Summer Activities, Staycations and a Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Pops Recipe

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Pop - delicious summer recipe

The school year has come to an end and we are ready for summer! Warm weather, lazy days at the beach, and finding creative ways to cool off in our gorgeous city.

Living in a major tourist destination means that we’re lucky enough to staycation a few times through the year. And summertime is the perfect time to book a staycation and relax poolside at a local hotel or visit a local amusement park.

One thing I love about staycations is that we’re not far from home. And that means having fun and getting a little creative while out and about. That includes figuring out fun snacks to make when we’re away from home so we don’t have to spend to much extra on snacks and meals.

OshKosk Play at Knott's Berry Farm

OshKosk Summer Play at Knott's

Oshkosh Daily Playtime

Most hotels we stay at when we’re on our staycations have a fridge and freezer. So we like to bring yogurts for breakfast, pb&j for lunch, and some fun treats for desserts.

When it gets really hot, a good frozen treat is perfect for cooling down. Especially one that includes all of the ingredients I already have in the mini-fridge.

OshKosh playtime on the slide

We love creating creme pops at home, so why not re-create a simpler version on the road? And if you don’t have bowls all you need to do is grab your yogurt cup, mix in some chocolate spread and peanut butter, and freeze. Then eat up like ice cream instead of a pop!

These 3-ingredient chocolate peanut butter yogurt pops are the perfect way to enjoy our time in the sun but stay cool while participating in our favorite summer activities.

Oshkosh Summer Fun at SeaWorld

Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Pops Recipe

Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Pops

  • 1 cup vanilla yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate spread
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together all three ingredients and combine well.
  2. Pour into small cups and stick a paper straw or craft/popsicle stick into the center of the pops.
  3. Place in freezer and freeze for at least 4 hours up to overnight.
  4. Pop out of the cups and enjoy!

OshKosk Knott's Summer Play

OshKosh Daily Play

If you’re looking for great outfits for the kids to show off on your next staycation, check out this coupon for OshKosh. Need to find a store near you? Try the OshKosh store locator.

SUM15-Mom-Blog-CouponV2

 How are you cooling down this summer?

For other fun ways to spend your summer when you return from your staycation, check out these fun Summer Activities for Kids or try making these Mandarin Orange Creme Pops with the kids.

Summer Activities For Kids

Mandarin Orange Cream Pops aerial

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

Sweet’N Low, drink recipe, girls night, diabetic friendly

 As I quickly approach my due date (less than 4 weeks away!) I’ve started to look for quick and easy meals and snacks to make once baby gets here. With two other kids, both in school, this will be the first time I’ll have to be somewhere in the mornings to actually be wiht all three kids once my husband has to return back to work.

One of my go-to breakfasts for myself and the kids are smoothies. Not only are they quick to make, I can make sure that I pack in enough protein, fruits, and sometimes veggies to start the day off right.

Since I’ll be nursing, I knew I also wanted to incorporate oatmeal in the mix as well so I added some quick oats to my favorite peanut butter banana smoothie recipe to create the perfect smoothie to get me going. 

Sweet’N Low, drink recipe, girls night, diabetic friendly

The best part about this smoothie is that I always have all of the ingredients on hand.

Now normally when I’m trying to lose weight I’d include a fat free greek yogurt and 1% milk but because I’m not focused on losing weight, I stick with the full fat versions for the calories.

I do, however, save some calories with the inclusion of powdered peanut butter but regular peanut butter can easily be used as well.

Sweet’N Low, drink recipe, girls night, diabetic friendly

 

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal
  • 2 tablespoons powdered peanut butter
  • 1/2 to 1 banana (sliced)
  • 1-2 Sweet n'Low packets
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  1. In a blender, add in all of the ingredients.
  2. Blend until banana slices are well combined with the other ingredients.
  3. Pour into glasses and serve!

Sweet’N Low, drink recipe, girls night, diabetic friendly

Since I’ve skipped the sugar in a flavored yogurt I add in a packet or two of Sweet’N Low to the blender to add a bit of sweetness without the added calories.

A guilt free drink that’s the perfect way to start any day whether you’re a busy mom with a newborn or simply trying to watch the waistline.

What’s your go-to quick and easy breakfast for busy mornings?

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake

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Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake with Baby Booster

I haven’t written much about my pregnancy… I guess it’s just flying by so quickly I haven’t gotten a chance. But I do have to say that this pregnancy is, by far, harder than the others.

The first few months were filled with nausea and than once that dissipated I was left with horrible heartburn after I ate anything. No, not just acidic foods or specific things. I got heartburn after every.single.piece of food I put in my mouth.

And now that the heartburn has finally subsided I’m left with the smallest stomach ever. Like seriously… baby girl grew enough that now she’s not giving me any room for food. So that leads me to alternatives to stay full and still eat nutritious meals that are tasty.

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake with Baby Booster - ingredients

That’s when this delicious shake comes into play. I headed online to find a healthy alternative to my favorite meal replacement shake used pre-pregnancy and stumbled upon Baby Booster.

After a little reading and a few clicks, I had a package of their Kona Mocha flavor ordered and sent to me to try out. When it arrived they not only included the product I ordered but a few samples of their other flavors and a cool shaker bottle to use. Talk about a quick and easy way to get a nutritious meal!

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake with Baby Booster - blend in magic bullet

I’m not one for just drinking something straight from the package instructions so I decided to add a few of my favorite flavors and create a whole meal that i could easily make in the mornings as I pack my son’s lunch.

No more waiting till 9am when I head back home from morning drop off to have a proper breakfast!

By adding 1/2 of a frozen banana, 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and some 1% milk to the Kona Mocha Baby Booster mix I had a delicious meal filled with 20g of Protein, ONLY 2g of Sugar, and all of my daily vitamins.

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake with Baby Booster - blended

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake

  • 1 cup 1% milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
  • 1-2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 1/2 frozen banana, sliced
  • 1 scoop Kona Mocha Baby Booster
Instructions
  1. Pour 1 cup of milk into your blender or Magic Bullet. Add peanut butter and sliced banana. Top with a scoop of Kona Mocha Baby Booster and blend.
  2. Pour into a cup, add a straw, and enjoy!

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake with Kona Mocha Baby Booster

Now I not only can enjoy a delicious meal as we head out for drop off in the mornings, I’m also comfortably full for the morning until lunch.

Oh, and did I mention that Baby Booster is safe for pregnant moms (obviously), and nursing mothers as well as diabetics and those who are gluten free?

I can’t wait to be able to actually eat more once baby moves but for now I’ll stick with this quick and easy meal in the mornings!

What’s your go-to shake recipe for when you’re on-the-go?

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March Madness Basketball Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cups

March Madness Basketball Cupcakes

March Madness is upon us and that means one thing to me… inviting my friends over for a party!

I’ve mentioned before about how I’m just not that into sports but with basketball it’s a little different. For one, I actually get the game more than football. And my college basketball team was decent.

And since my Aztecs from San Diego State were in March Madness last year I’m hoping to see them again this year! So in support of the guys in black and red I made these adorable little basketball player cupcakes.

Not only are they cute… but they’re super tasty too!

[Read more…]

No Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars with Brownie Crust

No bake peanut butter cheesecake bars with brownie crust

So you remember the cinnamon brownies I posted about yesterday? Well… I just couldn’t wait to share with you what I made with them! Because who doesn’t love peanut butter and chocolate and cheesecake together?! Ok… maybe quite a few people. But if you DO love this combo then you have to try these!!

While these do require two steps AND waiting for the cheesecake topping to set in the fridge a few hours they are totally worth it. You could even bake the brownies the night before, then mix up the cheesecake in the morning, put them in the fridge and enjoy them for dessert that night.

Don’t like peanut butter? Just skip it for a classic cheesecake or add some berries for an equally tasty treat. I originally was going to cut out cute strawberry hearts and put them on top (sans peanut butter) but the peanut butter was calling out to me. I’m so bad!

[Read more…]

Baked Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal Squares Breakfast Recipe

Peanut Butter & Banana Oatmeal Squares

Peanut Butter and Banana Breakfast Squares

If you’re a peanut butter lover AND watching your figure don’t walk, run to go make these healthy baked peanut butter and banana oatmeal squares!

These little squares are packed with flavor and super filling. Now you may be saying healthy oatmeal squares? But if you look at the recipe, there’s nothing “diet” about them. I mean they have butter and real sugar!

No skimping out on this one. If you’re like me and eat a hearty breakfast every morning, help yourself to two servings piled with bananas on top and non-fat vanilla yogurt on the side for an awesome and very tasty breakfast. Each square is only 4 WW+ points.

Seriously… go make these now. [Read more…]

Baked Peanut Butter & Banana Oatmeal {Breakfast Recipe}

If you’re a peanut butter lover AND watching your figure don’t walk, run to go make these! They are so tasty. And super filling. And, really, if you look at the recipe, there’s nothing “diet” about them. I mean they have butter and real sugar!

No skimping out on this one. And if you’re like me and eat a hearty breakfast every morning help yourself to a serving piled with bananas on top and non-fat vanilla yogurt on the side for an awesome and very tasty breakfast.

My son begs for these and I love that I can make a large batch and re-heat in the morning for him.  He loves to help make them as well. Since it’s pretty straight forward I can usually pre-measure everything and let him take the lead.

Seriously… go make these now.

Inspiration: Two Pink Hippos (if you don’t already follow these ladies you should!)

Baked Peanut Butter & Banana Oatmeal

  • 1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3/4 cup 1% milk
  • cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 9* baking dish with cooking spray.

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside. Take peanut butter & bananas and mash together until combined. Add egg, vanilla and melted butter and mix well.

Add peanut butter mixture and add to the dry ingredients. Top with milk and stir until combined.

Spread out evenly in the baking dish. Bake 30-35 until the edges are golden brown.

* You can also use a 9×13 dish and cut the cooking time to 20 minutes

What’s your favorite breakfast recipe? 



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