Ideal Bite

The cactus jerky rocks!!

I'm surprised you din't mention Taste Eats Soy Jerkey. The lady (vegetarian) and I (carnivore) both love it and it is easily available at Whole Foods in California. In fact the last time we were in CA we stocked up and brought ten packages home to Chicago on the plane.

Was I the only one taken back a bit the subject line of today's biter tip? The mental images that it created were somewhat alarming! I don't generally have a 'dirty mind', but good lord. Perhaps it's just a regional slang thing, but in the Midwest, "jerk-off" isn't the most appropriate of terms (for this type of forum, anyhow). I wonder if the biter staff used this title on purpose?? LOL. Keep the great tips coming!

As a Montana rancher & conservationist & Biter, I get tired of the anti-meat stuff. If you like open spaces, full of critters & trees & breathing room, you might ponder what happens if you put ranchers out of business. Farming isn't suitable for much of the west. The alternative to ranches--subdivisions. Think about it.

this "tip" is sadly misinformed. Particularly this choice bit: "If we Americans reduce our meat consumption by just 10%, we'll free up enough grain to feed 60 mil people each year." News Flash - cows aren't meant to eat grain, it actually makes them sick. So let's stop feeding them the stuff, and we'll all be a little better off. Cows, people, the planet. THe meat we eat will be healthier, cows won't need to be pumped full of antibiotics to keep them alive, cows can do what they're meant to - fertilize their own food, enriching the earth instead of polluting it. And anyway, foisting our grain on the world's starving people just might not be the best solution. sorry.

I don't think encouraging people to use any products with non recyclable plastic as packaging is a good thing at this critical stage on our planet. The gas toxins jerky creates are stinky,lol!!

I can't believe how expensive this stuff is! I'm starting to feel that the Ideal Bite is nothing more than a marketing vehicle for expensive comercial goods. Consumerism is nothing to be celebrated, it certainly isn't green. If you simply gave all of us a recipe for making our own tofu jerky, I'd be thrilled. The thing is, I found Ideal Bite from the the online Dollar Stretcher magazine. It seems that the Ideal Bite worldview is actually at odds with frugality and the simplicity movement. I'm certainly not a part of the $50 shea butter eco-friendly sunblock crowd.

You blew it when you didn't mention Primal Strips seitan jerky. Much better than tofu, and none of thev problems associated with the overconsumption of super-processed soy. The plastic single-serve packaging does suck, though, and the price is fairly steep...

Em, Do what I do. Look at the idea of the tip and the products. Then go find similar products cheaper and closer to home. Hasn't been a food item mentioned that I couldn't 1) make at home or 2) purchase from the local whole foods (not the chain supermarket) or asian foods market. The tips give me ideas and I exercise them at home and save money. I don't need Jerky that costs $14/6 plus shipping when I can make pounds of it for that cost at home. Take the Cactus Jerky... Prickly Pear leaf - Available at any hispanic market Cane Sugar - Hispanic and Asian markets carry this. Or you can make simple syrup with 2 cups of sugar in 1 cup water, boil and let cool. Garlic, Teriyaki, Onion and spices can be found at any Organic Foods store. You probably have them already though. Don't have a dehydrator? You can get one at any local kitchen store and can probably find them at thrift stores. Mix your seasoning: sugar, teriyaki, garlic, onions and any other spices you add. Slice the Prickly Pear into thin slices and place in bowl. Pour seasoning over it and let sit in the Fridge over night. Place in dehydrator until dry. Probably 24 hours. If you really want to get adventuresome, look up solar dehydrators on the internet and build one that doesn't use any power. You can dehydrate any fruit or meat to store as well. You can reconstitute dehydrated fruits and vegetables for stews later on and store them without wasting refrigeration on a freezer. Canned are often too soft for a good stew. Anyway you can read the tips without giving into the eco-greenwash and consumerism.

You guys are SO off about the STONEWALL JERKY. That stuff is close to g-d it's so perfect. It's incredible. My meat-eating Dad is hooked on it. Seriously -none of your other recomendations come close to Stonewall. And hey, Terry - Mr. "Rancher" (i.e professional killer) - would love to talk "anti-meat" with you anytime. VIVA LA VEGAN REVOLUTION!