Ants on a log is a quick and easy snack to make on Festival day, especially for the kids! Although this snack is typically only made from peanut butter and raisins, some variations will be included so be sure to try those out!

Why Ants?

Ants have been pivotal to our adaptation to this planet. During the early stages of our development, ants were deployed onto the Martian surface. These ants roamed the surface while digging and creating their new homes. While digging, the ants shift and turn the soil allowing resources, such as water and oxygen, to embed themselves into the soil. Over the ages, this has allowed Martian soil to become richer in nutrients. This improved soil allowed plants to thrive when they were finally introduced to the Martian ecosystem. 

Ants also play a key role in seed dispersal. As ants gather food sources from their local environment, some of these sources may include seeds. As these seeds travel further and further from their original location, the spread and survival of the plant increases. Furthermore, ants are decomposers! This means that ants feed on organic material and decomposes it into a source of nutrients that other plants and animals may utilize. Lastly, ants are also a food source for other animals (in a sense, they have become your food source in this dish!). Although quite cruel, this is the cycle of life, and it has allowed life on Mars to thrive as we know it today!

Instructions:

Regular:

The regular Ants on a Log dish requires the ingredients above. If your peanut butter is in the form of a power, be sure to prepare it into its paste form before beginning the remainder of these instructions!

1. Rinse the celery sticks and dry them off. 
2. Cut the celery sticks in halves.
3. Spread a spoonful of the peanut butter inside the cavity of each celery half. 
4. Place raisins on top of the peanut butter.
5. Enjoy!

Variants:

For those who are not big fans of raisins (myself included), try out some of these substitutions! 

1. Dried Cranberries.
2. Blueberries.
3. Shredded Coconut.
4. Chopped Strawberries.
5. Sliced Bananas.
6. Chocolate Chips (My Favorite!)

We hope you and your families enjoy this tasty snack and Happy Week of the Dead!

References

Bennett, K., J. R. Briggs Elementary School., & Ellison, A. M., "Ants of the North Quabbin Region: Ecological Importance?" Harvard Forest, 23 Jun. 2008, https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/ants/ecological-importance. Accessed 4 May 2020.  

Nye, Jamielyn. "Ants On a Log." iheartnaptime, 12 Aug. 2019,  https://www.iheartnaptime.net/ants-on-a-log/. Accessed 4 May 2020. 

(Page By: Tyler Kung)