Time to make some lo-cal, lo-fat treats so Michelle is doing the post today.
I’ve been making cereal bars and rice krispy treats (my version) for the Boys for a long time – they’re just too fattening for me. When I found that new lo-fat peanut butter I knew I could find a way to make myself a healthy treat. Now, being that ‘they’ have played with peanut butter to make it more diet friendly…it doesn’t have the same cooking properties. This is the case with almost every lo-cal, lo-fat, lo-sugar,lo-whatever ingredient. So, with that said, this is what I came up with and even Jon likes them. These do not taste like anything even remotely healthy. They’re a great tid-bit to get me thru that 10am snack slump, or a sugar boost after a workout. Enjoy…
Ingredients:
2C Oatmeal- regular
2C Spec.K cereal (I use a flavored variety because they’re coated and hold up better)
1/2 C chopped Walnuts
1/2 C Pumpkin Seeds, roasted and salted
1/4 C Dried Figs, chopped
1/4 C Golden Raisins
1/4 C Flax Seeds…cause they’re good for you!
1/4 C Dried Cherries
2/3 C Brown Rice Syrup (better for you than corn syrup)
1/3 C Whey Low Gold (lo-cal brown sugar)
1/2 C Better n’ Peanut Butter (yes, regular PB works better,but that lo-fat thing goes out the window!)
1 tsp Vanilla
Step 1: In a BIG bowl combine the dry ingredients
Step 2: In a smaller glass bowl (I love my old Pyrex for this!!) nuke the wet stuff for 2 min. Stirring at one min. Yes, I cleaned my microwave just for this – you’re welcome.
Step 3: Get an 11 x 13 pan, or Pyrex dish. Line with plastic wrap, or parchment. (wow- look at the glare from those under cabinet lights! Like Broadway!!)
Step 4: I didn’t really need to tell you to dump the boiling cauldron into the big bowl, but I was so impressed with my own ability to manipulate the camera while pouring it I had to brag! Look Ma no 3rd degree burns!
Step 5: Fold the gooey goodness. This is where you find out why you used the ginormous bowl! Now dump it carefully into the pan and spread around.
Step 6: Wax paper is my FRIEND! Take a piece and cover the stickiness and press down.
Step 7: I’m willing to bet that if you’ve got one Pyrex pan, you’ve got two. Yes, they use the same basic molds and the corners match. Use it to mash the mass and make it submit to your will.
Step 8: Ooooo Sticky!!! After it meshes a bit.(that’s your cue to clean up the disaster you’ve made before the kids get into it) Then use the plastic wrap to pull it out and set on the counter for cutting.
Step 9: Best tool for the job – a pizza cutter! Slice into 32 pieces. These should weigh apprx 1 oz.
Step 10: More wax paper. Peel each little piece and roll into a ball. You can use wet hands too if you like.
Step 11: Anger management….”…I crush you!…”
Step 12: Yea, I’m braggin’ again. Lookey it’s exactly 1 oz !
Step 13: And 1 oz. is the size of a golf ball…ok, a practice golf ball.
Step 14: I hope you didn’t put those flax seeds away…Take each ball and roll in flax seeds. You can use other coatings, but these seeds have a hard shell that won’t absorb the ‘sticky’. Besides, Mom said they’re good for me.
Step 15: There they are! (Geez, again with those lights!)
The End: My post-workout atta-girl treat.
No, I have no idea what the calorie content or sugar content is. Or the production costs, but I’m willing to bet it’s cheaper than 32 Kashi bars! If you figure it out, let me know…I just know I like ’em.
Yum, these sound really good, Michelle. And healthy! Think I’ll be making some of these since they don’t have to go into the oven to be sacrificed to the burnt food God. Michelle used Whey Low Gold which can be purchased at Whole Foods or online at www.wheylow.com You should be able to find the other products at the grocery store.
Kathy