Because I have tried LaBriut whish is a similar concept and they are horrible. I like packing in quinoa- which is light and full of protein and fiber- although making it taste like any thing is another story.

If I might share a piece of info about food options… I have discovered my newest favorite pack along kosher meals. These are ok for two-day hikes, never tried ‘em for longer.. but “My Own Meals” company in Skokie IL actually makes a foil pouch meal that you can warm up in a pot of hot/warm water. They are actually good. They’re not as oily as the other types, easier to pack because they come in foil pouches -they come in box/tray types (those are nice for things like business trips or travel where you know you have a hotel, etc.) I find they’re pretty good.. and a helluva lot better than the self-heating tasteless stuff. They’re also balanced to 1200 calories per serving/pouch. Reasonable. And if you’re like me and eat them about every 3-4 hours.. um, yeah… I reason that you don’t get fat because you’re hiking. The foil pouches are nice, because you can flatten them out to pack out your trash. Easy.

I also carry too much, so I know the feeling. My last trip I had two pack towels, a poncho, plus a rain suit,… Heh, I hope we’re never invited to the same folks for shabbat, because they’d just think we’re moving in and O’Lordy they’re going to have to start running out the back door screaming that their home has been taken over.