Appetizers and Snacks/ Fruit/ Gluten Free/ Sponsored/ Vegan/ Vegetarian

Study Snack Mix

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Back2SchoolStockUp #CollectiveBias

Study Snack Mix – Classic trail mix with a fun, kid-friendly addition.Study Snack Mix ~ The Complete Savorist #Back2SchoolStockUp #adThis is a bit different of a post than you might be accustomed to. There is still a recipe though, so no worries there. But an extremely long one…I’ll just insert pictures here and there to break it up for you.

Before I starting writing here full time, in a previous life I was in education. Back in college, I was a teaching assistant, helping with freshman courses, then I was in special education at the middle school level. Loving the classroom, but hating that I was teaching math. Then we moved to Logan and I went back to school and became a licensed teacher in history and English at the secondary level.

Logan is saturated with teachers. It’s also the place where teachers are paid the lowest wage in the ENTIRE nation based on a new report I recently read. While I was in school, I was also working at Borders Books and Cafe (moment of silence please). Oh the books…Study Snack Mix ~ The Complete Savorist #Back2SchoolStockUp #adEver since 4th grade when a friend challenged me to start reading the books that she had just finished so we could talk about them, did I become interested in reading. You see, I had trouble reading, every day I was excused from my elementary class and sent to the resource classroom. In 6th grade, I moved schools and was sent to the 4th grade classroom for reading. This was worse on every level than going to the resource classroom. My 6th grade pride did not like being made fun of for my reading skills by 4th graders. 6th grade is also when world history was taught and I absolutely fell in love with the ancient world; the pyramids of Egypt and the legend of King Tut’s Tomb curse or the well-presevered remains of Pompeii after Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE. I LOVED reading my history text book and I also missed my friend Melissa from my old school whom I had my first book club with.

I became determined to get out of 4th grade reading. I started devouring books, I checked out the maximum amount from the library, started reading everything I could get my hands on at home–which was not good stuff. No 11  year old should be reading romance novels or Steven King…It is Steven King’s fault that I developed a fear of clowns that has lasted until this day. But I read it all. Within a month or two, I asked to be tested and was. I moved up to 5th grade reading class. I continue to read and read and asked to be tested again, so I was. I managed to test at a 6th grade level…Study Snack Mix ~ The Complete Savorist #Back2SchoolStockUp #adBut there was no room for me back in my OWN classroom, the 6th grade classroom for reading. I had to stay in the 5th class for the remainder of the year. I was heart-broken and equally fearful that I would have to start junior high in a lower reading class since I wasn’t reading in my own grade; therefore I continued to read as much as I could.

You might be wondering why in the world I am sharing all of this with you. I wanted to illustrated how important reading is in my life. I probably have over 1000 books in my own home (thanks to my employee discount from my time at Borders). I started buying books for my future children (I wanted more then one back then) when I was 18 years old, so when Elizabeth came around, she already had a full library, at least a couple hundred in her room now and a couple hundred more chapter books in storage, waiting.

When I learned that various Kellogg’s products sold at Sam’s Club were offering two Scholastic books, for free, I got on board. I mean I love books and I love FREE.  My daughter is lucky in that she has access to books at home. But not everyone does. I didn’t really when I was a kid. These specially marked Kellogg’s items at Sam’s Club come with a code that is redeemed online. One book is sent to you, your child, or whomever you wish–you can even donate it to a school if there are no children in your life and the second one is automatically sent to a local school in need in your area. This is as good as it gets folks. I just couldn’t resist being part of something as awesome as this.Study Snack Mix ~ The Complete Savorist #Back2SchoolStockUp #adBut of course, I have to make a recipe, because that’s what I do, so I made something so simple you probably already know how to do it yourself. Trail Mix.

Trail mix is HUGE in my life. Here’s another part of my education story. I was NEVER a good student. I barely graduated high school with a 2.0. I would try and just not succeed. I graduated in the early 90’s. (Yes I’m old).Study Snack Mix ~ The Complete Savorist #Back2SchoolStockUp #adI went to college after high school and did poorly there. In fact, something I have shared with very few, I was kicked out of college for poor grades. I couldn’t keep my GPA at a 2.0. I had been on probation for a year, and was finally dismissed as I went to serve a mission for my former religion at age 21. College required I take a year off before I could reapply, and I was leaving for 18 months. When I returned to school after my mission, same story, despite how hard I studied, I couldn’t maintain a 2.0 GPA. The school was about to dismiss me again when I moved to UtahStudy Snack Mix ~ The Complete Savorist #Back2SchoolStockUp #adMy whole life I heard how lazy I was. If I would just try harder. If I would just stop day-dreaming so much. That I was so smart and tested so high, I just needed to apply myself. Here I was 24, still hearing the same stuff since elementary school. I wanted a degree. I wanted to finish college. I WAS trying hard and applying myself. I had no idea what the problem was.

My friend and then co-worker Scott tried convincing me to go back to school, with him. He wanted a study buddy and knew I needed college too. I thought about it. I was in therapy at the time (for that story, read the about me section of my blog, too much for here) and my therapist asked if I had ever been tested for ADD. She had me sent for testing, grueling several days worth of tests and apparently I scored off the charts. After my results and working with her on how to effectively study, I went ahead and enrolled in school with Scott.  That first term, I earned a 3.9 GPA, a glaring difference from my 1.9 the last semester I was in school.Study Snack Mix ~ The Complete Savorist #Back2SchoolStockUp #adOne of the tips I used back then, and honestly now, was to snack while I studied. The trick is snacking on good things. I am not going to go into the reasons why I need to snack while I study other than it helps give my brain something else to do while I am studying. Trail mix has been my go-to snack. I even secured permission from my professors to snack on it during class to help my focus in class. I guess it is fair to say trail mix helped me earn my college degrees.Study Snack Mix ~ The Complete Savorist #Back2SchoolStockUp #adWhen Elizabeth and I have reading time, we often snack on it. She loves her fruit snacks so we decided adding them to our trail mix was a good idea. She loved getting in on the action to create our new study snack mix bag. I often read the story to her, then she will read the story back to me. Then we both take some time and read to ourselves. Overcoming my issues with reading and learning has created a deep love for both activities, one I hope I am passing onto my daughter. Study Snack Mix ~ The Complete Savorist #Back2SchoolStockUp #ad

Study Snack Mix

Servings: 8 -10
Author: Michelle De La Cerda
Print

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup peanuts
  • 1/3 cup cashews
  • 1/3 cup almonds
  • 1/3 cup raisins
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup candy coated chocolates
  • 1/3 cup shelled sunflower seeds
  • 4-6 packs of Kellogg's Fruity Snacks

Instructions

  1. Add all the ingredients to a zip-seal bag or large sealable container.
  2. Seal.
  3. Shake, shake, shake.
  4. Enjoy

Below you will find step by step photographs on ordering your book. The center is where you begin and then the top-left going clockwise.Study Snack Mix ~ The Complete Savorist #Back2SchoolStockUp #adMy Sam’s Club had products all over the store. Lining the entry way, around the nice lady giving out samples, and in the center aisles; just be sure to check the box for the special label. If you already have your code, simply click HERE to get started.

Don’t have a Sam’s Club membership? Bring this invitation printed out to the Member Services Desk at your local Sam’s Club for a pass to shop for the day. A 10% service fee applies on all non-member purchases when shopping with this One-Day Pass (not applicable in CA, SC or Elmsford, NY). The 10% service fee does not apply if the non-member decides to join the Club at the time of purchase.”

Here’s some fun facts about this AWESOME Kellogg’s Scholastic book offer:

  • You can redeem up to 30 books!
  • E-books are available
  • Libros en Español
  • Over 80 titles from beginning readers to teens

On 8/22 and 8/23, select Sam’s Club stores will having demos, check to see if your store is on the LIST

What Kellogg’s products at Sam’s Club will help you make life a bit easier and smoother as your children transition to Back to School? Wish you all happy school year. Happy Reading.

Study Snack Mix ~ The Complete Savorist #Back2SchoolStockUp #ad

 

Thank you for sharing!

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56 Comments

  • Reply
    Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom
    August 19, 2015 at 5:21 am

    So fun! kids will love to study with snacks like these.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 9:43 am

      Yes and you can feel good about it too.

  • Reply
    Melanie
    August 19, 2015 at 5:42 am

    I always like to shop at Sam’s Club to stock up on snacks!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 9:43 am

      Thank you for stopping by Melanie.

  • Reply
    Denise Wright
    August 19, 2015 at 7:03 am

    My son would adore this. School is about to start so I’ll have to whip up a batch to coax him into doing his homework.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 9:44 am

      Whatever it takes to get the homework done and little headache for you…do it.

  • Reply
    reesa lewandowski
    August 19, 2015 at 7:21 am

    Great idea to make fruit snacks a more substantial snack!

  • Reply
    Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
    August 19, 2015 at 8:05 am

    Thank you for sharing that story Michelle…I think its one a lot of kids need to hear. My oldest son struggled with reading for a long time, and now he is fine…but he reads what he likes to read and that has made a big difference.
    This sounds like a great snack mix…I often mix up something like this for when I’m headed out to my kids games, but what a great idea to use it for studying!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 9:46 am

      Thank you Michelle. Reading is important and it is so frustrating when it doesn’t come as easily as it seems to to one’s peers. Glad your son found something that interests him and enjoys reading now.

  • Reply
    Lucy
    August 19, 2015 at 8:58 am

    We love making our own snack mix at our house. I haven’t put fruit snacks in it before but I bet my kids would love it. Adding it in next time.

  • Reply
    Florian @ContntednessCooking
    August 19, 2015 at 10:22 am

    Great post, thanks for sharing this, Michelle!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 9:47 am

      Thank you for stopping by Florian.

  • Reply
    Kim @ 2justByou
    August 19, 2015 at 10:34 am

    It’s awesome that they offered free books! My boys really struggled with reading and WANTING to read (it just didn’t happen) until we found titles that really interested them. Scholastic has such a huge library to choose from, it makes it nice for kids to have so many options.
    Great post! I’ll have to see if my local Sam’s is on the list.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 9:47 am

      I hope your store is on the list. I love Scholastic and their selection of titles.

  • Reply
    Diana Rambles
    August 19, 2015 at 11:12 am

    Fun snacks for back to school! Pinned!!!

  • Reply
    Betty
    August 19, 2015 at 1:40 pm

    Great story Michelle. It just goes to show you we can all over come. Your snak reciepe sounds great.

  • Reply
    Stephanie Keeping
    August 19, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    My son loves fruit snacks! I will have to check Sams out next time.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 9:49 am

      Hope they have the 2-1 book offer at yours

  • Reply
    lizzy
    August 19, 2015 at 2:21 pm

    what a cute idea! i love making my own snack mixes and bars for the week, perfect for back to school as well!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 9:49 am

      Thanks for stopping by Lizzy.

  • Reply
    Debra @ Bowl Me Over
    August 19, 2015 at 6:26 pm

    Learn something new every time I read your blog, good info! Love that study snack too, looks yummy!

  • Reply
    Kaitie
    August 19, 2015 at 7:59 pm

    I love this idea! Amazing and so easy to make a big batch of for road trips, after school activities… etc!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 9:51 am

      Thank you Kaitie for stopping by.

  • Reply
    Kimberly Ann @ Bake Love Give
    August 19, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    I, too, was a perpetual snacker when studying. I love the addition of fruit snacks, I’m totally excited to give my favorite snack mix a twist!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 9:52 am

      It just makes studying easier to snack through it.

  • Reply
    Rachael
    August 19, 2015 at 11:46 pm

    What a fun snack mix! And I am sure you were not as bad at college as you say.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 9:54 am

      I truly was until I learned how to study with ADD. Then I graduated with honors, but for years it was a battle and huge blow to my self esteem because I knew I was trying hard and couldn’t figure out why things weren’t ‘sticking.’ But all is well now.

  • Reply
    Hirra Pervaiz
    August 20, 2015 at 12:44 am

    Love snack mix! and this one is so fun. For a person like me who likes munching something while working. For kids its great too but I think I’ll be making this for myself 🙂

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 9:54 am

      I like your style Hirra.

  • Reply
    Carrie @huppiemama
    August 20, 2015 at 4:23 am

    Thank you so much for sharing your personal story with your readers. As a special education teacher myself, I’m so glad you were able to get the help you need to be successful in school! This trail mix idea is great! #client

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 9:57 am

      Thank you Carrie. I am grateful for a good many teachers I’ve had throughout the years.

  • Reply
    Barb
    August 20, 2015 at 6:29 am

    What a fun mix. A little sweet and a little salty!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 10:05 am

      Sweet n’ Salty is my favorite.

  • Reply
    Monique @ Ambitious Kitchen
    August 20, 2015 at 7:45 am

    Love snack mixes – I always forget how good they are with the right ingredients.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 20, 2015 at 10:07 am

      The right ingredients is the key.

  • Reply
    Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets)
    August 20, 2015 at 10:11 pm

    I know I mentioned this to you earlier, but your story really moved me to tears. It is so beautiful for you to share your story. You are an inspiration!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 21, 2015 at 12:44 am

      Thank you Sandi! I appreciate your words.

  • Reply
    Emily
    August 20, 2015 at 10:22 pm

    This is such a clever way to use gummy snacks! They do seem perfect for trail mix!

  • Reply
    jamie
    August 21, 2015 at 10:11 am

    I think I need a snack break right now!

  • Reply
    Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3
    August 22, 2015 at 3:55 pm

    I was quite the bookworm growing up, and I guess I still am. My kids, too, have a plethora of books. And I’m so excited that my oldest (almost 6) is LOVING reading! The other 2 love to be read to, but I love watching my oldest read the labels and signs on everything, because I remember doing the same thing!
    It’s fabulous that Kellogg’s is offering free books! I’ll have to keep an eye out for those boxes– because you can never have too many books!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 23, 2015 at 1:33 am

      I hope mine will love to read…once she learns. And I agree, you can NEVER have too many books.

  • Reply
    christine
    August 23, 2015 at 7:30 am

    Great idea to make your own snack mix. We like doing that too. Plus my kids are mildly obsessed w/ fruit snacks so this would be good for them.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 23, 2015 at 11:53 am

      I think mild-obsession is completely normal in the young ones…or so I tell myself to make me feel better about my daughter’s own obsession.

  • Reply
    Ashleigh
    August 24, 2015 at 10:54 am

    Great idea for those quick snacks that we so often are looking around the kitchen for! I love trail mix and recently found that dark chocolate covered superfruits (you can buy them at CostCo) are quite good too! 🙂

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 24, 2015 at 11:41 am

      Thanks Ashleigh, Sam’s Club has the dark chocolate covered fruits too. I am addicted.

  • Reply
    Joy @ Joy Love FOod
    August 24, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    What a great mix, my kids would love this!

  • Reply
    Matt @ Plating Pixels
    August 25, 2015 at 1:08 am

    Great mix! That would keep me going for sure.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      August 25, 2015 at 8:35 am

      It’s an easy and tasty snack.

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