My Bowl Runneth Over With An Amazing United Nations of Goodness

Before I eat I say grace and I think of all of the people involved in the production of the food in front of me. I think of all of the places that my food has come from. Bananas and pineapple from South America, blueberries from Mexico, strawberries from California. Kale and spinach I assume from California, tomatoes from I don't where, melon from Texas. 

I then think of the people who planted the seeds, nurtured the crops, harvested the food, packed the food, shipped the food, warehoused the food, distributed and sold the food. Pondering upon this I realize that the simple bowl of food in front of me that I am going to eat to nourish my body is there because of hundreds of people and it humbles me. I lift all of these, unknown to me, people in prayer.

Next time you sit down to a meal, just think for a few minutes about how each and every item you are about to eat arrived at your table, it is truly amazing!

Peace be with you, 

Bean

Peanut Butter Bread - Oh Boy

As I was idly scrolling through Yahoo this morning a story about making bread without yeast popped up, Peanut Butter Bread. I am a bit of peanut butter addict, my favorite is Smuckers Natural peanut butter, but pretty much any natural nut butter hits the spot

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Although this specific recipe is not vegan, I used plant milk as a replacement for the mammary gland secretions of cows. This recipe claims to be taken from a cookbook published in 1932, and so the story goes, this was a popular bread during the Great Depression, who knows. But what I do know is it sounds good, the picture of the finished product looked fabulous, and I am going to make a few loaves to give to our children and their families. And the comments on the Yahoo story, and the recipe page were all pretty much rave reviews. 

Ingredients:

 2 c. all purpose flour

1/4 c. sugar

4 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1 1/3 c. milk (I used Soy milk)

1/2 c. peanut butter (I added about 3/4 c and used a store brand creamy pb)

Method:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Mix together dry ingredients.

Mix in the milk, then the peanut butter.

Scrape into greased loaf pan and bake for about 1 hour.

ENJOY!

The possibilities are maybe not endless for tweaks to this recipe but use your imagination. Because the recipe has very basic ingredients and is not a sweet bread like banana bread and the peanut butter flavor is subtle you could certainly make it sweeter by adding chocolate chips, or raisins, dates, currants, or use crunchy peanut butter, or any nut butter you like, shredded apple or mashed banana, whatever strikes your fancy and whatever you have on hand. But made just as above I think it is a pleasant bread and would make a nice side to soup or stew type meal.

Peace be with you,

Bean