Forgive us, Mark Bittman, for we have sinned. We have used a mix to bake banana bread. We know: blasphemy!

But before you get all righteous, hear us out.

The mix was from Kids Central Kitchen, a health-conscious company out of the Pacific Northwest that uses all-natural ingredients and whole grains. It required the use of very real and very ripe bananas that were otherwise going to rot on our kitchen counter.

In fact, you might like to know that all of Kids Central’s mixes (brownies, energy bars, pancakes, cookies) are free of trans fats, hydrogenated oils, refined sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial colors and flavors. So it’s as if you’re making treats from scratch — just with fewer measuring cups and spoons to wash.

And frankly, that’s a blessing.

Available online at kidscentralkitchen.com, $4-$5.

SQUEAK
An American Tail
What: Fievel and his family flee Russia in hopes of a future without felines.
Why: They quickly find out the streets of New York aren’t lined with cheese.
When: Sun., 2:10 p.m. (Also Feb. 21.)
Where: Regal Medlock Crossing Stadium 18, 9700 Medlock Bridge Rd., Duluth (770-814-0768). Feb. 21, Regal Atlantic Station Stadium 16, 261 19th St. NW (404-347-9894). Tickets online at ajff2011.inticketing.com. Adults, $10; children, $9.

CREATE
Lil’ Bean Head Art Class
What: Kiddos spend the afternoon making crafts, leaving the house mercifully mess free.
Why: Your kitchen table already resembles a Pollock painting.
When: Wed., 3-4 p.m.
Where: Bean Head Toys, 220 Johnson Ferry Rd., Sandy Springs (404-851-2980). Participation is free.

MUNCH
Girl Scout Cookies
What: Support a local troop when you buy boxes ($4 each) of Samoas, Thin Mints, and other favorites.
Why: Nary a Brownie has knocked on the door.
When: Fri.-Mar. 20. Mon.-Fri., 4-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Where: Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Rd., market lvl. food court, Buckhead (404-233-6767).

Photo: Courtesy of Kids Central Kitchen