I’m Out

The rumors are true. I’m out of the trial mix biz.  This blog has been a fantastic experience and one that has taught me a lot.  However, along with The Trail Mix Trials came 10 pounds, so in 2010 I’m shifting gears from what I’m eating to what I’m not eating.

I believe you have to write about your passion, so I’ve developed a blog to write about fitness, nutrition, health (FNH) and communication.  I am a professional communicator and a mostly unpaid FNH enthusiast.  Both bring me great joy.  Enter FNH Communicate.

Granted, I still own TMT and should interesting trail mix news arise, be certain I’ll post, but I can’t promise the regularity of 2009.  Plus, my current diet plan doesn’t allow for trail mix consumption. 

Thank you so much for reading, commenting and laughing along with me.  These trials proved to be a success and then some.

Much love,

A

Row Your Boat

It has been noted (by me) that many people who select trail mix as their snack of choice also have an affinity for health and fitness.  Trail mix brings to mind health, nutrition and energy,  and typically seems like a much better option for snacking than sugar-laden fruit snacks or salty chips, which is probably what draws fitness enthusiasts trail mix’s way.

Today’s featured trail mix enthusiast takes the term “an affinity for fitness” to a whole new level.  This woman is rowing across the Atlantic – without a sail or motor.  And of course while she is doing that, she is bringing along power-packed trail mix for sustenance.

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A year or so ago, a young woman from Mentor, Ohio, swam the entire length of the Allegheny River. Katie Spotz, an endurance athlete, felt compelled to raise awareness of the global problem of lack of access to clean drinking water. Her epic swim, according to her charity Blue Planet Run, represents the four-mile hikes women and children in developing nations often take each day just to collect drinking water. After her river swim, she told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that she wasn’t done there. Her next feat would be a solo row across the Atlantic Ocean. If she succeeds, she will, at 22, become the youngest person and the first American to cross an ocean in a rowboat. She will also have raised enough funds to secure fresh water for at least 1,000 people in developing nations.

 

To read the full story, visit Woman rows alone across the Atlantic

Source: Mother Nature Network

Holiday Hostess Gifts

With less than a week until Christmas, many of you are likely scurrying around trying to tie up the last details on holiday gifts and plans.  I sure am.  I found this great article from Yum Sugar that explains holiday hostess gifts using trail mix.  They could also be given as regular gifts if you’re not hosting. 

“I decided to make my own holiday hostess gifts this year instead of spending on wine or pre-made goodies. I found mini jam jars at Target and stocked up on pistachios, almonds, white chocolate chips and dried cranberries from Trader Joe’s, which combine to make a tangy, sweet, and salty treat that can be enjoyed at the party, or weeks later. To add an extra seasonal flair I dressed the jars with a red ribbon and a simple stock card label, which I decorated with a rubber stamp. I made eight for about $50, which comes out to about $6 a piece. Personalized, pretty and not-so-pricey. The perfect holiday treat!”

Full story here.

As American as Apple Pie

Whether the Big Apple or America’s propensity for gluttony comes to mind when you think of the phrase “As American as Apple Pie,” this new seasonal Cinnamon Apple Pie Trail Mix I’m about to share with you is right on the money.

You might recall that back in October, I blogged about Archer Farms’  two new seasonal trail mix specialities – Pumpkin Spice and Cinnamon Apple Pie.  At that time I tried the pumpkin spice and didn’t care for it (full post here).  Regardless, I vowed to test the Cinnamon Apple Pie blend for you, and boy am I glad I did.

Fresh off the Thanksgiving holiday, apple pie and I have gotten very close.  Over last week I’ve eaten the leftover pie it for breakfast, a snack and even for dinner.  I’m pretty sure I am solely responsible for eating at least 5/6 of that pie.

Needless to say, I was excited to try this trail mix and hopeful that it would buy me a little more time with my seasonal favorite.

Ingredients:

• sweetened apples
• vanilla cookies
• cinnamon cookies
• cinnamon yogurt-covered raisins
• glazed pecans

Like the majority of other Archer Farms trail mixes, this is really just a dessert packaged as trail mix, but it is so good.  The apples are soft and chewy and the cinnamon yogurt raisins are unlike anything I’ve tasted.

Well done, Archer Farms.  Well done.

 If you’re going to gain the standard five pounds this holiday season any way, then you might as well do it by eating this delectable trail mix.  Another tick in the ol’ win column for The Trail Mix Trials.

Winna Winna

It is official, Kim is the winner of our free holiday meal contest, courtesy of Golden Share Foods.  Kim won for her entry of Kim’s Low Karb Trail Mix. You can get the full-recipe here.

Because of her creative San Diego concoction, Kim and her family will dine on a 16 lb. ham with all of the sides and fixings for free this holiday season.  If you didn’t win, but still want to get in on the fabulous savings through Golden Share, visit www.goldensharefoods.com.   Give it a trial … we did and we’ll be back for more.

Food for Flying

A recent investigation by DietDetective.com explored the nation’s best and healthiest airplane food.  My favorite airline, Continental, came back with the highest rankings.  Receiving an honorable mention were Delta and Northwest Airlines, which as we previously noted serve trail mix on their menus. 

This just goes to show you that when you incorporate trail mix into your menu, you’re guaranteed to be among the winners. Read on for the story from ConsumerTraveler.com. 

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Airline food. No, that’s not the punchline to a joke.

Air carriers serve meals, and where there’s food, there can’t be a restaurant critic too far behind. Just in time for the buys travel holiday season, DietDetective.com has released its annual airline food investigation. Continental Airlines topped this year’s rankings, winning accolades for its “free, low-calorie, high-impact meals,” while Southwest Airlines rated the lowest for offering “not much in terms of nutritional value.”

The survey of the major airlines and their snack and onboard food offerings was conducted by health advocate, Charles Stuart Platkin. It provides the calorie information of snacks and onboard menu choices and gives each airline a health rating.

“This year Continental provided the ‘best’ choices in the sky, while United Airlines had a fall from grace, American Airlines wins most improved, and US Airways falls to the near bottom,” he says.

Click here  for the full results.

Best Way – Homemade Holiday Trail Mix Sayings | eHow.com

If you’re looking to give trail mix as a gift this year, this article from eHow.com gives you more options than you could have ever imagined.

Best Way – Homemade Holiday Trail Mix Sayings | eHow.com.

My favorite:

Name it after a classic Christmas song or movie.

Trail mixes covered with melted white chocolate are especially popular in December. They usually have mundane names like “holiday trail mix” or “white chocolate trail mix.” Instead, call it the “Dreaming of a White Christmas” Trail Mix. Adapt a song’s lyrics to match your theme, such as: “I’m wishing you a white Christmas, with every taste and bite. May all your days be merry and bright. And may all your Christmases be white.”

Turkey Time: Get Your Golden Share!

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends this year. 

Scott, Patrick and me right before meal time

We were so fortunate to have the lion’s share of our meal paid for by Golden Share Foods.  As part of my San Diego trail mix contest, Golden Share Foods gave us an entire Thanksgiving meal (valued at $36 through the co-op).

We dined on turkey, stuffing, veggies, rolls, cranberries, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie.  Seven of us ate and we still could eat again – no problem.  Yesterday, I even made turkey salad and turkey soup, and still have more leftovers.

We haven't even put the turkey out yet

Times are tough and we’d like to pass these savings along to you.  One more time, Golden Share Foods is offering a free holiday meal – this time for the winner of my contest.  Just by entering, you have a chance to win a divine meal for six.  Click here to see the ingredients. 

You have three days left to enter for a chance to win.  The deadline is Thursday, Dec. 3 at noon.  No late entries will be accepted.  For full contest details, visit this post.  C’mon … give it a trial!!

Gobble09

From now until Friday receive 20 percent OFF every trail mix purchase from NuttyIdea.net . 

Use the discount code GOBBLE09 during checkout.

I’m Thankful for … Trail Mix

This Thanksgiving, we all have much for which to be thankful.  I did a quick search for Thanksgiving trail mix, and couldn’t be happier with what I found.  This recipe below is something that teaches us, reminds us of our blessings and could become a family tradition for years to come.  Enjoy.

American Blessings Mix

 

• 2 cups Bugles brand corn snacks
• 2 cups small pretzels
• 1 cup candy corn
• 1 cup dried fruit bits or raisins
• 1 cup peanuts or sunflower seeds
• 1 cup M&Ms chocolate candy
• 16 Hershey’s chocolate kisses

In a large bowl, gently mix all ingredients except Hershey’s Kisses. Place 1/3 to 1/2 cup Blessing Mix in small cellophane treat bags. Add one Hershey’s Kiss to each bag. Close bag with chenille stem or twist-tie.

• Bugles: Shaped like a cornucopia or Horn of Plenty, a symbol of our Nation’s abundance.
• Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer, a freedom sought by the founders of our country.
• Candy Corn: Sacrifices of the Pilgrim’s first winter. Food was so scarce that the settlers survived on just a few kernels of corn per day.
• Nut or Seeds: Promise of a future harvest, one will reap only if seeds are planted and tended to with diligence.
• Dried Fruits: Harvest gifts of our bountiful land.
• M&Ms: Memories of those who came before us to guide us to a blessed future.
• Hershey’s Kiss: The love of family and friends that sweetens our lives

This was posted on a chat room, and I don’t have the “real” name of the person responsible for it.  If you read this and you are the creator, please let me know, so I can give you credit.  Until then, here is the link.

Happy Thanksgiving, All.  I’m thankful for you and wish you a wonderful holiday.