Vesta meals RIP?

[Stephen Rainsbury]

I appreciate that Vesta meals are not haute cuisine and Jamie Oliver would
throw a wobbly but I always keep a couple in my camp box just in case I end
up missing a meal for any reason.... and according to Tesco they have
stopped making them!!! Asda have some in their online store but Sainsburys
don't either :-(

I have one left, and according to the packet it was made by Campbell's food,
but their website leads to Premier Foods and they don't have Vesta listed in
the product range so it might be true :-(

I know they are not authentic food, but when you are in a hurry they are
ready in 10 minutes and fill you up.

Plus they are a bloody sight cheaper than wayfarer or other moist packet
ready meals.

[Eddie Langdown]

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
I appreciate that Vesta meals are not haute cuisine and Jamie Oliver would
throw a wobbly but I always keep a couple in my camp box just in case I end
up missing a meal for any reason.... and according to Tesco they have
stopped making them!!! Asda have some in their online store but Sainsburys
don't either :-(
I have one left, and according to the packet it was made by Campbell's
food, but their website leads to Premier Foods and they don't have Vesta
listed in the product range so it might be true :-(

ebay ebay!

Eddie Langdown 16th Bermondsey London

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by Eddie Langdown

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
I have one left, and according to the packet it was made by Campbell's
food, but their website leads to Premier Foods and they don't have Vesta
listed in the product range so it might be true :-(

ebay ebay!

Never thought of that.. hang on I thought that you were not allowed to sell
food?

[Eddie Langdown]

Post by Stephen Rainsbury

Post by Eddie Langdown

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
I have one left, and according to the packet it was made by Campbell's
food, but their website leads to Premier Foods and they don't have Vesta
listed in the product range so it might be true :-(

ebay ebay!

Never thought of that.. hang on I thought that you were not allowed to
sell food?
--
Stephen Rainsbury
ESL Agathoid Explorer Scout Unit
www.agathoid.org.uk(remove this bit)

Exactly!

Eddie

[Marc]

Post by Eddie Langdown

Post by Stephen Rainsbury

Post by Eddie Langdown

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
I have one left, and according to the packet it was made by
Campbell's food, but their website leads to Premier Foods and they
don't have Vesta listed in the product range so it might be true :-(

ebay ebay!

Never thought of that.. hang on I thought that you were not allowed to
sell food?
--
Stephen Rainsbury
ESL Agathoid Explorer Scout Unit
www.agathoid.org.uk(remove this bit)

Exactly!

Is Vesta food?

[Steve]

Post by Marc
Is Vesta food?

Define food.

[Paul Harris]

In message

Post by Steve

Post by Marc
Is Vesta food?

Define food.

He said they were not authentic food so a definition of food probably
won't help although to think of it he didn't actually say what they are.
Still this might help.
http://www.britsuperstore.com/acatalog/Vesta.html

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by Paul Harris
In message

Post by Steve

Post by Marc
Is Vesta food?

Define food.

He said they were not authentic food so a definition of food probably
won't help although to think of it he didn't actually say what they are.
Still this might help.
http://www.britsuperstore.com/acatalog/Vesta.html

I emailed several of the e-bay people and one of the shops asking about sell
by dates, it will be interesting to see what they come back with!

[Steve]

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
I appreciate that Vesta meals are not haute cuisine and Jamie Oliver would
throw a wobbly but I always keep a couple in my camp box just in case I end
up missing a meal for any reason.... and according to Tesco they have

A good plan, but why on earth choose Vesta meals ?

35 or more years ago there was little choice and that was about the
only good reason there was for buying them. Always tasted of chemicals
and the rice took weeks to boil.

These days there are plenty of very palatable pasta or rice or cous
cous meals out there in the supermarkets that are very tasty and cheap
too. I particularly like the Lidl ones, you can 'cook' them simply by
adding boiling water and insulating the pot or plastic container for
10 mins.

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
Plus they are a bloody sight cheaper than wayfarer or other moist packet
ready meals.

Anyone who buys those has lost the plot really, you can do far better
with ingredients from the supermarket.

However, if you want to keep a snack ready to eat, the self heating
meals are good if a little expensive at £4. Most Outdoor shops will
have them. You add water (provided) to a heater (bag of chemicals)
wrap it up and leave to stand for 10 mins. They really do get hot,
steaming even. Could be useful. To heavy to carry for backpacking,

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by Steve
These days there are plenty of very palatable pasta or rice or cous
cous meals out there in the supermarkets that are very tasty and cheap
too. I particularly like the Lidl ones, you can 'cook' them simply by
adding boiling water and insulating the pot or plastic container for
10 mins.

Given the choice I wouldn't eat any of them, so I really can't bring myself
to try out any others ;-)

I just want somthing that I know is palatable, cheap, quick and can bo
cooked in 10 minutes :-)

Post by Steve
Anyone who buys those has lost the plot really, you can do far better
with ingredients from the supermarket.

Ahh there is that word, ingredients... which assumes I am going to do more
that just add water. My role is organising whats going on. Sometimes I have
sombody to feed me, in which case I just eat whats put in front of me,
somtimes we just go to the pub and on others I just need 1000 calories of
carbohydrates in 10 minutes that is't going to have me on the loo all the
following day :-)

Post by Steve
However, if you want to keep a snack ready to eat, the self heating
meals are good if a little expensive at £4. Most Outdoor shops will
have them. You add water (provided) to a heater (bag of chemicals)
wrap it up and leave to stand for 10 mins. They really do get hot,
steaming even. Could be useful. To heavy to carry for backpacking,

I tried a Self heating Wayfarer risotto a few years ago, it was really nice
but I could have easily eaten two more!

It has to be capable of living in my camp kit for a few years, waiting
quietly, and then be ready to go very quickly.

For the past few years it was Sainsbury's tomato and herb pasta or golden
rice which are fine but a bit boring and more than I can eat.

In practice my day on expedition support (or weekend camp if I am not eating
with the kids) tends to be

7:30 Cook 8 sausages on a trangia using spray oil (because it lasts for
years) or butter if I have some. Eat 4 in a sandwich or rolls and keep 4 for
lunch. Cup of coffee.

9:30 Eat lunch.

12:30 If out and about call in at a garage (or supermarket) to use the
toilet and either eat a ginsters pasty and an apple or all day breakfast if
Tesco. Cup of coffee.

16:00 If kids all safe and accounted for then a mars bar (or 2) and some
digestive biscuits, maybe a packet of crisps. Cup of coffee.

Then...

(a) At fixed camp, kids all here, no other leaders then probably eat with
kids.

(b) Expedition support - kids alright, then go to pub and eat.

(c) Expedition support, kids missing or need trip to A&E then eat back at
base camp too late for pub, in which case the subject of this thread.

[Paul Harris]

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
In practice my day on expedition support (or weekend camp if I am not
eating with the kids) tends to be
7:30 Cook 8 sausages on a trangia using spray oil (because it lasts for
years) or butter if I have some. Eat 4 in a sandwich or rolls and keep
4 for lunch. Cup of coffee.
9:30 Eat lunch.

You need to change brand of sausage suppliers to get a better quality
sausage with some meat in them. Sausages are not particularly healthy
food at best and if you are hungry and ready for lunch two hours after
breakfast you obviously need a more substantial breakfast. Now could we
suggest adding some eggs and beans.

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
12:30 If out and about call in at a garage (or supermarket) to use the
toilet and either eat a ginsters pasty and an apple or all day
breakfast if Tesco. Cup of coffee.

This is a good aspect of demonstrating route planning to ensure that
there is somewhere suitable for lunch.

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
16:00 If kids all safe and accounted for then a mars bar (or 2) and
some digestive biscuits, maybe a packet of crisps. Cup of coffee.

Not a very healthy high tea, where are the cucumber sandwiches?

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
Then...
(a) At fixed camp, kids all here, no other leaders then probably eat
with kids.
(b) Expedition support - kids alright, then go to pub and eat.
(c) Expedition support, kids missing or need trip to A&E then eat
back at base camp too late for pub, in which case the subject of this
thread.

No wonder you are hungry in the morning

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by Paul Harris
You need to change brand of sausage suppliers to get a better quality
sausage with some meat in them. Sausages are not particularly healthy
food at best and if you are hungry and ready for lunch two hours after
breakfast you obviously need a more substantial breakfast. Now could we
suggest adding some eggs and beans.

They are normally Tescos best, and eating them at 9:30 is nothing to do with
being hungry just greedy :-)

Post by Paul Harris
This is a good aspect of demonstrating route planning to ensure that there
is somewhere suitable for lunch.

Its down to how well the kids are doing but I have been known to dash from a
checkpoint after meeting a team, 5 miles to Tesco, use a decent toilet, eat
cooked breakfast and back to the next checkpoint just before the kids
arrive. I can do a pretty good impression of looking bored orf waiting,
especially if I am warm, dry and listeing to the CD player, but they are
wet, cold and having fun :-)

Post by Paul Harris

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
16:00 If kids all safe and accounted for then a mars bar (or 2) and some
digestive biscuits, maybe a packet of crisps. Cup of coffee.

Not a very healthy high tea, where are the cucumber sandwiches?

I thought digestive biscuits were healthy ;-)

[Steve]

Post by Paul Harris
Sausages are not particularly healthy
food at best

What is a 'healthy' food then, and why are (by your implication)
Sausages 'unhealthy' ?

[Paul Harris]

In message

Post by Steve

Post by Paul Harris
Sausages are not particularly healthy
food at best

What is a 'healthy' food then, and why are (by your implication)
Sausages 'unhealthy' ?

Diet has a big impact on health and a better diet can reduce the risk of
coronary heart disease and some cancers, it can also help in weight
control thus reducing risk of diabetes, arthritis and high blood
pressure. It is about eating a balanced diet, eating more fruit, veg,
bread, cereals, potatoes etc. and less fatty and sugary foods reducing
foods with high levels of fat, salt, and sugar. Sausages generally are
not a particularly good food, just check the contents of the average
cheap sausage and you will find it actually contains very little meat
then consider that it is fried.

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by Paul Harris
In message
particularly good food, just check the contents of the average cheap
sausage and you will find it actually contains very little meat then
consider that it is fried.

Cheap!!

These are the finest that Tesco's own man can provide !! ;-)

In practice I don't have a huge problem with "rendered" meat products. So
long as it contains protein, carbohydrate, some minerals and not too many
chemicals then I will eat it.

It really doesn't bother me what part of the animal it comes from, because
the more of the animal we eat then the less animals have to die to feed us.
Heaven knows I am not a vegetarian but I can't see the problem with eating
pig heads or trotters.

[Paul Harris]

Post by Stephen Rainsbury

Post by Paul Harris
In message
not a particularly good food, just check the contents of the average
cheap sausage and you will find it actually contains very little meat
then consider that it is fried.

Cheap!!
These are the finest that Tesco's own man can provide !! ;-)

They may well be better than the average but check next time see what
percentage is meat then look at the cheaper versions which often contain
far less meat than other ingredients.

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
In practice I don't have a huge problem with "rendered" meat products.
So long as it contains protein, carbohydrate, some minerals and not too
many chemicals then I will eat it.

You probably have already, sausages are a good source of most of the
above with added colouring, there are of course some that are better
than others but some would be well down the list of healthy choices.

[Steve]

Post by Paul Harris
Diet has a big impact on health and a better diet can reduce the risk of
coronary heart disease and some cancers, it can also help in weight
control thus reducing risk of diabetes, arthritis and high blood
pressure.

Gosh I never realised.

Post by Paul Harris
 It is about eating a balanced diet, eating more fruit, veg,
bread, cereals, potatoes etc. and less fatty and sugary foods reducing
foods with high levels of fat, salt, and sugar.

Really.

Post by Paul Harris
Sausages generally are
not a particularly good food, just check the contents of the average
cheap sausage and you will find it actually contains very little meat
then consider that it is fried.

Nice lecture, and the most important part is 'a balanced diet'

It is perfectly possible to eat a 'balanced diet' and eat some
sausages.

Sausages are not unhealthy in themselves, and neither are chips
unhealthy, or are eggs unhealthy and the two burgers I have for tea
last night are not unhealthy.

Its how much of some foods you eat that causes the health problems.

[Paul Harris]

In message

Post by Steve
Nice lecture, and the most important part is 'a balanced diet'

Sarcasm is not becoming and you did ask.

Post by Steve
It is perfectly possible to eat a 'balanced diet' and eat some
sausages.

Did I say otherwise. Stephen said he ate eight sausages in the morning
and I said Sausages are not particularly healthy, I didn't suggest he
should never eat some you have to read these things in context. however
it isn't a balanced diet especially if followed by an all day breakfast
but if it is only done occasionally then it isn't a major problem.

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by Paul Harris
Did I say otherwise. Stephen said he ate eight sausages in the morning
and I said Sausages are not particularly healthy, I didn't suggest he
should never eat some you have to read these things in context. however
it isn't a balanced diet especially if followed by an all day breakfast
but if it is only done occasionally then it isn't a major problem.

The all day breakfast often includes sausages too, but if it is a pick 8 of
anything affair then I tend to get extra mushrooms instead :-)

[Paul Harris]

Post by Stephen Rainsbury

Post by Paul Harris
Did I say otherwise. Stephen said he ate eight sausages in the
morning and I said Sausages are not particularly healthy, I didn't
suggest he should never eat some you have to read these things in
context. however it isn't a balanced diet especially if followed by
day breakfast but if it is only done occasionally then it isn't a
major problem.

The all day breakfast often includes sausages too, but if it is a pick
8 of anything affair then I tend to get extra mushrooms instead :-)

And follow it all up with two Mars bars, Crisps, biscuits and possibly a
Vesta later all of which are washed down with coffee. Lucky there are
no real nutritionists here.

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by Paul Harris
And follow it all up with two Mars bars, Crisps, biscuits and possibly a
Vesta later all of which are washed down with coffee. Lucky there are no
real nutritionists here.

I am currently teaching National curriculum Module 8A - Food and nutrition
:-)

[Paul Harris]

Post by Stephen Rainsbury

Post by Paul Harris
And follow it all up with two Mars bars, Crisps, biscuits and
possibly a Vesta later all of which are washed down with coffee.
Lucky there are no real nutritionists here.

I am currently teaching National curriculum Module 8A - Food and
nutrition :-)

You ought to know better. Do you use this as an example?

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by Paul Harris

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
I am currently teaching National curriculum Module 8A - Food and nutrition
:-)

You ought to know better. Do you use this as an example?

Its hard enough defending the school healthy eating policy :-(

Everything is brown and "tasty" unfortunately it isn't the kids that defined
"tasty"

[Paul Harris]

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
Its hard enough defending the school healthy eating policy :-(

That is the problem with healthy eating it is never the same as the less
healthy alternatives.

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
Everything is brown and "tasty" unfortunately it isn't the kids that
defined "tasty"

Now you know that in order to good medicine has to taste bad and the
worse it tastes the better it is for you.....

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by Steve

Post by Paul Harris
Sausages are not particularly healthy
food at best

What is a 'healthy' food then, and why are (by your implication)
Sausages 'unhealthy' ?

I always lose weight at camp, even expedition support weekends, so I tend
not to worry about what's in what and just eat it while I can.

[Steve]

Post by Stephen Rainsbury

Post by Steve
Anyone who buys those has lost the plot really, you can do far better
with ingredients from the supermarket.

Ahh there is that word, ingredients... which assumes I am going to do more
that just add water.

I was thinking more in general, as in backpacking, as apposed to stuff
you leave in the bottom of a box, just in case.

I have seen people use little else but the wayfarer stuff for
backpacking, never understood why myself, I dont particularly like
them and they are too pricey. You can do just as well (and keep it
lightweight)with stuff from a supermarket.

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
It has to be capable of living in my camp kit for a few years, waiting
quietly, and then be ready to go very quickly.
For the past few years it was Sainsbury's tomato and herb pasta or golden
rice which are fine but a bit boring and more than I can eat.

I have tried the tomato and herb pasta, and I would eat it for sure.
But I prefer the cheesy pasta stuff, Lidl do a couple of good tasty
ones and Batchelors as well. Bought a pile of the Bachelors when they
were BOGOF a while back. As a snack on their own they are perfectly
acceptable, yummy even. I also have a few of the 'breakfast in a tin'
about 90p in supermarkets. Sausage, egg, mushrooms, something else and
beans. You could eat it cold if you have to .............

[Neil Williams]

On Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:08:52 -0800 (PST), Steve

Post by Steve
I have seen people use little else but the wayfarer stuff for
backpacking, never understood why myself, I dont particularly like
them and they are too pricey.

You could take a tin of sausage and beans, chili, curry or whatever
and save a lot of money and add almost no weight. It's not the weight
of the tin, it's the weight of the non-dehydrated food.

Neil

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by Steve
acceptable, yummy even. I also have a few of the 'breakfast in a tin'
about 90p in supermarkets. Sausage, egg, mushrooms, something else and
beans. You could eat it cold if you have to .............

Oh yes I really like them and use quite a few at standing camps, in fact the
kids often "borrow" one late at night if they are still peckish.

The BBQ one is 500Kcalories, only .4% fat and loads of fibre, but there in
lies the problem I often have to spend hours waiting in a car miles from a
loo, and one things that beans are guaranteed to do to me is need one at the
worse possible moments :(

[unknown]

Post by Stephen Rainsbury

On 16 Nov, 13:43, "Stephen Rainsbury"
acceptable, yummy even. I also have a few of the 'breakfast in a tin'
about 90p in supermarkets. Sausage, egg, mushrooms, something
else and
beans. You could eat it cold if you have to .............

Oh yes I really like them and use quite a few at standing
camps, in fact the kids often "borrow" one late at night if
they are still peckish.
The BBQ one is 500Kcalories, only .4% fat and loads of fibre,
but there in lies the problem I often have to spend hours
waiting in a car miles from a loo, and one things that beans
are guaranteed to do to me is need one at the worse possible
moments :(

Then what you need is one of these:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4578895.stm

However, further Googling for the Indipod returns no relevant
"recent" results, and the name appears to have been hijacked by a
compant providing iPod software...

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by unknown
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4578895.stm
However, further Googling for the Indipod returns no relevant "recent"
results, and the name appears to have been hijacked by a compant providing
iPod software...

You can laugh but I actually bookmarked that when it was first published, I
think its a brilliant idea!

A couple of weeks ago the traffic was moving slowly and I started to think
about these again, and how the back of my car (focus c-max) already has
blacked out rear windows and you could easily obscure the front and back
views by raising the head rests and putting something like a sheet over
them.

I reckon that actually using a chemi bog would be OK but wiping your bum
would certainly be a challenge, in fact you would possibly be better off
with a portable bidet :-)

[Dave]

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
I appreciate that Vesta meals are not haute cuisine and Jamie Oliver would
throw a wobbly but I always keep a couple in my camp box just in case I end
up missing a meal for any reason.... and according to Tesco they have
stopped making them!!! Asda have some in their online store but Sainsburys
don't either :-(
I have one left, and according to the packet it was made by Campbell's
food, but their website leads to Premier Foods and they don't have Vesta
listed in the product range so it might be true :-(
I know they are not authentic food, but when you are in a hurry they are
ready in 10 minutes and fill you up.
Plus they are a bloody sight cheaper than wayfarer or other moist packet
ready meals.
--
Stephen Rainsbury
ESL Agathoid Explorer Scout Unit
www.agathoid.org.uk(remove this bit)

Not commented on this post so far as it is not something I have any interest
in -BUT whilst doing the shopping last night I noticed at Morrisons that
they had 3 or 4 different flavours of Vesta Meals.

So they either have loads stashed and will run out eventually or your usual
source has stopped selling them and the person you asked gave you an answer
but not the correct one.

Who makes them - why not as them.

DaveB
West Yorks

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by Dave
Not commented on this post so far as it is not something I have any
interest in -BUT whilst doing the shopping last night I noticed at
Morrisons that they had 3 or 4 different flavours of Vesta Meals.

Thanks, we are bag packing there in a few weeks I will look out for them.

Post by Dave
Who makes them - why not ask them.

I sent an e-mail to premier foods but so far no reply