Cranberry-Orange Multi-Grain Snack Mix & Giveaway
So it’s almost April. I’m guessing that back in January many of us made goals to eat healthier this year. Are you still working towards that goal? Or has your resolve dwindled? Eating healthy isn’t just for those who are watching their weight, it’s also an important factor for maintaining a low cholesterol. Don’t let the fact that January has come and gone be a deciding factor in your nutrition. It’s never too late to change your eating habits. Need an excuse to start over? March is National Nutrition Month.
For my family, I have found that the easiest road to maintaining a healthy diet it to simply not buy unhealthy foods. That might sound obvious and easier said than done, but I found that if it’s not in the house then I’m not tempted to eat (or over eat) it. Not only do I want to eat healthy, I don’t want to spend our money on foods that have no benefit to my body. Instead of “junk food,” we rely on healthier snacks in between our meals. Foods like granola, yogurt, string cheese, fresh fruit, and snacks made from nuts or whole grains are popular choices in our home. Many of these choices are packed with soluble fiber, which is proven to help lower cholesterol levels.
This isn’t to say that I don’t enjoy the occasional sweet treat or dessert. It’s obvious from my blog that I’ve enjoyed my fair share of cookies and cakes, but the key is in moderation. Rather than filling my body up with ineffective fuel, I fill up on what’s good for me before I eat something that I’d consider a treat.
Need a sweet treat, but want to fill your body with the right kind of fuel? Try this healthy and tasty snack mix. Packed with whole grains and polyunsaturated fatty acids, this snack is a great way to manage your hunger and reduce binge eating at meals.
Cranberry-Orange Multi-Grain Snack Mix
Need a sweet treat, but want to fill your body with the right kind of fuel? Try this healthy and tasty snack mix. Packed with whole grains and polyunsaturated fatty acids, this snack is a great way to manage your hunger and reduce binge eating at meals.
Ingredients
- 2 c Multi-Bran or Wheat Chex Cereal
- 1 1/2 c Multi-Grain Cheerios
- 1 c almonds
- 2 Tbs butter, melted
- 4 1/2 Tbs orange juice concentrate, thawed
- zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 2 Tbs brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/2 c Multi-Grain Cheerios
- 2/3 c dried cranberries
- 1/2 c yogurt covered raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Combine the butter through ginger, set aside.
- Combine the Chex, 1 1/2 c Cheerios, and almonds in a bowl.
- Pour butter mixture on top of cereal and stir until well coated.
- Spread mixture on a cookie sheet and bake for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool completely.
- After mixture has completely cooled, stir in the remaining 1/2 c Cheerios, cranberries, and raisins. Store in an airtight container.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 308Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 184mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 11gSugar: 24gProtein: 8g
GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.
Want to help raise awareness of women’s heart health? Now through January 31, 2010, for every code (inside specially marked boxes) entered at Cheerios Helping Hearts, Cheerios will donate $1, up to $200,000, to raise awareness for heart disease and provide free cholesterol screenings for women in need, through its partnership with WomenHeart. In addition, as a reminder to keep our hearts healthy, Cheerios is offering 3 goodLife {eats} readers a freshwater pearl bracelet with a heart charm.
The Rules:
-Leave a comment ON THIS POST telling me why you want to win. Anonymous comments must be signed with your first name and last initial so I can contact you if you win.
-You have until MIDNIGHT PST on March 27th to enter this giveaway.
-Three randomly chosen winners will be announced by midnight PST on March 28st.
Extra Entries:
Additional entries can be earned by doing any of the following, giving you up to 5 total entries. Leave a separate comment for each of these items.
- Follow goodLife {eats} blog. How do I follow? OR Subscribe to goodLife {eats} with one of the subscription options (see right side bar).
- Follow me on Twitter @goodLifeEats. Leave a comment with your twitter name and let me know you’re a follower. (only new followers eligible)
- Tweet about this giveaway. Leave the link to your Twitter post in a comment.
- Post about this giveaway in your blog. Leave the link to your post in a comment.
Open to US and Canadian residents!
Seattle Coffee Girl says
This gorgeous piece would complement my spring wardrobe so nicely! I’m following you on twitter, where I am brookekingston.
Tamara B. says
Thank-you for the recipe my children just love the crazy chocolate covered oranges the sell around the holidays. I would really love to win one of these bracelets to put away for my daughter when she graduates. I want her have something from me she can wear knowing how much I love her and how proud of her I am.tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
janetfaye says
I blogged:http://luckygiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/03/good-life-eats-giveaway.htmljanetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
janetfaye says
I want to win because the freshwater pearl bracelet with a heart charm is so pretty and I would love to wear it.Thank You!janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Leslie says
LeslieVeg Left a Tweethttp://tinyurl.com/ctxwo5LeslieLeslieVeg@msn.comhttp://leslielovesveggies.blogspot.com/
Leslie says
I am a vegetarian and I have been for 20 years! I think it is very important to nourish your body mind and spirit! It really is true YOU ARE what you eat!!! Your Body is a reflection of what you eat. If you eat right you will glow. This bracelet is a Gem!! I love it!Great Giveaway and I would wear it with PRIDE!LeslieLeslieVeg@msn.comhttp://leslielovesveggies.blogspot.com/
Ashley says
That’s a very pretty bracelet!
Tricia says
the mix sounds like a great alternative to the sos (same old snacks!) for the kiddos and I am sure I would love it also. The bracelet would be a great way to keep me on track with my desire to make healthier choices. Thanks for the chance to win! Your blog rocks!
Sarah says
i ♥ anything cranberry orange. i♥ your blog too!!!
Stef says
Very cute! I often forget that there are simple and nutritious snacks like Cheerios available. I’d love to have this bracelet as a reminder of good eating habits when I’m out grocery shopping. 🙂
Ashley604 says
I would love to win because I don’t own any “real” jewelry excepy my wedding ring. It would be nice to be able to wear something beautiful that pretty much goes with anything!!
Andi says
I subscribed via email! Thanks!
Andi says
The bracelet is so beautiful! It would be a great addition to any woman’s jewelry box! Cheerios has always been a staple in our home and they are always so generous!
JonnyD9685 says
Likes nice… I would like to win so I can give it to me girlfriend ;)Jon D.
Anonymous says
very cute!!! allie demma
Penny People Designs says
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful giveaway, and yippee for it being also for us Canadians! I would love to win, as not only is the bracelet beautiful, I would likely give it to my Mom – as they get older, I try to make sure that us Stephenson women should eat healthy together. I’m going to tweet about it now!Thank you for a wonderful acknoledgement of a great cause, and not to mention a beautiful bracelet. Lindsay @PennyPeople.com