November is National Peanut Butter Lovers Month

When you think of the month of November, chances are Thanksgiving quickly comes to mind. But November isn't just all about observing that holiday; in fact, there is a month-long celebration for one of our nation's most beloved foods in November. No, it isn't turkey, or pumpkin pie, or any other Thanksgiving favorite. So, to which food is the month of November devoted, then? Peanut butter.

Now, don't confuse this with National Peanut Butter Day, which is January 24. And this is different from National Peanut Month, which is celebrated in March. And we can't forget National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day-that's April 2. But November's celebration is supposed to be different from all of these; November is National Peanut Butter Lovers' Month.

Why is peanut butter so special that it deserves its very own month? Why can't we just lump it in with National Peanut Month in March? Well, if you think we should do that, you must not be much of a peanut butter fanatic! Peanuts are tasty and have a lot of uses in various snack and dessert recipes, among others...but peanut butter just takes the peanut to the next level and makes it even more versatile. According to the National Peanut Board, more peanuts are used to make peanut butter than for any other use-and, peanut butter is consumed in nearly 89 percent of households in this country. So, now are you convinced that peanut butter deserves its own month?

How can you celebrate this month-long holiday? First of all, make sure you are informed about peanut butter. Many people consider the spread to be high in calories and fat and, therefore, believe that it should only be consumed once in awhile. But, peanut butter is naturally cholesterol free, and recent research by the United States Department of Agriculture has shown that peanut butter is trans-fat free. Additionally, peanut butter has been found to contain phytochemicals (or plant chemicals), which are thought to be beneficial to health. Resveratrol, the same phytochemical that is found in grapes and red wine, is present in peanuts and peanut butter. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines have not set a specific recommendation for the amount of phytochemicals that we should have in our daily diets, nutritionists do suggest that we try to eat more foods that contain them.

Those aren't the only reasons to include peanut butter in more of your menus. It is an excellent source of protein, which your body needs to keep your muscles, skin, bones, and organs working well. And, peanut butter is also a good source of phosphorous, magnesium, vitamin E, and niacin-all of which are essential for staying strong and healthy. Yes, a serving of peanut butter is a little high in calories (about 190 calories for 2 tablespoons), but as part of a balanced diet it fits in rather well.

Now that you are informed about the benefits of peanut butter, what should you do for National Peanut Butter Lovers' Month? Eat peanut butter, of course! Peanut butter sandwiches are tasty, or you can try the old favorite "Ants on a Log" (spread peanut butter on celery and top with raisins). Dip apple wedges in peanut butter for a healthy snack. Melt some peanut butter in the microwave and drizzle it over waffles and pancakes instead of syrup. Be creative!

Or, if you aren't that creative, try searching for some recipes that use peanut butter. There are dozens of online recipe sites; one of my favorites is AllRecipes.com. Simply go to the website, type "peanut butter" into the search box at the top of the page, and click on "search." When I tried it recently, the site found 624 recipes!

Another way to celebrate National Peanut Butter Lovers' Month is to try making your own peanut butter. Sound difficult? It really isn't. I found a simple recipe at the Jimmy Carter Education Program (after all, Carter was known for his love of peanuts!). Here's the basic recipe:

What you need:

--Roasted, unshelled peanuts
--Vegetable oil
--Sugar (optional)
--Salt (optional)
--Blender (for smooth peanut butter); food processor or grinder (for chunky style)
--Measuring cup and measuring spoons

What to do:

--Remove the shells and red skins from the peanuts. Measure out one cup of nuts.
--Using the blender, food processor, or grinder blend the nuts until your desired consistency is reached.
--Add 1 - 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the peanut mixture, a little bit at a time, (blending after each addition) until the mixture looks like peanut butter.
--Taste your peanut butter. Add a little bit of sugar and/or salt if desired and mix well until it tastes just right.
--Store your peanut butter in the refrigerator in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Whatever you decide to do to celebrate National Peanut Butter Lovers' Month, make sure to spread the word and include your family and friends. Bake a great dessert treat to share, perhaps, or let your kids help you make peanut butter--homemade peanut butter could even be a great holiday gift. Have fun finding new ways to incorporate this tasty spread into your meals-it is a nutrient powerhouse and it is delicious!