vegan chewy granola bars.

I experienced something new yesterday. A new kind of voice-tiredness. After reading four picture books aloud to a group of 5-6 year olds, my voice hurt. Maybe it's the register required for reading four Rugrats books...maybe it's the effort exerted towards using different voices for different characters. Or maybe it's the way you have to turn your head when executing proper -hold up the book to the side so you can read and show the pictures at the same time- form. #campcounselorproblems

Speaking of camp, by the end of the day I'm terribly hungry. Someone needs a snack.

They're like those Chewy bars all the kids bring in, minus all those processed ingredients. CAN I GET A "OH, HELL YES."?! This recipe is excellent because it's way versatile. Also, there's a no-bake option. They're not too sweet, so add more sweetener if you wanna.

Let me lend a hand in a list of mix-in ideas.

1. chocolate chips
2. coconut
3. almonds, walnuts, cashews, peanuts
4. sprinkles (what.)
5. every kind of dried fruit ever
6. seeds of the sunflower, sesame, pumpkin variety
7. cinnamon. duh.

Chewy Granola Bars (adapted from this recipe at Chocolate Covered Katie)

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup rice krispies (you could probably leave these out and be fine. maybe add more oats)
• 1/4 cup oat flour (make your own by whirling some oats in a food processor. i used wheat bran instead.)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbs veg oil or nut butter
• 1/4 cup liquid sweetener (we're talking agave, honey, brown rice syrup)
• 1-2 packets of stevia or 1-2 tbs brown sugar OR more liquid sweetener
• 2 tbs applesauce

Whatever mix-ins you so desire

Mix your dry ingredients together. Add the wet ingredients and mix-ins. Press mixture (really well!) into a greased 8x8 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes, then press again. Cool in fridge for at least ten minutes before cutting into bars.

No Bake: pop 'em the fridge until firm.

Happy song time. Remember this one? They played it at the end of the Disney Channel Original Movie, Model Behavior. Get it.