Snack Time

Honestly, what could be easier or more fun than letting your kiddos make their own snack mix?

Why I think you should try it with your kids (if you haven't already!!):
-The fun starts at the supermarket, perusing the aisles for tasty and healthy ingredients to add to the mix.
-The tools are simple: a bowl, a mixing spoon, and measuring cups.
-It's relatively mess-free (until, of course, your Littler One inevitably drops pretzels on the floor and steps on them).
-It can be customized: tailor it to your family's dietary needs (peanut-free/gluten-free) or taste preferences (sweet or salty).
-If you're one of those creative types, you can jazz up for the holidays or special events (ingredients like cranberries and pink and red M&Ms for Valentine's Day, for example).
-It's portable: throw it in a snack container and bring it along on car trips.
-It's a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen; they can pretty much take control of this project!  Just set out the ingredients and tools, provide a little guidance as far as quantities, then let the games begin!

Adding the pumpkin seeds

Yes, those are chocolate chips you see in there...

Carefully pouring the sunflower seeds

Stirring it up with a look that says, "Why must you photograph my every move, Mommy?!"

The finished mix

We like to add things like mini-pretzels, whole-grain cereal, various nuts and seeds, raisins and other dried fruit, and of course, CHOCOLATE CHIPS.  Other options include yogurt-covered raisins or cranberries, banana chips (my personal favorite), popcorn,  goldfish crackers or other small crackers, and mini M&Ms.

Your family can create just the right balance of flavors and textures.  Of course, some family members will pick through the mix to get the ingredients they love most (not naming any names), but I've found snack mix is also a good way to get kids to try things they might not otherwise try.   The LOs discovered that pumpkin and sunflower seeds are actually pretty good but still prefer chocolate chips and pretzels.  The Carnivore discovered that dried peaches (included in the mix above) "smell like feet" and was not a fan.

On occasion, I'll sprinkle in a spice like nutmeg or cinnamon to amp up the flavor (again, a helpful way to introduce new tastes to pickier eaters).  I haven't tried paprika or cayenne pepper but these might be fun additions for more sophisticated palates.

So...are you ready to make some snack mix with your favorite people?  If you do, comment below and let me know what you like to include in yours.  Thanks for reading and come by my Facebook page if you want to follow our food adventures!