Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix

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I’m constantly eating during the day. I can never understand those people who “forget” to have a meal or go 6-7 hours without eating; the roaring of my stomach would not let me or anyone else in the room forget to eat. It just wouldn’t happen.

On Monday I have a class for 5 straight hours in the afternoon. Considering I can’t go 2 hours without needing to eat something, that alarmed me at first. I knew I’d need snacks—lots and lots of snacks—to keep focus. Something portable and nutritious, just like trail mix.

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Trail mix can really be anything. When I was thinking of what to make mine like, I thought about the pumpkin seeds I had in the pantry and all the things I’d put in pumpkin bread: walnuts, ginger, raisins, chocolate if I felt like it. So why not make a pumpkin bread trail mix? Only without the bread. Because bread doesn’t make great trail mix.

Besides being delicious, this trail mix has a lot to offer. Iron-deficiency is commonly associated with vegetarianism because of the lack of red meat. But that doesn’t have to be the case with a good diet. Pumpkin seeds and raisins are both high in iron*. Walnuts are a great source of omega-3s as everyone knows by now. And ginger is a cold-fighting ingredient(not to mention tastes great when it’s candied, just like anything else).

Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 0 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup shelled pumpkin seeds
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup diced candied ginger
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate, white chocolate, or cinnamon chips

Method:

  1. Toss all of the ingredients together and enjoy.

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*I got all of those facts about iron off of Wikipedia, just like a good student would.

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13 Responses to Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix
  1. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
    February 8, 2012 | 10:05 am

    I have never in my life “forgotten” to eat a meal. Those people are whack.

    • Faith @ For the Health of It
      February 8, 2012 | 10:14 am

      Ditto. So are the people who “lose their appetites” when they’re sick. Sitting around the house all day feeling like bunk makes me want to eat, eat, eat until I Feel better!

  2. Caroline @ chocolate & carrots
    February 8, 2012 | 10:14 am

    I too NEVER forget to eat. I used to pack my purse full of snacks when I was in college…so I know what you mean! This trail mix looks like a great way to tame your hunger on the go! 😀

    • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
      February 8, 2012 | 10:16 am

      Caroline- my coworkers call my purse the “food satchel” b/c there is always at least 1 thing to eat in there. I hear ya!

      • Caroline @ chocolate & carrots
        February 8, 2012 | 10:20 am

        Haha…nice. That’s a cute ‘nickname’! Love that! Ever have anyone asking for some goodies from the ‘food satchel’? 😉

  3. Amber K
    February 8, 2012 | 3:13 pm

    My best friend was one of those people who “forgot” to eat. Then she came clean and said that she does remember when she gets hungry, but she’s so busy with 4 kids that she just keeps putting it off. I get HANGRY if I don’t eat – I could never do that!

    I haven’t had trail mix in forever, I’m going to have to make some!

  4. Paige
    February 8, 2012 | 4:51 pm

    I’m normally not a huge fan of pumpkin seeds, but I LOVE ginger in trail mix. Maybe I should make this to see if I’m still not a fan of pumpkin seeds. Although, I bet sunflower seeds or slivered almonds would work well, too! Or walnuts…

  5. BroccoliHut
    February 8, 2012 | 10:49 pm

    Yum! I love me some pumpkin seeds, and I bet they would pair fabulously with ginger. I might make a big batch of this recipe this weekend so I can have it on hand for snacking…

  6. Hannah
    February 9, 2012 | 3:39 am

    Oh my gosh, yes. How can you forget to eat? Eating is the whole point of living! Eating chocolate, particularly. And avoiding crystallised ginger at all costs. (Sorry.)

  7. Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers
    February 9, 2012 | 10:22 am

    I love trail mix and I love that you added candied ginger!!

  8. Juice
    February 10, 2012 | 4:38 pm

    This is a great idea for me. I eat all the time, but tend to float to the things that are bad for me. This will help.

  9. Sally
    October 16, 2012 | 9:12 am

    Wonderful web site, enjoy the information, and recipes. Thank you for all your efforts.
    In your experience, where do you find shelled pumpkin seed, or candied ginger, that is not contaminated with wheat.
    We struggle with finding trail mix ingredients that are not processed in a facility that also processes wheat. We have a son who is highly sensitive.
    THank you for your time. THe recipes look yummy. Appreciate any insight on ingredients.

    • Wannabe Chef
      October 16, 2012 | 2:04 pm

      I usually get ingredients from Trader Joe’s. However I can’t recall for certain whether they were processed on shared equipment.