Way beyond GORP

SIX INSPIRING TRAIL MIXES

By Allen Macartney

If you’re tired of the standard GORP (good old raisins and peanuts) trail mix, treat your taste buds to something more exotic. From sweet to savoury and everything in between, trail mixes have come a long way – sometimes down a distinctly Canadian trail – since they were first marketed in 1968 by Hadley Fruit Orchards in southern California.

Not only does a trail mix pack a strong caloric punch for strenuous outdoor activities, but it’s easy to carry and perfect for sharing a snack along the trail.

INGREDIENTS

Let’s start with the basics: nuts, seeds, dried fruit, grains, sweets and spices. Brimming with protein, unsaturated fats, fibre, antioxidants, vitamin E and other vitamins and minerals, nuts and seeds are loaded with all the nutritional extras for cold weather skiers or campers (seeds are safe for anyone with nut allergies). Almonds, pistachios and walnuts are great nuts to toss in with a smaller amount of higher-calorie pecans and pine nuts. Pumpkin, sunflower, hemp and flax seeds are tasty choices.

Look for dried fruit with little or no added sugar or preservatives. Dried apples, cranberries, cherries, blueberries, raisins, banana chips and figs provide fibre and energy. To add a sweet zip, sprinkle in butterscotch chips, yogurt-covered raisins or chocolate-covered coffee beans. Yum! Grains have complex carbohydrates to provide extra fibre, boost energy levels and make you feel full and satisfied. Avoid highly processed cereals that add unnecessary levels of sugar.

Include whole wheat crackers, granola, toasted oats, pretzels or slightly crushed shredded wheat cereal to your trail mix.

With those ingredients in mind, here’s six somewhat exotic recipes for winter treks. Experiment with your own mixing ratios and measurements to create the perfect flavour “al dente.”

TROPICS IN JANUARY

Combine a generous portion of cashews, brazil nuts and dried mango, with coconut flakes and banana chips. Add a pinch of cinnamon. HIGH-OCTANE POWER

Combine pistachios, walnuts and peanuts with dried blueberries, figs, flax seeds and milk chocolate chips. CEREAL LOVERS UNITE

Mix bran flakes, shredded wheat, granola, cashews and sunflower seeds, with a handful each of dried cranberries and blueberries. SAVOURY SEEDS

Mix chopped almonds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds with yogurt-covered raisins, and just a touch of garlic powder.

RICH AND CREAMY ENERGY

Start with a handful of coconut flakes, then add white chocolate chips, hazelnuts and pine nuts. Finish with a hefty dash of chocolate-covered coffee beans – a caffeine-fueled energy punch. CAJUN A-GO-GO

Combine almonds, pecans and walnuts in a bowl, then stir in sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Finish off with chili and garlic powder, ground cumin and cayenne. That’ll heat your socks!

Say goodbye to boring trail mix via your imagination and get your trail buddies to guess the ingredients with a toque over their eyes. That’s Canadian eh? 