep it up! 💪
I have thoroughly enjoyed your videos. In future videos, could you run through your complete assembly of an MRE including shelf life of its components? I appreciate you brotha man!
I used to show the best by dates but over time I realized that it is sometimes months between buying the items and filming the video. My concern was that people would get hung up on seeing dates that might not match up and we would get stuck having to constantly explain it. One thing I’ve learned from this experience is that a lot of people watch these videos looking for that one little criticism to latch onto.
After watching, I went to Amazon and checked out Campbell's Chunky soups. There was the one you had, but there were quite a few others. Some labeled, "Hot" as in Texas Chili and Thai Soup. Who would have guessed!
Alka-Seltzer? That's a name I haven't heard in many a long year. Made me think of Eno another name I haven't heard of for a long time. I wonder if they're still available down here? Always good to see you Dad.
I know it would break the mold, yet, it would be super fun to watch you make your ultimate homemade MRE with no limits. Thank you for putting in all this work to make a great video for me to eat my breakfast along with. OOOOH! Thats another good idea, eat along challenges.
How about at 24hr MRE? Enjoying your videos. Id mentioned before you had inspired me to make my own for my personal situation and its going so well. Thank you!
Wow, that’s amazing. I love hearing that people are finding inspiration or at least new ideas here! I have done one 24 hour MRE but will probably do another in the near future.
Rainy Days mean Soup Days for me :) I've heard mixed reviews on those electric lunch boxes, you didn't circle back on it when you had the soup. That soup though, I know I've tried them, I cant for the life of me tell you when; however I give them a walk on by so I will gather the quality didn't match price LOL. Of the 'drink powder's the one I regularly enjoy is called "Emergen C", which is a refreshing end of day item. You know, your end point is a a good point; you can get cheese, smoked fish, meat pâté to pair with bread, crackers and dark rye all in tins with long shelf life but all of these items can lead to a divergent audience (especially liver and dark rye).
Hey DBA! Interesting challenge today. You should do one from CVS I'm sure it will be totally different. :^D (Just kidding!) 12:13 Most MRE's will have two beverages, a Kool-aid type powder (or a "shake" mix), and an instant coffee or tea bag with a sugar packet. No reason you shouldn't have two beverages as well!
I e considered that but the MREs I do for video aren’t really a full kit anyway. If I’m packing one for a trip or for stock I’d include a proper accessory pack with all the necessary goodies.
Again…what you are doing…either intentionally or not…is giving out great information which quite possibly may help people prepare for a real life emergency…..so…keep it up!
Hello found your channel about a month ago I have watched all the MRE and some of your other stuff I have really enjoyed it I do have three suggestions for MREs that I think would be simple but you have not done number one a breakfast MRE because most of the ones you do seem to be more like lunch or dinner number two I used to live in Arizona in one specifically designed for hot summers it would be nice something that would be refreshing and none of it should be heated up and number three I now live in Michigan and as you know the winters are brutal so like a heavy calorie-laden winter meal kit would be interesting thank you are doing a great job keep up the good work
Great ideas! Breakfast is difficult because there aren’t a lot of shelf stable items out there besides Pop Tarts and cereal bars but I’m always watching and hoping I’ll find something interesting.
I like buying different items and giving them a try so that I discover things that fill me up and taste good. Then I don't mind buying several. I'd hate to find out that I didn't like something while in a stressful situation with no other choice.
Glad to see drink mixes with actual sugar. I didn’t know there was still some around. I can’t do the artificial “sweeteners” that do nothing but make water extremely bitter, disgusting, and makes you taste nothing but metal for hours.
I thought about this just last week, I don't go to Walgreens too often. I did a little poking around at Walgreens and most of the stuff was less than a year to expiration. Love the pickle packs, especially Bread & Butter, my grandmother used to make B&B Pickles every year... will watch for those! I am still in the process of sampling MRE items to build my own. I finally got to Whole Foods and picked up some of those Walking Tamales... WOW, new favorite for me (Love Mexican Food!). Finding a lot of really good stuff, I think I am getting close to building my first MREs to pack in my bugout bag. Good Stuff! Look forward to the videos each week! 🍻
@@dadbudgetadventures We did recently get one, but I haven't been there yet. I will have to stop by and check it out soon. Though, I doubt anything is less than $2 here in California anymore, but I will check it out. Thanks! 😂
Enjoy watching your videos. Gives me great ideas for lunches, meal replacement and such Was wondering why you don't add/include an accessory style pack with salt, pepper, hot sauce and etc in your MRE. Also have you thought about trying to make an MRE from a gas station or truck stop?
Thanks, I love hearing that I’ve inspired something! I don’t include the accessory pack in these because it’s more about the contents from the single source location. It’s not that I wouldn’t if I was preparing this for a trip or stockpile, I just like to keep things as much as possible to the location I sourced everything from. I have gotten a lot of requests for a gas station MRE so that may be coming soon.
11:18 that’s the moment I reach for my Lawry’s dehydrated garlic with parsley, a black pepper pouch from a fast food restaurant and a dash from the mini Cholula bottle of hot sauce
yep -- I re-use well washed pill bottles for Kinders version of seasonioning salt, plus one for pepper. As well as Tabasco. Plus sugar, coffee and sealed teabags. Learned the hard way about taking paper packed salt and pepper.... one good rain and that stuff never comes out. Fits in a small ziplock and lasts weeks.
Love your channel and content. But constructive criticism here; You emphasize that your MREs do not require cooking. But you always use the word "cook" when referring to warming, or heating up something. Just in case you are unaware. Keep the videos coming.
I really like your videos, and always thought of them as suggestive vs. prescriptive. Don't like tuna? Substitute a chicken version (if available). Don't like soup? Get some chili. And so on.
On my latest trip to DG I found that they have the hydration packs. Similarly priced and taste good. Sorry you didn't find yours satisfactory. Another great video.
Very interesting. I really like the different ways you heat your entrees. I've noticed Walgreens and CVS both carry a lot of the chicken salad and tuna salad kits like you used. They are much harder to find at my neighborhood Kroger and Walmart neighborhood store. My experience with those has been mixed. I like the brand of chicken salad that you used, some other brands not so much. I've Bumble Bee has the best of the tuna salad kits. Great work, keep 'em coming.
I’ve been experimenting with making my own MREs in preparation for my solo camping trips this year. So much fun, even when I get mixed results. Try making one from one of the Middle Eastern markets around town! That’s my next challenge.
This came up in my "algorithm" so just something about Loacker, its very popular in Portugal where I live, and a childhood taste for me, so the best way to eat it is with some milk (flavored or not, I prefer simple cool milk) or some coffee or tea, dunk it in and the flavor becomes even better, hazelnut and dark chocolate are my personal favorites.
Hello I am new to your channel, and one of the things that caught my attention was the “Truckers Lunch Box”. In doing a bit of research It appears there are more than one model ? Have you done a video on this Item ? If not would you consider doing one ? If not, could you tell me what you know about the different models ? This looks like a very useful device that could be used safely in any location. Thank you for your time.
I have not done a dedicated video about that but it’s not a bad idea. I honestly don’t know much about what all is out there as this is the first one I’ve purchased. I do have a link in the description box of that takes you to the exact one I use if you want to check it out.
hear me out make an mre from your local gas station convenience store. There's plenty of non-perishable food to make something. the pickle in the bag reminded me of that.
Nice. Never made Walgreens mre. Still enjoying the ideas. I've actually started changing up my diy mre's thanks to you. Quick question though. What size mylar bags are you using. I use 2 different sizes. The 24hr I make for me and my son when we go on the river trips is usually 1 gallon size. Just curious.
Thank you so much. It’s amazing to hear that people are being influenced by my videos. I use the one gallon bags for my meals. The kit I buy comes with a variety of sizes but those seem to be the best fit.
I just made three MRE from our local Thai grocery market. My son grabs these when he goes into the woods. Pad Thai just needed to be heated. Do you have any of the ethnic markets? That might be fun✌️. Thanks
Apparently, pharmacy chains in the US have turned to mini-marts. Our Philippine pharmacies do have a snack and candy isle but nothing that compares with what we viewed in this video. Loacker wafer cookies are available in many flavours and package sizes in our supermarkets. We also have locally produced products like the Loacker and some other offering imported from surrounding countries. One of my favourites are coconut wafer cookies that I am thinking are imported from Indonesia. For real food, it's the supermarkets. The Loacker are a great choice due to their packaging, a lot of brands are packaged only in a cellophane wrap and will easily absorb moisture in storage.
Hey NHJack, and vice versa I'm ordering things from Philippines like Skyflake crackers (Individually wrapped, great with tuna/chicken packets) we cant easily fine here in the USA. There is a channel PH Expat prepper who shpws good stuff he gets locally as well as via amazon.
15:23 were these MRE’s used in a bug-in scenario having a can of Keystone chicken or even that funky Walmart brand chicken to bulk up the soup entree would be good. A single can could thicken up a family’s soups nicely. The reality is that prep food will never be fresh food. Not until society calms down and gardens start producing
Fairly new to your channel and like your ideas. I am wondering do you use experation dates as a guide? And do you write the earliest expiration date on label as guide?
I mostly use the dates as a challenge to keep me from getting lazy. If that’s a parameter I can’t just grab the first thing I find. If I’m writing the dates I usually focus on the thing that seems the most likely to go bad by the marked date. For example, if a coffee pack goes out in July and the main goes out in December I’ll opt for the December date for the entirety of the kit. Outdated coffee doesn’t bother me like outdated meat.
I just ate an entire jar of sugarless bread and butter pickles from Hi-Vee grocery store yesterday. Now I gotta go to my Walgreens and see if I can find those kind of pickles you used
Glad you mentioned TikTok, it would NEVER have occurred to me to look there. Seriously. I will have to try again at some point to send those humanitarian rations, do you know if the problem with "3rd party" addresses has been fixed? I'd love to know your opinion of those meals (all vegetarian!).
I’m not sure what the issue is. I’ve run into a couple issues with items on the list. Thank you though for the stuff you sent. That cherry turnover was really good. I’ll be reviewing the other item soon.
@@dadbudgetadventures I'm glad you enjoyed the turnover! I believe the issue is that since the item comes from a 3rd Party (not fulfilled by Amazon) that you have to allow the option to "share address with third parties".
I’ve been deliberately avoiding doing MREs for specific diets or dietary restrictions simply because I don’t know enough about them and would likely get it wrong. There are so many things to consider and I don’t want to give bad advice.
I’ve looked at Walgreen’s and Rite-aid because the selection of “MRE” types of products is really good but, the cost per item is not very budget friendly. I’ve had the Campbell’s Chunky Chicken and Dumplings before and was very disappointed. Over the past several years I’ve been cooking more and more by scratch and it’s made most canned and processed food lacking in flavor and texture. One thing to consider is assembling a micro kitchen flavor kit with several spices, condiments, and sauce packets. I’ve made one for car camping, but need to make refinements for backpacking. I’m amazed at how long you’ve been able to keep this series going while keeping it fresh, inspirational, and entertaining. Keep up the good work 👍 P.S. I’ve still had no luck with Trader Joe’s. Never give up!
