Peanut Butter and Jelly

Peanut Butter and Jelly ranks number 2 on the list of favorites for at least one of my children. For this reason I try to send it as lunch about 1 time per week. The challenge of having four children is that not everyone really likes peanut butter and jelly as much as she does.

I have a rule in my house (one of many) that I will not make four different lunches each day. I will, if possible accommodate the nuisances of each person’s taste say apple vs. orange, but not make a completely different lunch. What I will do, is make peanut butter and jelly a few different ways in an effort to keep the masses happy. Here are some ideas for you to try:

• Buy All Natural (organic if you can) Peanut Butter. No sugar and hydrogenated oils added. It should be nuts and salt, period! (Sometimes a bit of nut oil is needed to keep things smooth, but nothing hydrogenated!)
• Buy Jams with no added sugars or corn syrups and no artificial sweeteners.
• Try different flavored jams or honey: Apricot, Blueberry, Raspberry, Cherry, etc.
• Try other nut butters like Cashew, Almond or Sunflower Seed.
• Use whole grain breads, wraps or crackers.
• Classic: Creamy Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam on Whole Wheat Bread
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Roll-ups: Using a tortilla, spoon peanut butter and jelly in a line on one third of a tortilla, staying at least one inch from the edges. Roll it up like a mini burrito. Wrap in parchment paper or a waxed sheet.
• Peanut Butter, Honey with sliced fruit like apples or bananas on bread or in a wrap.
• Almond Butter and Cherry Preserves with crackers to make mini sandwiches
• Cashew Butter and Raspberry Jam on cocktail bread