Trail Mix it Up

      by Alissa Seislove, Communications Intern, photos by Sami Caun, Photography Intern

Everyone loves a light snack while hiking, and sometimes it is necessary to keep your energy up. An easy and nutritious snack that you can customize with everyone’s favorite ingredients is, you guessed it, trail mix! Of course, trail mix can be a concoction of hundreds of unique ingredients, but it would be nothing without these tried-and-true components.

Whether you pick your favorite ingredients out to eat one by one or scoop the mix in your mouth by the handful, M&M’s, raisins, pretzels, and almonds go so well together! Just take equal parts of each ingredient and mix together in a big bowl! Dispense into small bags or cups and you’re ready for your hike!

That’s not all…there’s room for plenty of extra ingredients in the mix so don’t be afraid to get creative!

Nuts: Almonds aren’t the only option! Add in or substitute any kind of nut you choose (peanuts, cashews, pecans, etc.). These should be purchased raw, not coated in extra flavoring or salt so they’re a healthy component! For an added crunch, toast the nuts in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Seeds: They’re not one of our core components, but they shouldn’t be overlooked as they are full of protein, iron, and vitamins! Pumpkin and sunflowers seeds are delicious choices, but again be sure they’re raw and unsalted!

Fruits: Yay! Add in some natural sweetness to your mix with a variety of dried fruits. The sugar is a great pick-me-up after physical activity. Raisins, dried cherries, dried apricots, dried cranberries, and banana chips all add variety and unique flavors!

Extras: Yes, this mix is healthy but we left some room for a little fun to be added! M&M’s and pretzels are the most popular in trail mixes, but there are so many other treats to throw in. Try popcorn, peanut butter chips, or cereal as fun add-ins!

Combine all ingredients and, if needed, sprinkle in some cinnamon or sea salt to taste!

Store your mix in sealable bags or a mason jar and it should last for a month.

This snack is fun to make with the whole family! What would you add to your mix?