Between the seasons of summer and fall, there's ample opportunity to go on a nature walk. To spend time in the great outdoors, tantalize your senses with the surrounding greenery and get in some exercise - it's the perfect activity for cleansing the mind and working up a sweat. Since you'll need plenty of energy for your hike, it's ideal that you eat a nutritious plant-based meal to give your body fuel to stride through the workout. For those who need an additional boost during the hike, however, it's best to bring some snacks along for the trip.
Plant-based snacks are great for a hike since they're loaded with essential vitamins, nutrients and protein that can help your muscles recover and push you to the end of the trek. Here are a few grab-and-go snack ideas to bring on your next hike:
Tahini Crunch Bar
Why add sugar, honey or syrup to a snack when it's naturally sweet and delicious? This recipe is just as delicious as it is simple to make.
Ingredients:
1 cup virgin coconut oil - heated slightly above room temperature
5 tablespoons carob powder
1 cup almond butter
1 cup tahini
Pinch of salt if desired
1 to 2 cups unsweetened coconut shreds.
Directions:
First, prepare your 8-by-8 baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
Next, stir the coconut oil, carob powder, almond butter and tahini in a medium bowl until it reaches a textural, yet put-together consistency. Once these ingredients are full integrated, add the coconut shreds and stir.
Pour mixture into your greased baking dish, press up against the sides to cover the entire dish.
Cover and refrigerate, letting set for a few hours.
Cut into squares, serve and enjoy! On your hike, make sure you place these bars in a cooler to avoid melting.
Raw Energy Balls
What better way to give yourself a boost of energy in the middle of a hike than with a bite-size, nutritious snack? Try this recipe.
Ingredients:
1 cup raw walnuts or pecans
1 cup sprouted wheat berries - to sprout, soak 3/4 cup wheat berries in distilled water 24-hours
1 cup organic raisins
4 tablespoons shredded coconut
2 tablespoons apple juice or water
Directions:
Simply place all ingredients - besides shredded coconut - in a large bowl and mix until the mixture comes together.
Roll dough into small balls, then toss in coconut shreds to coat.
Place in a small container and put in the cooler to avoid melting on your hike. Enjoy!
Pumpkin Cookies
Perfect for a hike during the fall, these pumpkin cookies are sweet, nutritious and ideal for an energy boost.
Ingredients:
2 cups organic whole wheat flour
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup ground flax seeds
1 teaspoon non-aluminum baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon unrefined sea salt
1 cup melted, Earth Balance butter
1 cup amber agave nectar
2 tablespoons ground flax seed mixed with 1/4 cup water
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Directions:
Prepare a cooking pan and grease with plant-based oil. Set aside.
Place all ingredients in a large bowl, mixing until a dough ball forms.
Using a tablespoon, scoop individual cookie balls onto the prepared pan. Place cookies in the oven to bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Remove cookies from oven, let cool and enjoy!
Raw Licorice Treats
Another delicious grab-and-go snack, these treats are ideal for those who love raisins and licorice!
Ingredients:
1 cup organic raisins
1 cup dates - pitted, soaked one hour and drained
1 tablespoon ground anise seeds - increase amount for stronger licorice flavor
1 cup pecans - ground
1 cup dried figs - quartered
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl to form dough-like consistency. Roll individual 1-inch balls out of mixture and place in the refrigerator to set. Enjoy!
Chili Lime Sweet Potato Chips
Want to spice things up? Create these sweet potato chips for the end of the hike.
Ingredients:
2 sweet potatoes
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons chili powder
4 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons unrefined sea salt
Directions:
Prepare a cooking sheet with plant-based oil or a dehydrator sheet.
Using a mandolin, slice sweet potatoes into thin chips. Place in a large bowl, tossing with olive oil and remaining ingredients.
Scatter chips along cooking or dehydrator sheet. Bake or dehydrate chips until crisp. Enjoy!
No matter what variety of snacks you pack for the trip, just remember the importance of sticking to your plant-based regimen. Consuming the vital, wholesome sustenance in nature that God provided us with brings everything full circle - it's exactly what He intended all along!
For more delicious plant-based snack and meal ideas, browse through our database of recipes and learn to fall in love with food again!
