A suggestion for those wondering- breakfast type foods are worth their weight in gold. Believe me, if you happen to be one of the warriors that makes their money fighting the bad guys far away from your post, breakfast bars and such are where its at. I used to get creative with my MRE's and mash my pound cake into a frenzy inside the package. I would then find some canned peaches and mix them togethor for a sort of peach cobbler. Awesome! Variety is everything. Besides, beef stew for breakfast isnt much fun...

I had a thought about breakfast ideas the other day as I passed the powdered milk. Has anyone sent powdered milk to those who are away from their base, and if so, is it well received? 

In my experience- the powered milk by itself wasn't a big hit- but if you mix it with something else, it goes over better.   I posted somewhere else about including instant pudding mix with the dried milk, and that seemed to go over well.   My contacts were much happier when I sent Parmalot (a vacuum packed liquid milk that comes in juice box type containers.)   It is heavier than dried milk (but not as heavy as canned evaporated milk lol)   but doesn't need refrigeration, etc so it is a good alternative.

Everyone I've sent to seems to love the oatmeal packets (as well as granola bars, power bars, etc).  Just in case anyone is from the south- I also throw in grits (ususally the mixed variety) and even boxes of cereal (plus sandwich size ziploc bags.)   I'll also throw in a few bags/boxes of craisens, raisins, dried dates, dried coconut, nuts etc that can be added to the oatmeal for some variety/  ( I try to buy 3 or 4 boxes of different oatmeal flavors.   I then open the boxes, put the individual packets in gallon size ziploc bags and they fit very nicely in a box.    I had one contact (a sniper) ask if I wanted to come to visit him in Afghanistan and pack his backpack for him as he could never figure out how I could get so much stuff crammed into one box, and he wished he was as efficient with his pack.)

My DD is a long distance runner and she eats oatmeal almost every morning (all year long) because it is such a great source of carbs, proteins, etc- and it sticks with you.   I guess that is one reason why it is so popular.

Sandi

Try the Quaker "Oatmeal to Go" bars - they are filling and easy to carry.  These are great for the packages.  I eat on the run and this is my daily breakfast. 

Jo

 

A long time ago we used small collapsible aluminum stoves with solid fuel tablets.  Are these types of stoves used now? Nothing like a hot meal in the morning.

Good Morning!

The Quaker "Weight Control" instant oatmeal is good to send.  It has extra fiber and protein, and will stick with them longer than the regular instant, plus it's more filling.  Also, Fiber One is making a new breakfast bar--same thing with it as far as "lasting", and the Peanut Butter ones are really, really good.  Since they've just come out, I don't know how well they'll hold up in the heat though.  They are already a little bit sticky, so they may have to eat them straight off the wrappers!

 

I have wondered the same thing about Rice Krispies Treats.  Many people have requested them for a long time, and we hesitate to send them in the heat of the summer as we figure they will turn to a blob of sticky goo sitting and waiting in the heat to be picked up.  Has anyone heard anything about how those fare in the summer?

Gran

I worked at Rite-aid a few years ago and I swear people would swarm in when we had Kashi GoLean Crunch on sale. I had never heard of the stuff I had to to try it myself and and the stuff is GOOD!  It's pricey but I still see rite-aid and walgreens have it on sale often.  I may be wrong, but it seems like rite-aid used to have rebates on it in their instore ads.  They have breakfast bars too. It's healthy granola like cereal, good with or without milk. My kids actually prefer it w/out milk, even stale the kids will eat it and my kids are picky.

I am guessing that Kashi anything would be a hit. I have a teen daughter and if I have Kashi in the house it disappears, they pass the box like it's candy. 

I have sent many,many,many,of the Quaker Oatmeal to go bars...especially popular is the banana flavor...many repeat requests for that. Another big hit was little boxes of cereal. The box size I send is the one,one size up from the kiddie size box and they make great snacks too.   I found little plastic containers of peanut butter. It's about the size of the applesauce snack packs. Great to send with crackers,and they won't have a large container to deal with or store. They come 6 containers to a pack.  My favorite find was made by Bumble Bee...it was tuna,crackers,a container of peaches and a cookie all wrapped up together in a sturdy container that packed easy.  I have a hard time finding that anymore,but it sure was great.

Scubadogbones:

Are these types of stoves used now?

I think they are still available at sporting goods stores.  Not sure about shipping the fuel to Iraq, nor if they would be able to get some there.

Will have to look for this. Is this different than Quaker's "breakfast cookie" I've seen advertised?

Dear ga_junkie:)

Where ever, may I ask, did you find those little peanut butter containers?  Those would be great to send.  I'd love to get them for my guys and gals. 

Thanks, Mary

I found the individual peanut butter at Targets and walmart.

I've found the individual serving Jiff Peanut butter at Walgreen's.  I save packets of Jelly I get from when we eat breakfast out to send along with the peanut butter.  If you have any bread stores close by you might find they carry those packs of ready to eat biscuits to send along too.   

The biggest breakfast items my guys have requested is Pop Tarts. Every single time I send some, that is what they want more of. Easy to pack in their rucksacks, filling, and great if they miss a meal. Blueberry and Cherry are most requested here.