Homemade Peanut Butter (Subtitle: Forget Freshmarket)....

Hi Folks,

In my efforts to somehow decrease waste and still be able to consume peanut butter, I just started looking up recipes to make it at home.  Below is my first try and it was a success, now I don't think I'll ever go back to store-bought because you can really make each batch of any nut butter suited to your taste.

Ingredients:
3 cups salted peanuts (bought from the local natural food store in bulk)
2-3 tbs peanut oil (recyclable glass container)
2-3 tbs agave syrup (recyclable plastic container and cap)

First put the peanuts in the food processor and blend.  Keep blending, then blend some more.  You will start to worry that this is not going to work but just keep the processor until the oils in the peanuts have a chance to get out.

Here you can see that it's starting to form into a paste.

Eventually it will all gather and swirl around processor in a clump.  Don't fret, just keep processing it.  You can take frequent breaks as needed if the motor or the container are overheating.

Eventually it will look like this...

 When you add the agave syrup, it will start to crumb up again, this is where the peanut oil comes in.  Just drizzle it in 1/2 tbs at a time until it starts to get smooth again.  Don't mind the divot in the picture below, my husband decided to taste test it before I put it into jars.

Using a small spatula, spoon into glass jars and place in the fridge for best storage.

This would make great gift for someone who love peanut butter and I'll post some updates when I move on to try some other nut butters!  Hope you enjoy this post and try to make some peanut butter at home!

Zero Waste Attempt Failed at Fresh Market- Coffee and Almond Butter

So in trying to keep with a zero waste approach, I held off buying coffee (packaging isn't recyclable as far as I know) and almond butter (plastic container) until I could go to a Fresh Market Grocery store by my work.  I was thoroughly disappointed when all the coffee only came in cans or wasteful packaging and the containers they offered for loose beans were not any better.   I ended up buying a large can of their coffee and figured I could use the can as a flower/herb pot later in the spring.  

Then it was off to get some fresh almond butter, which they make and serve using machines right there on the spot.  When searching around for a container, I only saw the flimsy plastic tubs and tops which are hard to reuse meaningfully once they have been cleaned.  No win there, so I figured I would just get a plastic jar of the regular almond butter I buy and ask to use the container to be refilled with the store's own almond butter next time I came in.  

While I was checking out, I asked if it would be possible to bring the jar back to refill it.  The cashier was very nice at first, she stated she thought it was a good question and went to go ask a manager.  The manager made a disgusted face before and while looking in my direction, so much for customer service.  You would have thought I had asked to do cartwheels barefoot through their deli or something.  The cashier returned right afterwards and stated simply "No, you can't".  I asked if any other containers would be allowed and she only stated that the plastic tubs/tops were right there by the machines.  When I commented that I was interested in cutting down on plastic waste so I was just curious she brushed off my comments/questions, simply said "yeah sorry" and handed me my purchases.  I was a bit confused as to how they would have reusable bags all over the store and purport a "fresh" approach but poo-pooed my request to reuse a plastic container.  I quietly thanked her and casually mentioned I would have to pick up my groceries from another vendor from now on, then wished her a nice day. I did go right after business hours so the store was slightly busy but was so disappointed by the experience, I didn't bother to ask to speak to a manager, I just thought it better to not spend my money there any more.

I have read many blogs where people trying to work towards zero waste are being turned down when turning up with reusable containers for all sorts of items.  I was particularly surprised today but then realized that Fresh Market emphasizes convenience at every turn over being truly environmentally friendly. After this experience I think I'll stick to local co-ops and natural food stores. 

Homemade Almond Milk!

So I have been reading about moving towards zero waste and making things from scratch at home to cut down on container waste.  One item I was hoping to try was to make almond mild.  It's not that I prefer almond milk over soy milk or other vegan milks but I like to use almond meal in some recipes to cut out carbs and making almond milk, leaves you with...almond meal.  So here is what I did for the milk. 

First I got bulk almonds from our local natural food store.  Set aside 1cup and soak in 3.5 cups of hot water.  I used hot water because I couldn't wait to soak the almonds overnight and I was getting really geared up to try this.  As a note, I would say soaking them overnight would give you even better results.

You will also need some sort of sweetener (I chose agave syrup).  Other recipes say you can blend in whole vanilla beans, but the only ones I've seen hold only a few beans and come in little glass jars (not great for the whole moving towards zero waste idea).  I used some vanilla extract that I had lying around also used a pinch of salt.  Below is a picture of the difference between the dried out almonds and the soaked almonds - it's much easier to blend the soaked ones.

Other tools:  clean wide mouth canning jar, strainer, spoon, and sauce pan.

I got so into the straining process that I didn't take a picture of the mixture once it was blended but here is the last little bit in the blender.

This is what the milk looks like after it's been strained.  I heated the milk up on the stove over low-medium heat to thicken, stirring often.   Transfer to a wide mouth jar and allow to cool before refrigerating.

Here is the almond meal that I got out of the cup of almonds.  I actually set this aside for a tart crust recipe that I was using later in the day.

Here is a picture of the milk in the jar and a nice iced coffee that I made for myself to taste test it.

The milk should stay for several days (3-5).  I initially only made one jar but now wish I had made two at a time so I could just bring one to work with me for milk for my granola and for my coffee!  Enjoy!

Week 12 - Out of Town!

Hi Folks,

Just got back in town from a nice 4 day weekend in the ATL and we had a great time.  Not only did we head down for an amazing wedding for one of my husband's cousins but we managed to get in some sightseeing and relaxation time too!

Here is our agenda below with some pictures!

Thursday - Drive in the car for hours, followed by nap and then...Dinner at Radial Cafe

We got a Groupon deal for dinner for two.  Best Groupon purchase EVER!  The deal included one cocktail for each of us, one appetizer, two entrees of our choosing with side salad and one awesome desert for us to share!  I wish I had taken pictures but I was so happy about sitting out on their lovely outdoor eating area that I completely forgot to take pictures.  I'm not sure if the Groupon is still up there, but Groupon deal or not, we are going back there for use.  Here is the their website for more information.  Service was amazing, the place is very cute and well kept.

 * Radial Cafe or its staff are not sponsoring this and are in no way involved in this posting other than they served up some awesome food and beers!

Friday - Some sightseeing and also some spa time

First we trekked downtown to go see the bricks my dad purchased for the four of us at Centennial Olympic Park.  They were actually in great condition and I didn't post a picture here but here is a view of the skyline from the park's interior.

Next it's across the park to Frazier's for some iced coffee.  Cute little shop, reasonably priced for being in downtown, they had soy milk there so I was basically sold.

Now it's off to the Botanical Gardens which is located near the most amazing neighborhood near Georgia Tech's campus.  Here are only a few pictures that I took, basically I became a bit fixated on taking pictures in the Orchid House but managed to snap a few from other parts of the park.  They had some wonderful sculpture projects going on but some still under construction/maintenance. 

Then it was off to get massages at Natural Spa and Shop.  The staff were so welcoming and pleasant and the masseuses were top-notch - very professional and friendly.  This was a nice way to relax before the rehearsal dinner and wedding the next day so kudos to the staff for such a wonderful experience!
* Natural Spa and Shop did not sponsor this post, we just stumbled across their site while searching for massages in Atlanta.

We didn't even have time to many other activities or see other attractions offered in Atlanta but we'll be sure to go back soon to see more!

Thanks for checking in this week!