Make Your Own Healthy Trail Mix

Ingredients

4 cups rolled oats

2 cups shredded coconut

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 cup roasted almonds

1 cup roasted cashews

1 cup roasted pecans

2 cups dried cherries

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup dried apricots

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup vegetable oil

For a healthier trail mix, choose unsalted nuts and unsweetened coconut, which will cut back on calories. Note that unsalted nuts will also keep you from getting thirsty during strenuous exercise. Any of the nuts above can be substituted to suit your individual tastes. For smaller batches, simply half or quarter the ingredients, and keep an eye on the mixture during cooking to prevent burning, since smaller batches will cook faster.

Directions

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the honey and vegetable oil. You may use a food processor if you have one, which will speed the process. Set the honey and oil mixture aside, then mix the coconut, oats, cinnamon and nuts together in a large bowl. You may need two bowls; if this is the case, just mix the ingredients between the two until they're evenly distributed. Once the ingredients are mixed, drizzle the honey and oil mixture over the top, then stir it in thoroughly using a large wooden spoon. If the mixture gets too sticky, it may be easier to mix with your hands. Empty the mixture into a large sheet pan, and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the mixture has turned golden brown in color. For even cooking, you may wish to use two baking sheets and stir the mixture occasionally as it's baking. After it's done baking, remove the mixture from the oven and allow it to cool for about an hour. Add the dry fruit and mix well. Store your healthy trail mix in an airtight container. It's a good idea to shake the container every so often to make sure the ingredients remain evenly distributed.

Healthy Serving Tips

Though this trail mix is healthy, it's also really delicious, so you should still watch how much you eat. To help control your portions, ration out quarter cup servings into individual plastic bags to stash in your desk or purse. It's also great paired with other healthy foods. Eat it in the morning with an orange or apple for a quick, easy breakfast, or mix a handful into your favorite flavor of yogurt. Blending just a bit into a fruit smoothie adds fiber and a delightful nutty crunch. For a post-dinner dessert that's only a little bit sinful, sprinkle some of this healthy trail mix on top of a scoop of sugar free vanilla ice cream.