Blueberry Trail Mix

Trail mix is usually a blend of nuts, seeds and dried fruits- all nutrient dense foods to provide lots of energy in small amounts. While this combination has many possibilities there is a little something extra I like to add- puffed brown rice. It is just like rice krispies but less refined and the only ingredient should be brown rice. It adds a nice light crunch to an otherwise very dense trail mix. This can fulfill its named purpose of providing sustenance out on the trail or it can be a topping for oatmeal or yogurt. If you are a snacker, something like this can be a good alternative to popcorn at a movie (popped corn is good but not all the chemicals and cheap oils they cover it with), chips at home or candy during work or a study session. There are lots of individual little pieces so their consumption can be drawn out when eating is not the main activity and there is some richness from the nuts, especially the cashews, sweetness from the blueberries and crunchiness from the sunflower seeds and puffed rice.

Digestion and absorption, or our body’s ability to break down a food and utilize the nutrients, depends on more than just the digestive system. The nervous system, the connection between our mind and body decides how much energy is actually put into digestion, when we are in a calm state the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system is activated and digestion is stimulated. However, when we are in a state of stress or  even just in a stressful environment (our nervous system can’t tell the difference between us actually witnessing a horrific event and watching a horror movie) the sympathetic or “fight or flight” branch takes over and our body pumps more blood to our limbs and vital organs and emits stress hormones like cortisol so that we have the energy to run and escape- but digestion is forgotten. So, when we are eating processed food that has unnaturally high amounts of trans fats or refined carbohydrates we are making the job of digestion very difficult for our bodies. When we are doing it in an environment that causes stress to our bodies (we may not always consciously realize it) we are giving our body more than it can handle. If we do it on a regular basis the food, or food products, will not be properly broken down, utilized and eliminated. Over the long run this can lead to digestive issues, allergies, weight problems, sleeping problems and low energy levels, among many other seemingly unexplainable maladies. Our cells are essentially made up of what we eat and breathe but they are also impacted by what we experience. Generally it is good to eat the three main meals of the day sitting in a calm, quiet setting without stimuli from cell phones, a television or people we find difficult to be around. The same goes for snacks, but since this is not always realistic or possible the next best option is to at least eat simple food that the body can easily recognize as food. Next time you go to the movies smuggle in some homemade trail mix, save yourself some money and give your body something it can use.