Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

Last night we made Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins..

Two days ago, I noticed that the kids had been ignoring the bananas this week. I swear there are some weeks that they do it on purpose, so I will make some banana bread. What is ironic, when I PLAN to make the bread, there are no bananas because my son has eatten them all. 

My family LOVES my banana bread recipe.  It is always gone within hours of making it.   I dont remember where I got the recipe from orginally (I think the BH & G cookbook) but wherever it is from, it is good. 

Dry Ingredients
1 3/4 c flour
2/3 c sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt.

Wet Ingredients
2-3 ripe bananas
1/2 c margarine
2 Tbsp milk
2 eggs 

This recipe is really simple..  Mix together the dry ingredients and then add in the wet ingredients.   Instead of mashing the bananas totally, sometime I leave them a little lumpy.  When I do that, there are little bursts of banana when you take a bite. 

This is the step where I changed it up a bit.    In the summer I added blueberries to this recipe and made Blueberry Banana Bread.   Today when I was at the store, I picked up a few bags of choclate chips.  I really enjoy chocolate and banana flavors together, so I thought why not?    I dumped in about half a bag of milk chocolate chips. (we are not dark chocolate fans)

This is the first time I have tried to make this recipe into muffins.  Instead of putting in the loaf pan, I used a cupcake pan,  I still baked it at 350 degrees but for only 20-25 minutes.   I was able to get 18 muffins from this recipe    If you prefer to make a loaf, bake for 55-60 minutes. 

WOW! When we started eatting them, they tasted soooo good.  Lots of chocolately goodness!!  I had to stop the kids from eatting them all, before I could get a picture for the blog.   This recipe is a definite keeper and I WILL be making them again. 

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Meijer Deals

I did the weekly shopping this week at Meijer.   I joined MPerks earlier today and I have no idea what  I was waiting for!!  Using your cell number phone and a special code number at the register,  pre clipped coupons on their website are automatically taken off your total on top of regular coupons.   They also have special MPerks coupons on Meijer brand items.  

With coupons and MPerks I got all the food in the picture for only $71.15.  My kids are posing with the pizza because my son said he wanted to be famous like his sister.  When she heard what he was doing, she couldnt let him be in the pic alone..  LOL! 

Here are some of the BEST deals I got this week.

Apples .99 a lb
Grapes .99 a lb
Earthbound Farms salad, normally $3.49, on sale $1.67
Eggs .99 a dozen
Meijer Sour Cream $1.29
Meijer Olives (both green and black) on sale $1.00

 4 Campbells Gravy normally $1.25, on sale .50 each. I also had a .25 coupon that doubled.  Final price $1.50 for 4, or .37 each
 5 Hunts tomatoes, normally $1.09, on sale for $1 each.  I had a $1 off 5 Meijer Mealbox Coupon and a .45 off 3 coupon that doubled.   Final price $3.10 for 5 or .62 each
4 Barilla Plus Pasta  normally $2.39 each, on sale for $1.59 each.  I had a $2 off 4  Catalina coupon and a $1 off 4 Meijer Meal Box coupon.  Final price was $3.36 for 4, or .84 each
5 Pizza Rolls, normally $1.89, on sale for $1.00.  I had a $1 off 4 MPerks coupon and 2 .40 off 2 coupons that doubled. Final price $2.40 for 5, or ,48 each
3 Bagel Bites, normally $2.19 each, on sale for $1.50 and a special deal, buy 2 get 1 free.  Final price $3 for 3 of $1 each
3 Smart Source Milk, normally $3.99, on sale for $2.59.  I used 3 $1.50 coupons.  Final price $1.09 each.
2 Jacks Pizza, normally $3.29, on sale $2.20.  I had two .75 off 1 coupons. Final price $1.45 each.
2 Fruit Gushers, normally $2.49, on sale for $2.  I had $2 off 2 MPerks coupon and a .50  off 2 coupon that doubled.  Final price $1 for 2 or .50 each.
Green Giant Steamers, normally $1.49 on sale for $1 each.  I had a .50 off 2 coupon that doubled. Final price .50 each
Peter Pan peanut butter, normally $2.39, on sale for $2.  I had a .50 coupon that doubled, final price $1

I used $20.20 in coupons, saved $11.50 in MPerks and Meijer Promos and $48.61 in sales.  I saved $80.31 which is more than I spent! 

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Craft of the Day

Oh my.. these are so cute!!   I picked Pilgrim Turkeys from Mom on Time Out for todays craft of the day.  Not only are they a fun craft for the kids to make, but a way to remember the size of their hands in the future.  These turkeys are so precious, I know I would want to put it out year after year.  Be sure to check out the how to make them here at Mom on Time Out.   

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It's Not Too Late!

Its not to late to get your Vista Print Holiday Card Suvival Kit.   The special price is good through tomorrow, November 11.     I ordered my survival kit the day I  first posted this offer, and I was very excited to receive a package in the mail  yesterday.  My kit has already arrived, and I am very happy with how the cards and labels turned out. 

You can pesonalize the cards with photos and text.   I have not yet had a chance to even think about a Christmas photo, so I chose one of their designs. There are hundreds to choose of designs to choose from.   I also received a free personalized pen to help me write out those cards.   I tend to send out cards last minute.  I am hoping that having my kit already on hand, maybe I will be a bit earlier this year.

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Thanksgiving Bark-Treat of the Day

Use your leftover Halloween candy and make a colorful Thanksgiving treat.   We made this last night and the family LOVED it. 

For our bark I used a bag of Hersheys Cookie and Cream candy bars  that I bought on clearance, and with a coupon at Target.  I also used Autumn mix candy corn, and a few bags of Reeses Pieces. 

Candy bark is super simple to make, and can easily be changed to your color and flavor preference.   For Thanksgiving, I thought a good color combination would be white, brown, orange and yellow.  I melted the chocolate bars in the microwave using the 30 second method.   Melt for 30 second intervals, stirring each time until all the chocolate has melted.   It only took me 2 minutes total for the entire bowl of chocolate. 

Lay a piece of wax paper on a cookie sheet, and spread the melted  chocolate mixture onto the paper. 

Add your favorite candies to the chocolate mixture.    Place in the freezer for about 15 mins to harden and to give the chocolate a nice shine. 

Once the candy has  hardened, pull from the wax paper and break into smaller pieces. 

Enjoy!  (and if necessary, hide from your kids after they have eaten a few pieces so they don't eat the entire batch on a school night!)

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High Value Coupon

Be on the look out for these high value Hallmark coupons that are appearing in some of our favorite magazines.  I found this one in the December issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray.  The coupon is $5 off $10 and is good until 12/24/11.   Last year I used mine and bought an adorable snowman.  Any ideas on what to use it on this year? 

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Treat of the Day

These homemade pumpkin doughnuts look sooooo good right now.  They are actually pretty easy to make and can be made in a matter of minutes.    I have actually made doughnuts from Grands Biscuits before, and I will definitely make them again.    I definitely want to try this recipe that can be found on Pillsbury.com .

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Treat of the Day

For a healthy, and sweet appetizer how about making a fruit gobbler turkey.  Kids would love to help make and eat this sweet treat.   See how at FamilyFun.com.

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Craft of the Day

I really enjoy this colorful turkey craft.  Not only does it help you recycle your plastic bags, it makes a festive decoration for Thanksgiving.    You can see how on FamilyFun.com.

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Turkey Treat Boxes

 

For Easter I made these bunny treat boxes . It went on to be one of my most popular posts this year.   I thought it might be fun to try and make some more treat boxes with a Thanksgiving theme, and that is how turkey treat boxes were born.

I found some more boxes at my local Dollar Tree. I also used pipe cleaners, craft foam and google eyes.  It would work best to use a glue gun to attach the tail and head, but unfortunately my glue gun is still M.I.A.  I think I might have to break down and buy a new one, so my old one will show up.   After trying a few ways to attach the tail, I found it easiest to attach it as one piece.  I started by using half a length of each color pipe cleaner. I then folded the halves in half and wrapped the ends together.  

I pulled all the loops together and twisted the bottom.

I then attached the tail to the end of one box

and to the top of the other.   I go back and forth on which way I like it best. 

The make the bodies I cut out a peanut shape out of brown craft foam.  I added google eyes and small pieces of yellow and red craft foam to finish their faces. 

I filled them with autumn mix candy corn and they are ready for the Thanksgiving table, or class party.

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Healthy Turkey Snacks

Are you looking for a healthy Thanksgiving themed snack?   I just LOVE these peanut butter and apple turkeys from Nicole at The Party Animal Blog     Not only is it colorful and healthy, its is quick an easy to make.   Her kids loved them, I am sure other kids will too.  

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New Coupons Available

If you like Hormel products, today is the day for you.  There are many new Hormel coupons ready to be printed.  I see a few that I would definitely like to use.

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Cute Kid Photo Contest

Did you take some cute Halloween photos of your kids  this year?   I just heard about a fun Halloween themed cute kid  photo contest.  The winner wins a $500 shopping spree from Totsy, and 4 random winners will win $50 in Totsy Prizes.  Enter your photos by November 15 and tell all  your  friends and family  to vote with the link you will receive.   It is free to enter.  Good Luck!

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Craft of the Day

How cute are these Thanksgiving finger puppets?!  Have your kids make some and then put on a Thankgiving show for all the guests.   You can see how to make them here at Parents.com

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Treat of the Day

This is the time of the year for Chex Mix to be served during family get togethers.  What I did not realize until recently was how many different types of Chex Mix there actually are.  I really want to try the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Blast version in this picture.  You can find this recipe and several other Chex mix recipes at Chex.com

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