I keep a magic stove in the car all year, inside a coffee can, ~ 10 hot chocolates, 8 powdered cappuchino packets, and either lemonade mix or gatorade mix.

In the summer I just keep pop-tarts, cliff bars, and pre-packaged rice krispy treats.

In the winter I add in instant soup packets for more calories.

Thanks for the reminder- it is time to swap out the old stuff...

I don't keep spices in the car, though I will admit to grabbing every possible condiment when I at a good gas station for my office food supply....

related- I have picked up some single use condiments and food supplies at minimus.biz (no relationship to them, just buyu stuff there)

It is a website that specialized in single serve items; I find it useful both for travel, and to try small quantities of new items before buying a large supply- very useful when looking for Gluten- Free stuff that my wife might like....

Mom included Meals Ready to Eat and bottled water for the emergency kit in her car. An MRE has or should have everything pertaining to food.

I have decaffeinated coffee or a soda (usually caffeine-free soda) with a meal. Sometimes I've had milk or tea with a meal. I drink water all the time between meals; the only time I recall having plain water with a meal is at a vegetarian potluck. Drinking plain water with a meal is as appealing as eating baking soda.

Though the kit includes the PSP and matches, it does not have anything in it to heat water, therefore no coffee. A bottle of soda will just take up space and it does not store well, especially in a car.

Suggestions?

Jeanette Isabelle

Thanks for reminding me of the mortar and pestle. I haven't used one in years but it is a simple tool that comes in extremely handy for making some things soluble that would otherwise just sit there. Spices are just for starts...

MRE heaters might be worth checking out, Jeanette Isabelle. I've never used them but they look pretty easy to use and tailored to MREs. I believe you just need water and the MRE packaging. I'm not sure if MREs have decaf coffee but I imagine you could use a non-MRE coffee the same as you would the the coffee that comes in the kit.

I can't believe nobody has mentioned sriracha sauce! The garlicky spicy goodness will fix anything! Also, it seems to stay good without refrigeration. No preparation needed -- just squirt it out of a convenient bottle. It even comes in keychain size -- just put it next to your LED light:

[img:left]http://images.urbanoutfitters.com/is/image/UrbanOutfitters/37777646_069_d?$mlarge$&defaultImage=[/img]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sriracha_sauce

Hmm, how come the image isn't loading?

Very true, many items could be put to use replicating a mortar & pestle; the one I ordered online just makes it easier in the kitchen at home.
I'm thinking a river rock that is the right size and already smooth by tumbling in the river would make a good mortar -- roll it with the palm of your hand. A good pestle in the field would be any hard surface that would allow the mortar to roll over/crush the item and then contain the powder once ground. Simple.