Summer Time Trail Mix

With summer here and many people spending time outside at the beach, hiking, or camping it's a great time for trail mix . When those tiny individual serving packets are about $2.00 a piece these recipes are very economical.
The recipe I make for my family is

Lauren's trail mix

caramel bits
chocolate chips
chex cereal
pretzels
peanuts
m&m's candy
raisins
mini marshmallows

mix desired amount of each item in a gallon zip-lock bag serve as desired

Starter Healthy Trail Mix or Gorp

* 1 large container of Black Raisins (16 ounces)
* 1 jar of peanuts (16 ounces)
* 1 bag of natural almonds (16 ounces)
* 1 bag of roasted soy nuts (16 ounces)
* 1 bag of natural sunflower seeds (16 ounces)

Directions:

1. Mix all of ingredients in a very large bowl.
2. Measure into individual bags, cups or other containers.

Yield: 10 cups of Starter Trail Mix

Read more at Suite101: Healthy Trail Mix Recipes for Tweens: Snack Ideas for Class Parties, Holidays, Sports or on the Trail http://parentingtweens.suite101.com/article.cfm/healthy_trail_mix_recipies_for_tweens#ixzz0q0o28IYM

Totally Tasty Trail Mix
This trail mix has staying power. The dried fruit gives you some energy right away, and the walnuts and Grape-Nuts® cereal give you some fat and fiber that will help satisfy your hunger and make sure your body gets some additional energy a little later on. Walnuts were chosen because they have the most omega-3s and one of the lowest amounts of omega-6s of all the nuts.

Ingredients:

* 1 cup dried fruit medley (i.e. Fruit Bits® or Harvest Medley®, includes dried cranberries, apples, and tart cherries)
* 1/2 cup English walnut halves (unsalted or lightly salted)
* 1 cup Grape-Nuts® (or similar)
* 1/2 cup raisins or cinnamon raisins (if the dried fruit medley doesn't include raisins)

Preparation:
1. TOSS: Add all of the ingredients to a gallon resealable bag, seal it well, and toss the ingredients together to blend.
2. GO: Take it with you on your road trip for a healthful, flavorful, high-fiber snack!

Yield:
6 (1/2 cup) servings

Nutritional Information:
Per serving: 225 calories, 4.5 g protein, 42 g carbohydrate, 6 g fat (0.5 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 4 g fiber, 133 mg sodium (more if walnuts are salted). Calories from fat: 24%.

©2003-2006 WebMD Inc.

Butterscotch Party Mix

2 cups oven-toasted cereal squares
2 cups small pretzel twists
1 cup dry roasted peanuts

1 cup caramels, unwrapped, coarsely chopped
1 (11-ounce) package NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Butterscotch Flavored Morsels

1. Coat 13 x 9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Combine cereal, pretzels, peanuts and caramels in large bowl. Place morsels in medium, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10 to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Pour over cereal mixture; stir to coat evenly.
3. Spread mixture into prepared baking pan; let stand for 20 to 30 minutes or until firm. Break into small pieces.

Makes 8 servings.

Recipe and photograph are the property of Nestlé® & Meals.com

Popcorn Trail Mix

8 ounces raisins
6 ounces diced, dried fruit (apricots, apples, etc.)
1 quart popped popcorn (air popped)

1. Set freshly popped popcorn in large bowl. Add diced fruit and raisins.
2. Toss popcorn and fruit until combined thoroughly.

Makes 3 cups.

Nutritional Information (based on 3-cup serving)
Total Calories 651; Fat 5g; Saturated Fat 3g; Carbohydrate 162g; Fiber 15g; Protein 8g; Sodium 420 mg.

Recipe provided courtesy of The Popcorn Board.