[sarbar]

joker, I'd say for myself the biggest issues in most commercial meals are: Lack of fiber High sodium (some are beyond disturbing!) Artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. MSG Too much sauce and not enough carbs/meat and or veggies. Not that I am picky or anything

[joker]

I hear ya. I seek out meals that have more veggies, and ideally that have rice. That helps on the fiber. You can also buy separate packages of dried veggies and add them into veggie-poor meals. I did that on a trip just last week. I've had my blood and blood pressure tested recently, and everything checks out OK (on the very good side, really, more than just "OK") so I'm pretty sure that the amount of sodium I get in the infrequent F-D meals is not a problem for me, but it's a good point for folks who may have sodium issues to keep in mind. I also try to avoid nasty additives in my general life, and if I ate more freeze-dried food I'm quite sure I'd be equally cautious, but I'm mindful of the great motto - "moderation in everything, including moderation!"

[Dogpatch]

[sarbar]

Getting the oil locally can be a pain, but www.minimus.biz is a dream. $20 ordered and you get free shipping! They carry the packets at around 35 cents each last I checked. (And everything else you could want!)

[joker]

Little nalgenes put in snack zip-locks have worked just fine for me. I tend to get a little oil working its way out onto the outer surface of the nalgene after a few "pourings," but nothing a paper towel and/or the ziplock won't keep from causing a bigger mess. Gossamer gear is pitching teeny dropper bottles for this sort of thing, but they seem a bit small as olive oil containers.

[Malachai Constant]

Weuse the little plastic bottles they sell at REI. Back in the day used to be able to get just the freeze dried things you wanted like peas and beans. N need to bother with mushrooms, tomatoes, past etc. as dried ones work just fine (if not better). Retort packs are great so long as you are not out for more than a couple days.

[sarbar]

[DIYSteve]

Freeze dried? Bah! Never again! I've discovered the noodle aisle at Uwajimaya. Like Joker, I carry olive oil in a small nalgene bottle in a small freezer bag.

[sarbar]

[bonobo]

[DIYSteve]

Are all the dozens of varieties of no-cook noodles at Uwajimaya packed with MSG? How about the scallop noodles, which come without a spice packet?

[CampGirl]

[sarbar]

[Malachai Constant]

Pretty much avoid Whole Wallet whenever possible PCC has some good dried stuff and we sometimes get Korean Kim Che ramen.

[sarbar]

Price wise WF's doesn't mark up the veggies and fruit over say, Central Market or buying online. And WF's also carries Porcini Mushroom powder - which is fabulous in rice dishes! I shop most stores once a month to see what they have new in stock that would work for outdoor cooking. I go in and slowly walk every aisle - your eyes tend to catch the new stuff. Usually I will hit WF, PCC, Cost Plus World Market, WinCo, Fred Meyers, QFC, Super Walmart, Target, Trader Joe's, Safeway and whatever else sounds good