Recovery Trail Mix #1

I have created, and when I say created I mean compiled, a little mix of goodness to be eaten away from home. Jake and I are both racing away from home this weekend, and to make sure we had access to Paleoesque food, I invented this Trail Mix. Now, it is not 100% Paleo because it contains Ghirardelli chocolate morsels (60% cocoa) and Craisins (which have added sugar). That being said, I feel like it is better than fast food by a long shot. I am planning on eating this mix after my race, once my stomach starts to calm down. Walnuts are high in fat, so if you consume it too close post-exercise it will slow the digestion of the sugars and won't benefit your recovery much. I am also limiting our use of this mix to traveling. Whether it is to a race or just a vacation, I think this will come in handy. But you shouldn't over indulge.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Craisins
1/4 cup shelled walnuts
1/4 cup Ghirardelli 60% Coca Morsles
1/4 cup cut dates (4 dates total)

Now it is pretty simple. All you have to do is mix these ingredients together in a little baggie or tupperware container. One bag is meant for one person. So if you have two people, double the recipe and make two baggies. If you are confused you probably shouldn't be in a kitchen anyways.

I am really excited about this mix because it includes walnuts. Walnuts are great for you. They contain Omega-3 fatty acids, which are far superior to Omega-6 fatty acids found in other nuts. I was able to purchase all the ingredients at my local King Soopers. And after making two baggies of Trail Mix, it is apparent that the food I bought will make several more baggies. That is great, because these ingredients are not cheap. But if they make ten bags of mix, well I'd say it is well worth it. I have an idea for a second Recovery Trail Mix that I will also be trying out in the near future. (Sneak Peek: raisins, almonds, coconut flakes and dates). And I just thought of another one: walnuts, dried apricots, Craisins and chocolate morsels. Wow, really the possibilities are endless people. Just avoid the traditional Cheerios, dry roasted peanuts, and m&m's found in most trail mix bags. And if you do indulge in chocolate morsels, check the ingredients. Check how many grams of sugar there are per serving and compare brands against each other. A little dark chocolate here and there won't kill you. A Double-Stack from McDonalds might though...

Looking forward to enjoying this little treat after my race tomorrow!

e.

P.S. Trail mix was great! For me, what looked like a very little bag was way more filling than expected. I didn't even finish it. Just fyi!