Wise Company Cheesy Lasagna Review
Wise Company Survival Food Reviews
Today’s Wise Company Survival Food Review features Cheesy Lasagna. The overall taste, ease of preparation, and price point are reviewed by yours truly. Let me try before you buy!
Product: Cheesy Lasagna
Brand: Wise Company
My rating: 9/10
About the Brand
Wise Company takes great pride in helping people prepare for the unexpected. They offer emergency food kits, long-term food kits, and emergency supplies. They also have a camping food selection for those who just want convenient options while camping or backpacking.
With over 99% satisfaction rate, Wise Company is the nation’s leader in emergency preparedness. Their products are made with premium ingredients in the USA to ensure a long shelf life and great taste.
My Review
The name “Cheesy Lasagna” may be a little deceiving. Obviously this being a package meal, it wasn’t really a traditional layered lasagna. It was more of a pasta dish with all the flavors of a beef lasagna. The noodles that were used were small tagliatelle noodles which helped it resemble a lasagna a little more. Had they used elbows or spiral noodles, it would have been weird.
This package served 4, and we prepared it while camping on the beach. I loved the fact that is was a “just add water” preparation. This made it extremely easy and aside from stirring it occasionally, there was no other prep involved.
The taste was fantastic. I thought that all the flavors of a lasagna were there, except maybe for the ricotta cheese. As I said, the noodles were small and flat and slightly curly. The tomato sauce was very good. Sometimes pasta dishes can have an acidic quality, but this one was perfect. It also tasted like it had been prepared from scratch… not like the canned ravioli or pasta dishes you find in the grocery store.
Product Info
Ingredients
Tagliatelle Pasta (Semolina Flour [Wheat], Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate [Iron], Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboavin, Folic Acid), Sausage (Freeze-Dried Pork, Salt, Spices, Sugar, Sodium Phosphate), Textured Vegetable Protein ([Soy Flour, Caramel Color], Soybean Oil, Salt, Natural Flavoring [Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Maltodextrin, Natural Smoke Flavoring], Dextrose, Spices, Garlic Powder), Dried Tomatoes, Sweet Whey Powder, Food Starch – Modied, Potato Flour, Salt, Parmesan and Romano Cheese (Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Salt, Cheese Culture, Enzymes), Coconut Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Natural Flavors, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Spices, Onion Powder, Guar Gum, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and/or Cottonseed Oil, Oleoresin Paprika and Turmeric (Color), Sodium Caseinate, Mono and Diglycerides, Dipotassium Phosphate, Caramel Color.
Nutritional Information
Other Information
- 7 year shelf life
- Easy to Prepare… Just add water
- Affordable Price (Case of 6 for $41.99)
- Convenient Packaging
- Net Wt = 6oz
Who is this product for?
- Campers
- Backpackers
- Preppers
- Emergency Planners
Final Thoughts
Pros:
This product was incredibly easy to prepare, just add water. I love that there weren’t any other complicated steps or several packets to open and add throughout the cooking process. Just one package that gets added to boiling water…. Perfect. It also has a 7 year shelf life.
Cons:
This particular meal didn’t resemble actual lasagna, however the flavor was excellent.
My Rating:
9/10
Where Can You Get it?
Wise Company products are available at wisecompany.com
You May Also Like…
Creamy Pasta with Chicken Camping Food (Case of 6)
Chili Mac with Beef Camping Food (Case of 6)
Hunters Survival Kit
Posted in Gear Reviews, Uncategorized and tagged Camping Food, Cheesy Lasagna, Emergency Food, Meals, Survival Food Reviews, Wise Company by Elizabeth with no comments yet.
GoPro Hero Review
Everyone has a video camera device these days, but which one is really the best? I personally prefer the GoPro Hero brand of Cameras. They are so versatile and in combination with the many various attachment accessories available, you can get killer videos in any extreme situation or adventure scenario.
This past Christmas, I received one of my all time favorite gifts from my husband. It was a GoPro Hero camera. I had been wanting one for so long, but never pulled the trigger and bought one. Well, my sweet husband recognized my overwhelming desire to own this awesome camera and he surprised me on Christmas morning!
I immediately put it to use on my wedding anniversary. We rented a small cabin on the Guadalupe River and I had a chance to film my fly fishing sessions with my new GoPro. The picture quality is incredible and the wide angle allows you to get great footage all while enjoying what you are doing. In other words, once you hit record, the GoPro does all the work… you just have to give it a subject worth filming.
One thing I absolutely love about my GoPro is that I can control it from my phone. I downloaded the GoPro app and it connects wirelessly to the camera. I can hit record on my phone or view previous footage that I’ve shot. It really is useful and a great feature to have.
Posted in Gear Reviews and tagged cameras, filming, GoPro, helmet cam, product reviews by Elizabeth with no comments yet.
Get Rid of Mosquitoes and Other Bugs While Camping
One of the most annoying things while camping is the presence of insects, bugs and pests. Dealing with them can be tricky unless you know what will really work. Try these camping hacks next time you go camping to help you repel mosquitoes and drive away the ants.
Camping Hacks for Bugs
Burn Sage
I discovered this hack while researching plants that help repel 
mosquitoes. I always have a very extreme reaction to mosquito bites and I’m constantly on the hunt for ways to keep them out of my life. Burning a bundle of sage leaves will actually repel mosquitoes and keep them away from your campsite. So bring some sage along with you and toss it in your campfire to ensure a bite free evening.
Johnson’s Baby Creamy Oil
Another great mosquito repellent hack is to use Johnson’s Baby Creamy Oil. It works wonders and really does repel those pesky mosquitoes. Plus you won’t smell like traditional bug sprays.
Other oils and lotions sometimes work too, but this one is the absolute best and I always keep some in my camping kit.
Remove Ticks with a Cotton Ball
Soak a cotton ball with liquid hand soap and apply it to the tick. After a few minutes, the tick will release easily from the skin.
You can either pre-soak the cotton balls at home and store in ziploc baggies, or just bring all the ingredients with you and soak them once a tick happens to appear.
Ticks can carry lyme disease, so you might want to have the tick tested if you were exposed to it for a long period of time. After removing it, you can simply place it back in the ziploc bag until you get home.
Use Grits to Repel Ants
Now this little hack is useful not on
ly for camping, but for any outdoor activity like picnics, kids soccer games, backyard barbecues. Simply sprinkle Instant Grits anywhere you see ants… they will flee immediately.
The theory here is that ants basically do not like “new” or strange things being added to their environment. Add some dry grits and they get annoyed and tend to leave.
Fill Ziploc Bags with Water
Keep flies away by hanging bags of water around your campsite. Just fill a Ziploc style sandwich bag with water and hang it up. Flies will avoid the area completely.
I’m sure you have probably seen this technique at restaurants or food trucks that have outdoor eating areas. Most of the Mexican restaurants where I live that have patio seating, have these little baggies hanging around… but no flies!
Use Mothballs to Combat Snakes
Place Mothballs around your tent and campsite to ward off most snakes. I heard somewhere that you can use the plastic lid of water bottles to put the mothballs in so they don’t go rolling around.
I have to say that I have personally never tried this hack, and from what I understand there are some people that say this works and others who say it doesn’t. Recently we’ve had about 3 different snakes hanging out near our back door, so I may try this and report back. Stay tuned for an update.
Leave a comment if you’ve ever tried any of these camping hacks or if you have other hacks that I didn’t mention here. I would love to hear about your hacking successes.
Posted in Camping Hacks, Camping Tips, Uncategorized and tagged Bug Free Camping, Camping Hacks, How to get rid of bugs, repel mosquitoes and bugs while camping by Elizabeth with 3 comments.
Govino Unbreakable Wine Glass Review
Have you ever been out camping or traveling on the road and wanted to relax with a nice glass of wine? Sounds like an easy thing to do, but you have to pack (carefully) glassware unless you plan on drinking straight from the bottle. Enter the Shatterproof Wine Glass!!!! It’s a game changer and it’s useful for more than just camping…. poolside parties, hot tubs, picnics…. anywhere you don’t want breakable glass.
Product: Govino Shatterproof Wine Glasses
Price: $12.95 USD (set of 4)
My rating: 10/10
About the Brand
Govino originally started in 2008 in order to provide wine makers with stemware while they were on the go selling their product. As a result, Govino was the first unbreakable wine glass to be accepted by the wine industry.
Govino products are made from a flexible, BPA polymer. This makes them not only recyclable but also reusable. And it also properly showcases all types of wines, beers, and spirits. Govino glasses look and perform like fine crystal.
The unbreakable glasses are perfect for camping, picnics, poolside parties, and anywhere breakable glass is not wanted.
My Review – A Wine Glass for Camping
I always enjoy a glass of wine to relax at the end of the day and when I’m traveling or camping, that is even more true. Recently while spending the weekend at a cabin near Medina Lake, my husband found these awesome wine glasses. He actually surprised me with them because he knows just how much I like my wine and champagne on vacations.
The look of the glasses resembles regular crystal glasses, however they are much lighter and they have an indention for your thumb. This allows you to swirl the glass the way most wine enthusiasts always seem to do. The glass is slightly flexible and is easy to clean. Govino also has a top rack only dishwasher safe version.
Product Info
This product is made of ultra thin, flexible BPA free polymer. It is shatterproof, reusable, and recyclable. Made in the USA!
Price and Size
$12.95 USD for a set of 4, 16 oz wine glasses
Who is this product for?
- Campers
- Backpackers
- Travellers
- Party Goers
- Picnic Lovers
- Anyone who drinks on the go
Final Thoughts
Pros:
The fact that this product is unbreakable is probably the best pro of all. It is also easily packed for travel and it looks exactly like regular glass. Another pro is that they are extremely affordable. $12.95 for a set of 4 is an incredible deal.
Cons:
Not really any cons to this product. I mean it holds alcohol… that’s NEVER a bad thing! 😉
My Rating:
10/10
Where Can You Get it?
Govino products are available on amazon.com
You May Also Like…
Govino Decanter 28 oz
Govino Champagne Flutes
Govino Beer Glasses
Posted in Gear Reviews, Products, Uncategorized and tagged Camping Glasses, Camping Wine Glass, Unbreakable Wine Glass, Wine Glasses for Camping by Elizabeth with 6 comments.
How to Stay Warm in a Tent
It’s that time of year when snow is falling and the air is crisp and cold. Some might say this is the perfect time to go camping, build a fire, and enjoy the weather.
However, if you have ever been camping in the winter months, you have probably wondered how to keep a tent warm in cold weather. We all love getting outside and enjoying nature when winter hits. It’s less humid and who doesn’t love an open fire. But when you need to keep your tent warm, what do you do?
How to Stay Warm in a Tent…
Here are a few tricks to keep warm in a tent:
♦ Sleeping Bag 
Opt for a zero degree sleeping bag. This will keep you toasty and warm through almost any extreme weather scenario. I personally like the Coleman North Rim Extreme Weather Sleeping Bag. It is very affordable and will definitely keep you warm.
♦ Sleeping Pad
Try to find a closed-cell foam pad that you can place under your sleeping bag. This will help keep warmth from escaping underneath you as you rest. This is also a great idea because it will give you a bit more cushioning from the uneven ground and rocks.
♦ Dry Socks While Sleeping
Before you go to bed, change your socks to a fresh dry pair. Even if you don’t think you have been sweating in them, change them out. Even the slightest bit of moisture can become extremely cold in the middle of the night. Consider doubling up on the socks as well. Another extra layer never hurts.
♦ Wear a knit Cap
While you should wear a skull cap or some time of hat during the day to keep warm, you should also consider wearing a knit cap while you sleep. 30% of our body heat escapes from our head. Wearing a cap will keep you warmer.
♦ Hand Warmers 
Pack a few hand warmers so that you can snuggle up with them at night. Inside your sleeping bag, they will help trap the heat close to your body. You can also use them while hiking or hanging around the campsite during the day. This will keep you warm and keep your core temp from dropping too low.
♦ Tent Heaters
Propane tent heaters are excellent for taking the chill out of a tent. However, do not run the heater all night long. Simply turn it on before you decide to retire for the night in order to warm up the tent. Turn it off when you decide to actually go to sleep. You can turn it on again in the morning to warm up before getting out of bed.
♦ Heat up Rocks
Take several large rocks and heat them up by the fire. Allow them to cool down a bit and then wrap them in towels. Place in your sleeping bag or stack them in the middle of the tent to allow them to radiate heat all night long.
♦ Hot Water Bottles
Use hot water bottles to snuggle up to in your sleeping bag. This will keep you warm throughout the night. If you do not have an actual hot water bottle, you can use a heat-proof water container. Consider tossing it in the bottom of your sleeping bag near your feet to keep toasty warm.
♦ Candle Lanterns
Use candle lanterns to give off light but also radiate a bit of heat. They won’t give off as much heat as an actual heater, but you would be surprised how much warmth they can give off. Every little bit helps right?
♦ Hot Drink before Going to Bed
This is an easy one… before turning in for the night, have a nice hot drink by the fire. This will warm you up from the inside which will get you started especially if you implement some of the other tent warming tricks listed above. Try a nice hot chocolate (add whiskey for an adult version) or you could even warm up milk for a good night sleep.
Final Thoughts and Comments
For more cold weather camping tips, check out my previous post. Comment down below if you have any other proven ways to warm up a tent. Let me know your personal winter weather camping experiences as well. Tis the season! Stay warm my friends!!!
Posted in Camping Hacks, Camping Tips, Tent Camping and tagged Cold Weather Camping, How to keep warm in a tent, How to stay warm in a tent, tent camping by Elizabeth with no comments yet.
Cold Weather Camping Tips – When Winter Hits
Camping in cold weather can be invigorating and fun. I personally enjoy escaping the heat of summer and jumping in to fall and winter. I mean what’s better than a chilly night around the campfire?
As the temperature starts to drop and the cold starts slowly creeping in , we begin thinking about getting outside and enjoying all that nature has to offer. There are less bugs and frankly less people out in the the cold weather, which makes camping a great activity. Winter camping can be cold, but it does not have to be miserable. As long as you are prepared with the correct winter camping gear and tricks, you will have an extremely enjoyable time.
While winter camping in Texas (or elsewhere in the country), can seem extreme at times, it shouldn’t deter you from enjoying the outdoors. Here are a few cold weather camping tips to help you stay warm, dry and comfortable on your winter camping trip.
Sleep with Your Boots 
Place your boots or boot liners in the bottom of your sleeping bag to keep them warm. There is nothing worse than waking up and having to put on frozen boots. Your body heat will help keep them at an ideal temperature throughout the night.
Pee Bottles
The need to urinate during the night is always a nuisance, but when the weather turns cold, it is even more brutal. If you have to pee, it’s best to go ahead and let it out. The best thing is to have a well-marked pee bottle handy so you don’t have to venture out into the cold weather to relieve yourself. There are even funnel devices for women that are a lifesaver in these situations.
Dress for the Weather
Layers are your best friend in the winter camping season. Layer up in order to stay warm but also have the option of discarding clothing if you begin to sweat throughout the day. Polyester thermal underwear is a great option or breathable fleece. Try to avoid cotton socks… the best thing is wool or polyester. Pack a scarf or neck gaiter to keep your core warm.
Good Sleeping Pad
Try to choose a closed cell foam pad or a sleeping pad with an R value of 4 or more. Believe it or not, a good sleeping pad placed under your sleeping bag will keep you several degrees warmer.
Warm up Batteries Before Use
In colder weather, batteries tend to not work as well. Try warming them up in your hands or sleeping bag before using them. Sometimes what you think is a bad battery is really just a cold battery.
Start Fire Immediately 
Before you do anything else at the campsite, you should start a fire. When it’s cold outside, you tend to get cold before you realize it and if you don’t already have a fire going, you will have to endure the freezing temps while waiting to get it started. However, if you start a fire right away, you can take small breaks and warm up as you set up your camp. Work smarter, not harder.
Fireproof OuterWear
Winter camping always requires a fire, so be sure that your outerwear/jackets are fireproof. Stray embers can ignite a jacket or piece of clothing and completely ruin your camping trip. Wool is a great fabric to use.
Winter Cap
30% of your body heat escapes through your head, so while camping in the winter, you will want to cover your head with a good quality winter cap. This will ultimately keep you warmer and keep more of your body heat in.
Extra Hats and Gloves
It’s always a good idea to have a few extra necessities. This includes gloves and hats. When it’s cold outside, and you are cooking or fishing or playing in the snow, hats and gloves can become wet. Having an extra pair will keep you warm while you wait for the wet ones to dry out.
Use Vaseline
Vaseline is a great way to keep your exposed skin protected. Here in Texas, there are only a few places that get that extreme, but it’s still a great trick. Simply rub vaseline on exposed skin like the ears, nose and hands. This will protect against windburn and frostbite.
Bring Extra Fuel for Cooking
Whether you are camping in summer or camping in winter, it’s ALWAYS a good idea to bring a little extra fuel for cooking. But in winter, cooking times actually take longer because of the cold weather. Having extra fuel will ensure that you can cook every single meal you have planned.
Use Wooden or Plastic Utensils/Not Metal
Metal cooking utensils will actually make your food cooler and thus increase the cooking time. Not to mention the fact that metal gets cold to the touch and is super unpleasant when you are trying to keep warm. Try using wooden or plastic as much as possible.
Clothes in Sleeping Bag
When you retire for the night, place your clothes for the next day in your sleeping bag with you. This will keep them toasty warm and will make it easier to get ready for the next day. There is nothing worse than waking up and having to put on freezing cold clothes. Make it easy on yourself.
Hot Water Bottle
Heat up water and put it in a heat-proof water bottle or in a traditional water bottle. Place this in the sleeping bag with you to stay warm while you sleep. It worked in the old days before electricity or heated homes, so it’ll work for you.
Stay Dry
The best tip for camping in cold weather is to stay dry. The minute you get wet, you are in a world of hurt. Choose waterproof clothing and moisture wicking fabric. If you start to sweat, change out your clothes for dry ones as soon as possible, especially before going to bed.
Increase Calories
It is suggested that you consume at least 4,500 calories for winter backpacking. So even if you are simply camping (not hiking or backpacking) you will want to increase your calories. This will help you keep warm.
Get Moving
During the day, go for a walk around the campgrounds or do more chores around camp in order to stay warm. The more you move, the more you will warm up.
Before going to sleep for the night, try doing jumping 
jacks, jogging in place, or a few pushups to warm up a bit. Just make sure you don’t start sweating, which could lead to wet clothes and ultimately make you colder.
Final Thoughts
Camping in the winter can be a great experience if you are prepared and know how to stay warm and dry. Take the time to pack extra clothes, gloves, and fuel. When you are comfortable, you will enjoy the scenery and beauty that nature has to offer in the winter.
Comment down below if you have other tips or tricks that have helped you make the most of camping in colder weather.
Posted in Camping Tips, Tent Camping, Uncategorized and tagged Camping Hacks, Cold Weather Camping, How to camp in cold weather, Winter Camping tips by Elizabeth with no comments yet.
Camp Corn Chowder
Small onion, diced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1 can cream of tomato soup
1 can full of milk (can use powdered milk)
1 can cream style corn
Saute diced onion in oil until tender, gradually stirring in curry powder. Stir in soup, milk and corn. Cover and cook over very low heat until the soup is heated through.
Optional Toppings:
Salsa
Diced Tomato
Sliced Avocado
Posted in Recipes, Uncategorized and tagged Camp Corn Chowder, Camping Recipes by Elizabeth with no comments yet.
Winter Camping Recipes and Meals
The colder the weather gets outside, the more I want to get out and go camping. There is just something invigorating about the crisp air and everyone loves cooking over an open fire. I even like to do a little dutch oven cooking.
Keeping warm in the winter camping months starts with getting a proper hot meal to warm you up from the inside. This is a running list of some of my favorite easy camping meals that are perfect for those cold days and nights at the campsite. I will be adding to the list continually, so be sure to check back often. And if you have a particular recipe or meal that you would like to see on this list, please leave a comment and let me know.
Breakfast 
Egg in a Hole
Potato Egg & Cheese Tacos
Lunches
Dinners
Halibut with White Beans in Foil
Desserts/Snacks 
Hot Chocolate From Scratch
Meals Ready to Eat
While preparing your own meals is part of the fun of camping, sometimes the convenience of emergency meals is a perfect option. For instance, if you arrive at the campsite a little late and set up took longer than you thought, you might want to skip “cooking” an actual meal and grab a “Just add water” meal.
They come in so many varieties now and most of them are quite tasty. I always pack at least 2-3 in case I need a quick meal or I’m just too tired to
cook. Cleanup is a breeze too.
Wise Company Creamy Vegetable Pasta
Valley Food Storage Irish Pub Style Cheddar Potato
Posted in Recipes, Uncategorized and tagged Cold Weather Camping Recipes, Winter Camping Meals, Winter Camping Recipes by Elizabeth with no comments yet.
Ham and Egg Casserole
1 bag diced or shredded potatoes (frozen works great or precook your own at home and bag)
1 carton egg beaters (or egg substitute)
2 cans sliced mushrooms
1 cup diced cooked ham (or turkey)
1 bag shredded cheddar cheese
Spray foil casserole pan with cooking oil. Place potatoes in bottom of pan and spread out evenly. Add diced ham and mushrooms on top of potatoes. Pour egg substitute over all ingredients. Top with cheese. Cover with foil and place over campfire. Stir occassionaly to prevent bottom from scorching. Once eggs have cooked through, remove from heat and enjoy. We like to eat it straight out of the pan…. less dishes to clean.
Posted in Recipes, Uncategorized and tagged Camp Breakfast, Camping Recipe, Ham and Egg Casserole by Elizabeth with no comments yet.
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Posted in Uncategorized by Elizabeth with no comments yet.