National Trail Mix Day
August 31
Sure, it's a goofy commemorative day, but trail mix is good for you and easy to make. So, what's not to celebrate?
You choose the combination and amount, and...Voila!
· Nuts - Any type of nut can be used, but the taste of some nuts may overpower the mix. Walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pecans and cashews are all great choices. For taste and health, go for the unsalted kinds.
· Seeds - Sunflower seeds (shelled, of course) are a favorite. So are pumpkin seeds. Flax seeds and others can add additional healthiness to your trail mix.
· Cereals - This can be almost any kind of cereal - granola, bran flakes, shredded wheat, cheerios, Chex - although you'll want to avoid very sugary cereals.
· Crackers, pretzels - Add some crunch to your trail mix with any kind of small cracker or pretzel that you enjoy. Try to get crackers that aren't going to crumble into bits. Cheese crackers and goldfish are a great addition to trail mix.
· Dried fruit - Any type will do. Common ones are raisins, cranberries, apples and bananas. For a more exotic trail mix, try mango or strawberries.
· Chocolate - If your sweet tooth is calling, M&M's work well, as do chocolate chips or white chocolate chips. But, remember, these things melt, so if you're taking your trail mix somewhere warm, skip these.
Do eat often and early: Your body uses up energy during the sleep process, and it needs to be restored. Eat a mixture of carbs and protein for breakfast and have six mini meals throughout the day to maintain the right balance of hormones which is essential for falling - and staying- asleep at night.
Do go herbal: Before bed, have a cup of chamomile tea: the plant it's made from acts as a mild sedative, calming your body and helping you drift off. 