Pre-vacation Eats & Honey Roasted Peanut Butter
Ah, the last few days before a vacation. Desperately trying to use up all the produce, avoid the grocery store, and eat relatively clean, knowing that vacation will probably include plenty of indulgences…
I’m leaving for Boston this afternoon, so I tried not to fill up my fridge this week. I just bought the essentials (bananas, almond milk, kale, and Chobani) and I’ve been eating those things in a pretty solid rotation for the past few days. I know it’s pretty boring, but I like to eat my favorites until I’m sick of them, and it means I won’t come back to a bunch of spoiled groceries.
To avoid absolutely boring you with a recap of the same old thing, here’s a quick snap shot of the things that haven’t changed:
Breakfast– I don’t know if I’ll stop craving these once the weather gets cold, but for now, I’m sticking with these green smoothies.
Lunch– I literally can’t get enough kale these days. Tossed with a little quinoa for extra protein. So good!
Dinner– I was craving Chobani + Protein Powder + Blueberries + Love Grown Granola, so that’s exactly what I had for dinner.
Snacking– I made another batch of this Samoa Granola and I forgot how addicting it is…(Note: it’s much easier to eat after the chocolate sets up a bit 😉 ) I also had a few handfuls of Wholesome Goodness Yukon Mix while Lindsay and I sat on the porch sipping wine.
Despite my rotation of old favorites, I did whip up a new kind of nut butter. Not because I didn’t already have four jars of various nut butters in the pantry, just because I hadn’t made some in awhile, and it’s fun! I had been craving honey roasted peanuts for some reason, which were a childhood favorite of mine, so that was my inspiration for this concoction!
Honey Roasted Peanut Butter
- 2 cups dry roasted peanuts
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional but I liked the subtle flavor)
If you have a Vitamix, this will only take about 5 minutes. If you’re using a regular food processor, it can take up to 15 minutes, but it should still work. Just combine everything in the blender or processor, and let it run on high. You’ll probably need to scrape the sides every 2-3 minutes. If it feels really try, you can add a teaspoon or two of vegetable oil, but give it time. You don’t want to add too much oil, or your end product will be too wet. If you want crunchy peanut butter, reserve 1/3 cup of the peanuts, and add them in the last minute or two of blending.
Nothing like fresh peanut butter to inspire some snacking…
My favorite way to enjoy it is simply with an apple or a banana. I also usually have a scoop of PB along side my morning smoothie. The added protein + fat helps keep me full longer. Then again, the easiest way to enjoy it, is right out of the jar 😉
I’ve never thought of making my own PB. This sounds heavenly. I may have to give this a good old try.
I ALWAYS do my best to eat up all the perishables before any trip…it’s actually kinda fun sometimes to see what creative combinations you can come up with in those last few days! Probably why I like using up leftovers so much too! 🙂
You know, I seriously did NOT have enough green smoothies OR overnight oats this summer…I better hurry up before it gets too cold to crave them! It was only 55 degrees when I woke up this morning! Crazy!
I am so bad about eating up my perishables before a vacation. Something always goes bad. And I really do need to get back to making my own nut butter. It’s so much tastier, but since I’m on a HUGE sunflower seed butter kick right now I don’t know if it’s necessarily cheaper.
And I forgot how much I wanted to try that Samoa Granola when you made it the first time…
(That Honey Roasted PB reminds me of the very first Nutty Butter!)
I’ve been having a major craving for honey-roasted nuts recenly and it’s quite good really that all the shop ones have gluten in them, or I’d have been stuffing myself! The pb version looks much better 🙂
Have a brilliant holiday!
Yes – I even start planning a few weeks in advance.
Cinnamon in home-made PB is the best.
Yep I’m off on hold in two weeks so I’ve slowly been working my way through stuff. I know the day before we’re gonna be eating some really random meals haha.