[Vegan Mofo] Pantry Essentials - PB2

 

It is Thursday  - a day that lacks any special mention in most people's weekly schedule. You have Monday - back to the old grind, Wednesday - that mid week hump day, Friday - get ready for the weekend...Somewhere among the shuffle, Thursday gets lost. 

I decided to hook Thursday up with one of my favorite things in the world - PEANUT BUTTER! Not just any peanut butter I am talking powdered PB2 peanut butter! When I first heard about this stuff I was not having it, powdered peanut butter? Gross. After trying it I am hooked and eat a few tablespoons to a mini bowl of it a day, serious good stuff.

Why powdered peanut butter and not the 'real' stuff? The first thing one might notice is the nutrition count: PB2 has 45 calories per 2 tablespoons and 1.5 grams of fat. The traditional stuff clocks in at 188 calories for 2 tablespoons and 8.0 grams of fat. Big difference right? Not that traditional peanut butter is bad - the oils and fat are of the good healthy kind. If you stick to a peanut butter that is more natural and not packed with sugar like some brands out there your good to go. No need to food shame anyone's peanut butter choices.

I like PB2 strait up, it is not oily and does not leave a grease trail on my lips. You can find me snacking on it and adding it to food. I like making a peanuty stir fry sauce with it or using it in powder form to coat fresh popped popcorn with a fine dusting for a sweet and salty taste. My fave way though - a small bowl of the stuff mixed super creamy style with a drizzle of chocolate syrup! If I have a banana on hand I slice it up and toss it into the mix.

Target has the best store prices of PB2 in town. I go for the original but the chocolate is not bad as well. Target carries both varieties so you can get your peanut butter love on. 

Peanut Butter Dishes, CSA Haul, Cheezey Stuff

If you follow me on Instagram (MissMuffcake) you will have seen these photos. Here are the photos plus added content!

 

Spicy peanut sauce tossed with whole wheat noodles, organic veggies and savory baked tofu. Post gym meal that is easy to put together and helps our body recover. On Tuesday after the gym I usually make us some sort of stir fry dish and have been trying new sauces out the last few rounds. 

Matt said he like mixing peanut butter cups with popcorn at the movie theater so I came up with this popcorn treat. Coconut oil popcorn sprinkled with vegan buttery spread, pink salt, PB2 (powder not mixed with water, just want a light coating) and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Salty + sweet = yummy! 

At Matt's work every Wednesday an organic farmer comes out and you can buy fruits, veggies, spices and flowers from her. We got the $5 CSA box last week and it was jam packed with cool stuff we have never tried before. My favorite thing from the box was the Thai Bitter Melon. I thought it was an eggplant but once I cut it open I knew it was a melon of sorts. I liked it with a sprinkling of Tajin seasoning and raw, but I know it is popular in soups and stir fries. I did not find it bitter at all, more like a not so sweet cantaloupe. 

Last week was a score of fresh fruits and veggies. We got so many peppers from our neighbor that I pickled two batches - we are already out of one batch - peppers on everything! Yesterday we scored a few plump garden tomatoes! I really want a garden of my own. I think maybe this coming year it will happen, I am very inspired! I do have pomegranates and this will be a big  haul this season!

 

Some of the stuff from my recent Vegan Essentials order. I have tried the crackers before but am curious about the mac & cheeze and will cook it this weekend. I love the crackers with - yup you guessed it: peanut butter! As Matt and I transition away from palm oil products I am not sure how I feel about EB - they seem honest in trying to be conservatives of land and respectful. Other companies just ignore the issue. We have already stopped buying certain products and stopped buying from companies that use palm oil and who do not address the issue.