Covered in dirt from the soles of my shoes to the tips of my hair, I made my way up our driveway, which was now blanketed in the shade of the night. The sunlight was up and on this day, like every day this week, that meant it was time to put down the shovel and go find something to eat.

When we moved to a new house a year and a half ago, we inherited a front and back yard, both of which were covered in some patchy grass and a lot of bindweed (my nemesis). We knew we would never put out a sprinkler to keep our grass green; it's something that feels like a waste of water in this naturally semi-arid landscape.

So, a woman on a mission, little has passed through my mind this month other than how to build our garden boxes, which native plants to buy, and where to acquire a copious amount of mulch. It seems everything — even stopping for lunch - has taken a back seat as I rush home to put in a few hours of labor before the sun sets. Rather than planning recipes, I wander in around 8:30pm and make something that requires no thinking… an usually no cooking.

Like all house projects, I probably under estimated the amount of work it would take to get it all done, but I'm a keep-your-head-down and get-her-done type of person. Besides, I found that even in the heat of day I would be smiling as I dug in the dirt. It's satisfying. So, I just keep digging.

Snacks that are ready to eat whenever have been necessary this week. Crackers and cheese, fresh fruit, hummus. And of course, these Honey Nut Coconut Clusters, which sit somewhere between granola and trail mix (and they call for only five ingredients: coconut, sesame seeds, cashews, honey and salt).

Thanks to the honey and the sesame seeds, they taste a bit like Honey Nut Cheerios -- hence the name. But, of course, made with coconut and real nuts and seeds, they are far more satisfying. These would be perfect as a trail mix while hiking, or as a a topping to yogurt, but I mostly just ate them as an afternoon snack. 😋

Honey Nut Coconut Clusters

Published May 8, 2018 by Caitlin Sherwood

Serves: 6 | Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups coconut flakes
1/2 cup cashew pieces
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/3 cup honey
Generous sprinkle of salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine coconut, cashew, and sesame seeds. Pour in honey and toss until everything is coated and sticky. Sprinkle with salt, and stir a bit more until salt is incorporated.
Spread mixture out on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake 8-10 minutes, stirring at the 5 minute mark to ensure even cooking. After 10 minutes, coconut should be toasted. Allow to cool 5 minutes. Store in airtight container.

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I don't know about you, but "Pub Mix" holds a very solid place in my memory. Not just any Pub Mix--what I'm thinking of is the kind with those crunchy honey mustard pretzel bites. When I was younger, I would pick my favorite bites out of those types of mixes, and leave the less tasty bits for everyone else. ...I would *never* do that these days. Never. ;)

These Honey Mustard Roasted Nuts are more like trail mix than pub mix, but their savory, toasty flavor hits the spot. They're tossed in a spicy mix and a bit of real honey and then roasted until they're perfect crunchy and addicting.

You could throw them on a salad, and them to an antipasti board, or toss a container of them into your bag for a snack on the go. Or, you know, eat them with your fingers directly from the pan they cooked on. They'll still be warm, and they'll fill the kitchen with a rich, nutty scent. I'd be a liar if I told you I didn't eat at least a handful of these that way.

I'd also be a liar if I told you I didn't pick out my favorite bites from this mix (cashews!!), and leave the rest for everyone else to eat. But that's besides the point. The point is, these nuts are totally the replacement you need for any pub mix, or savory snack-like item.

Paleo Honey Mustard Roasted Nuts

Published June 3, 2015 by Caitlin Sherwood

Serves: 8 | Active Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

2/3 cup cashews

2/3 cup almonds

2/3 cup pecans

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1 teaspoon coconut oil

1 teaspoon honey

2 teaspoons mustard

1/8 teaspoon paprika

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

Optional: dash cayenne

Optional: dash of Worcestershire Sauce

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Melt the coconut oil and honey in the bottom of a medium mixing bowl. Stir in the mustard and the spices (and the cayenne/Worcestershire sauce, if using). Add the nuts and seeds to the bowl, and toss to coat.
Spread the nuts out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Place them in the oven, and bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Nuts should be golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before eating. Allow to cool completely before storing in airtight container.