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!
Susieqtpie says
Cheerios Helping Hearts is giving a great opportunity to raise awareness for heart disease! I would love the bracelet so others will know about this. Thanks, Susan Barteachersusan at gmail dot com
Retro Housewife says
How fun! The trail mix looks delicious! I would like to win because we try and eat healthy and keep a vegan household because heart disease runs rampant in both families. We try our best to eat well to help prevent us from getting it and give the kids a head start on learning how to eat well. Good luck Katie!
Kristen says
What a tasty and flavorful looking snack mix! Great giveaway too – I love Cheerios 🙂
Judie says
I’m ‘m following you on Twitter—Judie
Judie says
I’d love to win this bracelet. Pearls are my oldest daughter’s bearth stone. The bracelet would be for her. Judie
Danielle says
I’d love to win the bracelet. I have always loved pearls but I do not have any pearl bracelets and this one would be lovely and go with so many outfits.drellis500(At)gmail.com
Anne-the-Cat says
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/bonswah/status/1388679366
Anne-the-Cat says
I’m following you on Twitter now…username is bonswah.
Anne-the-Cat says
I’d like to win because I absolutely love pearls!!Anne M.anne [at] allanne.com
Spamgirl says
realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*comTweeted! 🙂 http://twitter.com/antispamgirl/status/1388493093Thank you!
Spamgirl says
realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*comI’d like to win because my daughter wants to wear pearls to my wedding and this is perfect for her 🙂 Thank you!
Anonymous says
Cherrios is a great way to lower your cholesterol and it really works! high cholesterol runs in my family and I have kept mine down by eating this yummy cereal and so does my little guy.:) Helps keep a single mom on her toes and heart going strong. What a great reminder to keep our hearts going strong and it’s pretty too.:) Jennifer R. Pharm tech
Kaley says
Wow! Looks so good. I love your blog by the way. I should really be more creative with my cooking, but I am always so tired. 🙂 You do a great job, though; I would love to win this.
Lindsay N says
I’m now following you on twitter! lcnewton84
carma says
I would love to win since I enjoy the classic elegance of pearls. they can make any outfit a touch classier 🙂
Charlene Wehrle says
I need a “pick me up”. It has been cold and windy in Maine and the fact that it is Spring does not help. Some daffodils and that bracelet would really help.charwehrle@yahoo.com