Cooking with Karina: Hit the Trails

Karina Arnold suggests creating your own trail mix by combining your preference of nuts, seeds, and spices or sweet ingredients depending on your taste.  

Karina Arnold is a junior at the University of Oklahoma who’s passionate about healthy cooking. She provides creative, healthy recipes and tips on clean eating.

Houston is a jungle. Construction obstacles, wild Houstonians at the mall and the humid heat blanket make Houston the wild, concrete jungle it is today. Disentangling from the largest city in southern United States can seem impossible. This summer, take a hike and explore what outside the Houston bubble has to offer.

There are numerous applications, websites and forums that have recommended trails and parks listed. This website provides a comprehensive list of parks in Texas, each within a 12-hour drive. Worried about your physical ability? Use the app AllTrails to plan your next adventure. This app customizes search results based on your preferences in distance, weather, time and distance you are willing to travel. You can stay local and trek through Enchanted Rock or Big Bend.

No matter the trail or distance, you will need the proper fuel. As mentioned in my Go the Distance article, Roasted Edamame are the perfect, digestible salty snacks for long distances. If you have sweet tooth, pack these Candy Berries in your pocket. These snacks are easy to make and pack for a walk in the park to an 8-mile hike.

The classic snack for hitting the trails is a Trusty Trail Mix. The name suits the purpose. Unlike many sugary, store-bought granola bars, making your own trail mix provides the perfect ratio of fats-proteins-carbs and you can customize to your taste. This chart provides great ideas, ratios and savory or sweet flavor combinations. Like hiking, you can make trail mix as complicated or simple as you like. Go the distance and make your own home-made granola mixed with banana chips and almonds. Or, you can stick to a simpler route and use pretzels, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne pepper for a savory blend.

Simple and sweet or sophisticated and savory, your trail mix should be a healthy, tasty snack that you can munch on and share on your next adventure. The best “trail mix” is the perfect mix between friends, family, nature and you. Be the M&M in your hiking mix. Trails, difficult or easy, are the most fun with a sweet smile. What trails do you like to trek? Have any tips for novice hikers? Comment below!

Find out what's new on the trails at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center here.