MIXING UP SNACK TIME

School is back in session and so are the afternoon practices and lessons. While shuttling the kids from school to sports to art lessons, there’s no doubt you are going to hear “but mom I’m hungry” coming from the back seat. Be prepared with quick and healthy snack mixes that are easily prepared ahead of time that you can grab and go. Each recipe calls for three ingredients. Easy to eat on the run, these snack mixes are both delicious and nutritious! Enjoy!

SESAME STICKS + CHOPPED CEREAL-NUT BARS + DRIED PINEAPPLE

MINI PITA CHIPS + SOY NUTS +MINE CHOCOLATE CHIPS

MINI PRETZELS TWISTS + CASHEWS +DRIED CRANBERRIES

LOW-FAT GRANOLA +SUNFLOWER SEEDS + DRIED APRICOTS

DRIED PAPAYA +WHOLE-GRAIN CEREAL + GOLDEN RAISINS

ALMONDS + MEM’S + DRIED MANGO

POPCORN + ALMONDS + DRIED FRUIT

PEANUTS + CHOCOLATE CHIPS + DRIED FRUIT

PEANUTS + CHOCOLATE CHIPS + DRIED BANANA CHIPS

REESE’S PIECES + PRETZELS + RAISINS

ALMONDS + GRAHAM CRACKER BITES + DRIED COCONUT

FREEZE DRIED STRAWBERRIES + DARK CHOCOLATE CHIPS + ALMONDS

Got a little bit more time on your hands to prepare? Try this cookie recipe and bars that will satisfy a sweet tooth but still pack a healthy energy punch!

Trail Mix Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/4 cup light brown sugar

• 1/4 cup honey

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 1/4 cups old fashioned idled oats

• 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground einnamon

• 1 1/2 cups roughly chopped trail mix divided (see note)

DIRECTIONS:

1. With a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter, brown sugar and honey for 2-3 minutes, until smooth and creamy. Add egg and vanilla and beat to combine.

2. In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined Stir in 1 cup of trail mix by hand. Cover the dough and refrigerate for two hours or up to overnight.

3. Preheat oven to 3500f Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners, Scoop the dough into two tablespoon balls and place a couple inches apart on the baking sheets. Use the remaining cup trail mix to press some pieces onto the top of each dough ball (this makes the trail mix more visible and makes for a prettier cookie). Lightly press down on the dough balls to flatten just slightly. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until the edges of the cookies are done and the very center is still slightly underdone. Do not over bake, as they will finish cooking on the baking sheet. Place the baking sheets on wire racks and allow the cookies to cool completely.

Note: For trail mix: You can use a stare bought variety or you can make your own by combining nuts, seeds, dried fruit and/or chocolate chips. Try a mixture of pecans, walnuts, almonds, pepitas, dried cranberries, raisins, and chocolate chips.

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