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Do you know what time it is? That’s right, kiddos. It’s back to school time!
As a teacher, I approach this time of year with a mingling of regret and excitement. I’m looking forward to a fresh new year, and I’m also looking forward to having my kids out of the house doing productive work. But you know, I do love the summer sunshine. And the flexible hours. So yeah…I’m torn.
With everything getting very busy (very fast, might I add), I need to be ready with great after-school snacks. When all of us get home from school, some refueling is definitely in order. These banana chocolate chip muffins are a perfect way to unwind and get ready for homework time, especially when I pair them with NESTLÉ® NESQUIK® Powder. The kids are pretty happy to settle in with their muffins and Nesquik, and I do it right along with them!
This year, I’m more anxious than usual to meet my kids with an energetic frame of mind when they come home from school. My son (who is also my oldest) has always come home and done his homework without much struggle, and I realize that makes me lucky. He gets home around four, has his snack, and then takes a break for about fifteen minutes before taking out his books and getting to work. He’s in the third grade, by the way. And yes, he has a lot of homework.
My middle child is going to be starting with homework this year in first grade, and that’s why I’m a little nervous. She’s a very smart little girl, but she’s also an artist. Her favorite thing to do is come home and draw for hours. My temperament is similar, so I know how hard homework was for me growing up. I want to make sure that I’m there to support her, but it’s hard to be patient and fully with it after a day of teaching. That’s where snack time comes in!
For my kids and me, that snack time after school is where we come together and check in on one another. I can gauge moods, figure out if anything traumatic or good happened to the kids, and just take a few minutes to breathe before we all get back to work in that pre-dinner time. It’s important that we connect, and it’s also important that we have some nutrients while we’re at it.
While we were at the beach last week for a final summer hurrah, I looked at the tired bananas on the counter at our rented beach house (yes, tired bananas follow me around) and knew that I wanted to start snacks off right this year. As soon as we got home (tired bananas in tow), I ran out to Target to get some Nesquik so we’d have a great pairing with these banana chocolate chips muffins. Then, I started baking. These muffins freeze like a charm, and I wanted to be ready for the first week of school!
My kids were pretty excited when they saw the muffins, but they were even happier when they saw the Nesquik. Nobody can resist a bunny, after all! And I love the fact that Nesquik is low in sugar, has no artificial colors or flavors, and is full of both vitamins and minerals as well as protein (when combined with milk). Translation: the kids (and I) stay full until dinnertime, and we also have the energy to tackle all that homework!
If you’d like to be ready for the oncoming onslaught of school and the nutritional needs that arise, be ready! You can pick up Nesquik right now with this Cartwheel Offer at Target (for Nesquik Powder and ready-to-drink bottles, valid 8/21/2016-8/27/2016 with 15% off 18.7oz powder and 10 packs of bottles), and the muffins almost make themselves. If you don’t have a gluten-free diet, subbing in regular flour will also work. They’ll be great either way!
How do you get ready for back to school? It’s an exciting time, but a busy one. Be prepared!
Ingredients
Instructions
It’s been a long week, and I’m happy to be done with it.
I know we’re not supposed to rush time, but when there are 11-hour workdays involved, time can speed the heck on up. Otherwise, I’m resorting to chocolate.
Oh, who am I kidding? I’m doing that anyway. With this healthy vegan cake that is just as moist and delicious as any butter-laden version, I can get through a tough day without having to worry about my health or any other impending doom.
I warned you this was coming. The mashup of all mashups. The moment in my baking career all will look back upon and point to as that one, special instant when everything came together.
Or maybe it’s just a nice post for a nice day.
Boys, this one’s for you. You like beer. You like donuts. And your feminine counterparts are pretty wild for brownies and anything with maple syrup. Actually, we like beer and donuts, too. Why gender stereotype?
Whenever I’m in my local grocery store, I always accidentally-on-purpose wind my way toward the bakery section. Because you know, it’s really fun to stare at treats and wonder why you aren’t buying them all.
As someone who bakes regularly, I don’t often buy dessert. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t reallyreally want to. There are very few desserts that I have a physically hard time turning away from at the store, but babka is one of them. I love babka. Deeply. Passionately. How could I not? If you’ve ever had babka, you know what I mean.
I hope you have a wonderful school year, Mir! I’m right there with you with needing some great snacks. Banana chocolate chip muffins are one of my favorite kinds! I’ve never tried a gluten free version though,…these look perfect!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Southwest Chicken and Rice Bowls
I love having snacks ready. It’s how I’m wired. Thanks, Gayle!
Seriously Mir, these muffins look perfect. And my kids love a glass of chocolate milk with their breakfast 🙂
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted…Fudgy, Chocolate Chip Zucchini Brownies with Chocolate Chip Frosting!
I love it with mine, too!
It’s like you know exactly what I want when I’m having a weird muffin craving! Banana chocolate chip is one of our favorites around here and we love freezing them for later…if they last that long 🙂 Wishing you a smooth transition into the school year – I know all my teacher friends are mourning the end of their relaxing summer!
Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss recently posted…Fresh Spinach, Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta Salad
People who love banana go crazy for this flavor!
We’re the same way with snack time. . checking in to see how the day went. . my youngest starts kindergarten so I’m anxious! love these muffins and love that you used oat flour! I need to try this recipe! Here’s to a great school year for us all!!! Parents and kiddos!
I’m anxious, too. I hope the kids are happy in school this year. It’s always tough to worry about our kids!
Good luck with the new year! I want one of these for breakfast and I haven’t been in school for YEARS. I love the oat flour in here!
Amanda recently posted…Nutty Caramel Corn
Ha! I’m in school every day. Forever. But either way, the muffins work!
All your kids are so lucky to have such a wonderful mother, Mir! And the kids at school are also so lucky to have such a fabulous teacher!! I will keep my fingers crossed for your little girl and her studying habits! I hope she settles into homework easily! I think she will be just fine if you offer her one of these muffins first!! You know, sometimes bribery is the answer. hahaha. These look amazing, girlfriend!! Perfect for breakfast, snack time and dessert! Gimme! Cheers! <3
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Grilled Potato Salad with Everything Bagel Seasoning & 7 Minute Eggs
I hope she settles in fine. Thanks for propping me up here, Chey!
these are the perfect back to school snacks! the muffins look perfect!
Manali@CookWithManali recently posted…Apple Peanut Butter French Toast Roll Ups
I love my after school snack so much!
I used to love snack time after school. These muffins would make the best fuel for homework!
Megan – The Emotional Baker recently posted…Chocolate Dipped Frozen Dessert Sandwiches
They are awesome fuel. And tasty, too!
Muffin cravings are so real- I went through a phase last year when all I would turn my oven on for was a good muffin. And then I realized I was sharing muffin recipes and nothing else! So I backpedaled a little… but now I want to make these, and every other kind of muffin, because they are just the best! Love the Nesquik, too- that was my CHILDHOOD 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…10-Minute Vegan Peanut Sesame Noodles!
Ha! I never noticed you were doing that. But muffins are the best, really.