Alright I want to share a recipe with you all, because it is freaking phenomenal and the perfect water snack... and I am in no way a food blogger. Which means I'm not going to make you scroll for this thing. Here it is, scroll not for the recipe but instead for my actual blog post... which has very to do with this recipe.
Paddle Board Approved Cajun Nut Mix
1 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup raw walnuts
1/4 cup almonds
1/2 cup raisins
1 teaspoon coconut oil (melted)
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Turn oven to 325°. Put everything in a bowl and mix it up. Then throw on a pan with some parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes (give them a little mix n' stir half way through). Take out when they look golden brown. Let cool and then devour.
(Here is the original recipe. I advise you using this if you don't trust that the modifications I have listed are improvements to the overall mix. Starting with one, no one needs sunflower seeds in this. They are too small compared to the other nuts, which results in an un-proportionate amount of sunflower seeds at the bottom of the bag or in your lap. Secondly, trust that all other modifications have reasonings and follow my lead.)
The Actual Post
Alright, so Joy and I desperately NEEDED a quarantine hobby. We have watched too much Netflix, because heyyy while some of you 20-something year old are saying fuck-it COVID is so winter 2020 and returning back to normal life... we can't/won't for many reasons but at the top of list being I'm an "at-risk" folk which makes it more dangerous blah blah blah.
SO in need of a new hobby, Joy and I went full millennial Austinite and purchased our very own paddle boards, strapped them to the top of Joy's vehicle and drove about an hour out of Austin to Canyon Lake. I'm now going to be a strong advocate for Austin folks checking out Canyon Lake. It is gorgeous. I am from The Land of 10,000 Lakes... which is technically an understatement as MN has over 13,000. BUT my point: if I'm calling a lake beautiful... I have MANY lakes to compare it to so take my word that it is in fact gorgeous.
Joy and I did a bit of prepping for this weekend, and thinking through what we wanted on the lake. Here is what I consider the "musts" to a day paddle boarding trip.
Speaker (waterproof) - Try the Bose's Waterproof mini speaker, it straps onto the bungees and doesn't go anywhere all day.
Cooler - Make sure to pack yourself a water... hydration is necessary.
Snack - do I need to mention the recipe again?
Sun Protection - That includes a hat, additional clothing, and sunscreen.
Safety - Life jackets (mandatory) and if you plan to be out dusk/dark try getting a headlight.
Bonus: Bringing your dog with like a true millennial? Try a doggie life jacket, bowl for water (we had one that suction cupped to the paddle board), and possibly a grip pad for the front of your board... if your dog is into that Titanic-esque stance while you paddle.
My weekend at Canyon Lake, great. This trail mix, great. Give both a try!
Advice: Looking like a tomato... or a shriveled prune because of sun damage is just never going to be a fashion trend. By the last day Joy and I both got a bit too much sun. So we purchased some rash guards. Here is the one I got.
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