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!

Simple Soups: Italian Sausage + Lentil

I know, you're probably sick of soup recipes by now.  Sorry!  It's beyond freezing here and all I seem to be craving is soup.  Our freezer is stocked with 5 different types now!  I like to keep half of the batch in the fridge for lunches and stick the rest in freezer bags.  I have found that laying them on a cookie sheet to freeze flat is the best route!

Before last year, we never really ate lentils.  It wasn't until I got so many tasty recipes at BlogHer Food that I started cooking with them.  I've added them to bread (great way to sneek in some protein) and rice dishes, but I always forget to add them to soups! 

Lentils are an inexpensive way to add protein and fiber to your diet. This recipe uses red lentils, which I find break down more than your typical green lentil.  Use whatever you want!  You can find these in your grocery store right below the canned beans in a bag.  You don't need to soak them, just simply rinse them.

Here's what you need:

• 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped into moon shapes
• 1/2 cup onion
• 3 Jennie-O turkey sausage links (mild or spicy)
• 2 cups of Bob's Red Mill Lentils (I used the red variety)
• 1 can of Cannellini Beans
• 1- 6 oz can of tomato paste
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 bunch of kale, washed and chopped
• 8 cups chicken stock (2 boxes)
• 4 bullion cubes (not necessary, but I like to add them!)
• Optional: toasted bread for dipping

Let's Cook!

1. In a large soup pot, add EVOO and heat over medium heat.  Add onion, garlic and carrots.  Cook 3-4 minutes and add turkey sausage, squeezing out of casings.  Cook until no longer pink.
2. Add lentils and tomato paste and stir continuously for 1 minute.  Slowly pour in stock and toss in bullion cubes.  Bring to a bubble over medium low heat.  Cook, stirring frequently for 20 minutes.
3. Add beans and kale.  Bubble for 10 more minutes.
4. Optional: Put your bread in a 400* oven to toast for 5-7 minutes
5. Finish soup with salt and pepper to taste.  A dollop of pesto is great too!
6. Serve with crusty bread and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

 

Other soups you will want to try!

• ABC Chicken Soup
• Healthified Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Copycat
• Turkey Meatball Minestrone

Disclaimer: Bob's Red Mill provided me with some lentils to cook with, but I was not compensated in any other way.  This tasty recipe and opinions are all mine! 

You Gotta Try This #StonyfieldGreek {Super Fruity Banana Bread Recipe!}

Disclaimer: I am a part of the Stonyfield YoGetter Team.  I was provided yogurt to review.  All opinions (and tasty banana bread recipe!) are my own!

Last week, I came home to a HUGE box of Stonyfield Greek yogurt on my doorstep.  Although I was excited, I think Gabby was even more so.  I'm all about sharing, but the new flavor Cafe Latte was ALL MINE.  The twins love cherry, so I let them try out the new Black Cherry flavor.  Both are super tasty! I ate my Cafe Latte with some mini chocolate chips as a mid-morning snack. 

You've gotta try these new flavors! Aside from the two newbies, they have also enhanced the fan favorite flavors: strawberry, super fruit and blueberry. 

We are trying to be a little greener this year.  Our budget doesn't allow us to buy all organic/GMO free, but we do what we can.  What I love about Stonyfield yogurt is there are always sales AND coupons...it makes this tasty yogurt affordable!  I like Greek yogurt for breakfast and the girls prefer the regular tubs of yogurt, especially the French Vanilla or Banilla flavors.

You know what else is great to do with Greek yogurt? Make banana bread!  I altered my go-to recipe a bit to try out some coconut oil I have been experimenting with.  (I'm totally loving it so far...from stir fry to baking, it's been amazing!)

For this variety of banana bread, the twins wanted to use the Super Fruit Greek flavor in it.  It gives it a subtle berry flavor...the girls said it gave them "Super Girl powers".  I also used coconut oil and pumpkin instead of butter to lighten it up.  This recipe is very versatile, you can add whatever flavor Greek Yogurt you want.  The Black Cherry would be ah-mazing with some mini chips!

Here's what you need:

•  1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 2 eggs (or 1/2 cup Egg Beaters)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1.5 cups flour
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/4 cup flax seed (optional)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 (6 oz) Stonyfield Super Fruit Greek yogurt cup
• 2-3 brown bananas, sliced or mashed
• Optional: raw sugar to sprinkle on top before baking

Let's Bake!

1.  Preheat the oven to 350.
2. In a mixer, combine sugar, pumpkin and coconut oil. Add eggs, one at a time, then vanilla.
3. In a small bowl (I use an old quart yogurt container!), add flour, oatmeal, flax, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Stir together and slowly add to wet ingredients. 
4. Add yogurt and bananas.  Mix together for about 1 minute.
5. Pour into 1 bread pan or 4 mini loaf pans.  Bake for 45-60 minutes.  It depends on your oven! For a crunchy top, sprinkle with raw sugar before baking!

What's your go-to yogurt flavor? Do you enjoy Greek or plain?

Simple Soups: Roasted Tomato & Red Pepper

It's going to be another cold week. (Go figure, it's winter in the Midwest!)  My cooking has been a little random lately.  I've been doing a lot of freezer cooking, soups and sandwiches. When it gets cold, I tend to get lazy and I use up pantry items.

Whenever I head to the grocery store, I beeline to the markdown produce section.  What I find there helps determine our meals for the week.  If I find a great deal on peppers, we have fajitas or stuffed peppers.  Bags of zucchini and bananas make breakfast muffins.  Tomatoes are perfect for roasting!

This soup combines markdown tomatoes and red peppers in a quick, easy soup.  To add extra flavor, I add a dollop of pesto and some mozzarella cheese.  The girls LOVE dippers, so I make mini grilled cheese croutons.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 pound of tomatoes
• 1 red pepper
• 2 tablespoons pesto
• 4 cups chicken or veggie stock
• 1 chicken bullion cube
•  1/2 cup onion, chopped
• Garnish: mozzarella/Parmesan cheese, basil

1. Heat the oven to 400.  Wash and half tomatoes; seed and slice red pepper.  Toss in EVOO and roast for 20-30 minutes, until soft and slightly charred.  Salt, to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon) and set aside.
2. In a large soup pan, circle EVOO.   Add onions and cook for 3-5 minutes, until soft.  Add pesto.
3. Slowly add peppers and tomatoes to pan.  Stir.  
4. Add chicken stock and bullion cube.  Bubble on medium low for 15-20 minutes.
5. Two choices now: leave chunky or blend.  I like to use a hand blender, but you can (carefully!) blend in a tall one, just allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.
6. Garnish with chopped basil and cheese.  We love it with a nice, crusty grilled cheese.

Clean Plate Club! The girls LOVED it!

In the mood for more soup?  Check out my other favorites!

• Broccoli Cheddar
• Chicken & Dumpling Soup
• Loaded Baked Potato
• Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Beef + Broccoli & Fried Quinoa Guest Post!

 

This weekend, I had a nice, healthy MYO takeout meal on Sarcastic Cooking.  Stefanie just had an adorable baby boy, Andy, in December and I was so excited to help her out on her blog.  I'm making this again with chicken this week...we LOVED it!!

Check it out! 

The "fried" quinoa can be a meal itself...just add in some tofu, shrimp or chicken.  

What's your favorite MYO takeout meal?