Happy, Healthy Trails

One of my favorite weekend activities is hiking! Most weekends you can find me on a trail with my family! Whether we are hiking locally around Red Rock Canyon or Mount Charleston, or heading out of town for a weekend adventure, there is nothing better than getting out in nature and exploring! Not only is hiking a great way to get some exercise, but there are so many other benefits to hiking and nature! It’s a perfect way to unwind from the week, de-stress, turn off the phones and enjoy all the sounds and beauty of nature.  Nature is beneficial for your body, mind and spirit!  And, it’s a great family activity to enjoy together.

One of the most important things to remember when you take a hiking trip is to be prepared! Making sure to pack extra water and, of course, a healthy lunch and snacks! I usually pack classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (always a favorite for our family), fresh fruit (usually oranges and apples travel well), and our delicious, crunchy Happy and Healthy Trails Mix!  

We love to make our own trail mix. The store-bought varieties can have too much added sugar, oils and processed ingredients. When you make your own trail mix, you can buy the ingredients in bulk and always have them on hand for quick, healthy snacks. Best of all, kids can get involved and make their own trail mix combinations with their favorite ingredients! I have shared a simple recipe below (no baking required)!

Yield: approximately 6 cups

Ingredients:

• 2 cups nuts: almonds, walnuts, cashews, soy nuts (I prefer raw and unsalted)
• 1 cup dried fruit: raisins, cranberries, apricots, banana chips
• 1 cup seeds: sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds
• 2 cups extras: pretzels, sesame sticks, dried cereal, popcorn

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together your favorite items from each category to make a happy and healthy trail mix creation.
   
2. Add about 1 cup of trail mix to Ziplock bags or a reusable bag.
   
3. Find a trail and enjoy!

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