New Food Find! Almond Butter!

This stuff  ROCKS!!

A cousin to peanut butter, (which I love) this is my new favorite pantry staple!  Here's some nutritional info from 'Bestnaturalfoods.com'

Almonds and almond butter are nutritional powerhouses that contain significant amounts of protein, calcium, fiber, magnesium, folic acid, potassium, and vitamin E. Almond butter has extremely low saturated fat content and is rich in monounsaturated fats making it a heart-healthy choice. Of course, almonds have no trans fat. Studies consistently have shown that the addition of almonds into the diet effectively lowers cholesterol. Unlike low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets, adding almonds does not adversely alter insulin sensitivity in healthy adults or blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes.

In addition calorie count is 190 per 2 tablespoons..a tad less than peanut butter.  Fiber is 3 g. one more than peanut butter. Yeah, we need fiber!

The texture is a bit grainy, it's a little sweeter and thicker than pb, but tastes so very luscious on those crispy, Kashi TLC crackers!  Or on a spoon!

It's also kid approved as Lex took a taste outside her culinary comfort zone and gave it a big 'Yes!'

Try it, you'll like it! 

Framed!

About a year ago, while leaving a garage sale, a picture frame caught my eye.  It was laying on top of a pile of ragged blankets and moldy books slated for the trash.  On closer inspection I realized it was a 'Gesso'.

 Gesso is a preparation of plaster of Paris and glue. (Or many other combinations)  It is used as a base or surface for painting.  It can be molded and applied to wood...As on a frame.  Vintage Gesso's are highly collectible and decorative.  A Gesso on it's way to the trash!  I had to rescue it!

This poor frame had been treated with great irreverence.  It had been spray painted a tingy brown. It's backing was burlap and those funny 'pods and stems' people paint gold and display at Christmas time were sticking out and glued all over it's face.  I was embarrassed for it.  I offered to pay the owner a fair price.  He looked at me and laughed.  I took it home.

Here it is...A large 27 X 23 oval.  All sanded, painted a creamy ivory and slightly distressed.  It got tired of waiting for the black and white photo of my Grand-girls I had hoped to put in it.  So, it's up on my wall, empty.  It looks beautiful!

As a side note:  Today I picked up this 'just tacky enough to be Chic', black vintage paper mache vase with bright red artifical flowers.  The base is a huge 17 inches wide!  Overall height is 23 inches! Someone is going fight  me over this !!