Healthy Snacks: Happy Trails Mix

01/29/2013 | 02:56 PM

Don't wait until you go camping to try this healthy snack. Mix up a batch and bring it with you. Eat a serving each day at 11:00 a.m. for five days. This happy trail mix will boost your mood, deliciously.

Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened dried bananas
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 3/4 cup sunflower seed (be sure to get seeds not cooked in peanut oil)
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:
Mix, eat and enjoy.

Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of folic acid and magnesium, both of which are mood-boosters. One handful of sunflower seeds provides half of your daily magnesium needs. Chocolate and bananas have been shown to elevate levels of serotonin - our brain's natural antidepressant. Chocolate also boosts endorphins in the brain. Endorphins, which are produced by the pituitary gland, are opiate-like chemicals that produce a mild euphoria.