Peanut Butter and Company

The Mrs. went to a new store over the weekend because that's what she does. I think the name is the Christmas Tree Shop in Freehold, and she found a bunch of stuff on spoecial. One of these things is Peanut Butter and Company Spicy Peanut Butter. This sells at QVC for around 8 bucks for a 16 oz. jar and around the same (with shipping) at the company website. She paid $2.69.

But it is only a bargain if it's good, right? And, it is very good.

And hot as heck, too. When I had my toast with this and jelly this morning, it brought the heat. And it stayed for a while. It wasn't painful heat, but it definately woke up the old taste buds. I would have to say I liked it a lot, but not for 8 bucks a jar. Ok, so I'm cheap, but prefer the term frugal. Unfortunately, we are out of tomatoes, so I couldn't have it as a PB&T, which, of course, is the ultimate test for me. If the jar makes it to the weekend, the Mrs. will make a trip to Shop Rite to get a tomato so I can really enjoy my peanut butter. It's good with jelly, for you non adventurist types.



Coming soon: Marshmallow taste test.

Fresh, local produce hitting markets

Oh yeah. Here in New Jersey, the farm markets are starting to open with great local produce.

Yesterday, the Mrs. bought some local peaches that were absolutely perfect.

So sweet, with juice that just ran down my chin when I bit into it.

MMM. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is as good as eating fresh local foods.

And peaches are a great fruit.

A small peach (about 3 oz) has around 30 calories, with a tiny amount of protein, and lots of energy producing carbs. It is a complex carb, so it's not like eating sugar, although they taste as sweet.

I also has my first peanut butter and tomato sandwich of the season, on whole grain toast. And, it was wonderful.

Tales from the Toaster

Sure a good sounding title, huh?

Lately the Mrs. has been buying bread from bakeries, and this is a special treat. She gets it sliced a litle thicker, and such a hearty slice just seems to make even better toast, if that could be possible. I have my own theory about this. When the bread is toasted, it just becomes such a perfect combination of textures that the whole toasting experience is enhanced. Oh yeah. The crunchy outside, spread with some peanut butter slowly melting into it, and the warm soft inside.....sounds almost like a romance novel, doesn't it? Top it with some fruit preserves, and it is as good as any dessert I've ever had. And much better than a typical breakfast.

Citizen of Fast Food Nation checking in

I admit it. I love fast food. Not because it's cheap, and a lot for the money, but I like the way most of it tastes. I'm not talking about a regular Mickey D's burger and fries, and a Coke (although that can be pretty good,) but instead I am into the specialty stuff. Although I usually eat a near vegan diet (no meat or dairy-except for a yogurt in the morning) 5 days a week, I do find that when I'm out it is nearly impossible to maintain that. Factor in that I am pretty much limited to drive thru places, and the choices are even lessened further. That being said, yesterday we went to Arby's. I got a cheesesteak, which was pretty mediocre. The Mrs. ordered the corned beef rueben. I had a small bite, and it was wonderful.

But the highlight of the meal was the jalapeno poppers. They come with a berry dipping sauce that at one time is both disgusting and the most wonderful treat in the world. I never would have mixed berries and jalapenos, but it's not such a stretch to mix hot, creamy, and sweet. Bet everyone who laughed at my peanut butter, jelly, and jalapeno sandwich is feeling pretty silly now.