Fitness Energy Bars

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup crispy-brown-rice cereal
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1-1/2 cup dried apricots
1-1/2 cup raisins or currants
1/2 cup nonfat protein powder
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
1 cup brown rice syrup or light corn syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup reduced-fat peanut butter
1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread oats, cereal and sesame seeds in 13-by-9-inch nonstick jellyroll pan. Bake, stirring occasionally, until oats are toasted, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, using a food processor, chop apricots; transfer to large bowl. Add raisins, protein powder and wheat germ; toss with hands to mix. Lightly coat jellyroll pan with cooking spray.

In heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, combine syrup and sugar; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, stir in peanut butter, vanilla and cinnamon. Quickly pour syrup over oatmeal mixture and stir well. With wet hands or spatula, immediately spread warm mixture into the jellyroll pan, pressing into a thin, even layer. (Caution: if you work too slowly, mixture will harden and be difficult to spread).

Chill until firm, at least four hours. Cut into 2-by-3-inch bars. Bars may be wrapped individually in wax paper or foil or stored in an airtight container with waxed paper between layers. They can be refrigerated up to four weeks or frozen for longer storage.

Makes 30 bars.

Nutrition information per bar:
Calories: 146
Fat: 2.7g
Protein: 4g
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fiber: 2g
Cholesterol: 0
Sodium: 59mg