One thing I find intensely irritating about bouillon cubes or packets is that there really isn't any true bouillon in them.

Hormel Herb Ox Very Low Sodium Instant Broth and Seasoning has the nerve to brag "Made with Real Chicken". Chicken fat treated with propylene glycol is hardly chicken.

Ingredients: SWEETENER (SUGAR AND/OR DEXTROSE,)POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, ONION POWDER,MALTODEXTRIN, MONOAMMONIUM GLUTAMATE, GELATIN, CHICKEN FAT (CONTAINS PROPYLENE GLYCOL, TBHQ AND CITRIC ACID), EXTRACTIVE OF TURMERIC, NATURAL FLAVORING, PARSLEY, DISODIUM INOSINATE, DISODIUM GUANYLATE.

Nutrition Facts Serving size-1 packet (4g) Servings per container - 50 Calories 10 Total Fat 0 Sodium 5mg Total Carb 2g Sugars 1g Protein 0

BTW, I ran across a site that lists some of the hidden sources of MSG: http://www.benfrank.net/nuke/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=145

Sue

Susan,
Try STEERO chicken flavor Bouillon Cubes.
Ingredients: Salt, Chicken, Corn Syrup Solids, Sugar, Chicken Fat, Monosodium Glutamate . . . Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, . . .and the rest of the usual suspects.

Okay, salt is #1, but Chicken is #2 and #5 and salt is not necessarily bad. Wish they'd move MG south of Onion and Garlic Powder, or just get rid of it -- at least it has chicken.

MSG ain't so bad, just moderate it a bit, same as with salt. If you can't tolerate it then there are alternatives.

For that matter, even having just some seasonings would be better than nothing. One of the jungle combat rules was to always carry a bottle of Tabasco with you, as it tends to make the grubs and monkey meat go down a little easier.

I just tried the small loaf pan tonight. It would be a great addition but several items are too long to fit in the pan. I would think that the 5ftx12in of aluminum foil that I've included would work for basic boiling and such. I was thinking that someone should market a collapsible cooking pot that would be small enough for these types of kits.

Funny you mentioned this. I've been looking for a version of this http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/03062.html that can handle direct flame/heat (some type of metal?).

I haven't seen one in person, so not familar with how it works (how is the waterproofing done, now much flex the plastic goes through, etc).

Its an idea... even if all you can do is get a metal version that gives you a frame, then put in some tin foil to give it its 'waterproofness'.

Kris

I was thinking something like this: www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku8717035/index.cfm?pkey=cCTLSCOI.

It's plastic, but some type of flame resistant plastic could be used for the pop down parts, with metal bottom, legs and rim.

Be sure to include plenty of extra contractor grade trash bags for emergency raincoats. The method I've found works best with a book pack is to split them down one side, put it around you & the pack, & hold the split together with some of the black binder clips. Regular 33 gal. bags are a bit small for me using this method.

I think the disposable foil pans might be the way to go - squash 'em flat and straightened up they are a strong container (I wouldn't keep opening and closing them, but then how often would you need to?)

I'd keep the foil as well - a lid for the pan or back up.

A container for boiling water is really quite hard to improvise in the woods

I don't know how large is a "US Army M-16 pouch".
Could it contain a Trangia mess tin like the one I used for my kits ?

I have an idea for this -- will post pictures later.