Trail Mix is a classic treat served up in Ziploc baggies that can be carried in backpacks for camping and hiking trips. Trail mix is an important essential for a lengthy hiking trip because a good trail mix is made of healthy ingredients and provides the needed energy. Snacking healthy is as important as drinking a sufficient amount of water.

You can buy pre-made trail mix in all varieties, but it is much cheaper and healthier to make your own at home.

Making your own trail mix gives you full control over what goes in, so you can make a trail mix tailored to your own specific tastes.

The most basic ingredients for a healthy trail mix include nuts (which provide protein) and raisins or other varieties of dried fruits.

M&Ms are often added for a “sweet treat,” and these are usually the first to be eaten when children are snacking.

To make your own healthy and energy providing trail mix for a camping, hunting or hiking trip, mix and match your choices from the following ingredients.

Nuts

Dried fruits, cranberries or raisins

M&Ms (try peanut M&Ms) or chocolate chips

Breakfast cereal (try Kix, Chex or Raisin Bran)

Sunflower seeds

Granola

Pretzels

Shredded coconut

The concept of trail mix (also known as gorp) is a fun mixture of healthy snacks to sustain hunger and provide lasting energy while hiking. Hence the term trail mix.

However, derived from trail mix you can also make an inexpensive party mix.

These do not need to be as healthy as trail mix.

Instead of serving chips and dip at your next party, try mixing a variety of snacks that will satisfy everybody's taste and allow you to sneak in a few healthy snacks as well.

The following additional ingredients are examples of “not so healthy” ingredients that can be added:

Doritos

Popcorn

Cheese Poofs

Combos

Pastel party mints

Gummy Bears or worms

Hershey Kisses (with or without almonds)

For a party mix that is tastier than it is healthy, try making a smores party mix. For a slumber party, kids will love this mixture.

Finally, there is a party mix recipe - Pet Party Mix - that allows you to pamper your pets. (You might not find it so tasty.)

Caryn Murray is a mother and frugal food shopper.

Smores Party Mix

Combining 2 parts Golden Grahams cereal with 1 part mini marshmallows and 1

part chocolate chips

Pet Party Mix

2 cups Cheerios

2 cups Shredded Wheat

2 cups Crispix or Chex

1 stick melted butter

2 teaspoons dry gravy beef mix

1/2 cup grated cheese food powder

1/2 cup bacon bits or cooked bacon, crumbled

1 cup dog treats cut into small pieces

Pour melted butter into 13 by 9 baking pan.

Stir in cheese powder, bacon and gravy mix then add cereals.

Stir well so all pieces are coated. Heat in oven at 250 degrees for 25 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

Toss in dog treats once you are done cooking in oven and store in airtight container. This recipe must be refrigerated if real bacon is used instead of bacon bits.