My breakdown for the walkabout this past August:
Yup: I tore through this daily, still lost somewhere around 15 pounds during the trip. Dinners were Mary Jane Farms meals, unless I could fish.
The gourmet meals are left to very short trips, 1-3 nights in length tops. I have decided, yes, that cooking and good food are an integral part of my experience in the backcountry, but I'm also trying to learn how to do more with less in terms of those meals.
Contrary to popular belief, the 60+ lb pack is not my favorite thing to lug around. For now, while I can do it, I will continue. And this year/summer, I am not the fitness queen. I just celebrated my year anniversary of my knee surgery, and am very proud that I can scramble and claw, just like everyone else, at the levels prior to my initiating training for the Challenge.
I know of a select few people, my friend Sean - who just decimated the 14r record - is one of them, who can eat the same things day in and out and never get tired of it. That's just not me.
