Healthy Trail Mix

I thought it was only fitting to have my little "snack-attacker" introduce this next gluten free recipe to you. She is the queen of snacks. In fact, it's the first thing she asks for when she wakes up in the morning: "Mom, mom! Can I have a snack..." She usually turns her lip down when I explain we eat breakfast for breakfast and not snacks. ;) 

So, in honor of her (and her gluten and dairy allergies) I wanted a good healthy snack that I wouldn't feel guilty giving her but one that also provides her with a good mix of protein and nutrients. I created this from our favorite nuts and dried fruits but feel free to adjust it to your needs. Allergic to peanuts? No problem. Simply sub them out for a different nut. 

If you haven't already tried it, making your own trail mix is so incredibly easy! In fact, I let my 3 year do the entire thing! She absolutely LOVES it and it helps her feel a sense of ownership so she's more likely to eat it. It's such a great and healthy trail mix. My husband and I love having it on hand for our snack-attack moments as well! 

You might be asking... Why make my own when I can just buy it? 

1. You can control the nutritional value. (No food-coloring covered chocolate candies...you know which ones I'm referring to.)
   
2. Adjust it to fit your dietary needs. (Some trail mixes contain peanuts or yogurt chips. Create a trail mix that fits YOUR needs.) 
3. It's cheaper! (Surprisingly, when you're adding in a lot of healthy ingredients you only need a cup or less of each to make a large batch of trail mix. Buy in bulk and you save even more!) 

So with all that said, I'll turn the time over to my little one to introduce this next recipe to you. 

Healthy Trail Mix

(Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Contains Nuts)
Created by jalene

Yields: 8 cups
Ingredients: 

• 1 cup almonds, roasted & salted
• 1 cup peanuts, roasted & salted 
• 1 cup pistachios, shells removed, roasted & salted
• 1 cup large dried coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, roasted & salted
• 1 cup raisins (we suggest using organic)
• 1/2 cup dried blueberries
• 1 cup dark chocolate covered fruit (such as blueberries or cherries,etc) or you can use dark chocolate chips instead

Directions:

1. Add all of the ingredients into a bowl and stir to combine. Store in an airtight container or place into pre-measured snack bags for quick grabs later.