It’s getting to that time of year when the temperatures drop and the weather starts to deliver us snow and ice. This means snow on the roads, ice on the windshields, and bundling up with several layers of clothing. Of course this is not something that most of us look forward to, but this actually presents us with more opportunities to get out and get in some extra activity. There are ways to make the winter weather work with us instead of against us.

Instead of having the defrost remove the ice from our windshields we can go out and scrape the ice off ourselves. This will not only increase our activity levels but will also preserve gas.  Another way for us to get out and move is to shovel up the snow in our driveways. This is a great way to burn some extra calories. And after shoveling up the snow we can throw it in the yard for the kids to play with. They can jump in it, build snow men, or use it for snow ball fights. This will increase their activity levels also.

Scraping our windshields and shoveling snow are not exactly the most fun things in the world to do, but they are things that need to be done. So let’s look at the positive side and take advantage of the benefits that they can offer us.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Energy Bars    

Cook Time:  5min

·        Cooking spray

·        1/2 cup honey

·        1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter

·        2 tablespoons maple syrup

·        1 tablespoon canola oil

·        1/4 cup light brown sugar

·        1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

·        1 teaspoon vanilla extract

·        2 cups rolled oats

·        2 cups crisp brown rice cereal

·        1/4 cup toasted wheat germ

·        1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts

·        1/2 cup chopped dried apricots

·        1/2 cup chopped dried figs

·        1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, peanut butter, maple syrup, canola oil, brown sugar, cinnamon. Stir and cook until mixture just begins to bubble, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

In a large bowl, combine oats, rice cereal, wheat germ, peanuts, apricots, figs and salt.

Pour peanut butter mixture over oatmeal mixture and stir gently with a spatula until well combined. Transfer to baking dish, cover with parchment paper and press firmly into dish. Allow to cool completely (will cool faster in the refrigerator). Cut into squares or bars.

Nutritional Info

Calories: 240

Total fat: 10g

Saturated fat: 1.5g

Carbohydrate: 30g

Protein: 6g