I am allergic to gluten and dairy and honestly, I do not miss them too much. They are not that vital to my survival. I can easily replace things in my diet with gluten-free and dairy-free brands.
However, if someone took away my peanut butter, I might actually go into cardiac arrest.
Thank goodness I am not allergic to peanuts because I would actually cry. I basically live off of peanut butter and would eat it and its endless variations and concoctions for every meal of every day if I could. Here is a list of times when peanut butter is the answer, regardless of the situation.
Feeling sad
I am not usually a stress-eater, but when I am, I turn to peanut butter. Peanut butter is certainly the finest balm for pangs of disappointment (paraphrased from Jane Austen). Its richness and comfort-food quality are sure to heal my heart no matter the ailment.
Feeling happy
Just got an A on a test? Just got a date to the dance? Just hit up a sale at Target? Just did your own laundry for the first time? Celebrate with some peanut butter! Treat yourself to the ever so simple snack that never fails to suffice any happy craving. While peanuts are higher in healthy fats and calories, there is nothing wrong with indulging when you hit that good mood high.
Feeling hangry
This is a feeling I am sure that everyone knows all too well; the feeling of total anger, frustration, impatience, and animalistic instincts brought on by the increasing pains of hunger cramps. Peanut butter has a good enough balance of protein, carbs, and fats to plug every hole through which that hungry little devil creeps into your stomach.
Feeling snacky
Peanut butter is also an easy and delicious snack food. Whenever I am not starving to the point where I need a full meal, but just need something small to tide me over until dinner, I swipe a spoonful of peanut butter. This little pick-me-up is small enough not to overload my senses, yet filling enough to satisfy.
Feeling salty, savory, or sweet
Peanut butter is quite the versatile food. It can be combined with pretzels, chips, bacon, bread, chocolate, honey, you name it. It can also be made into a sauce to top pasta, pizza, meat, veggies, etc., or made into cookies, cakes, butter, frosting, or put into a smoothie. Whatever your tooth - salty, savory, or sweet - a concoction with a peanut-buttery twist is always a safe bet to fulfill any crazy craving.
At least when it comes to my friends and family, food is always a good way to get them to socialize, and peanut butter is simple enough to make every picky eater happy. Jif, Peter Pan, Reese's, Earth Balance, freshly-ground, smooth, chunky...the options are endless. So go out and buy a jar (or ten). You deserve it and your tastebuds will thank you.
