Grub:

A little bit on food....I just got back from a 6 day, cross country backpacking trip in the Yosemite high country. Since everything you need is carried on your back, it is super important to try and save as much weight as possible in all departments, even food. (I should note that many backpackers will bring back breaking elaborate meals, I'm just not one of them). With that said, I typically bring my childhood favorite, Top Ramen, as a delicious dinner entree. As much as I love Ramen's salty goodness and chewy noodles, 5 nights in a row of it was enough to make me dry heave. I went to my resources for advice. Though my husband, Tim, couldn't personally recommend it, he suggested I give Mountain House freeze dried meals a try. I mean, could it be any worse than ramen? I wearily made the trek to REI and purchased the Chicken Teriyaki with Rice for $5.90...stepping it up from my $0.99 beloved ramen. As night 3 in the backcountry approched, this tightly sealed, 4 oz. blue bag began to make me drool with excitement. Just add boiling water to the bag (you don't even have to do dishes!), wait 9 minutes and BOOM! a hot, delicious meal that is not Top Ramen! Bulk it up with some chicken bullion for extra flavor...yum. I would say that Mountain House Meals are a welcome break from a more simple food. They have lots of choices....even vegetarian. Check it out!

http://www.mountainhouse.com/

*beef stroganoff not recommended :)