The Organic Junk Food Market & Susannah's Trail Mix

The organic junk food market and especially children's snacks have created an expensive trap for parents trying to do the right thing. I am all for easy snacks and I am all for taking out the chemical shit storm that defines modern snack food today.  But, organic flour salt and sugar have combined to create a tail spin of circumventing progress toward health.  I am all for celebrating a birthday with an organic vegan sundae but reaching for prepackaged chips, crackers and sweets as a snack hurts the steps many are taking toward better health.  The longer a person stays addicted or even used to salt and sugar, the more difficult it gets to break the pattern.  Furthermore, certain old brands are as healthy as new ones claiming to be natural, so spending more is not the right thing.

We like to put together some nut and seed mixes ourselves.  We make some with raw cashews, almonds, cacao, dried fruit, peanuts, wasabi peas, etc. other options are simple cut vegetables with hummus, a plain piece of fruit maybe paired with almond or peanut butter. Baked triangles of tortillas with olive oiland rosemary, or with humus or peanut butter. My kids are willing to eat cucumbers and peppers whole so that is easy.  When you take prepackaged junk out of your shopping cart you will  see savings.

A package of gluten free tortillas and a jar of peanut butter costs less than organic peanut butter crackers that include double to quadruple the salt and sugar.  So, while it is admirable to try to get the preservatives and additives out of your kitchen, try it the truly natural way, starting from scratch and you will see how well fresh snacks fit your budget.

Here is Susannah to tell you how she made her homemade trail mix:
First I got out a bowl.  Then, I added dried coconut, goji berries, pistachios, peanuts, green raisins, and cashews.  Then, we had a great time eating it.  Hope you try making my trail mix.

Susannah's homemade trail mix

So for me, four kids, 2 snacks each, NO bargain!!!

90 per cent of the peanut butter would be left for future snacks

Not a bad price for GF pack