A healthy spin on the classic rice crispy squares.  I like this because it’s a great way to pack more calcium into the kids.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups puffed rice
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup currants
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup dairy & gluten free chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup macadamia or cashew butter (or any nut butter)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 cup raw honey

Directions:

Mix the puffed rice, seeds, currants, cinnamon and chips in a large bowl.  In a smaller bowl, mix the vanilla, honey and nut butter and then add to the puffed rice cereal.  Stir together well so it will hold into bars.  Spray 9 inch pan with olive oil and spoon ingredients into pan.  With wet hands, spread mixture out until it fills the pan.  Refrigerate, and when chilled, cut into bars.

Health Benefits:

Sesame seeds are high in calcium (280 mg) and raw honey contains natural enzymes that assist in the digestive process.  The puffed rice is less processed than other cereals out there on the market, with only one ingredient listed on the package – brown rice.  Processing strips out minerals and vitamins and then adds them back – but not in the right balance that our bodies require for optimal health.  The more ‘natural’ you can eat, the better you will feel and look.