Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Mid-Week Munchies: Quick & Easy Homemade Granola Bars

granola bars final 1

Does anyone else devour granola bars? My husband and I eat granola bars almost every day for snacks. Here is a quick recipe from Lauren's Latest that will make you about 10 granola bars in less than 10 minutes! And all you need are 7 ingredients! Here is her recipe!

No-Bake Chocolate Chip Granola Bars yield: 10 bars
adapted from Rachael Ray

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats {not rolled oats!}
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

Directions:
  1. In a large bowl, stir oats and rice cereal together. Set aside.
  2. In a small pot, melt butter, honey and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it comes to a bubble. Reduce the heat and cook 2 minutes. Pour in vanilla and stir.
  3. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients.
  4. Pour into lightly greased small jelly roll pan {about 12x8x1} and press out to be about 3/4 inch in thickness. {If your pan isn’t small enough, pack the mixture into one side. You really want to press them down so they stick together.}
  5. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and press down lightly. Cool on a countertop to room temperature for two hours or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
Feel free to add in any spices or other add-ins that you like. Raisins, nuts, maple syrup, flax seeds, cinnamon, butterscotch chips, coconut, agave, craisins, citrus zest, the list goes on.

Recipe Notes: If your granola bars don’t seem to be staying together when you cut them, you may have made them too thin or you didn’t pack them in tight enough. Stick them in the fridge for 20 minutes and that should help keep them together. {Be sure not to keep them in there too long or else they’ll become super hard!} The next time you make them, try reducing the butter to 3 tablespoons and really packing them down.

I've got everything I need, so I'm gonna give it a go and let you know how they turn out!

Grocery Store Deals 5/9-5/15

Here are the deals plus coupon match-ups I see in the grocery stores this week. Kind of slim pickins! Please leave a comment if you found any other baby/kid deals! Make sure you click "read more" to see all the deals.

*** Be sure to check your coupons! A lot of them expire before the ads end!

Publix (I still see some formula on the clearance shelf at my store!)
$19.99 Huggies diapers 44-86 ct. or Pull-Ups 42-56 ct. or GoodNites 27-35 ct.
          - $2/1 Huggies diapers (store coupon in ad)
          - $2/1 Huggies Little Snugglers or Little Movers diapers jumbo pack+ (Huggies home mailer, sign up here, exp. 5/31)
          - $2/1 Huggies Pure & Natural diapers jumbo pack+ (Huggies home mailer, sign up here, exp. 5/31)
          - $2/1 Huggies Little Movers or Little Snugglers diapers or Overnites diapers jumbo pk.+ (4/15 Smartsource insert, exp. 5/12)
          - $1.50/1 package of Huggies diapers jumbo pk.+ (4/15 SmartSource insert, exp. 5/12)
          - $2/1 GoodNites underwear jumbo pack.+
          - $3/1 any diapers (Winn-Dixie baby club home mailer)
               - as low as $14.99

4 for $7 Gerber Graduates Snacks Puffls, Lil' Crunchies, or Wagon Wheels

$2 off Huggies diapers (coupon in ad)
          - $2/1 Huggies Little Snugglers or Little Movers diapers jumbo pack+ (Huggies home mailer, sign up here, exp. 5/31)
          - $2/1 Huggies Pure & Natural diapers jumbo pack+ (Huggies home mailer, sign up here, exp. 5/31)
          - $2/1 Huggies Little Movers or Little Snugglers diapers or Overnites diapers jumbo pk.+ (4/15 Smartsource insert, exp. 5/12)
          - $1.50/1 package of Huggies diapers jumbo pk.+ (4/15 SmartSource insert, exp. 5/12)
          - $2/1 GoodNites underwear jumbo pack.+
$2.50 off Similac Infant Formula Powder 22-23.2 oz. (coupon in ad)

Save up to $100 on BOB Strollers at Babies "R" Us


BOB Strollers are pretty expensive, but if you really have your heart set on one, then here's a sale that will save you up to $100! Head over to Babies "R" Us for this online sale. Plus, you'll get FREE shipping! I just briefly looked, but it looks like you'll save $70 on most strollers and $100 on double strollers.

Walmart Baby Specials Through May 18th

InStep - Grand Safari Jogging Stroller, Yellow          Storkcraft - Bowback Glider Rocker and Ottoman Espresso Finish, Beige Cushions


Walmart is having a sale on all things Baby until May 18th. A lot of stuff is only knocked down a couple dollars, but if you spend some time browsing, you can find some good deal! Here are some good ones I found! Click "read more" to see everything!

Nursery Furniture
  • Baby Mod Parklane 3-in-1 Baby Convertible Crib $249 (was $300)
  • Baby Mod Olivia 3-in-1 Baby Crib $269 (was $299.88)
  • Storkcraft Bowback Glider and Ottoman $129 (was $159)
  • Storkcraft Beatrice 5-Drawer Chest $199 (was $219)
  • Storkcraft Beatrice 4-Drawer Dresser $165 (was $188.66)
  • Delta Shelby Classic 3-in-1 Crib and Changer $199 (was $279)

Target Daily Deal: Tek Nek Rockin’ Rider Belle Talking Spring Horse

Tek Nek Rockin’ Rider Belle Talking Spring Horse.Opens in a new window

Today only at Target you can get the Tek Neck Rockin' Rider Belle Talking Spring Horse for $69.99 (regularly $104.99)! That's a 33% savings! I bet this would make some little girl very happy! Here are the features:
  • Belle is the charming plush spring horse that talks and sings to your little rider
  • Your child will love how Belle’s mouth actually moves when she talks
  • Ready to be enjoyed for years to come, this spring horse has 3-position adjustable stirrups that grow with your child
  • Belle sits on a sturdy steel frame and is designed for safety with durable spring covers, easy-grip handles and a wide, stable stance
  • Includes an on/off switch on the battery pack and a parental volume control
  • Manufacturer's Suggested Age: 2 Years and Up
  • Maximum Weight Capacity: 65.0 Lb.
  • Dimensions: 19.5 " H x 11.5 " W x 26.5 " L
  • Product Weight: 17.2 Lb.
  • Care and Cleaning: Wipe Clean With a Damp Cloth

Disney The Magical Story Book 4 pk. $14.99 Shipped

Disney The Magical Story Book 4 pk

Today at Kids.Woot you can get a 4 pk. of Disney The Magical Story books for $9.99 plus $5 for shipping. You can choose from 3 different packs. Pack 1 includes The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, The Jungle Book and Pinocchio. Pack 2 includes Aladdin, Mickey Mouse, 101 Dalmatians and Bambi. Pack 3 includes Dumbo, Lady & the Tramp, Peter Pan and Minnie Mouse.  

Win a $1,000 Target Gift Card!

National Princess Celebration Sweepstakes

Disney Princess is giving away a $1,000 Target Gift Card plus a personlized, signed copy of The Very Fairy Princess! Head over here to enter. If you're not the grand prize winner, you still have a chance to win some other great prizes including an annual subscription to Disney Princess Magazine or a Disney Princess Fairy Tales CD. You have until May 31st to enter!