Healthy Snack and Full of Protein!

You know those times when you're sitting in front of the t.v. or studying/doing homework and you're just feeling "snacky"? Yeah I know how those go. Or the instances where you are super hungry but its too early for supper and you already had lunch, but there's nothing really to eat for a snack (nothing healthy, that is)? No fear! I've gotcha taken care of :)

So. Who doesn't like trail mix? If you don't, you're nuts ;) (pardon my nuttiness, I do enjoy corny jokes-- most of which I create myself :) For those of us that do enjoy indulging in trail mixes from time to time all know that they to be full of crap that we don't need to be putting in our bodies. Not to mention those big bags make it ever so tempting to just sit there and eat 5 people's worth of it. But what to do when you're hungry, but it's not a meal time? Sometimes we go for those cookies....or chips....or that yummy mint chocolate chip ice cream... mmm. Plus! sometimes it's hard to find those snacks with enough protein and not too much sodium (which is a slightly controversial subject) and not too much fat-- at least of the wrong kind-- or too much sugar! It's definitely important to be filling yourself with enough protein, that is what is going to help you stay full longer-- not to mention help those quad muscles you've been working on at the gym repair themselves.

Brandon (my husband) and I have been trying to figure out ways to get more protein in our bodies when we've been working them ruthlessly at the gym. Plus, when you're working out hard, you're going to get hungry more. Also, the past couple of months we've been coaching a U10 girls soccer team which occurs in the early evening. Afterwards, we usually head to the gym (unless somebody is feeling too tired ;), but it's supper time and we're hungry. It's not ideal to go and work out if you're hungry; then you're tired and cranky and just have trouble giving it your all. Fortunately, my homemade trail mix has been wonderful to tide us over in moments like those! Anyways, enough of my babbling. I'll tell you what all I put in and how much!

1/8 c. Oven Roasted Dark Chocolate Almonds
1/8 c. Whole Natural Almonds
1/8 c. Honey Roasted Peanuts
1/8 c. Dry Roasted Peanuts
1/6 c. Raisins
1 Tbs. Milk Chocolate chips

Now I will tell you that I eye-balled those measurements. I put them in the small ziploc snack baggies so keep us from eating more than we should ;)

Here's the nutrition! Keep in mind that 450 calories is about a meals-worth. So don't eat the whole baggie if you don't need it! Split it with someone or between your morning and afternoon snacks!
                          
Calories -- 450                                                                                                      
Total fat -- 32 g                                                     
Saturated Fat -- 6 g                                             
Potassium -- 530 mg                                           
Sodium -- 145 mg                                                
Cholesterol -- 2.5 mg                                  
Total Carbs -- 34 g
Dietary fiber -- 6 g
Sugar -- 21.5 g
Protein -- 13 g

P.s. cashews would make a good substitute as well!