High Protein and Iron Energy Bars

There’s more than one way to get protein and iron! And these are much less messy to eat on the run than a steak.

Ingredients:

4 cups crispy rice cereal (rich in iron and folic acid)

2 cups Total 100% Flakes (rich in iron and B vitamins)

2 Tbs cholesterol lowering stick ‘butter’

½ c white sugar

¼ c honey

¼ c blackstrap molasses (rich in iron and calcium)

½ c corn syrup

1 c almond butter (rich in calcium, iron and protein)

Pinch salt

4 scoops vanilla whey protein powder (rich in protein)

1 t vanilla

½ c skim milk (rich in protein and calcium)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large mixing bowl, stir cereals together and set aside.

In a large saucepan, mix together ‘butter’, sugar, honey, molasses, corn syrup, almond butter and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in whey protein and vanilla. Whisk in milk. Pour over cereal until cereal is thoroughly coated and pour into a foil lined 13 by 9 baking pan sprayed liberally with cooking spray. Bake for 40 minutes (rotating pan halfway through) or until edges are golden. Let cool and cut into bars. Store in an airtight container.  Makes 24 bars.

Get creative on Me: add in chopped nuts, pumpkin seeds, dried fruit, chocolate chips, cinnamon, nutmeg, whatever you are in the mood for.