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.

CREATE
Gadget Painting
What: Splash color on paper with common kitchen utensils.
Why: Why limit him to just a brush?
When: Sat., 10:30 a.m.-noon
Where: Learning Express Toys, 6828 Snider Plz. (214-696-4876). Participation is free.

WATCH
My Son Pinocchio
What: The tale of a mischievous marionette who longs for a life without strings.
Why: Kiddos will be a little less likely to tell a lie.
When: Fri.-Mar. 6. Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 1 & 5 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.
Where: Casa Manana Theatre, 3101 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth. Tickets online ($12-$15) at ticketmaster.com.

SAY CHEESE
National Association of Professional Child Photographers
What: Find a local shutterbug to capture your kiddo’s antics on the easy-to-navigate site.
Why: Priceless tips (selecting cameras, posing), in case you decide to snap your own brood.
When: She’s ready for her close-up.
Where: Online at napcp.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Kids Central Kitchen