made at home: vegan chocolate coconut bars

Vegan Chocolate Coconut Nut Bars

Graham Cracker Crust

• 6 cups of crusted graham crackers
• 4 tablespoons of oil
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt

Toppings

• 1 cup of shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 cup of chopped nuts
• 1/2 cup of vegan chocolate chips
• 1 cup of non-dairy milk (I used coconut)
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup of maple syrup

   On medium heat, mix together the milk with the sugar and syrup. After all is combined, let the mixture set for about five minutes until slightly cooler. While cooling, mix the graham cracker crumbs, oil, and salt together in a medium bowl. Press the crust mixture into a medium sized cake pan, that is sprayed with cooking oil. Add the cooled milk mixture to the crust, then add the chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and let cool for two hours in the fridge before eating. 

   This is a recipe I have tried many different ways, and seen many different places. I love the mixture of coconut and chocolate  as many people adore as well, and I can't get enough of it. The best thing about these bars is how simple they are to make, the most of the waiting is just the baking in the oven part. Also, most of these ingredients can always been found in your kitchen (well, at least in mine at all times!). Enjoy! 

sponsor introduction/coupon book giveaway with datevitation!

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mini-trip: clinton lake part 2

Some background: finding time to get away is difficult with a couple consisting of a full-time education student working part-time and a full-time worker with a solo project and band. finding that time that is always scheduled  and cash that is always being used for personal hobbies/"living", is so rare. finding ourselves engulfed in different surroundings is something we don't come across often, but always strived for.

   With my summer break recently started, and my boyfriend taking his vacation from work, we decided to take some time away from our personal schedules and seek solitude elsewhere. Clinton lake was a place I had never traveled to before in Kansas, but it was one of his favorites when he lived in a town close to there. We pitched our dome tent, sleeping with just pillows and a sheet, and drink cheap beer over a campfire. The day time hours comprised of nature trails, fishing, the beach, and relaxing.

   With weekends like this, I don't know if I could leave the Midwest. Such simple trips as camping, mean so much more... just the ability to leave my urban surroundings, and find myself in the mist of a completely new environment without trouble, is a place I don't want to escape.

mini-trip: clinton lake part 1

"May your search through nature lead to yourself." 

Stay tuned for the second half of exploring on my mini-trip to Lake Clinton. 

before the dive

(baked some vegan coconut bars today, recipe will be up shortly.) 

 (what's in my bag today.) 

(cropped blouse/skirt/curious george pin: thrifted, oxfords: nine west, galaxy pin: handmade)  

   I'm welcoming back my good friend, summer break. I'm welcoming back no more endless nights of cramming for tests, early morning drives to school, educational psychology research, and history extended essays... this is until I start my summer classes. But, it will honestly still be a major break for me, even though I will be nannying a lot more this summer and still be doing college work. 

   Life for the next few months will be much more relaxing. I relaxed today by doing some antiquing and grabbing a latte with a friend before work. My boyfriend and I plan on taking a camping trip this weekend, which is rescheduled from the cold (which it no longer is close to that here!) and is a well-needed escape  I still have many events that are college-related this summer to attend to though, mainly a giant teaching exam that will be needed before I enter my new school I am transferring to. Yes, so it seems "summer break" is kind of non-existent for me, but I can still utilize these few weeks before college is the number one again.