My Peanut Butter Sandwich
My peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are nourishing, without the added sugars.
First, I buy peanut butter with limited ingredients. From my experience making nut butters, the only ingredient peanut butter actually needs is peanuts. When I’m looking at a new brand, I check the label for peanuts, maybe salt, and maybe an oil. No other ingredient is needed to nourish my body.
(When I used to make my own nut butters, the only ingredient in the blender was the nut. I’ve enjoyed making peanut butter, walnut butter, and macadamia nut butter.)
For the jelly and the sweetness, I add real fruit. I’ve been putting sliced bananas on my peanut butter sandwiches since high school. These days I also use apple slices, dates, or dried bananas. Honestly, any fruit you’d enjoy with peanut butter makes a great addition.
Making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich has been a lifelong joy. As a mother, I loved letting my kids scoop out the peanut butter and make their own. As a teacher, I taught instructional writing by having students write out the steps for making the sandwich. We would blend fresh peanut butter from peanuts in class. Then I’d read their instructions aloud and follow them exactly while they watched. When a student wrote “first put the peanut butter on the bread,” I would set the jar on top of the unopened loaf. The laughter was always worth it. The lesson always ended with everyone getting a sandwich.
When I make my peanut butter sandwiches now, I like a soft, dense bread that is nourishing and sustaining, often whole wheat. I spread a thick layer of peanut butter, preferably crunchy, and then lay on whatever fruit I have: dates sliced open, banana slices, or apple slices. Dried bananas make it even chewier.
The fruit gives a sweet flavor from its natural sugar, and every ingredient is one the body wants to use.
What kind of peanut butter and jelly sandwich do you make? Could you change one thing to make it more nourishing?
I encourage you to be aware of the ingredients in the everyday foods you eat.
Welcome to my peanut butter sandwich.
Stacy 🌺
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I share my experiences and my perspective. Eating and healing look different for everyone. If you are struggling with food or your relationship with your body, please find support. You don’t have to do this alone.