not your typical pb&j :: naturally nutty nut and seed butters spice up packed lunches

Back to School = Back to PB&J’s for my kids. Sure, we switch up the menu occasionally, but peanut butter and jelly still tops the list of the most requested lunch. But conventional peanut butters are full of hydrogenated vegetable oils and corn syrup–not exactly the brain food I want my kids to eat at school. So we hunted for a natural peanut butter that would help me pack a lunch full of the good stuff–organic flax, hemp and peanuts, and none of the bad. And the whole family fell in love with mom-owned organic Naturally Nutty nut and seed butters.

We recently tried Naturally Nutty’s Butter Toffee Peanut Butter, Honey Roasted Cinnamon Peanut Butter and Cinnamon Vanilla Almond Butter. Each person in the family has their favorite flavor and our new after dinner treat is slathering apple slices with these mouth-watering nut butters. The kids prefer the butter toffee, my husband opts for the honey roasted cinnamon and I can’t get enough of the almond butter. Naturally Nutty nut and seed butters are made in small batches (in Traverse City, Michigan) to ensure freshness without preservatives.

Not only are we loving these Naturally Nutty nut butters for snacks and lunches, but I’m going to share with you my favorite recipe for a filling breakfast smoothie. All amounts are approximate. Whip up 1 frozen banana (cut in halves or chunks for easier blending), 1 cup almond milk, 1 scoop of Naturally Nutty cinnamon vanilla almond butter (I use a very overflowing Tablespoon) and a dash or two of cocoa powder. It tastes like a milkshake but is full of good stuff and actually keeps me full until lunchtime. I also like to add flax, hemp or chia seeds, but my kids prefer it without. Try it. You will have a new favorite breakfast!

Nut free? Not a problem. My littlest guy is allergic to all nuts, but has fallen in love with Naturally Nutty Pepita Sun Seed Butter (though they have other seed butter options as well). We discovered this sun seed butter at a health food store near us a year or two ago. This particular flavor has a hint of vanilla and cinnamon and is spectacular. In all honesty, I ate the majority of the jar with a spoon while hiding behind the pantry door so I wouldn’t get caught. And while they sell it in jars, I also noticed it comes in a 5 pound tub. Yes, I really am considering it. As my husband says, “Whatever it costs, it’s worth more.” To adjust the above smoothie for his allergies, I sub the pepita sun seed butter and oat milk.

What makes Naturally Nutty butters stand out to you?