Last week I was in a Shoppers Drug Mart location that had a postal outlet. While Bryan was mailing a White Box stove to a customer, I took the opportunity to browse the snacks section. I like to do that from time to time as Shoppers often brings in unusual products. I wasn’t disappointed.

As I looked at the top shelf I noticed a brand of trail mix that I had not seen before and it was on sale. The brand was Sahale Snacks based out of Seattle, Washington in the USA.

I have to say that I was immediately intrigued by the unusual flavor combinations and I ended up purchasing three different nut-based, snack blends. They were the Dauphine, Soledad and Socorro mixes.

The Dauphine is a walnut based blend with dried blueberries,  banana chips, coconut, ginger, white pepper and lavender. I love the flavor of lavender which is also in one of my favorite spice blends, Herbes de Provence. It is an unusual combination for a trail mix but refreshingly different. The bite of the ginger with the white pepper kicks it up nicely.

The Soledad is an almond based blend with dried apple pieces, dates, flax seeds, balsamic vinegar and red pepper. The sweetness of the fruit really pairs nicely with the balsamic vinegar and the red pepper (cayenne) adds a bit of spicy contrast.

Last, but certainly not least, is the Socorro, a macadamia nut based blend with hazelnuts, sweet mango, papaya and smoky chipotle pepper. The addition of cumin and cilantro give this mix a southwest vibe.

There are several other flavors offered by the company and if they are as good as the ones I sampled, you won’t be disappointed.

After a very interesting Fall and a Winter that didn’t seem like Winter at all, I have returned to blogging. I spent most of my time off working on the manuscript for Another Fork in the Trail. Our family had a very big surprise in October as well. We found out that we are expecting and that means I’ll be off the trail and the waterways for 2010 as the little one is due to arrive in June. It also means that the release of Another Fork in the Trail has been put off until early 2011.

Throughout the summer months I will post more recipes and food finds as time permits… so stay tuned.