Found a website called Heater Meals. The site claims to sell "The Self-Heating Meal ... Comes with everything needed for A Hot Meal Anytime Anyplace." I'm very surprised at the cost of these meals: $3.99 for the basic meal and $5.99 for their "plus" version. Considering the packages never needs refrigerating AND have a shelf-life of two years, the cost is competitive. Most MREs (meals ready to eat) have been priced higher. Some sites are charging $129.00 for a case of twelve complete MREs. That's $10.75 a meal, and it's not even the self-heating kind! Uh, big difference! Seriously, check out Preparedness.com. Just do some comparison shopping. A quick search on Dogpile.com will show the various sites in which you compare prices.
Russ Chastain, a guide for Hunting/Shooting with About.com gave a favorable review of most of the Heater Meals. It might not be a bad idea to stock up on a few meals, like you stock up on batteries, fresh water, candles, dry matches, radio ... for, you know ... just in case.
All the fighting going on overseas and the after-effects of the September 11 attacks have made me think about getting/creating emergency kits. I've been to a few sites, and I must say I'm confused. There is so much to take into consideration as to what may be needed ... things we take for granted.
At the same time, I can't help but chuckle in disbelief about what's included in these kits that pass for "first aid," like small band-aids and non-aspirin pain reliever (similar to Tylenol). If someone is really injured or sick, band-aids and Tylenol are not going to begin to cover it. Some of these kits need to offer more real first aid products, like bandages, compresses, smelling salts, iodine, alcohol pads ... more serious stuff.
