Celebrating PB&J Day

By Diane Forrest

When my son first started surfing around on the Internet, he found this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ekIzGfJkBs

He thought it was wonderful, and watched it over and over.  Its one of those tunes that stick in your head, and now every time I think about Peanut Butter and Jelly…this song starts to play in my head.

There are just some things that naturally got together like bacon and eggs, mashed potatoes and gravy, chicken and dumplings and peanut butter and jelly.  Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple for young kids growing up.  My uncle who recently turned 75 continues to eat a pb and j sandwich for lunch nearly every day.  My father and aunt still kid him about that, and when he moved to San Antonio, he took some Spanish classes to learn how to speak the language, and he found a gift for my dad, a paper napkin holder with the words, crema de mani y jalea, which means peanut butter and jelly.

When I was in school, my brother decided he liked his peanut butter and jelly mixed together and then spread on the bread.  I didn't like it that way, preferred mine with the peanut butter on one side, and the jelly on the other, but I had to suffer with it mixed until he got tired of it, which seemed to last forever!

According to punchbowl.com, the average American consumes 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the age of 18? The combination of sweet jelly and salty peanut butter has been a staple in school lunchboxes for over fifty years.

According to one story, American soldiers invented the peanut butter and jelly sandwich during World War II. They decided to combine their bread, jelly, and peanut butter rations into a fabulous new treat. When the soldiers returned home after the war, peanut butter and jelly sales soared.

Unfortunately, I recently read that a child took a PB & J sandwich to school and it was taken away from him.  Apparently kids are prohibited from bringing foods containing peanut butter because there are some students who have allergies.  Well, at least they can still enjoy this delicious treat at home.

Today is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, so why not remember your younger days and fix a nice PB & J, some chocolate milk, and some Cheetos.  What is your favorite type of peanut butter and jelly?  Let us know in the comment section below.

Banana Nut Bread Day - Yum!!

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By Chef Diane

I love banana bread; it’s more like a cake than bread.  It’s easy to make, and easy to mail to all my relatives for special occasions.  My husband's aunt has a birthday coming up, and I will be fixing her a loaf to help celebrate.  Once I make it...I freeze it so when it gets there, it’s thawed and fresh, and delicious.

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Banana bread is full of potassium and protein (if you use nuts).  My grandmother would make it for me often, and she gave me her recipe before she died.  Here is a copy of it.

Today is Banana Nut Bread Day.  If you don't have a favorite recipe, try this one, and celebrate this fun day!

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Banana Bread

Ingredients

1/2 cup corn oil

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 ripe bananas

1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. I normally use a loaf pan, but you can also use a Bundt pan too. Spray with cooking oil.

Cream oil and sugar; add eggs, 1 at a time.

Sift dry ingredients mix with creamed butter.

Add mashed bananas and nuts.

Bake for 1 hour or until done.

Eat a Good Breakfast - Everyday!

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By Terry Orr

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Breakfast has always been an important part of daily routine.  As a kid going to school – cereal – cream of wheat, oatmeal or cold cereal was the general rule in our home.  We enjoyed family breakfast on weekends and holiday and they were simply wonderful with eggs, breakfast meats (including fresh water fish – yum), fruit, veggies, French toast, pancakes, gravy and biscuits could be part of our meal.  Breakfast continues to be an important part of my life and more nutritional balance over the past few years.

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Ask Dr. Sears offers these 10 Balanced Breakfasts:

Granola cereal, yogurt, a sliced apple

Scrambled eggs, toast, orange juice

Veggie omelet, bran muffin, fruit with yogurt

Whole-grain pancakes or waffles topped with berries and/or yogurt, milk

Whole-wheat zucchini pancakes topped with fruit, milk

French toast topped with fruit, orange juice or milk

Low-fat cheese melted on toast with a piece of fruit

Low-fat cream cheese on a whole-grain bagel, orange juice

Peanut butter and banana slices on an English muffin, milk

For a breakfast-on-the-run smoothie

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Spry Living offers “3 Reasons to Eat a Balance Breakfast:

To maintain healthy blood sugar levels;

To maintain a healthy weight; and

To maintain cognitive function.

All three make good sense. There are probably hundreds of recipes, ideas on what are the right types of foods to eat for breakfast – including portions of each – I still a believer in moderation and balance.

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What are your thoughts regarding a good breakfast?

What is your favorite breakfast?

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Thanks and enjoy your breakfast!

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References and Links:

http://www.myredrabbit.com/blog/why-should-you-eat-a-healthy-breakfast-everyday-.html

http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/family-nutrition/brain-foods/10-balanced-breakfasts

http://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/healthy-breakfast

http://spryliving.com/articles/3-reasons-to-eat-a-balanced-breakfast/