If you would prefer a printed softbound version of When Vegans (Almost) Rule the World, you can pick one up for just $11.99 at Amazon. Kindle eBook coming soon! Available in either softbound or Kindle/Nook/etc. eBook at Amazon viviansharpe.com

NEXT MAIN MENU PREVIOUS No-Bake DIY Protein Bars Perfect for a mid-morning, afternoon, pre-workout or post-dinner snack (in other words, always appropriate), these vegan protein bars are chock full o‘ crunchy, healthy plant protein and dotted through with just a wee bit of fun by way of chocolate chips and dried cherries. These bars will give active folks the boost you need without a lot of baggage and no weird ingredients. Plus, they taste good and they are easy-peasy to make. What more could you want? No-Bake DIY Protein Bars 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup 2 tablespoons coconut oil 1/4 cup almond butter, peanut butter or nut/seed butter of choice 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional) 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup Fair Trade vegan chocolate chips 1/4 cup dried cherries, blueberries, raisins or favorite dried fruit, ideally berry-sized or smaller 1/4 cup sunflower seeds 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds 1/4 cup hulled hempseed hearts Stir together the maple syrup, coconut oil, almond butter, vanilla, almond extract, cinnamon and salt in a medium saucepan over low heat until combined. In a large bowl, combine everything from the oats to the hempseed hearts. Pour the warm maple syrup mixture over the oat mixture and stir together until combined. Press into a parchment-lined** or greased 8X8-inch pan and let cool in the fridge for an hour or two until hardened. Cut into 16 bars and enjoy! Store in the fridge. Recipe notes: * The nuts and seeds are just suggestions. If you’d prefer different varieties, just use those. ** If you use parchment paper, cut it so it’s a little larger than the baking pan and the whole thing will lift right out in a very nifty fashion. © 2013, 2014, Vegan Street