Homemade Trail Mix

Ingredients

Instructions

1. 1

   GATHER AND MEASURE: Measure out all your ingredients into separate small bowls or have them ready in their containers. Check the dried fruit for any hard, overly dried pieces and the chocolate chips for any that look white or waxy (signs of age).

2. 2

   COMBINE INGREDIENTS: In a large mixing bowl, add the almonds, cashews, and pumpkin seeds first - these are the heavier items. Then add the dried cranberries and chopped dried apricots. Finally, add the chocolate chips and coconut flakes.

3. 3

   MIX THOROUGHLY: Using your hands or a large spoon, toss all the ingredients together until evenly distributed. Make sure the lighter items (coconut flakes) don't all settle at the top and the heavier items (nuts) don't all sink to the bottom. This takes about 30 seconds of good mixing.

4. 4

   PORTION FOR CONVENIENCE: For grab-and-go snacking, divide the mix into small resealable bags or small containers - about 1/4 to 1/3 cup per serving. This prevents overeating and makes the trail mix easy to toss in a bag when leaving the house.

5. 5

   STORE PROPERLY: Keep the trail mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. If your house is warm, store in the refrigerator to prevent the chocolate chips from melting or getting soft. The mix can also be frozen for up to 3 months.