Quite Possibly the Best Gift Ever Given*
[Warning: serious melodrama ahead!]
Peanut butter used to be a staple in my diet. I have actually eaten whole jars without a single slice of bread - by spoon only. That seems like an eternity ago to me. A little over three years ago I was given a complete battery of allergy tests and I was told I was allergic to nearly everything - including peanuts. Never mind the fact that I had actually had a PB&J sandwich the morning of my testing with no ill effects. Never mind the fact that peanuts had never bothered me before. From that moment on, I was to carry an epi-pen and stay away from one of my favorite foods. No more spoonfuls of peanut butter. No more peanut butter cookies. And worst of all, no more Reese’s Cups. I couldn’t even lick my finger when I was a little messy making the girls’ lunches! (sigh) I think this must be akin to some level of hell. Tempted daily by what I couldn’t have. I’ve tried several “alternatives” to peanut butter, but none of them quite had that je ne sais quoi.
But not anymore. Today Brian brought me the best anniversary gift I’ve ever received. Quite possible the best gift ever given. For our 15th anniversary, my beloved gave me this:
Sunbutter is made from ground roasted sunflower seeds. I know it sounds kind of nasty, but believe me its taste is soooo yummy and creamy and surprisingly peanut-y! For those who really want to know the details, it’s a little stickier than your normal PB, and it does have a slight sunflower aftertaste, but I could get used to this stuff. When I realized exactly what my dh had just given me, I actually cried tears of joy. I’ve already eaten 1/4 of the jar with a spoon. They even have recipes for all those yummy PB goodies I’ve been avoiding at the fellowship meals at church. If this stuff tastes as good when you bake with it, my husband has just changed my life!
Now if only the Hershey’s folks would make Sunbutter Reese’s Cups…
*Okay, okay, I guess it comes in a close second behind Jesus as a salvation gift for all mankind. ![]()
