Healthy ‘Snickers’ Crisp Rice Slice

10 Comments on Healthy ‘Snickers’ Crisp Rice Slice

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As I sit here writing, Nino is snuggled across my chest in his baby sling, pinky finger pointed and forehead slightly furrowed. Although he’ll now grace us with a gummy mega watt smile when we’re particularly entertaining of a morning, his everyday expressions tend towards the sterner, more concerned. These old man mannerisms seem fairly typical of newborn babies, but I also think there’s a contemplative personality growing behind those long-lashed eyes.

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Having a child makes you think about your own individual traits. I’m a planner through-and-through, always looking forward to future events. Hand in hand with that I’m a worrier, I guess because if you’re always thinking ahead it’s possible to imagine what might happen to destabilize those plans. Conversely Luke lives life more presently, is far more spontaneous and, although I’m far from a glass half empty sort of person, in comparison his is positively over-brimming. We’re different enough to balance each other out, similar enough not to drive one another mad.

Last week we found out that Nino’s operation is going to be more complicated than we had originally hoped. Bombarded with technical procedures and scary statistics, my immediate reaction was to prepare for the worst, to build a barrier against any potential pain by testing my feelings to their terrifying limit. Luke, on the other hand, was quick to emphasise all the positives of our situation: to focus on our fantastic surgeon, the wonders of modern medicine, the incredible gains Nino has already made since birth.

Healthy 'Snickers' Crisp Rice Slice

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It might come less naturally to me, but Luke’s approach is far more beneficial to our current situation. Yes, we’re scared, but fretting and moping about beyond the background hum of fear (which realistically isn’t going to disappear) simply isn’t going to get us anywhere. Living each day as it comes, loving our perfect baby boy and doing everything we can to keep his home life happy and get him stronger before the operation is. So we’re spending quality time snuggling, singing and nursing, lapping up the sunshine on daily excursions and napping in milk-stained PJs. One day can blend into the next without many plans in place, but each one feels a little sweeter than the last.

None of this has much to do with these bars, aside from the fact that I made and froze a batch for us to eat when Nino is out of hospital, and we’ve already demolished them all. A reflection, I suppose, of how we’re living life in the moment right now, one delicious bite at a time.

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4.0 from 1 reviews
Healthy 'Snickers' Crisp Rice Slice
 
Prep time
Total time
 
Crisp, crunchy and perfectly sweet, this healthier take on a rice crispy cake or Snickers bar is the perfect afternoon pick me up. Look for unsweetened crisp brown rice cereal (rather than Rice Krispies) and the plumpest Medjool dates you can find to ensure that they mash into a lovely smooth paste.
Author:
Recipe type: Treat
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 200g Medjool dates, pitted (about 10)
  • 3 heaped tbsp smooth peanut butter
  • ½ tsp vanilla powder (or extract)
  • pinch salt
  • 60g unsalted peanuts, roughly chopped
  • 25g crisp puffed brown rice
  • 60g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
Instructions
  1. Line a 1kg loaf tin with parchment paper.
  2. Melt the coconut oil in a small saucepan over a medium heat. Mash in the dates, then add the peanut butter and stir until smooth, about one minute. Stir in the vanilla and salt, followed by the peanuts and puffed rice then press evenly into your prepared tin.
  3. Melt the chocolate in a small bowl suspended over a pan of barely simmering water, or in the microwave, then pour over the top of your peanut mixture. Refrigerate until firm, around one hour, then cut into 8 bars.
  4. Will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks, or the freezer for up to two months.
Notes
Inspired by Green Kitchen Stories' Nut, Quinoa & Chocolate Bars.

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10 RESPONSES TO Healthy ‘Snickers’ Crisp Rice Slice

  1. Lauren -

    These look incredible! Is unsweetened puffed rice available in supermarkets or better to go to a health food store? 🙂

    • admin -

      I got mine in whole foods xoxo

      • Lauren -

        Thank you! I don’t think there’s one near me but I’ll check in our health food shops 🙂

  2. claire -

    Perfect timing here, Kate. My little brother has just started going to the gym in an effort to bulk up a bit and yesterday mentioned being interested in sort-of healthyish no-bake bars as snacks. Think I really do have to try these out on him, although the photos suggest I shall certainly be keeping back a few for myself. We both love peanuts and dates, and I love dark chocolate enough for us both so all seems promising.
    I shall be holding out all hope for you and your little one. If my heartfelt good wishes count for anything, may they do so, and may all go smoothly and exceedingly well.

  3. These look delicious.

    I am wishing you three all the best for the next stage of hospital visits and what not, honestly I admire your strength as I am not sure I would cope even half as well with a poorly baby. Nino looks to be going from strength to strength though. Bug hugs xx

  4. I think you have it all perfectly figured out between the two of you and that you are doing a great job, but I also imagine how frightening it must be to let your thoughts wander. However, babies are incredibly resilient (when my little girl was a baby she suffered a bad head injury and we spent some very scary days in hospital) and Nino sounds like a serene baby that is growing strong, so hang in there. You are in my thoughts.

  5. These look simply delicious. I’m thinking of you and your little one.

  6. Pingback: Friday food links – 1 April 2016 « Using Mainly Spoons

  7. Ahhh… that looks exactly like something I would like to make and eat. Yummo!

  8. Hils -

    I’m new to your blog but so far your “Healthy Snickers bars” look very tempting. Must try. 🙂 Sorry haven’t seen anything about your baby but hope all’s well for you. x

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