hiking Archives - Chef Julie Lopez, RD

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Skip the packaged trail mix where there are often a laundry list of ingredients and just make it yourself! Try this simple DIY trail mix which is perfect to bring on your next hike or as a grab and go snack!

This month has been quite hectic. Work has been busier than ever, Adrain (the bf) is moving, and now I am a day late for the Recipe ReDux monthly recipe. Ahh.. life!
Adrain is moving to south jersey to start Physical Therapy school, so this week has been packing and moving. I am currently sitting on the new couch (that I assembled), sipping on coffee, and writing this post in his new apartment.
Unfortunately, I am not moving here right now. I’m not going to lie, it sucks. From going to seeing each other every day, to only once a week, is going to be a big adjustment. Fortunately, I’m only in north jersey so it’s only about 2+ hours of a trip, which I will finagle getting here as much as I can.

A few weeks ago, we went hiking at the Delaware Water Gap on the Mount Tammany, Dunnfield Creek trail. Adrain is a hiking guru and did a bunch of big hiking trips in college. Also, the website linked is awesome. It has a detailed description and pictures of exactly what your hike will be like and where to go. The guy who writes this blog and his hiking pal (his pup!) have gone on hiking trails nationwide, so definitely check it out for your next hiking trip.

Trail mix is one of the most common hiking snacks to bring because it is calorically dense and nourishing for a hike without taking up much space in your pack. I learned some hiking terminology from Adrain. Apparently true hikers call trail mix, “gorp”. Fun fact!

Fun Fact: True hikers call trail mix, “gorp”. Try this 4 ingredient Gorp recipe #reciperedux

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I never buy trail mix from the store. 1) because I enjoy making my own flavor combinations. 2) because in a pre-packaged trail mix there are typically overly salted nuts, sweetened fruit, and other weird ingredients.
Let’s compare my trail mix with a store bought trail mix:

My DIY trail mix:
4 ingredients

Pre-packaged trail mix:
laundry list of (and artificial) ingredients, more sugar, less protein

Ingredients: PEANUTS, CHOCOLATE CANDY PIECES [MILK CHOCOLATE (SUGAR, COCOA BUTTER, MILK, CHOCOLATE, LACTOSE, SOY LECITHIN–EMULSIFIER, VANILLIN–ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR), SUGAR, ARTIFICIAL COLOR (INCLUDES YELLOW 5 LAKE, YELLOW 6, BLUE 1 LAKE, RED 40 LAKE), GUM ARABIC, CORN SYRUP, CARNAUBA WAX, BEESWAX, CONFECTIONER’S GLAZE], RAISINS, ALMONDS, COTTONSEED OIL.