home again...

home again...
peanut butter and apples it is!



Our week of being a family of six is over...
we are back to being a family of eight....
and oh how I love it!

we got home late this afternoon.
we've been unpacking and relaxing...
getting ready for school tomorrow.

why do I ache so much at the thought of the boys going back to school?
I want them home.
I want to teach them.
...only a few more months of school

and then the FUN begins! {grin}

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one of our favorite snacks is apples and peanut butter

we buy organic apples from Trader Joes for $3.99-$4.99 a bag {I buy 3-4 bags at a time}
and the peanut butter is-- today.... it's Smuckers organic peanut butter.

Peanuts have a distinct mold that grows on them {Aspergillus flavus, that produces aflatoxin-- a very toxic and carcinogenic substance}.
It's important to not eat too much of this mold.

Arrowhead mills is the only company that guarantees that their peanuts do not have that mold...

only downside is that THAT peanut butter is $7-8 a jar... and THAT is expensive.

So we switch back and forth between the 2.

Most of you probably know but most peanut butter is horrible for you... with hydroginated oils and added flavors and sugars.

If you stay away from the bad ones, Peanut butter can be such a wonderful food...

it's a great source of fiber, protein, micronutrients and healthy fats!
despite what one may think... peanut butter is a very good cholesterol regulator.
amoung having tons of other health benifits.

If you don't like apples and peanut butter try...

peanut butter and bananas plain or on an open faced sandwich
peanut butter, celery and rasins
peanut butter and honey toast
or for a special treat melted dark chocolate with a huge scoop of peanut butter to dip your bananas in!

********************************
Remember last month... when I told you about being seriously published! Have you check it out yet! Tomorrow the new April issue comes out...

and guess what! We're in it again!

so.... go check out March before it's too late! {grin}

*****************************

Glad to be home... now i'm off to have my snack of peanut butter and apples!
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36 comments:

  1. That looks Yummy! I am dreading sending my kids to school tomorrow too:(

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  2. Love peanut butter and apples, but I love peanut butter and bananas the best!!! Thanks for the info about peanut butter......I'll have to check out that brand...but yeah, ugh on the price...........Why does the stuff that's better for you have to cost so much???

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  3. And everyone thinks I'm weird for loving it when my kids are home and feeling down to send my son back to school after vacation.

    I don't send them to day camp in the summer- it's our time! But everyone I know DOES send, and they can't see why I don't.

    And yeah, there are some peanut butters with no other ingredients but peanuts and salt.
    But others have all that awful junk you listed. It takes me time to stand in the aisle reading ingredients!

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  4. I love apples and peanut butter! My kids haven't quite picked up the liking yet...but someday soon I hope.

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  5. i buy the "good" peanut butter without all the junk you listed, but I did not know about the fungus thing....thanks for the info!!

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  6. by the way...you asked if I was sure the baby wasn't twins....and yes I'm sure, and also pretty sure it is a boy.... :)

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  7. My kids have spring-break this coming week. I'm looking forward to them home. Hopefully the weather here in Wisconsin is enjoyable and we can enjoy some time outside! We love apples and peanut butter. I would love to try out the organice peanut butter. I agree...why is the good stuff always so much more? well, thanks for sharing!!

    ~Shay

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  8. My daughter loves apples and peanut butter! And I love Trader Joe's.

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  9. peanut butter and apples is a favorite here. and we make our own peanut butter in our food processor, because it's a way better deal (for us) than purchasing. and i can make it as crunchy as i want! yum!

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  10. I eat PB and graham crackers everyday! My favorite PB is Jif. I didn't look at the ingredients though, I just know it's the only one that tastes best to me.

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  11. Have some PB for me since I'm allergic! Love apples and they are a staple around here too. Glad the boys are all home safe. Think of summer being nearer now! Have a great week!
    ~Elyse~

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  12. I'm new here..just found your blog. You have an absolutely beautiful family!!!!!

    Kids here are out on spring break so our week is just beginning...I'm sure I'll be ready for it to be over by the time the week ends..then only 40 days of school left :)

    can't wait to get to know you alittle better.

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  13. We LOVE peanut butter here! We've tried the organic stuff but I can't seem to find a brand that the peanut butter doesn't RUN out of the jar? Do you know of any???

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  14. lovely lovely apples and peanut butter!! PB and honey on whole wheat is a staple quickie for lunch here - especially when we are on the go. plus we have discovered that most of our friends have all three of these products in their homes so in a pinch (and in need of some snackage) we live off these sandwiches!!

    Glad you are all home and happy. I look forward to reading about your adventures in home schooling, I have no doubt it will be wonderful for you all!!

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  15. We love peanut butter and it cures hiccups!!!!!

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  16. Welcome back Gavin and Vance! Is his hair still long??

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  17. That's one of my very favorite snacks too! YUM! Thanks for the tip about the peanut butter too...

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  18. I love your blog, I am so jealous! I want more kids, but adore the ones I DO have and am very thankful for them!

    I am glad to hear that you do not want to send your kids to school...so many people's blogs that I read...it makes me sad because they complain about their kids being home with them and can't wait for school to start again. I don't understand why some people have kids in the first place!

    Have you thought of home schooling?? It is incredible! I love HSing my four kids. There is so much available out there now, support groups, books, curriculum, etc. It is SO EASY to HS your kids...just keep doing what you have been doing all along. Kids are sponges, they soak up everything! School is hard on kids...especially little boys. Kids can't be expected to sit still so much...you should read "A Call to Brilliance". Maybe have your husband read it as well. It is amazing...

    http://www.thecalltobrilliance.com/


    Don't mean to preach, I am just so excited watching my kids soak up their world and not get burnt out with "seat work" and nonsense they don't need to know. Kids need to run and play and explore, not be stuck in a room all day long:)

    Take care!

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  19. MMM...apples and peanut butter is good...but have you ever tried carrots dipped in peanut butter? Delicious!!

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  20. Funny, I was composing an email to you regarding peanut butter. You mentioned almond butter too, do your kids switch back and forth easily?

    I didn't know that about peanut butter. We use a natural, organic kind.

    And, I'm going to try Ezekial bread on your recommendation! So, thanks.

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  21. Love the apples and peanut butter, and can you believe that I've never tried bananas and peanut butter?!

    Oh how I completely relate to you not wanting to send your children to school. When my oldest daughter was starting Kindergarten (two years ago this Fall), I had begged my husband all summer long to homeschool. He wanted her to go to school, so I took her to her classroom (tears in eyes ~ MY eyes, and hers) and left her. Ugh, one of the hardest days. We did that for almost a week, and then I pulled her out. We've been homeschooling ever since and absolutely LOVE it!

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  22. I'm new to your blog and really enjoying reading about how you choose to raise your family. Thanks for sharing the info about aflatoxins and PB...I try to get the word out too but I don't think most people believe me :) I'm a dietitian but I'm finding that I don't really fit into the mainstream nutrition world these days.

    God bless...and keep up the good work with your beautiful family!

    Abby

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  23. I love peanut butter on lots of things! Especially in my oatmeal for breakfast! We use Skippy All Natural. It is so yummy. I love it because there is no need to stir it before eating it. hmm..I think I will go have some now!

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  24. I have an award for you at my blog:

    http://ourniftynotebook.blogspot.com/2009/04/another-blog-award.html

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  25. I was just checking out Seriously the other night and saw all of your appearances! It was great to read your article and see your photos! I can't wait to read the next issue...you guys looked so great!

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  26. I find it ironic that you are sad to send your kids to school because you have missed them but you shipped them off for the week. hmmmmm.

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  27. We love peanut butter and apples. You just answered my questions about what peanut butter to use/not use. Thanks! :)

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  28. Thanks for the peanut butter info...hey Jenny did you know Jif is one of the worst brands you can get for PB??? I bet it does taste the best, lol.

    I agree with everything Lowa said...I know kids can be pests but it makes me sad when I hear parents all excited about kids back at school. It's so nice to see a mom who is sad to see them go. And totally agree about little boys, it is cruel to expect a 5 or 6 year old boy to sit at a desk for hours!

    Marie

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  29. Yum O' I was finding that my kids were eating terribly and I was exhausted with my work so I signed up for emealz and they have been great! Perfect for moms with lots of kids and less than optimal time!

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  30. Good snack pick. I love love love peanut butter with apples. No matter how much peanut butter grosses out my husband lol.

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  31. Oh man not the peanut butter to! ;) I've been reading your blog for a while and I can't wait to read the blog about cheese. I so love cheese but want my family to eat better and be healthy. I may not always agree with everything you say, but I so love how you care for your family and want the best for them...that's what we all want...
    Thank you for getting out some great info!
    Warmly
    Kate

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  32. I love pb and apples....Mia loves pb :) We use the skippy natural. I've heard that the organic usually has entirely too much of the mold. Please, nobody quote me. I'm just going off what I've heard.

    I've been a celery lover from way back...must try it with pb :)

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  33. Just eat the dang food...you are crazy

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  34. I *just* finished eating a snack of celery stalks dipped in Smucker's Natural peanut butter (nothing partially hydrogenated in this house!) It was yummy, and I had to laugh when this post came up!

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  35. Ever considered homeschooling? I know it doesn't work for everyone, but I was homeschooled all the way through and LOVED it!

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  36. Thank you for all of your "healthy" thoughts. I have started a section on my blog called Health Notes where I am trying to post recipes, health tips, things we use to treat various ailments, etc.... I have so far not received any negative feedback, but I am sure it is coming. I am doing it in response to the constant phone calls I get asking, "My daughter has pink eye, can I treat that naturally, etc...." Anyway, check it out if you like - I would love to possibly have some ideas from you to put on my blog. Maybe an "interview" or something??! Let me know what you think.

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Thank you for blessing me with your words!

Brittany