PB & J

One could wonder what PB & J would have to do with anything, but it was “suggested” that I write a blog about it, so this is my attempt after mulling it over today.  I was first introduced to this comfort food at a young age by my Great Grandmother.  Her peanut butter tasted much different than the processed ones of today because she made it herself.  the closest that even comes near it would be the Jiff crunchy kind, so if I’m buying, that is what I choose.  My grandfather,her son, grew crops and always had peanuts as well as other vegetables an fruits, so she had a supply to parch and make into peanut butter.  It’s actually healthier, because it has many of the beneficial nutrients found in the skin and because it is not refined, also helps with cardiovascular diseases(hmm..might have to look for a peanut grower and make my own now that I think of it).  It also has couple of special nutrients in it called resveratrol an antimicrobial(also found in red grapes)that wards of potential bacteria and fungi.  All of this from one little legume.  who knew when George Washington Carver encouraged people to grow peanuts it would expand to include of of the best comfort foods of our youth.  Now many people add peanut butter to all types of cooking(I especially love it in Thai food), but many prefer the old staple of jelly, which I also enjoy.  that too was first experienced at my Gran’s table with her homemade jams and jellies..blackberry, grapes from their vineyard, blueberry, raspberry, plum from the tree by her front door…All on freshly baked wheat bread.  She got the flour from bartering with a neighbor who grew wheat..he got eggs, and fruit in return if I remember correctly..love that barter stuff between neighbors..was truly a more simpler time.  The thing is, we all have foods that just the thought of them at times take us back to a time where we were content.  I remember well sitting at that big table speaking with my Gran who always accepted me for who I was. “Shae”, she said…”always be who you are meant to be..don’t change for others because then you will have lost part of who you are”.  A very wise woman was my gran. When I would have problems with my parents, I would walk up the hill to her home and we would talk about things that bothered me.  “Stand tall” she said. Growing up in a military home, I only got to see her during the summers so that time spent with her was a special, magical time..tending the flowers, weeding the garden..not my favorite chore, but hey, want to eat, then got to work, right? But mostly talking with her and hearing her perspective on the world and how people should be treated.  So in her honor and the smile its put on my face remembering time spent with Gran, I think I will go and enjoy a PB&J sandwich ..

Peace out