Homemade MRE from Harps

[@arsenemercere8059]

I recently went camping with a (platonic) friend and she asked if I could get an MRE. I didn't realize the ones I ordered would be imported! In a panic, I went to the store and tried your method. Yeah, it was more expensive than if we'd cooked, but after a hard day of hiking, swimming, and battling the heat, it was worth it. She's talking about more camping trips, and asked if I could make more MREs for us, and her fiance if he joins us. I owe someone's highlight of a weekend to you!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Wow! That makes me so happy! Thank you for that.

[@jameshollingshead1845]

Spam is one of those things that we used to take while camping. It's shelf stable, travels fairly well, and cooked over a campfire, it's actually fairly decent. It's also not bad as the protein in a campfire stew (packing light, you take dried veggies and dried pearled barley then add in a stock cube and some cubed up spam).

[@dadbudgetadventures]

That doesn’t sound too bad.

[@4882spirithunter]

Fry some spam up get it crisp, melt some cheese on it put a fried egg with it put it on a biscuit great breakfast sandwich at hunting camp! Yeah buddy!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Seems like a good option, especially at camp!

[@4882spirithunter]

@jasonvahl9770 your welcome! Enjoy it's always been one of my favorite breakfast sandwichs!!!

[@Robert_Sparkman_06]

I like spam on Wonder bread with mustard and raw slices of onion. Also, spam on saltines.

[@4882spirithunter]

@Robert_Sparkman_06 wow very interesting!!!

[@acbenitez3614]

When the power goes out from a storm ( like it did today but not for long ), the trucker's lunchbox may not be as useful as the Barocook. Both are great, but I am so glad to have learned about that flameless heater from this channel.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

For sure. Fortunately the lunch box will connect to a 12v and I have my solar generators too but the Barocook is a solid piece of kit to have on hand.

[@jtamsmom5]

I love ginger chews!!! I love ginger... gingersnaps, gingerbread, just ginger. I'm glad you tried something other than chocolate. Keep up the great work. Thank your family for being so supportive of your channel. Hope to see them again in a future episode.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thank you so much!

[@jesseduncan9612]

For some reason spam was treat when I was a kid. Usually fried and on bread with mustard. Now, I'm like you and really don't care for it. I do keep a couple of bulk eight packs from Sam's for my prep supplies, and I get funny looks from the food pantry folks when I drop it off a year before expiration date. They usually tell me how great it is and how rarely it is donated. Great video, keep 'em coming.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

That’s interesting. I can see where they would like to see it since a lot of people in need probably really like it and this may be the best meat option they have sometimes.

[@stevenrogers4832]

Good morning Brother. Getting our DBA fix this morning, we were ready. I have changed my pallette to include the curries you recommend. Thank you for teaching this old dog new tricks. Spam was a staple in our house growing up, still is for me, however my Dear Wife says no thank you. Our meals have changed, however I still can't get around instant coffee. After spending many years traveling around the world for work I can, and will eat anything at least once. That being said, instant coffee is something that I still have a hard time with drinking. Brother, Thank you for taking time to inform, and entertain each of us with your vids. Keep up the good fight. Please do not worry over those that wish to politicize everthing, they are broken, and searching for the deeper meaning of our Mortal experiance. Bless you and yours. See you on the trail.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thank you so much. I truly appreciate the kind words and support. Makes me want to keep doing this.

[@brucelarson4283]

Span HAS to be FRIED to be good! Thanks for the vid!!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

It certainly needs some scorching

[@lskazalski]

Facts

[@rojatex55]

My husband's motto is, "If it ain't fried, it ain't food". So Spam works. 😂

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Well there ya go

[@NewHampshireJack]

Our young troops would go on strike if Mom & Dad did not stock Spam! Their hands down favourite flavour is the Tocino. The product is sickening sweet for me, as if it were packed in a dark, heavy sugar syrup. That flavour will likely only be found in areas of the US with a significant Filipino population. If our guys (and girl) assembled their kits during the build of the troops school emergency kits, there would be one can of Spam for each meal and gas packed rice in recycled Coke bottles ready to cook if they felt so inclined. Beautiful Bride and I find some of the flavours available today, tollarable. Not gourmet, but something to store for an emergency. We found only one Japanese curry in a pouch, ready to eat or serve heated. With a can of chicken meat, A-OK. Most of the curry packs Beautiful Bride grabbed at various specialty markets were flavor base cubes to make curry from scratch, not what we needed for the kits. Have you ever included a can of BBQ flavour Vienna Sausage in any of your kits? Canned wieners are another less than favourite for me, BUT DANG the whole family loved the BBQ flavor when they appeared on store shelves in the Philippines! They are Mother-in-law approved after she gave the little dogs a whirl. Thank you for the tip on nuts in the baking isle, we will check on that to see if the same is also true here in the PH. I do not remember seeing nuts in the baking isle at our local supermarket but it costs nothing to look .

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Vienna sausage is one of those things I stopped eating long ago and have not really had any interest in revisiting. I have a friend at work that keeps a massive stock of them and could eat them three meals a day but I can’t see me doing that.

[@PaEMT_FF9]

Employee owned stores for the win. Rural King is a local favorite; home, farm goods and their gun barn.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I love the concept. Wish there were more out there.

[@MarkHooten]

after some time (perhaps a channel anniversary date) you should go back and pick the top items you've tried over the videos and create a consolidated MRE of top-rated items, regardless of source. Not only is this a video idea for you, but it's a way for me...err....your viewers...to remember the best choices and create our own food packs. 😀

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I’m working on that now. I want to do it up right so it’s gonna take a minute but it’s coming.

[@ritasmoot1823]

I would love to try that curry! Have you ever seen pad Thai in a pouch? That would be awesome. Thanks for introducing me to a store that I’m not familiar with! Best choice is a generic brand that many different stores carry. Several of our locally owned stores have either that brand or another one called Always Save. They are usually pretty good, but, the Best Choice is the better of the two. Thanks for another great one! Enjoy your Sunday!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I’ve seen a couple of ready to eat pad Thai meals at Aldi but haven’t found one with enough shelf life for my rules. There’s also one that’s made with plant based noodles I haven’t been brave enough to try yet.

[@nwfskunkape290]

There is a brand called Noodle Head that I buy at Publix. It's in a pouch that you can microwave or use some immersion type method. They have a Pad Thai flavor.

[@Olyphoto7]

I don’t do Instagram, so it’s just KZbin for me. Try throwing a slice of spam on the bbq and crisp it up on one side then flip it over, put a slice of pineapple on it then top it with your cheese of choice and serve it on a toasted bun. Sauce is optional. My folks called it a PieCham and it was a regular sandwich when camping in the 70’s. We still make them occasionally with Swiss or American cheese. My first thought when you were showing the walnuts, “this episode brought to you by the American Walnut Association 😂

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I might just try that sandwich. When I make my spam fried rice it has pineapple in it.

[@Brykk]

Its wild how much alike that we apparently think about things. With those walnuts in mind, it amazes me how people get caught up in being told what something is supposed to be, instead of using their brains and realizing what it actually is. Too many people fall into that mindset where they think they have to have “whole walnuts” instead of realizing the pieces, from those same walnuts, are a third of the price. Its about the mindset and problem solving ability that i keep preaching to younger generations. Just use your head and see things without the blinders that too many people get sucked into. Marketing is a vicious tool and social media has really given it a massive increase in its toxicity.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Absolutely! The same tactics are used to get you to listen to prefab music or go see “live action remakes.” If you package it in a certain way people are afraid to break the rules and make smart decisions for themselves.

[@Brykk]

@@dadbudgetadventures the invisible cage theory. Been watching how much more prevalent its becoming for the last couple of decades.

[@lukebull5343]

Im still waiting for that "Walking around snack" Tshirt!

[@charylliss3741]

Yep! And a DBA coffee mug ☕️

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I met with my marketing creator this weekend and discussed the new designs. Gonna make it happen soon.

[@ronmcclellan4608]

Appreciate your continued support of smaller stores!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Glad to do what I can

[@roymcintyre579]

Spam Curry not the strangest way to eat spam. My mother in-law makes candied Spam during the holidays. I am not the biggest fan of Spam. However the new Maple Spam is really good. My favorite Indisn dish is Butter Chicken. My local Kroger has a Butter Chick Pea meal in a retort pouch. I sometimes get that and a pouch of Chicken and add it to it to make a quick Butter Chicken. Great video today.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

We love us some butter chicken. That and tikka masala are our go-to dishes.

[@jacktough]

13:14 "Yay! 🤢" LMAO Thanks for taking one for the Spam team, DBA 🍻

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I do what I can 😎

[@Gumby1978]

Harp has a great employee ownership concept.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Seems like something more stores should be doing.

[@Gumby1978]

@@dadbudgetadventures absolutely

[@stevenarcand5025]

Ever thought about making a small accessory pack with packets of sugar, a candy or one of those ginger candies and small hot sauce packs, creamer and small honey packs. Similar to an mre small pack.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I do that for my regular use meals. I don’t really do it for these because I’m focusing more on the individual items as opposed to the full kit.

[@reneerupert5830]

Another great video. I like how you think outside the box, pun intended 😅 Have a great day!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thank you!

[@reneerupert5830]

​@@dadbudgetadventuresI meant to ask you how your knee was doing.

[@craftthatbykat]

I used to shop at Sav-A-Lot and found good deals. I need to check them out again. LOL. Love your realness! Keep up the great videos!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thank you so much!

[@robertgregory5260]

Good video. Chef Boyardee is a great idea. I never thought of the baking aisle.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

It’s fun finding new options.

[@marianbrinley4389]

Sorry, don’t have instagram, have really been enjoying your MRE CONTENT!! Love your humor! Your daughters are beautiful and so is your wife!! Look forward to seeing your family in more of your videos!!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thank you so much!

[@barbaramahan364]

Harps is my nearest grocery store and I was so excited to see your mre Harps video! I'm not a fan of curry but I'm almost tempted to try it again now!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

This was a really great store. Had fun with this one.

[@danhandke5012]

👍 Another great video. Thanks ❤️🙏🏼

[@dadbudgetadventures]

You’re quite welcome

[@Adeoneer]

Well that explains a lot. I was on a road trip myself some time ago and came across a Harps and I noticed that the store was very different to the others, setups, displays, choice etc. that Indian meal looks really good.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

It’s a really cool store and it helps to know that shopping there directly benefits the employees.

[@wretchedmess]

Wow, that curry looks really good, and the potatoes in it are nice. That chicken and rice looks better than I thought it would, and evidently didn't have the awful sulfurous canned chicken smell. When you put the hot sauce on, I was just typing that the spam needs a bunch of hot sauce to make it better😁 I've found that I like the turkey spam better; not so much of a potted meat vibe, and not so salty. Fully agree about buying the nuts in the baking aisle; I've made really good trail mix from that aisle! Thanks for the video!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I need to look for the turkey Spam and see if I like it any better. Mixed in with the curry it wasn’t bad and the wife finished off what I didn’t eat and had zero complaints. This one turned out pretty good.

[@trooper2121]

That actually looked really good. Although I don’t hate spam I’m not a fan of it either. I usually fry my spam as a breakfast food. But I like your take on it. Thanks again for another great idea my friend.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

You’re quite welcome. Thanks for taking the time to watch and support!

[@johnruckman2320]

There's also a single wrapped hard candy called Gin-Gins, but I like the Candied ginger chunks better because it has a stronger ginger flavor.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I really like these and they were the perfect way to top it all off. I’ll have to try the others you suggested though.

[@dric_foreal]

I've been to the Harps in Bald Knob, AR a few times and found some good stuff. Another employee owned option is Superlo around the Memphis area. One of the only places i shop other than Sprouts.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Harps is a pretty cool place and it’s a great concept. Wish there were more places like that around.

[@gregvanderboom5011]

Thank you for the video. Interesting to see other stores and what they have. I like Spam masubi. Fried Spam, rice wrapped in a nori (sheet of seaweed). Some people call them gas station sushi. Soy sauce and a little hot sauce and they are a tasty snack out and about on any adventure. They are very popular in Hawaii. Spam has almost tripled in price since 2019. I've tried all the different flavors and I think the Tacino and the Portuguese Sausage are my favorite flavors. Thanks again, I appreciate you.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Yeah I think the pandemic made people start buying spam and ramen for stockpiling.

[@frankhinkle5772]

That looked good, thanks.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

It was! Thanks for watching!

[@MajinMattPlays]

Ya know what could be a potentially fun thing to do as finding new stores becomes harder? Maybe try doing "Themed" MREs, make your own version of iconic menus from the Military, maybe try to do something themeed around specific cultural foods, or maybe even just a "The best of the best" set with the best items you think would work together from all the MREs you've done so far.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Great ideas! Thanks!

[@scenicdriveways6708]

Another great video DBA, My wife and I must be hicks, we love SPAM.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Got lots of hicks in this audience! Woohoo!

[@dougbotimer8005]

Any nut make a great snack. The Ginger chews are a satisfying sweet and help digestion. I use to use them for sour stomach. Used to because reducing sugar and processed carbs has almost eliminated sour stomach.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

These were pretty good decisions I think. Worked out well.

[@edaced4]

I live in a small town in se missouri, and besides dollar general, harps is the only other grocery option. Dollar general seems to only stock name brand items, while harps has their brands as well (best choice and always save). With that in mind i only grocery shop at harps. Ive not yet seen any of the curry type dishes, but then again i havent looked for them. Ecxellent video!!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thank you! Hope you find the curry in your store. It’s really good!

[@HobbesBaxter]

Thanks for another great video. You just might get me to try curry yet.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

This one would be a good way to start. It’s mild and has chunks of veggies.

[@haukke]

We have Redner's here in PA and it is the same. I try to do as much shopping there as i can.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

It’s a good way to support your community.

[@kandycebeeks7056]

Harps in my town here in NW Arkansas I like shopping there. This was great. New sub here.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thanks! I’m glad you found the channel!

[@alanbierhoff6831]

Less than 5 minutes into it and my excitement level is way up there. This is going to be a notable video. *The Chef Boy Oh Boy (as we always called it 😂) is currently a buck each at both Wallyworld and the Zon. I just ordered a 12 pack from the Zon. I hope the exp/bb dates are ok

[@dadbudgetadventures]

That’s cool! I need to stock up on those.

[@jeffbrown9648]

Back when I still ate pork the smoked spam was one of my favorites, it needs to be fried though. Thanks for the video.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Yeah straight out of the package it just has an odd texture.

[@cassandra2789]

I never liked Spam, but I started keeping it around for my husband. I find if it's crispy I really enjoy it. I also tried a canned ham for the first time and liked it. I've seen some interesting recipes with Spam that make me question life though haha.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I think of you fry just about anything just right it will be edible.

[@HarshmanHills]

the goulash at the end sounds tempting to me

[@dadbudgetadventures]

It wasn’t too bad at all

[@rhettcale235]

A bottle of McCormik Salad Toppins, or A bag of croutons make a great snack!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Those are great ideas!

[@ottopartz1]

The love of Spam in Asia especially southeast Asia, really comes down to one thing. Lack of infrastructure and refrigeration. Before Spam, meat was really only eaten a few times a year as in that climate you would need some sort of celebration to justify slaughtering a pig as it would have to be cooked and eaten right after slaughter that entails a lot of people. With Spam, all that's needed to enjoy some meat that's safe and not fish, is a can. Also in many areas especially small island groups, there really isn't the room or available resources to raise any animals aside from chickens.

[@nilasink3270]

I belive SPAM was an early military food.

[@xthinker88]

@@nilasink3270Yes. The one thing was the presence of the US military.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Then along came the American military and changed their world

[@ZTRAVLR]

GREAT ONE DBA, TY AGAIN....Z

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thank ya!

[@nilasink3270]

Ginger chews are great! In NE Indiana I have found in Dollar General. Also in health food shops. Spam browned in a skillet tastes best. I'd rather eat it instead of tuna :)

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Yeah Spam really needs a little bit of charring to make it best.

[@ashesfall4]

you should try to do a breakfast themed MRE! Must have coffee and some sort of egg and/or sausage product! Breakfast foods are the best.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I’d love to but shelf stable breakfast items are almost nonexistent outside of pastries and cereal. That’s why I don’t do more 24 hour meals than I do.

[@tjfm59]

on another channel a guy reviews british mres. found out the brits put flavored hot chocolate mixes in there mres. orange is among them. so far the best recipe is 3 tablespoons frozen oj thawed into a double batch of swiss miss dark. now the other day i aquired the maple brown sugar oatmeal usa mre. a component of that mre is a sugar-free orange drink mix. next up is too go looking for orange drink mixes as a on the shelf item, for recipe #4

[@dadbudgetadventures]

That sounds like a great option!

[@soyoucametosee7860]

I love Spam. What makes it different is the spices in the spam. Libby's brand luncheon meat is even more different in the spices. The Walmart brand is not as strong in spices. There are probably other brands that I am not aware of.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

There are so many varieties of flavored Spam out there. Some are pretty wild.

[@annettejones7777]

Best Choice is a somewhat generic brand that several small grocers use. I have a market nearby that I have been using more lately and they have Best Choice.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I’m learning so much about store brand products right now 😎

[@votrolacres8526]

I cringed when I saw the Spam. Immediate memories of the early 70’s and Spam being baked with a mustard glaze. NOOOO!! 🤣 Would it be against your rules to eat the entree as separate items instead of mixing it all together? Thanks for another great video. Getting by lots of ideas as we plan to tour southern USA this winter. 👍🇨🇦

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Wouldn’t break the rules at all. I just find it’s a more enjoyable meal that way but I often get entrees and sides that don’t mix. It just depends on the particular meal.

[@RobSnyder]

Just curious might make a interesting video after you done so many. If you could break the rule of everything from one store what would be your ultimate MRE based on all your previous menus . So what would you pick and use if you could from all your previous menues to make absolute favorite MRE

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I’m working on doing just that. It will be coming soon.

[@ImDBatty1]

I don't know if you follow comments on older videos, but I just left you a lengthy message about why you should avoid Readywise for Get Home Bags... If you want me to resend it, I can... Cheers from Scotland! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🦇

[@dadbudgetadventures]

It should show up. Comments are prioritized by when they post not the age of the video. I’ll see it while I’m checking these.

[@gerardmartyn1738]

Wasn't M&Ms invented for the melting issue 😮 great video thank you 😊

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Allegedly. At least that was the ad campaign.

[@HFVidShotz]

That reminds me Employee owned store WINCO, don't recall mentioning that store for an MRE. Thank you for creating another good one.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I haven’t been there yet because they are pretty far away but they are on My list. Lots of folks have mentioned them so I hope to find one eventually.

[@josephstewart1155]

It would be a lot of work but how about making a Frankenstein mre go to a bunch of stores and just get one thing it would be a wild card mre since your going to a bunch of stores anyways

[@dadbudgetadventures]

That would be fun. Limit myself to one item per store. Might have to do a Frankenstein MRE for Halloween week.

[@outdoordauber]

"Look at that. Yayyy... 😟.". 😂

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I make questionable choices…like l, a lot of

[@golem2866]

I saw in one of your older videos you talking about MREs appropriate for the climate you are in. Did you think about making (if possible) ones that would be good in winter / summer?

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I have done some as the weather gets hotter. I plan to do some cold weather meals this winter.

[@bighatstephens]

Spam is always better if its fried. And I prefer the lower sodium ones. I like fried Spam with Kraft Mac N Cheese. And of course I can't resist a good spam musubi.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

It definitely needs to be seared. As it comes out of the pack it’s just weird.

[@justindionne8744]

Nice stores

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Yep. Pretty good concept.

[@Bucky749]

Here’s a fun idea for a MRE I’m big fan of pro wrestling and lot pro wrestlers have characters or gimmicks or personas . So why not try to create a MRE around a pro wrestling persona like the lumber jack , the cowboy or foreign heel if you wanna go away back in history. Or you base it some one like the junk yard dog and make around new Orleans type food, or big bubba Rodger’s and base around what body guard might have to eat just some ideas

[@dadbudgetadventures]

That sounds fun! We have a couple friends who were wrestlers. Might get them involved!

[@lucyalderman422]

Walnuts have a good measure of protein in them

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Those were a good choice. I’m glad I went that way.

[@efcsscfe2208]

You get a lot of Indian food because very few products are packed in retort pouches, other than Indian food. I always felt like with the introduction of those types of packaging in military rations that they would migrate into the civilian market. But so far still not that big of a transition period and still very few products that contain meat protein.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I really wish more companies would offer them. It would be a perfect industry for lunch foods so people can transport and prepare them easier than cans.

[@jamesvatter5729]

Coincidentally, last night my wife was griping about her grandma feeding her "fried Spam" as a kid.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Yep. My dad used to feed it to us all the time. Fried Spam showed up at our house a lot even though it was known we kids didn’t like it.

[@midwestadventures1975]

I don't care for spam either, so your not alone. Thanks for your videos.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

You’re welcome. Fellow Spam haters unite!

[@craftsbeautyandlife5163]

We have IGA. I don't think it has anything different from what you have tried. I do like Spam. Lol. Different taste makes the world go round

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Everyone has their thing and not everyone else gets it. That’s what makes it fun.

[@alanbeesley525]

When we were kids my mom would slice spam real tin and fry it like bacon it was real good.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I bet that was a good way to do it. Thick cuts are not the way to go.

[@pauln6917]

Out west we have WinCo that is employee owned.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I’ve had a lot of people tell me about them. I need to get out that way and find me one.

[@pauln6917]

@@dadbudgetadventures There are ten in Dallas.

[@pauln6917]

@@dadbudgetadventures tinyurl.com/Winco-Locator

[@toadman506]

My Dad wouldn't allow Spam in the house, he ate way too much of it during his time in the navy in WWII.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Seems a reasonable request 😬

[@rockyraab8290]

Folks of our age should buy the Reduced Sodium version of Spam. I do.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Yeah that one really put the sodium over the top

[@Brykk]

Have you ever thought about trying to add some tofu into a rice and curry dish like this?

[@kennycraven2648]

What’s the shelf life of tofu?

[@Brykk]

@@kennycraven2648 you can freeze tofu and it will go 4 to 6 months. I was just thinking of using it in a meal, not necessarily in a mre type scenario.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I haven’t tried it like this. Would probably be pretty good though. Wonder if you can dehydrate it and get it to reconstitute

[@Brykk]

@@dadbudgetadventures oooh. Thats a good question! Never thought about that.

[@kennycraven2648]

Other international food needs to catchup with the Indian food pouches.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Absolutely. Every company that makes canned prepared foods should offer them in a pouch too. I’d rather pack my lunch with a pouch than a can any day.

[@displacedyankee7819]

Pretty pricey for a single slice of Spam (its not that store, its pricey everywhere). What would it cost to have enough singles to equal a can? $10-$12?? Have a locally owned market near the house, but they really don't have anything MRE-worthy. The recent Dollar General episode, I took that MRE and stashed it in my work locker. Minus the wine unfortunately.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

The wine is the best part. If you get caught with it tell them it’s for emotional support 😂

[@keeperofthegood]

Since I began watching your channel, I have been more diligent at reviewing expiration dates on products. And I have noticed a disturbing trend. For example, Tuna in a tin made today usually would have about 3 years on the expires by date, but currently Tuna is showing an expiry in 6 months. You may say "oh maybe it is just that product" but then you go walking and suddenly you see MANY products new on shelf with expiration under a year. Right now I have 0 items purchased in the past 6 months that have a date in 2026. Most are early 2025 and normally these items would be new on shelf with 3 years. Bad trend as many folk do rely on these suggested use by dates and it looks like makers are using shorter dates to drive sales. ALSO :D the other approach to Chocolate is the "embrace the chaos" approach. So it is hot, chocolate will be melty, then go for chocolate that will be melty and enjoy it as a melty option; drinks, dips, spreads, mix-in and so on :)

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Good idea! As far as the shelf life issue, I think a lot of companies are pushing out products that got backlogged during the shipping crisis from the pandemic. They continue to put those items on the shelf as opposed to rotating with newer stock. Hopefully it will eventually even out.

[@candifeinberg3222]

My husband loves spam with eggs

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Lots of folks love that. Can’t say I’m a huge fan though.

[@remjax1]

For anyone worried about corporations, remember without them our life style would be much lower. I enjoy your videos for what they are and ignore any political views (we have enough of them as it is). Keep up the great work!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

It’s easy to target those who seem to have more than we do. That being said, a lot of corporations can learn from some of these other structures. This system isn’t perfect either but it’s definitely easy to hate a company that can’t balance the treatment of its people.

[@jackfrost3560]

In Korea spam is big.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Outside the US it is a favorite in a lot of places.

[@bafumat]

I know its easy for folks to shit on Walmart. But i was a Manual Machinist for over 20 years before working for Walmart. The skill level is high, the consequences of failure high, the stress high, the pay can be high but often wasn't. Infact most smaller machine shops pay far less than walmart and most dont offer any benefits people consider as obligatory. I only ever worked in one machine shop better than Walmart and they were closed up and shipped to China because they couldnt make money and treat us like gold at the same time. The only people bitching about walmart have probably never had a real job and seen what its like out there in the trades for the large part of the country. Infact, in this area right now, it the highest paying place for non white collar workers.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

That’s an interesting take that most people never see. Thanks for sharing that!

[@dougbotimer8005]

By the way, and not a criticism, I personally cringe when you add packaged chicken to the vegetarian entree’s. I am definitely not a vegetarian. I just don’t care for most chicken. Beef and pork all day long. In Asian cuisine I’ll generally chose pork in dishes where most Americans chose chicken. In Indian, I love goat or lamb, otherwise the vegetarian options are great. Thinking about it, wonder if anyone is retort packaging Al Pastor or carnitas?

[@SethCohn23]

Yes, Chata brand retort pouch meats are awesome. Mexican made in an age where India and China dominate. DBA's done one flavor, I believe.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I’ve found a couple beef and pork options but they aren’t always available with a long shelf life.

[@dougbotimer8005]

@@dadbudgetadventures Well, I’ll be hoping you find some that have sufficient shelf life. Let you know if I run across anything.

[@johnmabry9728]

I must be a damn “hick” .

[@dadbudgetadventures]

There are a lot out there it Spam is the standard

[@dianebondhus9355]

Spamalicious, huh? It must be that some of your adult taste buds have died. 😂❤. Too many questionable food trials??

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Must be 😂

[@RicG.]

I haven't eaten spam in over 50 years. Last time I tried it, it smelled like dog food and tasted awful.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I think people often gladly leave it in their past.

[@douglassnyder8163]

Spam 👍

[@dadbudgetadventures]

😎

[@billmacfarlane8864]

Great video! I'll check out your instragram. Have you ever tried an iced coffee in an mre?

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I’ve done a couple of them. Check out the Bargain Hunt and Father’s Day MRE videos!

[@billmacfarlane8864]

@@dadbudgetadventures thanks