As we grow older it becomes painfully obvious that many of the foodstuffs we enjoyed as children were nutritional atrocities. I personally feasted on Craft Mac n’ cheese, silver-foil wrapped Ding Dongs, Cheetos, Rice Crispy treats, Frosted Flakes and many other things composed mostly of high fructose corn syrup and air. Looking back I should be three feet tall with rickets and a skin condition.

Thankfully, there are now some more healthful versions of those delicious, anti-nutritious childhood snacks.

I made brown rice crispy treats for my fitness bootcampers recently and they loved them. The crew gobbled them up immediately after a grueling hill workout and I felt pleased to be sending them home to their spouses and children with a decent blood sugar level for once. This version forgoes traditional Rice Crispies for puffed brown rice cereal, eliminating a bucketful of sugar and adding some fiber. The dubious yet heroically sticky marshmallows, which are used to hold it all together in the original recipe, are replaced here with peanut butter and brown rice syrup. The peanut butter is a welcome addition bringing some protein and a touch of savoriness to the mix. With or without the optional chocolate chips these are not as overbearingly sweet as the original version. Kids will still love them and adults will too.

These are ridiculously easy to make and would probably last quite a while in the fridge, but I can almost guarantee you that they won’t. If you live with hungry types I recommend at least doubling the recipe. Keep them cool and they will hold together better, but don’t be afraid to wrap them up and take them on the road. Try them with a tall glass of cold, organic milk and the only snap, crackle and pop you hear will be coming from your mouth, not your bones.

Follow the link below for a tempting photo and an easy to follow recipe:

http://www.danispies.com/archives/dessert/brown_rice_crispy_treats.php