Several hundred thousand MREs (Meals, Ready to Eat) were given to Katrina survivors by FEMA and military units. MREs are proof that one will eat anything if they are hungry enough. As a former Navy Cook, I can show you how to prepare and eat MREs (Another task FEMA failed to accomplish).

What is the first thing you got from FEMA – Water & MREs – Right?

Why did they eventually begin setting up kitchens to provide fresh food meals? The reason is because if you eat MREs more than four days in a row, you would be extremely constipated. An MRE is an emergency field ration designed for temporary use or for military personnel who are going out on a patrol or who don't have the benefit of a place to get a regular meal at the moment.

An MRE is ration dense and designed for extreme climates or other conditions where the body burns lots of calories. If you eat everything in one MRE, you are getting 3,500 calories for that meal plus lots of sodium and fat and preservatives.

MREs are almost indestructible. They are made to withstand exposure to both dessert and arctic temperatures and still remain edible (using the term edible rather loosely).

When the US provides food aid to other nations such as during the Tsunami disaster, they send in MREs first until they can logistically get whole food in.

Oddly enough, you can now buy MREs is some stores - many backpack campers love them because the lightweight bag means they can carry several days worth of food on a hiking trip.

	The following will show you how to prepare and eat your next MRE feast!!
Hold your hands or a tray out so that the server can give you the MRE. There are 12 different meals in the box shown here. FEMA may have given you a whole box. However, if you are being served like this, you should not ask for a specific meal because then the server will give you the worst one. The Server in this case is MGC’s own MonsterChef. Notice the sanitary serving method (tongs).
Next, open the bag of goodies. Careful not to let them fly all over the place. Notice that this wise person has a cup of hot water ready.
Next lay it all out and take inventory. If there are a group of you, you may want to do some trading in order to get more of what you like. I see some yummy 6-year old applesauce in this group of delicacies.
A little prayer to ask God to turn this into real food. It’s worth a shot!!!
Add hot water to reconstitute the hunk of meat (sausage patty in this case). This person received the sausage and egg breakfast MRE.
See how yummy the applesauce looks!!!
This facial expression is common after one has taken the first bite. May need to fix it up with a little hot sauce if you have it.
This is a common last stop before leaving the MRE feast, especially if it is your first one.