Tuesday's tips: What to do with random cereal

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It drives me crazy to reach for a box of cereal only to realize there is less than a bowl left. I know there’s a good chance too that the box has been left in this condition for days, because no one wants to eat just half a bowl of cereal. A few years ago, one of my friends introduced me to the idea of Cereal Trail Mix. It was such a brilliant idea that I implemented it right away and have been making it for years.

I keep a clear plastic container in our pantry specifically for this special mix. Whenever a cereal box reaches the last quarter or so,  I simply pour it into the designated container. Then, once I start adding different cereals, I either stir them together with a big spoon or turn the container over a few times until every flavor gets mixed up. We’ve also been known to add leftover goldfish, pretzel pieces, M & M’s, or the kids’ favorite nuts. There really is no limit to the variety of bite-sized goodies you can mix together to create the perfect snack.

This Cereal Trail Mix is a great snack to take to amusement parks, the zoo, school, sporting events, after-school activities, and long-distance road trips. It’s even great to munch on while watching a family movie. It is a much healthier alternative to chips, cheaper than pre-packaged individualized snacks, and keeps wasted food at bay. You can keep a small air-tight container full in your car for emergencies. Sometimes I even fill snack-sized bags ahead of time to make it easier for the kids to grab and go. My favorite time to eat this mix is on the way home from the gym, especially if I have included cashews!

Now when I shop for cereal, I try to pick ones that are hearty enough to add to our Cereal Trail Mix. I try to stay away from those that crumble easily or make your fingers too sticky. Some of our favorites include: Fruit Loops, Multi-Grain Cheerios, Kashi’s Heart to Heart, Chocolate Cheerios, and Golden Crisp.  The nice thing is that you can pick mostly healthy cereals, but still add a little fun with a higher sugar cereal to add a little sweetness.