Healthy Snacking with Popcorn Trail Mix

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This time of year is my favorite. I love that our weekends are filled with ballet, swimming, visits to the apple orchards and pumpkin picking. With the cooler weather and shorter days, we find ourselves packing in as much family fun as we can handle. Aside from having the very important job of keeping everyone’s schedules straight, I also become a human snack machine. I have noticed that having an arsenal of healthy options for snacking helps keep everyone full of energy and happy.

It seems that at any given child, there is a hungry child or a hungry adult wondering if I packed snacks. Did I pack snacks? Is that a serious question? Of course I packed snacks! There is nothing worse than having a car full of children that can not possible wait one more second to eat! I get it, all that running around makes me hungry too! I try my best to be as prepared as possible for our fun filled days. I also try my best to pack healthy snacks that everyone in the family can enjoy.

My favorite snack to pack is Popcorn Trail Mix. Plain popcorn is a whole grain food that is low in fat and high in fiber. Starting with a healthy snack base, I can add extras to it and turn it into Popcorn Trail Mix! Popcorn seems to be one of the few snack foods that everyone can agree on. Although everyone in my family loves popcorn, not everyone loves the same popcorn trail mix combination. I prefer my popcorn tossed with raisins and pumpkin seeds. My husband prefers his with almonds and cranberries. And the kids love theirs with chocolate chips and peanuts.

The mornings that I have the time to plan ahead, I have each of them put together their preferred combination. We wait for the popcorn to cool and then combine the ingredients in their own snack bags. On the mornings that time is tight, I make a combination of ingredients that I know everyone an agree on and toss it in a large resealable bag as we dash out the door. The best part of making trail mix is that if you store it in an airtight container it will stay fresh for a few days. This makes lunch box packing much easier during the week.

My preferred popcorn brands is Skinnygirl Popcorn. My children love the Butter flavor, but I am partial to the Lime. It is hard to find a popcorn brand that doesn’t contain artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup. I know I am giving my family a snack that is natural and healthy. It makes me happy to know I have Skinny Girl popcorn as a snack option.Skinnygirl popcorn also packs well, it isn’t greasy or over salted. The popcorn is light and fresh and doesn’t make our Popcorn Trail Mix soggy, this is a huge bonus!

POPCORN TRAIL MIX

Ingredients

Skinnygirl Popcorn (Butter)
Pumpkin seeds
Unsalted peanuts
Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Sea salt

Directions

Pop the popcorn according to the package directions. Open and allow to cool on a tray. Toss all the ingredients together in an air tight container an enjoy!

Happy Snacking!

Daniele