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ROADTRIP ROUNDUP DAY 1: GUEST POST – THIS HOMEMADE LIFE

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Yay! Day 1 of Roadtrip Roundup! My hope for this week is that you gain a ton of ideas and/or inspiration for your own roadtrips this summer – even if it’s just across town, create memories for your kids, and instill a love of travel!

I had planned something else for Day 1 but I loved this guest post so much I decided to move it up a bit 🙂

Please welcome Alison (love your name) from This Homemade Life if you have never been to her blog you are in for SUCH a treat (pun intended). She has an absolutely gorgeous blog filled with amazing photography, recipes, and little glimpses into her and her boys’ life. Please check out her blog and I know you’ll want to add it to your blog reader!

Take it from here Alison!

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You’ve packed and planned.  The van is gassed up, boys are in their seats and you are ready to go.  Just one thing…did you remember the snacks?

Yes, the all important road trip snacks.  Packed and easily accessible for the moment you hear those dreaded words…”Moommm, I’m hungry!”

If your boys are like mine snacking isn’t just something they do to pass time, it’s part of the road trip experience. When we talk about past road trip adventures they almost always mention the snacks they enjoyed along the way.

Here are a few ideas for healthy snacks that will have you feeling not only organized, but good about what you are feeding the kids as you roll down the road.

Fruit–we usually have grapes, cut up strawberries or even a small container of raspberries.

Popcorn–popped in individual brown sacks, with their names on the outside, making it easy for each boy to find their own.

Nuts, pretzels, granola and dry cereal–my boys favorites are dry, roasted almonds, pretzels and pistachios.  I pack a stack of cups for them to fill (and refill) for these snacks.

Don’t forget the drinks!  Each boy gets his own water bottle (spill-proof) to keep trash to a minimum and make refills easy.

Granola Bars–these have been in demand around our house lately.  We take them to ball games, on picnics, road trips and where ever else the need for a snack may pop up.  They are filling and not too sweet.  You can easily customize them to your own family’s tastes by what you choose to add-in.  My boys favorite add-ins are chopped peanuts, peanut butter and chocolate chips, but pecan and cranberry runs a close second.

Granola Bars

adapted from King Arthur Flour and Smitten Kitchen

1 2/3 cup rolled oats

1 cup rice crispies

1/2 cup sucanat (or brown sugar)

1/3 cup oat flour (or 1/3 cup oats processed til finely ground in a food processor)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

2 cups dried fruit, nuts or chocolate chips (mix it up, but total should be roughly 2 cups)

1/3 cup peanut butter (optional)

6 tablespoons melted butter

1/4 cup honey, maple syrup or brown rice syrup

1 tablespoon water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare an 8×8 pan lining with parchment paper or using a nonstick spray.

Stir together dry ingredients, including fruit and nuts.  In a separate bowl, whisk together vanilla, melted butter, liquid sweeteners and water.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry, including peanut butter (if using), combine until crumbly.

Spread into the prepared pan, pressing firmly.  Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown along the edges.  These will still be soft when they come out of the oven, almost like they are under baked.  Keep the bars in pan until completely cool (this will help them mold, to avoid crumbling).  Once cool, cut with serrated knife.  If bars still seem crumbly, even after fully cooling, place them in fridge for 30 minutes to help them set.

Wrap individually and store in air tight container.

Pack everything in an easy to reach container and you are ready to go!

I hope these ideas help, or even spark a few of your own, as you pack for your next road trip, ball game or even just an adventure across town!

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Thank you SO much Alison!

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Allison Waken is a wife, mom of boys and Phoenix, AZ native. She has been creating inspiring content for All for the Boys since 2011. Allison loves travel, movies and spending as much time as possible with her family while she can!

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