Feed Your Brain With Peanut Butter

Did you know that peanut butter is a terrific "brain food"? It's a rich source of vitamin E, an antioxident. Antioxidents protect cells from potentially harmful substances you encounter every day in your environment or the food you eat. Peanut butter also contains thiamin (vitamin B1), which helps metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Your brain uses carbs for fuel, so eat more peanut butter and get smarter.

Eat Peanut Butter and Save the Earth

P.B. Loco has a free shipping special until September 5: buy $40 of peanut butter goodness and your order ships free. No coupon code needed, the free shipping should automatically appear in your cart.

They also sent me some interesting facts about eating peanut butter instead of meat:

Reduce Global Warming by Eating a PB Sandwich. It may be hard to believe, but by eating a peanut butter sandwich (or some other plant-based meal) rather than an animal-based meal, such as a burger, you save the equivalent of almost 3.5 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, including 2.5 pounds of carbon dioxide.

Conserve Land by Opting for a PB Sandwich in Lieu of a Burger. We can save land by eating more plant-based foods and less animal-based foods. Animal food products require 6 to 17 times as much land as soy to produce the equivalent amount of protein. Choosing peanut butter over meat for lunch saves 12 to 50 square feet of land from deforestation, overgrazing, and pesticide and fertilizer pollution.

Conserve Water by Eating a PB Sandwich. Plant-based meals also save water as compared to meat-based meals because it takes less water to grow plants than to raise animals. Thus, opting for a peanut butter sandwich over a ham sandwich conserves about 280 gallons of water. Do this three times a month and it has the same effect as switching to a low-flow shower head.

Guest Posts Wanted

It's the beginning of my busy season, and things are starting to get a bit hectic here. I know that many of you have some fantastic peanut butter recipes and anecdotes. Share them with our readers and get your 15 minutes of fame right here! I'll include a link to your blog, website, or anywhere you like, and a brief bio blurbie thing. We can post your photo, too--that would be fun! Leave a comment here if you're interested in contributing to the nutty goodness and I'll be in touch very soon.

Peanut Butter Cup Purse

Show the world your love of Reese's with this purse made with a recycled candy bag. It's about 10" x 7" plus straps, lined with cotton and protected with clear vinyl. Handcrafted and unique, you can get this sweet bag at Angel Kisses.

And the Winner Is . . .

We had 16 comments, but one of them was mine. I used randomizer.org to choose a winning number from the 15 real comments and skipped over my comment when counting to reach winning #11. Congratulations Sara at News from NOLA! Let me know when you're back home after Hurricane Gustav has passed and I'll drop your handy-dandy new Grandpa Witmer's peanut butter mixer in the mail.

Gold Peanut Necklace

I love this necklace! It started as an actual peanut which was used to create a mold, and the final piece was cast in 14K gold. When you buy this necklace you'll also receive the original peanut. This is absolutely an original, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry--my favorite kind! From Laurie Brown Jewelry, $424.

Homemade Peanut Butter Hardtack Candy

You know how Oprah finds really amazing new things and then gives them away to everyone in her audience? I just had the most amazing homemade peanut butter hardtack candy! I got it from Country Quilt Tops, where you can also order from a selection of other flavors, including Cinnamon, Buttersotch, Spearmint, Peppermint, Bubblegum, Bavarian Cream, Pina Colada, Apricot, Wintergreen, Banana Cream, Peach, Butter Rum, and Mint Chocolate Chip.

This candy is perfect for those times when you can't open a jar and dig into the real thing. If I was Oprah, I'd absolutely send some to each and every one of you. But since I can't, click on over and order some for yourself. A half-pound package is under $3, and I guarantee* you'll love it. Seriously, go order some!

* I guarantee that if you don't love this candy you can send it to me and I will enjoy it on your behalf.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cutting Boards

When I found this gem all I could say was, "WOW!" And I'm still WOW-ing! This pair of cutting boards was handcrafted in butcher-block style from Purple Heart (imported hardwood), Paduak (imported hardwood), and White Oak (domestic hardwood). Each board measures 3/4" x 6" x 6", a perfect size for small cutting jobs, use as a cheese tray, or trivet. Get yours at Catzinthehouse, $10.50.

Just Plain Fun To Read Award

I'm a little behind on taking care of details (okay, a lot behind!), and I've neglected to announce that The Peanut Butter Blog received the Just Plain Fun to Read Award! This award has been graciously bestowed upon this blog by Carole at Carole's Thoughtful Spot, a blog that's also just plain fun to read. If you haven't seen it before, click on over and check out the crazy cow creature on her header! Now, as is the tradition of this blog, I share this award with all of you, my fun-loving readers.

Bonk Breakers

Justin Nyberg at Outside Blog tested these new Bonk Breaker energy bars. I have zero need for the extra calories packed into an energy bar, so I'm going to pass on testing these personally. Based on Nyberg's review as well as a quick search of other reviews, it seems that Bonk Breakers rock! No icky or chalky aftertaste, and moist enough to eat during a run without a gallon of water to chase them. This is the first energy bar I've seen described as tasting like "real food," and not a dense, chewy, food substitute.

The company is also introducing a Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Chip variety, and if the reviews for their Peanut Butter and Jelly version are any indication, they will be awesomely good. Can't find them in your local store? Head to Bonk Breakers and pick up a box.

The Best Peanut Butter Gadget Ever Giveaway!

Grandpa Witmer's Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Mixer is the best peanut butter gadget I've found! You will never again hear me complain about the difficulties of stirring natural peanut butter (although I'm sure I'll continue to complain about needing to refrigerate it).

The mixer comes in 8 different models, depending on the size jar you want to stir. Each lid is fitted with a special gasket and snap liner, and the mixer slides through a hole in the center of the gasket. My first thought was that this would be a huge mess to clean up, but that gasket cleans all the peanut butter off the mixer, so clean up is quick and easy.

I've never had peanut butter mixed so thoroughly before. The first spoonfuls were the same consistency as the ones from the bottom of the jar. Pure joy!

The R.N. Witmer Company has blessed me with an extra mixer to give away to one of you. It's their Model 100, designed to fit a 16 oz. jar that is 4.75 inches high with a 77 mm. (3 inches) diameter lid. To enter, leave a comment below telling about a fond memory you have that involves peanut butter. Suffering from amnesia and can't come up with a memory? Just say "hello," and you'll be entered. One entry per person. Make sure you leave an email address or blog link so I can contact you if you win. Comments will be received through Tuesday, August 26, 2008. I'll use the randomizer.org thingie to select a winning entry and announce the winner on August 27.

Peanut Butter Cookie Earrings

You can't help but smile when you look at these peanut butter cookie earrings! They're about 2/3" diameter, artisan designed, printed, and handcrafted in hard plastic with silver-plated findings. Get yours at Acrylicana on Etsy.

PEANUT BUTTER, A Poem by Jennifer Scott

I think this is totally cool! A poem written especially for this blog!


Pause for a moment and remember
Easy days of summer, making your own peanut butter
And jelly, heavy on the peanut butter.
Nothing solidifies times as golden, thick peanut butter
Under English muffins, in cookies, or on
Toast, gooey and dripping.

Baking cookies on days of winter
Unable to wait till they were cool, washing down
The goodness with icy milk.
Thank you George Washington Carver Jr for discovering the uses of this tuber.
Ever wonder how we can
Remember happiness without peanut butter?

Jennifer M Scott from Dragonfly Poems can take any word, such as name--or even peanut butter--and create a poem. Each poem will be printed on computer stationary with a nice font. For more information please visit Dragonfly Poems and take a look at other samples. She can’t wait to create a poem for you.

Another Peanut Butter Jar Creation

This darling terrarium is from Made By Mavis (whose name is really Ana!). She's filled a vintage peanut butter jar with slow-growing moss and other tiny plants, and added a red and white mushroom to brighten it up. Add a few drops of water every couple of weeks and keep it in indirect sunlight, and this terrarium should stay green and bright for years to come.

Peanut Butter Recipes from Smuckers

I love Smucker's Natural peanut butter--the first time I use the jar. It tastes good, and if you stir long enough the texture is good. I hate that it needs to be refrigerated. Cold peanut butter is difficult to stir, does not make a tasty sandwich, and often doesn't mix well into recipes. It would work well in a recipe that calls for heat while mixing, like fudge or no-bake cookies. Hmmm, maybe I need to make more fudge.

Want a free Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter Recipes Booklet with recipes for Decadent Peanut Butter Pie, Chicken Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce, Peanut Butter Frosty and more?

This is a snail-mail offer only. But we all remember how to do that, right?
Send a postcard to:
The J.M. Smucker Company
Attention: Peanut Butter Recipe Collection
Consumer Relations Department
P.O. Box 280
Orrville, Ohio 44667

What Can You Do With All Those Empty Peanut Butter Jars?

More Information

Now all I need to do is to dig up a few Star Wars figurines.

Amish Peanut Butter Spread Giveaway and Recipe

I discovered Kristen's Loving Our Simple Life blog today, and not a moment too soon! She's on vacation, where she's picked up some Amish treats including a jar of peanut butter spread--and is giving them away to her readers. Click on over and leave a comment to be entered.

And if you can't wait to try the spread, I've got a recipe that should take care of you. It's not Amish, but it is insanely easy.

Peanut Butter Spread

Ingredients
1 lb. creamy peanut butter
1 lb. marshmallow cream
2 c. Mrs. Butterworth's Original Maple Flavor Pancake Syrup
3/4 c. hot water

Directions
Whip all ingredients together in a large bowl.

Enjoy on bread, pancakes, biscuits, toast, muffins, crackers, or a spoon!

Peanut Butter Cookie Soap

I love trying out all the different soaps--people can be so creative! These soaps smell like peanut butter cookies, and look good enough to eat. I put one by my kitchen sink and love the way my hands feel and smell when I wash with it. Get yours at Sugarlane Soaps, $6.99 for a pack of six.

Martha's Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

I found this recipe at Martha Stewart. At first I didn't care for it much, but I've discovered that by using a lot less salt, and refrigerating the bars before serving, they are very addictive. I've tweaked the recipe a bit here. If you try this one, I'll be interested to know what you think of it.


Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2-1/2 cups smooth peanut butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups your favorite jam or jelly
2/3 cup peanuts, roughly chopped

Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan with butter and coat inside of pan with flour; set aside. Place butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. On medium speed, add eggs and peanut butter; beat until combined, about 2 minutes.
2. Whisk together salt, baking powder, and flour. Add to bowl of mixer on low speed; combine. Add vanilla. Transfer two-thirds of mixture to prepared pan; spread evenly. Stir jam to make it smooth and easier to spread, then spread jam on top of peanut-butter mixture. Spoon remaining third of peanut-butter mixture on top of jam. Sprinkle with peanuts. Press peanuts lightly into peanut butter mixture.
3. Bake until golden, about 45 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars. Refrigerate for a chilly taste sensation.

JIF Sandwich Contest--For Kids Only

If you've got peanut butter lovers between the ages of 6 and 12, get them busy creating a peanut butter sandwich recipe. The grand prize in this contest is a $25,000 scholarship fund, so it's absolutely worth entering. And you get the added benefit of eating the peanut butter sandwiches! The contest ends November 14, 2008, so there's plenty of time to test a few different recipes. You can get the complete rules, entry form, and even check out past winning recipes at JIF.com.

An Award!

The Peanut Butter Blog is proud to announce that it's been honored with the Brillante Weblog Premio 2008 Award, presented by Patricia at Communication Exchange. She has a puzzle included in her latest post--go on over and see if you can figure it out. It's been the policy of this blog to pass along awards to all of you--our readers--so please consider yourself to be awarded!

A Contest at Peanut Butter & Co.!

Peanut Butter & Co. is having a sandwich recipe contest to help launch The Bee's Knees, a new peanut butter blended with honey. Go here to enter for your chance to win a gift box from PB&Co and a week of fame as your sandwich is featured as their Sandwich of the Week.

Recipes in Your Inbox

I just discovered Cooking with Jif, a free email newsletter with links to new recipes and special promos. The current issue has some tasty-looking desserts, but I think I may try the Asian Peanut Broccoli Salad. It doesn't contain any peanut butter, just nuts, so maybe we shouldn' be talking about it. Shhhh--don't tell!

Artist Needed, Must Work for Peanuts

The Peanut Butter Blog is in desperate need of some art for use in 125 ads and other promotional items. I have a good idea of what I want, but am absolutely open to suggestions. If you can draw ultra nifty stuff and turn it into digital files, and want to achieve the level of fame that can only be reached by being associated with The Peanut Butter Blog, we should talk. The pay? Hmmm. Well, there's no cash. You can choose to be paid in Entrecard Credits, glass jewelry, or with a hearty "Thank You!". And, of course, you get a permanent link here, and the above-mentioned fame. Interested? Send an email to luckygirltrading [at] yahoo [dot] com.