Peanut Butter Crises 2011

I should have listened to my husband.

His hero is George Washington Carver, the inventor of peanut butter. My man LOVES his peanut butter. And after 18 years of being together, I will admit, I'm a peanut eater too.

Years ago, when I was getting my garden cleaned and closed up for a winters rest, the Mister said I should plant peanuts because they would not only yield a crop of nutty deliciousness, but Mr. Carver had proved that peanut plants help the soil for future harvests.

I chuckled at his practical ways.

What he said was true. But it is also true that he and I eat a LOT of peanut butter.  I could grow the peanuts, but when it came to mashing them up and putting them in a jar, I wasn't so keen. After all, why grow them myself when "I can buy organic peanut butter at the Buy-in-Bulk Warehouse for practically nothin' ?"

Of course now I am eating my words. Without nutty goodness.

I had heard talk around the blogosphere about a peanut shortage, but I didn't believe it.

I guess I was in denial.

The rumors are correct.  Don't panic, but, there's a peanut shortage.

Right before I went to bed last night I read this article. I tried to break the news gently to The Mister.

"The price of peanut butter is going up 40%. I hope you like almond butter."


I thought he took the news pretty well until I received a phone call this morning at 9:00a. He had called to see if I had gone to the store yet to start a peanut butter stockpile .

We may need an intervention.

I, for one, plan to do my part in this crises.

For instance, this morning for breakfast I toasted a slice of Whole-Wheat Pumpkin yeast bread with peanut butter and half-a banana, but I only used one-tablespoon of peanut butter instead of two. And this afternoon, instead of making peanut-butter cookies I am going to make Nutella Sandwich Cookies.

It's all going to be OK. But I think I will run stop-by to the store today for a jar or eight two... and maybe next year I'll try my hand at peanut farming.

Happy Tuesday!