Pizza Hut BOOK IT Challenge

Pizza HUT's BOOK IT Challenge (to read to your kids 20 mins per day for 8 weeks) is on NOW.  It isn't too late to register - CLICK HERE. Participate in the challenge for a chance to win prizes (which include books & pizza), and use their tips, tools & printables to enhance your child's reading experience.  Sounds like a win-win, and it's free!  Sign up NOW! 

Big Lots 20% off - Sun, March 3

Have you ever shopped at Big Lots?  I never had before moving to Marion, but have found it to be a (suprisingly) great place to buy cereal, snacks & canned goods for my family.  Their prices are reasonable to start with (for most, better than the grocery store), but then you can add on top their 20% off sales every few months and save a bundle.  I stock up on these events on fruit leather for my kiddos lunches, granola bars, cereal, even shampoo & toiletries.  Their next 20% off savings event is Sun, March 3 - don't miss it! 

Blue Monster (a.k.a. Batman Smoothie) - Even better than the Hulk!

Earlier this week I posted about a new smoothie recipe I tried for the first time - the GREEN MONSTER Smoothie, which my kids originally believed would turn me into the HULK.  Four days into drinking the smoothie daily, my older son is frustrated that I've yet to change.  :)  He told me this morning that Daddy needs to try it because he's a man, so maybe it doesn't work for "gulrls".  I'm not quite sure our daddy is up to trying a breakfast drink with spinach in it, but we'll see if the boys get him to cave.  )

So, this morning I went to make my smoothie, and realized we're out of bananas.  So, I discovered a tasty alternative to the HULK smoothie I thought I'd share, because it was even better than the HULK!  Instead of adding bananas and peanut butter, I followed the recipe, except substituted banana & peanut butter for about 3/4 cup of frozen blueberries (still in my freezer from when I stocked up and froze them when they were in season and on sale last summer!).  I blended away, coming up with a blue smoothie, which my 3 year old smart-as-a-whip kiddo promptly announced would probably turn me into Batman.  :)  I love that kid.  So, see below - I like this one even better than the HULK!  And, I thought I'd share it because if your kiddos don't see you making it (i.e. adding spinach to it), they will love it b/c it just tastes like a blueberry smoothie!  I have to admit, drinking a green smoothie kind of wigs even me out, so I can't blame others for being fearful. 


BATMAN Smoothie Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 3/4 cup vanilla almond milk (unsweetened if you're brave)
• 1/2 cup honey or vanilla Greek yogurt (you can use plain and add a little honey)
• 1/2 cup ice (optional)
• 1-2 TB ground flaxseed (optional)

Green Monster (a.k.a HULK Smoothie) - Worth trying!

I've been seeing recipes for Green Monster smoothies floating around on blogs for a while now, and I finally decided to try one.  I'm glad I did!  It not only was good, filling, and healthy (lots of calories, but lots of protein & other good stuff too!), my kids think it is the greatest thing in the world, as I've called it my "Hulk Smoothie", and for my super hero boys this has been a lot of fun.  Unfortunately, as much as my boys love it for me to drink it, only one of my boys was brave enough to try it - and even then he only had a sip.  He admitted it was pretty good (it really just tastes like a peanut butter banana smoothie), but stopped at a sip.  I think he's nervous he might turn into the Hulk.  :)

So, be adventurous - TRY IT!  Like me, you may be glad you did! 

Green Monster Smoothie

 Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana (even better if frozen!)
• 1 cup baby spinach (the original recipe calls for 2 cups, I've only been brave enough for 1!)
• 1 tbsp Peanut Butter
• 3/4 cup vanilla almond milk (unsweetened if you're brave)
• 1/2 cup honey or vanilla Greek yogurt (you can use plain and add a little honey)
• 1/2 cup ice

Hormone Free Milk Only $1.79/Gallon This Week at Aldi!

Deal of the Week in Marion! 

My brother jokes that years from now in our family pictures my (now) 3 year old will be standing next to a cow, which will then be our family pet. He/we figure there is no other way to continue to quench the milk thirst (and our expense) my son always has.  No milk for him is ever enough!  We go through a LOT of milk in our house (about 5 gallons/week), between smoothies every morning, cereal, and my three year old's drinking habit, so I was stoked to find what I consider to be the deal of the week in Marion!

Aldi's has their milk, which is always hormone free, on sale for $1.79 this week!  The expiration date on the milk is March 9th, so stock up now!  Aldi's usually  changes out their pricing/sales every Wed, so I think this price on milk will be good through Tuesday, 2/26. 

President's Day - FREE Day at Indianapolis Children's Museum!

Looking for something to do with your kiddos while they're off school for President's Day?  Head to the Indianapolis Children's Museum!  Monday, President's Day, is one of their FREE Days of the year.  Sounds like a fun, warm place to hang out while my kids are off school, and the price is RIGHT! 

For more info, see: http://www.childrensmuseum.org/admission

Museum is open 10am - 5pm.

Free Days
Dec. 24, 2012—Christmas Eve (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) Jan. 21, 2013—Martin Luther King Jr. Day Feb. 18, 2013—Presidents Day April 28, 2013—El Dia de Los Niños Target Free Family Nights Open free for families 4 p.m.–8 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. Youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

York Photo Deal - $20 Off Order, Free Shipping & $1 Grocery Tote

I'm usually a Shutterfly girl, but I'm also a always looking for a deal, so I can't pass this York Photo deal up.  For new York Photo customers, they're offering $20 off your first order AND free shipping!  Just use code DeliverMe (thru 2/11).

Additionally, they're having a special on their custom shopping Totes for only $1 (coupon code TOTELOVE), thru end of Feb 2013. 



To check out the deals, go to yorkphoto.com