Trail Mix Fix: Homemade Biscotti

Copyright Janet Groene 2026. To ask about rates for reprnit rights to Groene content, email janetgroene@yahoo.com

FIX YOUR OWN TRAIL MIX TO

EAT BETTER, SAVE $, LESS TRASH

Dunkin' Biscotti Gorp

Most of us think of biscotti as dunkers for coffee or cocoa.  Ther are also a very nutritious, toothsome trail meal rich in eggs and plenty of nuts  .Eat them dry and crunchy or dunk in juice or yogurt

.4 cups whole almonds

3 ½ cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

Pinch salt (optional)

1 cup sugar 

2 tablespoons milled flax seed

5 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring

1 teaspoon almond flavoring

Chop almonds coarsely and set aside. Combine dry ingredients.  Whisk eggs with flavorings until light, then mix in dry ingredients. Dough will be sticky.

Turn out dough onto a floured cloth and form into 4 “logs”. Put racks in the center of the oven. Bake logs on greased baking sheets about 20 minutes at 325 degrees. Logs will be soft and tops will show cracks. 

The next step is important. Cool until lukewarm, when logs are easy to cut. Slice logs int ½ inches pieces, then cut each slice in two or three bite-size pieces.  Reduce oven heat to 200 degrees and spread bite-size biscotti on sheets. Bake until crisp and golden, about 15 to 20 minutes. Cool thoroughly, then serve in a bowl for snacks or package in snack bags for the trail. Keep cool and dry up to two weeks. 

See Janet Groene's recipes for camping and RV travel at https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com

 
    Extra food is travel insurance. Even a brief morning hike can turn into a longer-than-planned, hungry and even life-threatening adventure. See a book on provisioning your pack, camper, boat, cabin or fish camp with familiar, affordable, shelf-stable pantry foods from the supermarket. It's Survival Food Handbook, published by International Marine division of McGraw-ill.  http://amzn.to/1WdYqbe

 

Homemade Trail Mix Makes Your Day

 Copyright Janet Groene 2026. This site has had more than 70,000 views. To ask about rates to reprint Groene content, or to commission exclusive content, email janetgroene@yahoo.com

Kickin’ Coffee Gorp

This hearty snack is good any time but especially when your morning needs a jump start or when you need a 2 p.m. pick-me-up on the trail. 

2 cups granola bars cut in small bites 

1 teaspoon powdered coffee

2 tablespoons sugar 

1 cup chocolate covered coffee beans

4 cups ready-to-eat chocolate  cereal (Chocolate Chex or Cheerios)

4 cups un-sugared cereal

1 cup unsalted pecans

2 cups dry toasted peanuts

Cut granola bars in bite site.  Mix instant coffee and sugar and put in a large bag with the granola bits. Jostle gently to coat sticky granola with the coffee mixture.

Add everything else, jostle bag to mix well. Package in snack bags by the cup (meal size) or half cup (snack).  Makes 14 one-cup servings. Keep cool and dry. Wash it down with plenty of hot or cold coffee, spring water or juice. 

Gorpin’ Good Tip: Package a wet wipe in each snack bag of gorp. You’ll thank me later.

See more of Janet Groene's recipes, shortcuts and tips for travel and cooking on the go at https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com and https://boatcook.blogspot.com 

FREEDOM OF THE OPEN ROAD?

 Do you dream of living and traveling in a complete home on wheels? Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition by Janet Groene & Gordon Groene is a total guide to the full-time life on wheels. Should you sell the house or rent it out? Downsize possessions or put them in storage? Too young to retire? There’s a chapter on ways to make a living anywhere. Kids on board? We cover home schooling and also an exit strategy if and when the time comes to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you.  https://amzn.to/29XFEkq 

 

YOUR NEXT ROAD TRIP? 

See Janet Groene's places, dates and destinations for travel in the USA. They may be near or far, sooner or later, new or old, free or fee, indoors or outdoors but always family friendly. https://janetgroene.blogspot.com 

A Homemade Trail Mix Breakfast

 Copyright Janet Groene 2026. To ask about rates for reprint rights to Groene content, email janetgroene@yahoo.com

Nothing is better than a hike at sunrise and a bag of breakfast at the summit 

Brawny Breakfast Gorp

“Fig newtons” now come in many flavors, not just fig.  Choose your favorites or use a combination of colors such as half apple, half strawberry. Put them on a cutting board and use a sharp chef’s knife to cut each one into 9 pieces. 

About 4 cups diced “newton” cookies

1 cup milled hemp seed or flax seed

2 cups yogurt-covered raisins

2 cups whole pecans

1 cup broken walnuts

Dice cookies and put in a large plastic bag with the hemp or flax seed. Toss gently and seeds will coat the sticky edges.

 Add remaining ingredients and carefully toss again.  Measure lightly by the cup or half cup. Keep in a cool place and protect snack bags from getting squashed.  A cupful makes a filling, fiber-rich breakfast when washed down with spring water.  

Weekend potluck in the campground? See more of Janet’s easy, economical recipes at http://www.CampAndRVCook.blogspot.com

 
    Extra food is travel insurance. Even a brief morning hike can turn into a longer-than-planned, hungry and even life-threatening adventure. See a book on provisioning your pack, camper, boat , cabin or fish camp with familiar, affordable, shelf-stable pantry foods from the supermarket. It's Survival Food Handbook, published by International Marine division of McGraw-Hill.   http://amzn.to/1WdYqbe

DID YOU KNOW?

The Groenes, Janet and Gordon, lived full-time on the go, wintering in a 29-foot sailboat in the tropics and summering in their 21-foot diesel camper. Assignments for the travelwriter/photograph team took them all over the world. Janet claims she can prepare a five-course meal in a British phone box, but that may be a wee bit of a stretch.  

 We spill our whole story, start to end, warts and all.....

We traveled full-time for 10 great years. 

 Do you dream of living and traveling in a complete home on wheels? Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition by Janet Groene & Gordon Groene is a total guide to the full-time life on wheels. Should you sell the house or rent it out? Downsize possessions or put them in storage? Too young to retire? See our chapter on ways to make a living anywhere. Kids on board? We cover home schooling and also an exit strategy if and when it's time to settle down. Let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you.   https://amzn.to/29XFEkq 

The Groenes book "How to Live Aboard a Boat" (Hearst) is out of print but may be found on ebay, Amazon or Alibris. 

Hi Protein Homemade Trail Mix

Copyright Janet Groene 2026

Many commercial trail mixes are too sweet, too salty and are loaded with stuff you don't want in your bod. And they are all pricey compared to homemade.

Make your own gorp and save money, shave calories, customize ingredients (e,g, gluten free or no salt) and reduce trash by using reusable snack bags.

Never be without your own nutritious nosh, not just on the trail but for boating, camping, hunting, fishing, road trips and when assigned to that dreaded middle seat on the airlines. 

Plenty of plant protein plus dairy....

String Cheese Gorp

3 cups string cheese pieces

1 tablespoon mixed seasoning (your choice) 

6 cups square cereals (the more variety, the better)

3 cups small size Quaker rice cakes (plain or flavored)

1 cup unsalted walnut halves

1 cup unsalted pecan halves

Cut string cheese in small bites. Put in a big bag with 1 tablespoon seasoning and shake gently to coat.  Add cereal, rice cakes, nuts and additional seasoning to taste.

    Shake gently again and package by the cupful to make a meal or by the half cup for snacking. Complete the menu with spring water.   Makes about 14 one-cup portions. 

See more of Janet Groene's quick recipes at https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com and  https://boatcook.blogspot.com

FREEDOM OF THE OPEN ROAD?

 Do you dream of living and traveling in a complete home on wheels? Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition by Janet Groene & Gordon Groene is a total guide to the full-time life on wheels. Should you sell the house or rent it out? Downsize possessions or put them in storage? Too young to retire? There’s a chapter on ways to make a living anywhere. Kids on board? We cover home schooling. There's also an exit strategy if and when the time comes to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you.  https://amzn.to/29XFEkq 

 

Homemade Trail Mix Saves $

Blog copyright Janet Groene 2025. This site has had more than 65,000 views. To ask about placing your ad on all six Groene sites for one low rate,  email jantgoene (at) yahoo.com 

The latest in the Yacht Yenta cozy mystery e-books brings sailboat widow Farley Halladay closer to the answer of her husband's death. 

Read the six cozies in any order as Farley copes, cooks and solves crimes with the help of her wacky cast of characters. You'll laugh at her frailties; cry with her as she grieves. Find it on Google Play and other ebook formats and also on  Kindle,   https://amzn.to/3wcf6ao

Apple Pie ‘n Cheese Gorp

This nut-free gorp is an anytime snack or a pepper-upper. It’s also a satisfying dessert around the campfire.

4 cups square white cheddar cheese crackers

2 packages (about 4 cups)  cups Cheddar Cheese Goldfish

4 cups unsalted popcorn 

4 cups corn curls or puffs

2 cups cut up apple rings

2 cups apple snack chips

Toss everything together lightly and package by the cupful in zip-top snack bags. Makes 20 servings of one cup each. Bonus points: Bring a wrapped Baby Bel or individually wrapped string cheese to eat with each portion. And don't forget plenty of water.

See more of Janet Groene's fast-track recipes for cooking on the go in travel, camping, RV and boating at https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com and htt[s://boatcook.blogspot.com 

FREEDOM OF THE OPEN ROAD?

 Do you dream of living and traveling in a complete home on wheels? Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition by Janet Groene & Gordon Groene is a total guide to the full-time life on wheels. Should you sell the house or rent it out? Downsize possessions or put them in storage? Too young to retire? There’s a chapter on ways to make a living anywhere. Kids on board? We cover home schooling and also an exit strategy if and when the time comes to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you.  https://amzn.to/29XFEkq 

 

Seasick? Make Ginger Trail Mix

 Blog copyright Janet Groene 2023. To ask about placing your ad on all six Groene sites for one year, one low rate, email janetgroene at yahoo.com

This blog is about homemade trail mix for all travelers ashore, afoot,  aloft and afloat. When you make customized trail mix, package it individually and keep it in a pocket or backpack, it is the ultimate travel insurance.

Ginger-for-theTummy Gorp

    Ginger settles tummies. It's also a sweet, spicy dessert treat. Bake this buttery snack  in one piece, then chop it in bite size to package in individual portions.

Nuts optional

2 cups flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 sticks butter, softened
1/4 cup milk or cream

    Set the oven for 325 degrees. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Grease a 9 X 13-inch baking pan. Use a pastry blender to cut butter into dry ingredients until mixture is mealy. Stir in milk or cream.  Mixture will be very thick. Add another tablespoon of milk if needed. Spread it evenly in the pan. 

    Use flour-dipped fingers or the back of a spoon dipped in flour to pack it in. Bake 25 minutes or until golden. Cool 5 minutes and cut in small squares with a sawtooth knife. Then cool completely before taking squares out of the pan.
    Eat plain or dunk in ginger lemon tea. Nuts add flavor and crunch but aren't recommended  for someone who is seasick. 

 

 

See Janet Groene’s shortcut recipes and tips for camp and RV cooking at Camp And RV Cook.

Discover the Yacht Yenta Cozy Mystery Series....

People are dying in Okecoochie County FL, but nobody can guess how the deaths are related. Meet Farley Halladay, a salt-cured sailboat widow who has an online charterboat booking business, dodges a wayward sister, cares for an old Navy SEAL veteran who was her husband’s mentor and wrangles  a large circle of wacky friends. She cooks, copes and solves crimes in this unusual cozy mystery series.  Check your favorite e-book seller for all formats or go to Kindle,   https://amzn.to/3bB5XPh   

Bonus points: Throughout the books, Farley shares shortcut recipes from the days when she was a charterboat cook. 

 I'll email you a full page of camp cooking tips, hacks and shortcuts free, lifted randomly from my archives. janetgroene@yahoo.com  Put Cook Tips in the topic line.  

Be ready for the next hurricane, forest fire or other natural disaster with Janet Groene’s Survival Food Handbook. Unlike doomsday prepper books it’s a guide to stowing, using and rotating supermarket staples to provision your home pantry, RV or boat for brief emergencies, power outages and busy day meals.  http://amzn.to/1WdYqbe