Another Swagbucks Extravaganza Today!

Keep an eye on the Swagbucks Swidget as today is a day there should be a lot of codes for free "bucks!"  The Swagbucks Swidget is on the right hand side of this blog! If you aren't familiar with Swagbucks, it is a search engine that rewards you with Swagbucks for using it.  You can then trade the bucks for "Swag" like Amazon Gift Cards.  I've earned over $200 in amazon giftcards since I've joined! Click here to sign up!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream from Bananas Recipe

Yes, this is just bananas, cocoa powder and peanut butter

I am so excited about this.  Let me repeat: SO EXCITED! Last year I noticed a product that made "ice cream" from bananas.  Of course, it contains no dairy, so not really ice cream.  I wanted that product.  I imagined myself losing 50 pounds instantly, but it was a little pricey and had mixed reviews.  I didn't get one.  Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I stumbled upon a blog post where the writer (Sorry I forget where) just used a food processor.  Duh!  Why did I think I needed a special machine for this?  I can't believe I fell for that!

Last night I cut up 3 whole bananas into slices about half an inch thick.  I stuck them in a freezer bag overnight.  This morning I dumped the bananas into the food processor with a dollop (probably about 2 tbsp) natural peanut butter and 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder.  Then, I turned on the food processor.  It was loud.  I let it run a minute or so, and then shut it off.  I repeated this a few times, scraping the top occasionally.  Then it happened... instead of chopped bananas, the concoction turned creamy and looked JUST LIKE ICE CREAM!  I excitedly dished out some for my 2 kids and myself.  We had ice cream for breakfast! And it was healthy!!!  I honestly didn't really detect much of the banana flavor.  My husband, who I insisted try a bite, said it tasted just like bananas.  I'm thinking of all the possibilities: banana and cherry, banana and pineapple, chocolate banana, coconut banana, banana walnut... lots of ideas.  You need to try this!  I couldn't believe how well it worked!  The grocer is going to wonder why I'm suddenly buying so many more bananas.

Mint Hot Chocolate Recipe

Want a quick and easy way to spice up your hot chocolate? Try a candy cane. My daughter begs me to buy her mint hot chocolate from the coffee shop, but I didn't want to spend $3 for it. I had this idea and it worked!

We make our hot chocolate with Ovaltine and milk. To add mint, simply use a candy cane to stir and it'll add the mint flavor. Yum!

Time Saver: Sock Sorting

"I've revolutionized the whole sock-sorting industry!" I excitedly told a friend last month, "This is totally the best idea ever!"

I'm pretty sure there isn't really an industry devoted to sock-sorting, but this is a time saver that is really working!

Before we had a family sock basket. When laundry was put away, the socks were thrown in the basket to hopefully be matched. Hopefully. What actually happened was most of the family took to wearing mismatched socks. We were trendy.

This way everyone has a basket or box on the dryer. When socks come out of the dryer, they are immediately sorted by person. Then, the socks with matches are put away. It works!

Another friend bags socks by person and washes the bag. What ideas do you have for this task?

It's a Turtle!

This was a quick breakfast my mom made for my youngest daughter this morning as we are in town visiting.  Super fast and creative!

It's made from a strawberry head, blueberry detail, waffle body, and sausage legs.  

Gift Idea: Homemade Rice Bags

The last of the homemade gifts: a rice bag. My 6 year old can use a sewing machine (with supervision!) so this was easy. It's basically making a pillow (cut squares, front to front, sew 3 sides, turn right-side out) and filling with rice instead of stuffing. (Then sew closed).

She gave these as gifts to relatives. If you are 2, like her sister, these are great for playing catch inside. Everyone else appreciates that you can microwave them about 30 seconds and have a nice hot pack to put on ailments.

Gift Idea: Personalized Hat

This idea came from an old issue of Family Fun magazine and my 6 year old made it for one of her BFFs. You take a store bought hat $1, use embroidery floss for one eye and attach felt and a button for another eye. The teeth are fleece glued onto the rim. Important note: Do not use iron set glue!!! (As you can see, it messes up the knit).