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With the arrival of sunny summer days and creation of a new “citizen science” project called eButterfly, every seven-year-old child in the United States and Canada just gained the ability to become a working scientist.

• Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
•  In a large mixing bowl, mash bananas in bowl with a fork and add vanilla, almond butter and coconut sugar
•  Add quinoa, oatmeal, coconut and pinch of salt
•  Mix until well combined
•  Stir in chocolate chips
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper and drop batter on to cooking sheet
• Bake for 25-30 minutes
• Remove from oven and let cool

• Helping fine and gross motor coordination
• Enhancing eye-hand coordination
• Encouraging touch and visual exploration
• Promoting problem-solving, discovery, and self-esteem

Fundanoodle products range from writing tablets to multi-activity kits, all designed to make learning a fun and interactive experience. Organized in developmentally appropriate progression, Fundanoodle activities encourage kids to focus on and complete increasingly complex tasks. Fundanoodle is also a great way for parents and kids to engage in meaningful learning experiences together. Learn more about key benefits and features of Fundanoodle.

My readers will receive a 20% discount when they use code SUMMER at checkout!

Fundanoodle will have Open House on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 from 9am - 6pm at Innovation Station in Atheron Mill Lofts (Southend), 2108 South Blvd. Suite 100 in Charlotte, NC 28203.

As many of you know, Samatha has been on an incredible weight loss and fitness journey for over a year now.  She has amazed and inspried me more than she will ever know!  Just when I think she looks fantastic and couldn't get any better, she posts another round of progress pictures that simply leaves me saying WOW! She has helped guide me with various tips, recipes and her knowledge without ever being rude or belittling, a true friend indeed.

Although I am no where near where she is (dang those sweets that always get in the way), the biggest thing she has said that I replay over and over is "find something you like to do".  Seems simple enough right?  Well, I don't really enjoy weight lifting, I don't have the spare time to leave my family to go to the gym, I used to love going to Zumba class and taking nightly walks before I had Caroline but now it is a whole time issue.  I always feel so pushed for time.  I have a day job, hate to bring Caroline to the babysitter's too early, need to make dinner at night, house cleaning on the weekends, the list can go on and on as many of you mom's can relate!

I recently decided to put the excueses aside and make time for me and my health. I have taken my love of being outdoors and walking and kicked it up a notch, I am now running.....yes, running!  I still chuckle at using that word because for those who know me well know that I am not a runner or never thought I was or ever would be.  This leads me into my next fitness inspriation, a good friend by the name of Amanda.  Four years ago Amanda was in a horrendous four-wheeling accident that landed her in the hospital for several months. She went from being on the verge of not being here today to now running half-marathons!!  When asked how she got from one extreme to the other she simply says "The Good Lord".  Her outlook on many aspects of her life have changed drastically and she is not only beautiful on the outside but also on the inside.

Amanda who is now a seasoned runner has taken me under her wing more or less and helped me with my running skills.  She has helped me physically by giving me running tips and pushing me just enough to truly feel it.  She has also helped me mentally because as any runner knows, running is just as much of a psychological challenge as it is a physical one. I love that at one point she was in my shoes with starting out and can come down to my level and work with me with realistic expectations. 

This past Saturday I did something that I never in a million years would have thought of.  I participated in my first ever 5K! According to one of the gentleman in charge of the event, the 5K route was a more challenging route compared to some of the others.  Of course, I had driven the route several times but Amanda and I decided to give it a try a week before the actual race.  There is something about your feet hitting the ground that makes you recognize and appreciate distance and terrain much more than in a vehicle.

Anyways, back to the race.  There was approximately 75 people ranging from kids-up and let me just give a shout out to all those little guys and gals who kept up with seasoned runners, I was blown away!  My ultimate goal was to run the entire thing but admittedly I had to walk some. Thankfully I didn't feel as bad when I saw some pro's walking here and there as well.  My friend Amanda did not run the race with me as she was on a personal mission to make her own time which I completely understood and encouraged her. She did however promise me that she would come back and get me once she was finished.  That moment when I was almost to the finish line, saw her running back to me with massive words of encouragement and crossing the finish line with my mom, husband, kids and grandparents cheering me on was one of the best, most undefinable moments I have ever had! I finished in 36:03, was number 29th and much to my astonishment came in 2nd place for my age group (20-29).  I whole-heartedly believe in "runners high" and was elated the entire day after the race.  Here are Amanda and I and my Mom and I before the race (I was a bag of emotions) and me crossing the finish line (Jaydon was so excited):




Since the race I have gone for a couple of runs and thoroughly enjoyed them.  On the days that I can't go running I feel like I'm lacking something and yearn for the next run.  Some of you may be laughing at this point and honestly it is something I would have laughed at a few months back as well but I can't completely express to you just how much I am enjoying it.  I am looking at doing another 5K in the coming weeks and who knows, maybe half-marathons are in my future? Of course, not the immediate future.

Finally, I guess the entire purpose of this post is to encourage each one of you to find something you love doing and just do it like Samantha has encouraged me to do.  Exercise is still exercise no matter which route you decide to take.  It is essential to a healthy lifestyle and the rewards reaped are awesome both physically and mentally!

As the mommy of three boys I can tell you they all love trucks.  It is totally a boy thing (sometimes girls too!)  All my kids loved to line up their little cars and trucks on the floor.  When we go to Target my littlest still ask for more trucks since he can't possibly have enough.  If your anything like me you tend to pick media based on their interest.  Truck Stop is an adorable book that features all different kind of trucks who stop at the family truck stop!

About:
TRUCK STOP is a picture book about a family-run truck stop and all the trucks that stop in for breakfast. There are many different trucks depicted throughout the book, perfect for the little ones who can't get enough: eighteen-wheeler, dump truck, milk tank, moving van, even an old green pickup.

Additional Information:


My Thoughts:

This is a delightful tale of a local truck stop.  Told from a young boys perspective he takes you on a day at the stop.  From breakfast to deliveries you get a feeling of the activities that go on at their truck stop.  As I said earlier my boys have all had a fondness for trucks and Truck Stop is a great book featuring so many.  I love the bright colors illustrator Melissa Iwai brought to the story which really helps it come alive.  I also love how much our little narrator loves the Truck Stop you can feel it come across the pages.

May was my last month of the Green Mountain K-Cup®  Ambassador program.  What a great year it has been.  I've had the opportunity to try so many varieties and share my thoughts with you, our readers.  I have to say some I might not have tried like the Wild Mountain Blueberry but I'm so glad I did! (One of my ALL time favorite cups now!)  The Folks at Green Mountain are so wonderful and generous and have graciously offered a wonderful giveaway to wrap this year up!

Coffee is a big deal here in NJ.  Everyone seems to have a travel mug in their hand in the mornings.  You hear the jokes that they can't get going without their cup of coffee.  Home brewing with Keurig is a great way to have that coffee house taste at home!  Since becoming a Keurig Ambassador this year I've found myself talking more to family and friends about what their preference is.  I found that bold is big among the seasoned connoisseurs of coffee. Barista Prima Coffeehouse® K-Cup® is the perfect choice for those that like a delicious bold cup!

About:

Barista Prima Coffeehouse® K-Cup® packs are an exclusive collection of the world’s finest Arabica coffees inspired by Europe’s most celebrated coffee houses.  Barista Prima® offers a deep, dark-roasted flavor for connoisseurs of coffee, which pairs perfectly with your delicioso Italian treat.

This rich, heavy-bodied cup with its ripe fruit and berry notes epitomizes the time-honored Italian tradition of dark-roasted coffeehouse brews. Bold yet ideally balanced, with a subtle hint of smokiness and a sweet, clean finish, our Italian Roast is a hearty and flavorful testament to the art of dark roasting. Its uniquely potent flavor profile has been masterfully crafted to occupy a special niche between the bright, bold taste of our Colombia offering and the intense, smoky-sweet essence of French Roast. A discriminatingly versatile cup; the ideal accompaniment to sunrise or the perfect ending to an unforgettable meal.

 My Thoughts:

A steaming cup of coffee is the perfect ending (or beginning) of any day!  For me it is the end of the day.  I love to sit when it is quiet and enjoy the peacefulness of the night while sipping my intoxicating brew.  A little flavored creamer and Ahhhh Mmmmm.   Barista Prima Coffeehouse® K-Cup® is a perfect choice for those moments!


This month’s promotional code is BARISTA8143. Please note that this promo code offers 15% off storewide at GreenMountainCoffee.com, and free shipping on orders containing at least one K-Cup® pack of Barista Prima Coffeehouse®. The code is valid now through May 31^st and cannot be combined with any other keycode discount.