Ingredients

2 cups quick-cooking or instant oatmeal
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup light stick margarine
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
3/4 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup chopped dried dates
1 cup honey graham cereal squares (such as Golden Grahams)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour uncooked oatmeal and chopped pecans onto a cookie sheet with sides. Bake 10 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant (stir every 5 minutes because the mixture on the edges will brown first). When done, set aside. Combine margarine, brown sugar and honey in large saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture boils. (This can also be done in a a glass bowl in the microwave). Pour oat mixture, cherries, dates and cereal squares into honey mixture. Stir until well-blended. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with vegetable spray and pour in mixture. With lightly floured hands, press firmly into pan. (You may want to let mixture cool a few minutes before pressing into pan.) Bake 10-12 minutes. Press mixture down again with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Let cool and cut into 12 bars.

Directions

Variation: Use dried cranberries or raisins for the cherries.

Nutritional information: 1 bar is 243 calories, 30 percent fat, 66 percent carbohydrate and 5 percent protein. it's OK as is for a post-game snack. To eat as a pre-game meal 3-4 hours before the game, add 1 serving of protein, 2 1/2 servings of grain, two vegetables, 1 serving of dairy products, and 2 fruits.