Raise your hand if you're over this LONG winter! I am SO ready for sunshine and flip flops.

One thing that I associate with summer is Jack Johnson music.  Banana Pancakes is up there as one of my favorite songs.  His music is perfect for sitting on a patio, sipping a frosty drink.

Since we are still frozen here in Michigan, I'll make some banana pancakes and enjoy my day with the family.  I'm still sittin, waitin, wishin for summer though! (Like my Jack Johnson reference?!)

If you've never used quinoa before, it's a versatile grain alternative--gluten free for those of you who are intolerant!  You can substitute it for rice, bake with it or put it in your salads.  The possibilities are endless!  Another great thing about quinoa are the nutrients: high protein, as much calcium as milk, as well as high in fiber and iron . I love that it cooks in less than 15 minutes.  You can buy it anywhere these days, even Aldi!  At Costco they have a huge bag of it for under $10 that lasts for months.

The point is you should check out quinoa!  This pancake recipe is a perfect introduction for you!  Also in this recipe is Stonyfield yogurt.  A great way to start out your day...or end it if you want breakfast for dinner!

Here's what you'll need: 

• 1.5 cups flour (whole wheat, regular, 50/50...whatever floats your boat!)
• 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon flax seed
• 1.5 cups cooked quinoa, chilled
• 1.5 cups Stonyfield yogurt- 3/4 cup Banilla + 3/4 cup Vanilla Greek
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 3/4 cup Egg Beaters (or 3 eggs)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla 
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 banana--brown are best!
• 2 tablespoons Nutella + 1 teaspoon coconut oil for swirl

1. Combine dry ingredients in a small bowl.  Set aside. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, yogurt and almond milk.  Add vanilla and coconut oil.  Finally, add quinoa.
3. Slowly add dry ingredients.  Slice banana on top and fold in.
4. In a microwavable bowl, heat Nutella and coconut oil for 30 seconds...or until runny.
5. Heat a griddle or pan to medium heat.  Place 1/3 cup of pancake mix and drizzle the Nutella mixture on top.  Flip after 2-3 minutes.

Enjoy!

This makes a batch of 12 large pancakes.  I suggest making the whole recipe and freezing for later!

Even if you have a family of picky eaters, I think that you will like this healthified pancake recipe.  It's very versatile!  Instead of Nutella, you can use mini chocolate chips.  Take out the bananas and add blueberries!  The combinations are endless!

Stay warm if you're freezing here in the Midwest with us!  If you live in a warmer climate, crank some Jack Johnson in the sun for me!

Disclaimer: I am a Stonyfield YoGetter and I have was provided yogurt to make this recipe.  All recipes, opinions and Jack Johnson obsessions are my own. 

Grocery Shopping at Target Saves TONS of Money!

My husband thinks I have a major problem: I'm addicted to Target.  I have been for years now...I even worked there in high school.  I feel you are either a Target or Walmart person.  Just like a Coke or Pepsi fan.  I can spot a Target red clearance sticker from a mile away!

In my area, we don't have many options for grocery shopping.  Not even Trader Joe's (tear!) ...just Meijer and Family Fare.  While I can find some deals at those stores, I still find myself spending more than I would like.  A few months ago, once I started using Target Cartwheel, I realized how much cheaper it is to stock up my pantry at Target.  I'm totally kicking myself for not figuring this out sooner!

Here's why!  They have great sale prices, sometimes even lower normal prices to begin with, plus you can triple up coupons.  By using printable Target coupons, the Cartwheel and manufacturer coupons, you're saving TONS of money!

Some tips:

• Read Totally Target before you head out.  This blog is a GREAT tool for finding out what's on sale, what deals are to be found and what coupons you should print.
• Shop Target before the grocery store.  We try to do large monthly grocery trips, supplementing weekly for produce and milk.  On our big trip days, we have a routine: Aldi first, Target and Meijer last.  It's an order of cheapest to most expensive, so by the time we make it to Meijer we just have a few things left on our list.  Costco is also thrown in if it's a month that we need items from there.  Since I try to set a price point for items, I know if it's a good deal at Target or if I should wait for another store.  
• Focus on pantry and dairy. Meat deals can be hit or miss, but pantry items are quite often great prices.  I tend to buy fruit snacks, crackers, canned tomatoes and condiments.  Another deal: dairy.  Yogurt, cheese and almond milk have great prices!  When in the meat section, look for markdown beef or chicken and sales on items like lunchmeat.
• Get your coupons ready ahead of time! As much as I love Cartwheel, it can be time consuming while shopping.  If you have the rest of your coupons organized ahead of time, you'll make your trip much faster.  Don't forget to check your Target mobile coupons too!  I really would love to have Target combine mobile coupons and Cartwheel somehow. 

Do you grocery shop at Target?  Any tips?

Update: The Twins are FIVE!

A few days ago, the girls were sitting on my lap going through some old posts.  Olivia couldn't believe she got into permanent markers and Gabby loved her 1st birthday photos.  I really love that I have this website to help preserve memories!

I am still in disbelief that my little ladies are turned 5 on the 1st.  They are growing into such fun girls.  Very, very different in many ways, but they are always best friends.

Olivia loves to color.  She can sit at the table and create artwork for hours.  She also loves to dance and make people laugh.  Some nights we sit on the couch and look at magazines together and she is obsessed with looking at movie stars in their "beautiful dresses".  Her preschool teacher told us that she has a dominant personality in school--the kids tend to listen to her.  I cannot wait for the day when she meets her match!

Maddie is very into fashion.  I should say, she's into what SHE thinks in fashionable.  It's so funny to see what she can come up with.  She likes to hike up her pants, tuck in her shirt and accessorize with headbands, a purse and numerous hair bows.  Also, her main hair request is a "side pony".  Maddie is my main cuddler, too.  The other girls don't want to spend much time snuggling with me anymore, but I can always count on her to get comfy on the couch with me.  Not going to lie, Maddie and I butt heads all day long, but Ricky thinks it is because we are so alike. 

One of my favorite things to watch with them is how they interact with Gabby.  Although she is only 2.5, she is basically the same size of them, minus the height.  She is in 4Ts and they are barely out of 4Ts!  Gabby doesn't take any crap from them and is very opinionated.  It's funny to watch them try to be big sisters to her.  Olivia and Gabby can play with the doll house for an hour without an argument.  Maddie and Gabby tend to butt heads more.

As a birthday treat, we decided to take the girls to get a hair cut.  We've tried a few places now and the Douglas J Aveda Institute is by far our favorite place.  Haircuts are $16 each (actually $11 after a text coupon!) and they get the full treatment: wash, scalp massage and cut.  They feel like complete princesses there! Since it's a student school, it does take about an hour...but totally worth it! 

On Saturday, their actual big day, it was snowing (a tradition for their birthday so far!), but we still went bowling and had a nice little family gathering! 

They are loving being 5 and are ready for more responsibilities.  Olivia loves to help me in the kitchen and Maddie likes to "clean" for me.  It's too cute!  Our big decision for this year is whether or not to put them in the same class for kindergarten.  Their preschool teacher thinks they will thrive apart, but I also get concerned that separating them too early could be harmful as well. 
We have the kindergarten registration in April (tear!) and we will get more info then.

Any tips for raising 5 year olds without losing your mind?! I'm going to need them!