Thursday, March 1, 2012

Peanut Butter Granola Bars - for National Peanut Butter Lover's Day


Happy National Peanut Butter Lover's Day!!

With today, March 1st, being a day of ultimate celebration - National Peanut Butter Lover's Day - thoughts of the luscious, creamy butter were with me as the sun broke through the night sky.  Right up there with Christmas and birthdays on my important days of the year list, peanut butter holds an honored place of high esteem in my life.

As a peanut butter lover since birth, my reverence for Dr. John Kellogg (of the cereal fame), remains high for the simple task of taking the humble peanut and turning it into the luscious, creamy composite that has become an American way of life.  Turning the peanuts into an easily digestible protein for his patients with no teeth, he most likely had little idea that the product would one day sell some 90 million jars a year.

According to the National Peanut Board, it takes about 540 peanuts to make one 12-ounce jar of peanut butter, with a one acre field producing enough peanuts for about 30,000 peanut butter sandwiches.  Statistics show that men prefer the crunchy version while women's tastes tend towards the creamy.  Geographically, the crunchy version remains more popular in the western regions of the US as the East leans towards creamy.

Can you name the two American Presidents who had careers as peanut farmers (see answer below)?  And did you know that peanut butter was the secret behind Mr. Ed, TV's talking horse?  And who knew that Arachibutyrophobia actually stops some people from eating peanut butter with their intense fear of getting peanut butter suck to the roof of their mouth?

1928, another very important date in history, earns kudos with the introduction of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup by matching "two great tastes that taste great together".  Definitely a match made in heaven and a marriage that will indeed last into eternity, chocolate and peanut butter remain my personal favorite combo as evidenced by some of our most popular Liv Life creations:









While peanut butter and chocolate may be my favorite combo, I'm certainly not opposed to peanut butter on its own...






On this most special of celebratory days, Liv Life wishes you a
Happy National Peanut Butter Lover's Day
as we bring you the newest addition to our Peanut Butter Collection:

Peanut Butter Granola Bars (with chocolate chips, of course...)
 
PS... Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter are the two American Presidents who were also Peanut Farmers.

Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Chewy, peanutty and chocolaty... filled with rolled oats, a touch of flax, and an egg these bars pack a decent amount of nutrition with energy providing ingredients making them a wonderful before dance rehearsal or after school snack.

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1 egg
2 Tbs oil (I like Avocado Oil)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
3-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup ground flax meal
1/2 cup packed brown sugar 
3/4 teaspoon salt 
1/3 cup peanut butter chips 
1/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, beat the peanut butter, honey, egg, oil and vanilla until blended. Combine the oats, flax meal, brown sugar and salt; add to the peanut butter mixture and mix well. Stir in chips. (Batter will be sticky.) 

 Transfer to a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until set and edges are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.



27 comments:

  1. I did know about Mr. Ed. Jimmy Carter is the only peanut farmer I knew of that was president though. I asked my historian, Hubby, and he didn't know either. Learn something new every day.

    I'm actually a big fan of peanut butter granola bars so you've made my day with this one. I may be picking out those little dark brown nasty things though. :)

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  2. just stumbled upon your blog! LOVE it! peanut butter is my absolute FAVORITE thing on the planet. these chewy granola bars look so easy and wholesome. i'm adding them to my to-make list!

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  3. These bars are incredible!! I'm affraid I'd devour them all as soon as I made them. And what a great peanut butter round up you have! My peanut butter craving is so huge right now.

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  4. I LOVE peanut butter and am bummed that this holiday passed me by today. I will have to make these bars and other peanut butter confections this weekend!

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  5. I had no idea I missed national PB day! I don't think I even ate any peanut butter yesterday or today. I'm gonna have to fix that!
    These look ahhhhmazing! You can't beat peanut butter, oats, and chocolate!

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  6. Why in the heck don't I get the memo for these holidays? All these would satisfy any peanut butter craving, can you send me some of the shortbread bars pretty please.
    -Gina-

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  7. Peanut butter is the best! Great list of recipes and loving the new addition with these granola bars.

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  8. Ooooh, those triple peanut butter bars up top have me slightly hot and bothered ;)
    The granola bars look wonderful, I am always so intrigued by homemade granola bars. I'll have to try it some time :)

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  9. Wow... how interesting this post was1 :) Thanks, Kim! But thanks a TON for the granola bars recipe. I am a total granola fiend and you can bet I am going to make these soon! Thanks for sharing :)

    PS - and those shortbread bars are calling my name, too!

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  10. Woo hoo, got both presidents right, but totally didn't know about Mr. Ed. It makes sense, now that I think about how he seemed to be trying to get that sticky bit out of the back of his mouth. Anyway, love the list of peanuty treats. I eat peanut butter by the spoonful, so I am always game to try it in a treat, too.

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  11. You went so healthy my friend - wonderful recipe :D
    Me, I went all out :P
    HAPPY PEANUT BUTTER DAY!!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru
    Latest: Giant Reese's Stuffed Peanut Butter Stuffed Peanut Butter M&M Cookie For One

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  12. I love all the peanut facts! I had no idea Jefferson & Carter were peanut farmers!

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  13. Yum! I had a great recipe all picked out to make for yesterday's celebration...and then my stomach illness hit! I still posted a PB recipe from last year. Love these granola bars...homemade is best!!

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  14. Kim, I didn't realize you had quite the peanut butter/chocolate repertoire--I think you can sell a cookbook dedicated to the combo. :) These granola bars are a great addition to your collection. Yum, yum!

    Love the pieces of trivia, too. :) Have a great weekend!

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  15. These look amazing, Kim! Every day is PB lovers day for me! :) Thanks for your sweet comment today, I hope your husband loves the soup!

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  16. Personally, I'd rather celebrate this day even more than my own birthday! I am a peanut butter addict. Seriously. And I LOVE your peanut butter recipe collection! Love, love, love.

    I'll start with cupcakes. :)

    Sending you some love my friend! xo

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  17. Awesome blog!! stunning photos and recipes and a very interesting post. Love to follow your blog :):)

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  18. I just made these...can't wait till they cool off so I can try them!

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  19. I just made these...can't wait till they cool off so I can try them!

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  20. What a great collection of pb goodies!

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  21. I don't know how I missed national peanut butter day! That has to be one of the greatest days.. ever. I'm practically drooling scrolling through all of those peanut butter recipes! I NEED to make those peanut butter chocolate shortbread bars, yum!

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  22. I missed peanut butter day? That stinks! I am an avid fan... and I love granola too. These bars have everything I want in a perfect snack in them!

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  23. I need to start marking my calendar with these important dates! I need an excuse to bake up ALL of your goodies!!! YUM.

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  24. These look so yummy! I can't wait to try. But a small historical citation. Kellogg was the first to "market & sell" peanut butter, but the Inca started making peanut butter way-back-when and then in 1890 George Washington Carver re-discovered it but didn't patent it because of his beliefs that "believed food products were all gifts from God". Peanut Butter has a much longer and delicious history!

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  25. Loving all the PB love going on in this post! Your granola bars sound wonderful! I would love to try one :)!

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