Gluten-Free Energy Bars

This is the time of year when we are more active, and these bars are a great source of energy. They blow away the expensive energy bars, and they are so delicious you will have a hard time eating just one. I tweaked this recipe for one of my favorite spin instructors who has celiac disease, otherwise known as gluten intolerance. These bars helped her through her Iron Man Triathlon. But you do not need to be gluten intolerant to enjoy these yummy bars.

Energy Bars (gluten free)

• 3 cups crispy rice cereal (Perky O's Nutty Rice Crunch cereal, gluten free), organic
• 3 cups toasted oat cereal (Perky O's gluten free, looks like cheerios), organic
• 1 ½ cups raisins
• ½ cup dry roasted sunflower seeds
• 1 cup honey
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 16 oz. jar Smucker's Natural peanut butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Combine cereal, raisins, sunflower nuts and chocolate chips in a large bowl. Combine honey and sugar in medium pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until mixture comes to a boil. Boil 1 minute. Add peanut butter and vanilla. Stir until peanut butter is melted. Pour over cereal mixture, mix well. Press mixture into greased 15" x 10" x 1" jelly roll pan. When cool, cut into squares. Makes 5 dozen. They freeze well.

You will need a strong arm to stir these and a very large mixing bowl. Very addicting!

Variation: Dried cranberries instead of raisins, silvered almonds instead of sunflower seeds, and white chocolate chips instead of chocolate.