I thought it was time to do a review from 'the field'. So, I packed a day pack and threw in Menu No. 3, lot code 7158, and headed out on the trail. Sorry, no tasting partner this time, I went solo.
It was a 30ºF start to the day, but warmed up a bit as the sun did it's thing. There was a little snow and ice around, but very nice hiking weather.
Around lunch time (definitely lunch according to my stomach, probably lunch judging by the sun), I found a spot to sit down and fix my MRE.
This was a new meal for me, and I figured the fresh air would make it taste all the better.
Contents:
-- Accessory packet (with coffee!)
-- Chicken, egg noodles, and vegetables in sauce
-- Applesauce with Raspberry Puree
-- Peanut Butter
-- Grape Jelly
-- Crackers
-- Skittles (Wild Berry variant)
-- Tropical Punch beverage base
-- Hot Sauce
So, I'm gonna confess to heating up a mug of water to make the coffee. The hardcore thing to do would be to use the hot beverage bag to heat water, coffee (instant, type II), non-dairy creamer, and sugar, but...I'm weak. I went with real hot water and an actual mug.
However, I did use the ration heater to 'cook' my entree:
Lunch is ready!
So..... Here is my review:
The entree was great. I dumped the Hot Sauce in right away...'cuz that's how I roll. It was tasty, and I was impressed with the chunks of real chicken. The noodles were a bit soft and the vegetables were a bit anemic, but, on a chilly day, after a hike, it was great. I ate it all and wished for a bit more.
The tropical fruit beverage was good, but it didn't mix very well. There were still 'blobs' of mic floating around when I drank it. At least it had some vitamin C! Still after a bit of a hike, it was very nice.
The Applesauce wit Raspberry puree was fantastic. I've never had this before. At first I thought it was too sweet, but then I started wanting more. I put it on the crackers, and it rocked. The crackers had not fared well. They were broken up into pieces. Perhaps my pack had not been kind? But, regardless, I put the applesauce on the cracker pieces and ate it up! Good s#!t.
The peanut butter was also good, sweet, smooth, and peanutty. I didn't eat it all (I was too full.). Likewise the grape jelly. The jelly tasted nice, but after the Applesauce with Raspberry, it was a bit dull. So I didn't eat it.
So now I'm really full. And I still have something like 5 miles to go, to get home. I put the Skittles in my pack, thinking I'll save 'em for a rainy day. They're still there. (And you guys know what Skittles taste like.)
The coffee, instant, type II was great. Maybe my favorite part. There is something great about sitting on the side of a hill, watching Northern Harriers soar overhead while hunting, and sipping hot coffee that makes the world seem just right.
There really is something great about being outdoors,being a part of nature,feeling the oneness. Clear sky, clean air, beautiful landscape,no people around,just my backpack and I. Enjoying an MRE at a place like where you were: a perfect day for me 
