Handy from the pantry

Wow.

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind.

I have driven home to Hot Springs and back twice in the past two weeks (once in the worst rain storm for 4 hours). I got a terrible chest cold for one week plus...and my apartment has been an absolute mess in the midst of everything.

But, I would have to say that I have had some really great times in the past few weeks, too. I had an amazing brunch wedding shower, a fantastic bridal portrait shoot at Garvan Woodland Gardens (the amazing botanical garden where we're getting married), and I got some good hours hanging out with family and friends back home.

And even though I haven't spent a legitimate amount of time with my fiancee in the past few weeks, we are getting married in a MONTH, and that's enough to get me through the craziness!

Another thing that also helps me get through busyness are my pantry staples. Since I haven't had much time to cook, I have been leaning on those quick meals from the pantry that give me the energy and protein I need. For instance: the wonderful peanut butter and honey sandwich.

About half of the days of the week at work, you'll find me eating a pb and honey sandwich in the break room while reading through my detective book.

What makes my sandwich even more delicious is using natural peanut butter! I'm talking about some fresh roasted, creamy and not too sugary or salty peanut butter deliciousness.

Thank you George Washington Carver and thank you to my local co-op (Ozark Natural Foods) for providing me with this treasure of a protein.

If you haven't tried natural peanut butter, you REALLY should. It's a bit more expensive than that other stuff, but it is absolutely worth it. The flavor and richness are definitely enhanced, in my opinion. Whenever I eat jarred peanut butter, I just find it sugary and gummy compared to the good stuff.

Although on my budget I can't buy everything at my natural foods store, I make room to go once a month or so to get a new container of smooth, unsalted peanut butter. They have crunchy, too!

I suggest using this peanut butter on some whole wheat crackers, celery, in brownies, on toast or the classic sandwiched in between two pieces of fluffy wheat bread with a smattering of sweet, local honey and slices of banana!