Food production: Dinners

Just wanted to show a few dinners we were making last night.  I took 2 videos and uploaded them via my Android phone that we are taking with us.  Check out these videos to see your 2 meals, Potato Soup w/Rice and Chicken Corn Couscous.

Monkey MYOG Pillow Case (Make Your Own Gear) & Instaflator overview

I just wanted to post a video of the sewing that I did over the weekend.  I made 2 of these, one for me and one for Annette.  We have chose different pillows thought.  I chose to the use the air based Cocoon Hyperlight Air Core 2.4 oz pillow.  Annette chooses the Western Mountaineering 5 oz Down pillow.

I also showcase the Instaflator that I bought and how it works with my air mattress.  It might take 2 breaths, but at least I am not going to be light headed!!!

OH F.U.D.!!

When Wallace frequently mentions "we" went writing this blog he is referring to me, his wife, Annette. I thought I'd finally chip in and give my two cents about the female side of preparation for this great adventure. One thing in particular that I would like to discuss that has revolutionized my outdoor experience is the female urinary device. I know it does not sound very sexy; the F.U.D. However this little baby is incredible to me. I first discovered this genius piece of equipment, during Wallace and I's first adventure, a 7 month backpacking trip through Western Europe. While camping in Holland for about 2 months we experienced a lot of the typical weather of the Netherlands extreme cold and lots of rain. When nature called in the middle of the night; I'd have to put on all my rain gear and brave the crappy weather on my trek towards the john; now wide awake from the cold. That is until I happened upon these disposable paper cones shaped to fit the female anatomy at the camping store in Amsterdam.

How to use a Urinelle

After finding the Urinelle I could just roll out of the sleeping bag, barely undress and use the cone to direct the pee into a small plastic water bottle while half asleep. Before I knew it I'd be back in my warm sleeping bag fast asleep.
The Urinelles were not ideal simply for the amount of trash they would make so when we moved back to the U.S. I jumped at the chance to get a Freshette.

I take the Freshette on all our hiking trips. I am sure the gram weenies would argue that you could due without it, just pop a squat behind a bush. However, I know I've made the right decision for me because I am never worried that the leaves that brushed my bottom are poison oak because I can go fully clothed and standing upright. I don't have to take my backpack off everytime I have to go and when the weather is bad I never have to venture from my tent at night. Also if ever an unsuspecting hiker should happen upon the spot I have chosen for an outdoor commode, I'll never be caught with my pants around my ankles. All reasons why I'd never attempt the A.T. without it.

I would highly recommend this product for anyone who would appreciate similar benefits.

last day at work

this is the video I made last day at work

EDIT:  I am updating this post made from my Android phone, because I wanted to make sure that this test went through.  This is just some simple commentary from the last day I worked.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Lunar Duo Changes

Just wanted to post my new video of my changes to the Lunar Duo.

Making Trail Food - Chicken Tortilla Soup

I just wanted to take a few minutes to compose a video showing how we make one of our meals.  Food seems to be the top choice amongst folks' questions.  How did you make it?  What did you use.  I am going to show you a video now of some of the tactics and materials needed to make trail meals; the soup type.  Today we are going to make chicken tortilla soup.


INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup of rice = 200 calories
1/4 cup of soup mix = 90 calories
1 tbsp of onions = 20 calories
1 tbsp of bell peppers = 5 calories
2 tbsp of freeze dried chicken = 30 calories
1 tbsp of powdered butter = 51 calories
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Package total of 396 calories
If you added a tortilla = roughly 150 calories (or more)
1 tbsp of Olive Oil = 120 calories
- - - - - - - - - - - -
This meal can go up to about 670 calories.  Pretty impressive actually.

Waterproof Android Telephone - Motorola Defy

I recently went out on a limb and purchased a phone from the T-mobile store because I thought that it would fit my needs on the trail.  I am with AT&T so I had to do a few things, jump through a couple hoops, but after 60 days of ownership, $10 balance on the prepaid, and telling them I am leaving the country... they unlocked my phone for me by giving me the code.  The unlocked 3G sim code allows me to work with AT&T now and the phone is working well.  Let me show you a quick overview of it and why I chose it.  If you have any questions, please just let us know.  This phone will act as a few things.  First it will be our camera.  At 5 megapixels it takes pretty decent photos.  It also does video pretty well... and I think that is going to be my choice for recording instead of journaling.

Work, work, & more work...

It has been a really busy time the last 2 weeks.  We are even in the last 2 weeks of employment and there are a lot of loose ends to tie up.  When February hits, we have 2 weeks off to get our lives wrapped up before hitting the road.  Then we have 2 more weeks off to rest and relax with friends & family before starting our endeavor.  I am heading to Asheville, NC and Annette is heading to Florida for a bit.  We have planned a time apart to try and help alleviate any tensions before leaving on this trip.  Then Annette will meet me in NC and we will find a ride, somehow, to the trailhead.  Lately I am getting anxiety attacks.  They come in waves, and they are sometimes more extreme than others.  They are not bad... but rather anxiety in the sense that I am so excited and nervous... it just washes over you.  I really cannot say how much I appreciate everyone's support and reading this blog.  It helps keep me focused and I am having a wonderful time with all the stuff I am learning.  From how to do better Youtube reviews, to writing better blog posts, to making better food, and so much more.  Please stay tuned, I plan to release a review tonight of my Motorola Defy waterproof Android telephone and backup battery system that I have lined up for the trail.  Here is a link to the site if you want to check it out before hand.

Motorola Defy

Successful food making Party!

I would like to make sure I extend thanks to all those who attended the party and helped make food today.  We started early with Jessica.  We ran to the store and bought some key components that we needed to get things done.

Next we returned to the house and began to arrange things so that making food for lunches and some breakfasts would go smoothly.  Not long after that Marci and Chris showed up.  There help was awesome.  Chris especially was a big help and seemed to catch on easy to the concepts that I was trying to use.  This made things flow easier for me since I knew that those helping were doing a great job.

The last attendant was Emily, a friend of Annette's from her job.  Emily is quick with the math and a big help in calculating the calories.  She had also brought over a table, which helped us to get off the carpeted floor and relieved our knees and backs.

Just saying, thanks to those who helped!!!  Some food making will continue tomorrow, and hopefully we will be done in a week or so.

Liquid Calories!!!

Tonight I spent a lot of time working on liquid calories.  Check out the work I completed on a variety of drink mixes that allow for large caloric intesity... in a 1 quart volume.  To me this is the kind of thing you look forward to on the trail.  Yum... a full 32 oz of Gatorade!  Plus some Orange, Grape, 2 kinds of Gatorade, Sweet Tea & Lemonade combo, and a milk for examples.  Each has the calorie content per QUART serving.  Except the milk.

Water Purification Systems and Options

During our Appalachian Trail Thru-hike there will need to be a way to get clean drinking water.  We currently have 2 systems that we turn to for that need.  We have 2 separate filters and those systems are completely different from each other.  However, we are using both from the MSR or Cascade Designs company.  I am not really into the chemicals for purification.  The ultralighters are really into this method because it is LIGHT.  However, there are certain things that I refuse to sacrifice on during this trip.  Just to review a few points about why I am making the decision the way that I am, please check out my video on the options I am going to use on our thru-hike:

Pictures of food we are going to prepare

Lately we have been working diligently to get food prepared for our trip.  I just wanted to snap a couple of shots of the food that we have gotten for our trip.  Now most of the breakfasts are done.  We still have quite a bit of fruits though. These will most likely go into pancakes, which we have not finished yet... and then snack packs once those are all done.

Next Saturday we are planning on having a party with friends all day long and trying to get some of this stuff done.  We hope next week to get lunches and dinners straightened out.  So, until then... here are some pics of the foods we bought already.  There is a lot that you might no see or I did not photo.  Like our Savory Choice packets!  YUM!

Hello McDonald's Salsa Packets!

I have been reading this thread on the BackPackingLight.com forums about ethical means of obtaining packets of sauces that hikers desire.  My choice is to have McDonald's Salsa packets.  They are yummy and go with so many things.  For me specifically egg tacos in flour tortillas!

So I just walked right up and asked the manager if I could buy them.  She told me my options were to buy a whole box of 408 packets for $12 or half of that box for $6.  But since she had an open one she sold it to me for $10.

So for $10 I got 362 packets of .5 oz salsa from McDonald's.  What a freaking DEAL!!!  There goes the moral argument on that deal, eh?

Caldera Cone Ti Tri Sidewinder for the Appalachian Trail baking a CAKE! ( VIDEO )

We have decided on the cook system that Annette and I are planning to use on the Appalachian Trail thru-hike.  Here is an overview of our choices and shows our method of steam baking on the trail.  This is really great for a few things.  Cakes, muffins, pancakes, eggs, and a few other options are totally possible, and there is a limited cleanup with wax paper.  Check out our baking method as we make a cake out of chocolate muffin mix

Video Review - Western Mountaineering Ultralite 20

UPDATE:  There are a few inaccuracies in this video and the way I worded some of the things that I stated in it.  Please understand that I learned from forum goers and I have annotated this video to reflect what I have learned.  Please view this as a video outlining my choices and the differences between a winter and a summer bag STRICTLY FOR THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL THRU-HIKE starting in March 2011.