Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal

Oatmeal's a breakfast time staple in our house, with back-to-school quickly approaching I wanted to share my recipe for Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal. It's a fun way to keep breakfast simple and nutritious for the whole family! It also makes it a little bit easier to climb out of bed during those chilly fall mornings that will soon arrive.

The peanut butter and chocolate chips gives this oatmeal a flavor reminiscent of a beloved peanut butter cup while the banana acts as a natural sweetener. If you aren't fond of banana, maple syrup or brown sugar makes a great substitute, and equally delicious.

Either way it's a favorite way to start the day! 

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Oatmeal Chocolate Caramel Carmelitas

For some odd reason every time I make these Oatmeal Chocolate Caramel Carmelita's they're gone before I can even snap a photo.

This week our small group put out an APB for dessert since the family who was bringing dessert came down with the flu.

 How could I possibly not offer my dessert making skills?

So Tuesday morning I scavenged the cupboards to find some kind of sweet treat to make.

I haven't made Carmelita's since last winter and thought it was long over due for some Oatmeal Chocolate Caramel goodness.

Plus I was hopeful for a picture which almost didn't happen because Colt had a late night sweet tooth and ate about a third of a pan of Oatmeal Carmelita's with or without my help late Tuesday night.

I was relieved to find 2 bars left unharmed, whew that was close!

Please beware Oatmeal Chocolate Caramel Carmelita's disappear fast! 

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Monster Cookie Recipe

Sometimes life calls for Monster Cookies loaded with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips and M&M's. I can't think of a better lunch box treat! 

I usually don't eat M&M's for a million reasons but sometimes a cookie with some crunchy little hard shell covered candies are an exception. 

Especially the dark chocolate M&M's... They might be a new found weakness..

Since I've been so busy with appointments lately I knew these would make a special treat to add to the kids lunch box, a little hidden surprise to remind the kids and hubby just how much I love them. 

Plus who doesn't like a surprise plate of cookies when you walk through the door? 

These monster cookies are super easy to make and always a winner.

FYI:These are technically gluten-free but please double check all your ingredients if you are gluten sensitive! I couldn't find anything on the Dark Chocolate M&M's about having gluten, but please double check the ingredients you use if you have a gluten-free household.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Cookies

This is a sponsored recipe for Visalus Body By Vi. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received Vi Shape shake mix from Visalus to sample and knew it would be perfect to make some Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Cookies for a treat for the kids..

I love that these are packed with protein, what a perfect afternoon snack after school to tide everyone over until dinner.

Who doesn't like peanut butter and chocolate with oatmeal and protein mix add for nutrition.

The kids had no clue of the added health benefits in their cookies.

These are simple and easy to make and hit the spot for a perfect afternoon or evening snack.

Truth be told I even had 2 for breakfast.

Deliciousness.

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Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins With Streusel

Delicious Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins With Streusel.. Can life get any better then these? I think not.

I'm not sure there is any better way to start the day than with Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins With Streusel and a spot of coffee or tea. 

These muffins have a wonderful texture with pop in your mouth blueberries and a crunchy oat streusel.

I can't tell you these are the ultimate in healthiness but I will tell you they are totally delicious and the oatmeal adds a fabulous texture to the muffins!  

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Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Oatmeal With Agave and Flax Cookies

It's a New Year and I have been trying to get back on track to be in shape. You see I have this lack of motivation to exercise. 3 kids, 2 dog, a husband and 1 part time job seems to fulfill my time and leave me rather tired. Well folks I am proud to say for the last few weeks I have been back on track. This last week I ran/ fast walked 3 miles a day. Who new I still could sweat so much? Hopefully this next week I will continue and be able to shave a little of my time.  The great thing about exercising I have found is the more I do it the more energy I have, it really has been rather amazing! It's better then 2 cups of coffee! I suggest if you haven't been doing it stop making excuses and go for it! You'll feel amazing if you exercise and cut out process foods from your diet!

On another note I thought I would share these delicious cookies! These are great for a healthier dessert or sweet tooth craving. No you can't eat all of these cookies and expect to be healthy, but 2 cookies to calm a sweet tooth are better then most things you could reach for other then fruit and they are  high in fiber from the whole wheat, oatmeal and flax. I subbed agave nectar for regular sugar and I still used brown sugar for a bit of caramel undertone. Agave is a lower glycemic sweetener and doesn't spike your blood sugar like traditional sweeteners and isn't artificial so it will leave your sweet tooth satisfied! The dough is a bit soft and I was worried as I was concocting these they where going to spread too much, I almost added more flour but the oats and flax helped these cookies hold there shape nicely. These where moist and delicious, the kids and husband over indulged, my cookies where all gone by this morning, I was rather sad no cookies for me tonight. Enjoy!

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