No Bake Protein Granola Bars

No Bake Protein Granola Bars

We are a society of “busy”. Rush to work, to the gym, to meetings, hell - I even feel rushed to relax at times. “Gotta fit in a few minutes of meditation really quick!”

Conversations with friends often sound like, “How’s your week been?” “Ok, just super busy!” It’s become cool to be busy. It’s become admirable to always be on the go. Why? Why not celebrate taking care of ourselves, having a meal with loved ones sans distractions or stripping some of the unnecessary “to-do’s” off our list so we have more time to just BE instead of constantly BEING BUSY?

I’m not saying we shouldn’t work hard to achieve our goals and be successful (whatever that means to you), but sometimes I think we’re busy just for the hell of it or because of poor time management. I read a book a few months back titled The Power of Less by Leo Babauta and one of the tips on how to be efficient with email was to only respond to emails that absolutely require an answer. As in - if you don’t respond a plan will completely fall apart or you will fail to do your job. All other emails go in the trash. And once you do respond (to those life or death emails) file them away in the appropriate folder. JUST BE DONE. I feel like this thought process can be applied to so many areas of our lives. I used to always say “yes”. I’m getting to the point where it’s easier to say no and not commit my time to events or activities that I don’t really value. Time is one of the most valuable things I have and I want to spend it doing what I love with the people I care about the most.

This long train of thought is all to say 2 things:

1. It’s ok to not be busy once in a while. It doesn’t mean you’re lazy. It means you’re efficient.

2. These No-Bake Protein Granola Bars are quick, easy, delicious and perfect when you’re on the go (busy or not:).

No Bake Protein Granola Bars

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

4 tbs shredded unsweetened coconut

1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup golden raisins

2 scoops vanilla protein powder

1/4 cup peanut butter

4 tbs honey

4 tbs chia seeds

splash of unsweetened almond milk

1 tbs coconut oil

1. Combine dry ingredients and mix. 

2. Combine honey and peanut butter and add to dry mixture. If the mixture seems too dry, add a splash of almond milk. 

3. Grease a pan with coconut oil and spread the mixture into the pan evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 1 hr. Cut into 8-10 granola bars and store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to one week or in the freezer for two.