I want to send my hubby some homebaked food. Has anyone shipped food to Iraq and did it make it ok? How about in the summer time? I was thinking of cookies and brownies.
I send cookies twice a month and they always make it just fine. I layer them with wax paper, wrap them in plastic wrap, then put them in freezer bags and everyone seems to love them when they get there. It may be overkill but better safe than sorry. I even sent chocolate covered cherry cookies that made it without molding this way.
I also can cake, spaghetti sauce, etc. and send it. Anything you can properly and seals will make it fine. I'd post links, but I don't think they are allowed here.
I also sent meals you add water to and microwave until they moved my husband to a location with lesser amenities. Raman is a big hit.
We are navy, but my hubby is in Iraq. I don't know what kinds of things are available on a ship (fridge, microwave, coffee pot...).
Just remember: no chocolates or anything that will melt in heat. Here's the link to the guideline my unit gave us the other day (we dont mobilize for 7mo and they gave us a carepackage list?)
I have had really good luck sending homemade items and vacuumn sealing them. Of course you have to invest in a vacuumn sealer to do that, but it's been worth it to be able to send him goodies. They are gone in seconds.
My trick is to bake per usual, FREEZE and then vacuum seal. Rice Krispie treats( although I am lazy and just buy the prepackaged ones) are a big hit.
most ships have access to a microwave in the Galley or Chief's Mess or the Wardroom. there is almost ALWAYS a coffee pot going in every workspace..the Navy does run on coffee you know.
Those microwave dinners that you can get in the same aisle as the chef boy R dee stuff like from Dinty Moore and the like are HUGE fan favorites.
My vacuum sealer was the best investment I made when my hubby was deployed. I vacuum sealed everything. I made homemade jerky and vacuum sealed it also. That was a great hit. You need a dehydrator to make the jerky.
The Secret in Happiness is not doing what one likes, but in liking what one does. ~ James M. Barrie
Originally posted by LadyHarleyRider: My vacuum sealer was the best investment I made when my hubby was deployed. I vacuum sealed everything. I made homemade jerky and vacuum sealed it also. That was a great hit. You need a dehydrator to make the jerky.
you can get a basic model el cheapo.. like under $40. Costco at least has the big boxes of bag rolls. I have seen them at Bed Bath nn Beyond, Linen's N things, Costco, and I think even Kohl's
there are a number of different features, mine for instance does liquids and containers with an attachment hose and folds for storage.
the rolls where you cut them to size end up being cheaper than buying the pre made up ones.
Also Target, Walmart and JC Penney sells them. I use the "Food Saver" one. The bags come in many sizes. They also have rolls. I'm lazy, I like the pre-sized bags instead of cutting from rolls. lol. Mine was about $80. Additional bags are about $10 a box. They do have a deluxe model for about $50 more but it's not really necessary unless you are going to use it for vacuum sealing into containers and such. It's all a matter of personal preference.
I use it all the time for freezing meats. I buy the large packages of meat (chicken, pork chops, fish, etc.), divide them up into portion sizes and seal them. Put them in the freezer and you can pull out portioned meats at any time for a meal!
The Secret in Happiness is not doing what one likes, but in liking what one does. ~ James M. Barrie
I just sent my DH a package of swedish fish, I am sure they will make the trip! I also included some home baked goods made sure to box them in the box so they won't get smashed on the way over
