National Peanut Butter Day and National Compliment Day!

Today is National Compliments Day, when everyone is encouraged to raise public spirits by giving a kind word and positive boost to a friend, a family member, work colleague or total stranger.

The campaign is based on the principle that a sincere compliment costs nothing to give, but has the power to bring instant happiness to a person.

It also happens to be National Peanut Butter Day!  Peanut butter was first created in 1890 by a St. Louis doctor as a remedy for bad teeth. It became very popular with the doctor's patients, but the oil often separated from the grainy solids. In 1933, a California packer was able to homogenize the peanuts into a spreadable butter.


Note: If you don't get enough peanut butter today, April 2nd is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day and September 13th is National Peanut Day.

 Fun Facts about Peanut Butter:

• Creamy peanut butter can be used to remove gum from hair and clothing.
• Peanut butter has been banned in many schools all across America because of the severe allergic reaction that may occur to those who can not eat peanuts.
• For peanut butter to be real it must consist of at least 90% peanuts.
• While Americans prefer peanut butter, Europeans favor Nutella.
• Peanuts are not a nut! Botanically classified as legumes, peanuts contain properties of both the
         bean/lentil and tree nuts.  
• It takes 772 peanuts to make a 16.3 oz jar of peanut butter! 

Homemade Peanut Butter Recipe

Peanut Butter is America's favorite sandwich spread. What kid didn't grow up with PB&J sandwiches as a staple for lunch? There's a huge range of uses in recipes and snacks.

Its easy to make your own Peanut Butter. Here's how....

Ingredients:

• 2 cups roasted shelled, unsalted peanuts
• 1 tablespoon peanut oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional for low salt diets)

Preparation  Directions:

• Place peanuts, oil, and salt into a blender or food processor.
• Blend well, until desired texture is reached.
• Place peanut butter in airtight container.
• For crunchy peanut butter, add 1/4 cup of peanuts and blend again, but, for just a short burst or two.
• The oil can separate from the peanuts during storage. Simply stir and serve.  

Pinecone Bird Feeder's:

Every year the kids make Pine cone Peanut Butter Bird Seed Feeders.

Materials:

• Large pinecones, one for each feeder you wish to make
• Cream Peanut Butter – about ½ cup for each pinecone feeder
• An 18 inch piece of twine or kitchen string for each pinecone feeder
• Birdseed – about ½ cup for each pinecone feeder

Directions:

 Step 1:

Wrap one end of twine around the base of a large pinecone. Tie securely, leaving about 10 -inches free to tie to tree branch. 

 Step 2:

Spread about 1/2 cup Skippy® peanut butter onto the pinecone. 

 Step 3:

Place the birdseed on a piece of newspaper. Roll coated pinecone into the birdseed. 

 Step 4:

Hang from a tree branch for birds to snack on. 

Time needed:  20 minutes