Make and Take: Easy Protein Packed Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

 

So. Since my blog is fairly new, it might not be clear yet how incredibly lazy I am when it comes to baking. Measuring things carefully and dirtying way too many mixing bowls, whisks, and spatulas is my worst nightmare. (I do love to cook though! A little of this, a little of that…cooking is much more my style.)

With that said, I can make some promises about these muffins. They’re QUICK. They’re EASY. They’re GOOD FOR YOU. And they’re YUMMY.

I may be slightly addicted to these because they’re so simple, and it’s easy to substitute with pretty much anything in your cupboard. They could be made as pumpkin or peanut butter muffins instead of chocolate chip banana. Or if your husband eats all the chocolate chips you were planning to use, {ahem.} you could use blueberries.

To be perfectly honest, I usually make these late Sunday night out of desperation because I know without them I’ll skip breakfast. Bakers, try not to cringe when I say this, but I usually eyeball the ingredients in an attempt to cut down on prep time. They aren’t bad the lazy way, but of course, they turned out a lot better this time when I measured carefully. Maybe in the future I’ll follow my own directions!

One more advertisement for the wonderfulness of these muffins: Pop 2 in a ziplock bag and take them along easily for a healthy snack or quick breakfast! Here’s a picture of my daily breakfast to-go style. Thanks to my BFF for this laughable lunch box from Thirty One!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a big bowl, measure or dump in the dry ingredients. This time I only had chocolate protein powder on hand, which I wasn’t sure about, but it tasted the same as when I use vanilla. You could skip the flax seed and chia seed or add in whatever other superfood you have lying around.

Get out a 2nd bowl. I promise this will be the last bowl you’ll dirty for this recipe. Measure out the wet ingredients.

At this point, you can dump the wet into the dry and stir it up. It doesn’t get much easier than that! This would be the perfect recipe for your little helpers to measure and stir. I can also attest to the fact that it can be done during a nap, even if you have a 2 month old who only naps for 45 minutes!

I’ve tried making these with baking cups and with cooking spray only. The cooking spray method seems to work better. If you have a pro-baking tip about how to use baking cups without ending up with pieces of wrapper in your muffin when you peel it off, please let me know! Leave these in the oven for 15-20 minutes. 18 minutes seems to be the perfect time.

And here’s the final product. Moist, delicious, chocolatey goodness.

Chocolate Chip Banana Protein Muffins
Prep Time
10 min
Total Time
30 min
Prep Time
10 min
Total Time
30 min
Dry Ingredients
  1. 3 scoops protein powder
  2. 3 cups rolled oats
  3. 2 tsp flaxseed meal or chia seed
  4. 1 tsp baking powder
  5. 1/2 tsp salt
  6. 1 tsp cinnamon
  7. 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Wet Ingredients
  1. 1/2 cup greek yogurt
  2. 1 mashed banana
  3. 1 cup milk or almond milk
  4. 1/2 cup applesauce
  5. 2 eggs
  6. 2 tbsp coconut oil
  7. 1 tsp vanilla
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Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Mix dry ingredients in large bowl
  3. Mix wet ingredients in small bowl
  4. Combine dry & wet ingredients
  5. Pour into greased muffin tin or muffin tin with baking cups
  6. Bake 15-20 minutes
  7. Let cool & refridgerate to maintain moisture
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The Coffee Shop Awards

Confession: I’m a coffee shop addict. As a teenager, my time was spent lounging around a table with friends, sipping on endless refills of Joe. In college,  I would spend hours in a booth listening to that quiet coffee shop hum as I typed up a paper on my laptop. In adulthood, I still do my best work in coffee shops. I’m not about to give up this obsession as I enter into Mommyhood! I will find a spot to park that stroller, and I’ll do whatever it takes to raise my little buddy as a coffee shop connoisseur. Each shop has a different personality of its own, a different purpose, and a different reason for visiting. Hopefully these Coffee Shop Awards will help you choose your next hang out wisely.

 

Tastiest Treats: Spektor Coffee

140 Glen Street, Glens Falls

The award for the most decadent homemade goodies and rich lattes and brews goes to Spektor Coffee! If you haven’t stopped in yet, let’s see if this convinces you. For breakfast they offer french toast, something called a Bruleed Bowl (YUM!) and a banana Nutella crepe among other luxurious treats, most of which are homemade. They even have smoothies for the little ones!

Best Place for a Meetup: Spot Coffee

221 Glen Street, Glens Falls

Spot Coffee has the best location when you need a lot of space or you want a nook to call your own for a stretch of time. Strollers could be fairly easily navigated here, and there are lots of different options for seating. You’ll find couches, tables, and even a side room that feels semi-private from the rest of the shop. There’s almost always an open seat. You could push a few tables together to accommodate a large group, and they have a lot to choose from on the menu for both kids and adults.

Most Flavorful Brews: Cool Beans

2 S Western Ave, Glens Falls

297 Saratoga Ave, South Glens Falls

280 Quaker Rd, Queensbury

I won’t try to say Cool Beans has the best coffee because I know coffee opinions run strong. I will say Cool Beans has a way of incorporating flavor into coffee that isn’t overwhelming and doesn’t taste like it’s loaded it up with a bunch of sugary syrups. They have several flavors to choose from each day, including decaf for you pregnant & breastfeeding mamas. South Glens Falls has a drive through window for Moms on the go!

Best Lunch: Rockhill Bakehouse

19 Exchange Street, Glens Falls

You might have to wait a few minutes for a seat here during peak lunch hours, but if you’re looking for a soup, salad, or sandwich, this is your place. During the off hours, you can linger a little longer and check out the selection of books to borrow, board games, and if you’re lucky someone might hop on stage and play a little tune while you’re there. Rockhill has a very special laid back, local vibe not to be missed!

Downtown Date Night Scavenger Hunt

If you’re anything like us, your date night starts out something like this:

“Where do you want to go for dinner?”

“Wherever you want!”

“But what do you feel like?”

“I’m good with anything. What are you in the mood for?”

*Long pause*

Here’s a fresh idea!

What if you didn’t have to choose? With this date night idea, you’ll park your car somewhere in downtown Glens Falls and just walk around. Don’t commit to one place! Try as many spots as possible. Grab a drink and an app at one, dinner at another, dessert somewhere else, and follow it with a drink in a new place. Take a stroll down the street and peak in the windows of places that are closed. Strike up a conversation with the people around you.

Need some inspiration? Try printing out this date night scavenger hunt to take along on your evening out. Photograph yourselves completing each of these tasks. We’d love to see your scavenger hunt results! Use the hashtag #downtowndatenight

Happy hunting!

 

Roundup of Winter Activities for Kids with Energy to Burn

Winter break is almost upon us! Kids (and parents!) all around the GF region will be sick of sitting around the house by at least Day 3. Moms, bookmark this roundup now for when you’re ready to pull your hair out. It’s a collection of activities you can do with the whole family on a budget. And…even better…they were selected purposefully to be the kinds of activities to make your kids crash on the couch as soon as you get home. You’re welcome.

Winter activities in the Glens Falls Area

Enjoy Coffee While the Little Kids Run Around Wiggle Worms Playland

(Perfect for groups of moms and kids, babies, toddlers, and school-aged kids)

While on a hunt for bargain clothes for the little one, I stumbled on Wiggle Worms Playland. Located in the former Moreau YMCA building, Wiggle Worms has a big space to spread out and let the kids burn some of that pent up energy. The best part are the tables just outside the play area where moms can meet up and sip coffee while the kids let out the crazy. If you bring a pair of headphones, you might even be able to close your eyes (for a minute) and pretend you’re in a real coffee shop. They have a few snacks and drinks available, and plenty of deals on consignment toys, clothes for kids, maternity clothes, and women’s wear.

All the information can be found on the webpage above, but here are some highlights. They’re located in South Glens Falls, a day pass is $8, and they have tons of classes, events, and meetups going on. Check the Facebook page for the latest events and hours. Wiggle Worms even has quiet playtime once a month for kids with sensory sensitivities!

Ice Skate til They Drop

We have no shortage of places to use those ice skates here in the North Country! Check out one of these local skating rinks both indoor and out.

Indoor

Glens Falls Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza in Glens Falls, $5, 518-798-0366

Check the schedule at the link above for public skating hours, which are most Tuesdays October-April from 2-4pm.

Glens Falls Rec Center, Fire Rd in Glens Falls, limited skate rentals and learn to skate, 518-761-3855

Saratoga Springs Ice Rink, rentals available, skating lessons available, $5 (children under 5 free), 518-583-3462

Outdoor

*Call ahead to be sure the ice is in good condition

Crandall Park, Upper Glen Street in Queensbury, free, 518-615-0446 (bathrooms and warming hut available)

This one could be extra special if you take the kids at night for skating under the lights!

East Field, 175 Dix Avenue in Glens Falls, free, 518-761-3813 (warming hut available)

Gurney Lane Rec Area, 118 Gurney Lane Rd in Queensbury, free, 518-798-3134 (bathrooms available)

Dig Out Those Swimsuits and Take a Dip at the YMCA

Take a mini vacation in the middle of winter! Head over to the YMCA for a day of laps and swimming stunts in the heated pool.

Call or check this schedule for family swim times before you head out. You don’t need to be a member to take advantage of all the Y has to offer, a day pass for the family is $25. You can spend the whole day there playing basketball, racquetball, or walking the indoor track. Children must be at least 14 to use the Wellness Center exercise equipment. Want to take a Mommy moment and take a class by yourself? Take advantage of the babysitting services at the Y! Extra fees apply for babysitting and drop-in classes.

Explore Local Trails by Snowshoe

Don’t worry if you don’t own snowshoes- there are plenty of places to rent & hike all in one spot. And don’t worry if you’ve never even snowshoed before! It’s like walking, only these fancy shoes distribute your weight evenly so you can walk in deep snow! It takes a lot more effort than regular walking. This means snowshoeing will tire out the entire family in under 2 hours, guaranteed.

Lucky for us, there are TONS of trails in our area for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, but I’m going to highlight a few snowshoeing trails that sounded more kid-friendly as I muddled through the lists of local trails. (Let me know if you try these or any others you love for families so I can update this post!)

Moreau State Park off exit 17S (Rentals available)

Cole’s Woods in Queenbury

Saratoga Spa State Park

Gurney Lane Recreation Center in Queensbury

Lake George Rec Center

Of course, a day out in snow gear isn’t the same without a stop at a local coffee shop to follow up with hot cocoa!

Skate Around in Circles and Play Laser Tag at The Fun Spot

This one doesn’t require much explaining if you grew up in the GF area! The Fun Spot (AKA Skateland) has been around for ages. You probably remember strapping on those skates (pre-rollerblades) and rolling around the rink in endless circles hoping to win a game of four corners. After you requested a song in the DJ booth, your mom would call you over to eat a slice of pizza before it was time to go. Not much has changed, except they’ve added an indoor play area and laser tag! Keep an eye out in your child’s backpack for coupons to use here during school vacations.

They have various pricing options for skating only, laser tag only, playland only, or any combination of these. Admission to all 3 (with one game of laser tag) is $16. Skate rentals are $3.

Perfect Your Bowling Skills

This last selection is an oldie, but goodie! Bowling can be tons of fun, especially if you bring the whole family or meet up with friends. (I still ask for bumpers for myself to make the whole thing less depressing.)

Kingpin’s Alley in South Glens Falls (Check out the flyer for special times/prices, but the best for kids looks like Sunday mornings from 9-11am, $1.99 games! )

Lake George Lanes and Games (Also has laser tag and indoor playground)

Saratoga Strike Zone (For specials click here)

Send the Kids to Relax in Yoga Class While You Shop

I’m a huge fan of The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls mostly because it has such cool features as a building and contains loads of local flair. Lemon Tree Yoga Studio offers classes for the little ones, and I’m sure you could find a shop or two to mosey around while they’re getting their zen on.

(By the way, if you have a night off from the kids, I highly recommend the candlelight stretch & meditation class. You don’t need to be an expert to attend this night of relaxation. You’ll leave feeling like a new person!)

Day Trips

If you’re willing to do a little extra driving, here are a few bonus ideas for day trips active kids will love between here and the Albany area.

  1. Flight Trampoline Park or Skyzone Tampoline Park (Albany Area)
  2. The Giggle Lounge  (Clifton Park)
  3. The Wonder Room (Ballston Lake)
  4. Tree Paad Fun Center (Malta)

Of course, there are the other tried & true winter ideas like sledding and good old-fashioned snowball fights! Hopefully this round up helps you and your little ones beat the winter blues. I sometimes forget how lucky we are to have so many fun winter activities in our area! Do you have another suggestion for something to release all that kid energy in the winter? Know of a fun day trip idea? I’d love to hear from you! Fill out our contact form or leave a comment below!

Thanks to Jason Checkla Photography for the beautiful winter scene in our featured photo.