Who doesn’t love a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich?  Whether you can’t remember your first one or you vividly remember the delicious combination of your first sandwich, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple in many homes. The PB&J Campaign was created by Bernard Brown as a way to protect the environment by reducing the amount of animal products people eat. While beginning as an online campaign, it has grown into a grassroots effort with community outreach events.

When I was a kid, my mother, like many mothers, made it a point to always have the healthiest food options for my sister and me.  I’m celebrating with an ode to one my favorite childhood sandwiches. It’s not simply about peanut butter for me today, as the moment I think of it, I always mentally pair it with its famous companion. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich, also lovingly known as simply PB&J, was one of the best things about being a kid.

As I’ve grown older, so many things have been replaced for more nutritional counterparts. To me, that’s one of the toughest things about getting old. Leaving behind the wonderful treats you enjoyed as a kid. There are so many newer recipe options that try to mimic those flavors I enjoyed back then in a healthier way, but they all feel like sad substitutes. The point of memories is to actually relive them as they were, not to be reminded of how you shouldn’t have been eating that in the first place. That’s just a horrible buzz kill. So for me, the quintessential version of this tasty treat will always be the kind between two slices of preternaturally white bread that you can roll into little dough balls. Though it may lack any and all nutritional value, it easily makes up for it in entertainment value so I think that’s a win. While so many things change around me as I age into some future adulthood, I have to hold on to those things that are dear to me. Those wonderful times, when nothing else mattered, and it was all about PB&J.

I wanted to share some alternative recipes for the day aimed at adults.

PB&J Acai Smoothie Bowl

1.       Wash jars, lids and screw bands in hot water until it’s well rinsed then set aside

2.       Combine the raspberries, sugar, and Sparkling Ice Grape Raspberry in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved (2 minutes). Reduce heat to medium and continue to boil, stirring occasionally until the mixture begins to thicken (20 minutes). Reduce heat to low, stir in the gelatin and lemon juice and stir until the gelatin is dissolved (1 minute). Then remove from the heat and skim off any foam.

3.       Ladle the jam into the prepared jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Remove any air bubbles and adjust the headspace if necessary. Wipe rims clean and tightly seal with lids.

4.       Process the jars in a boiling water bath (15 minutes). Transfer the jars to a rimmed baking sheet lined with a kitchen towel. Let cool to room temperature (8 hours). Store in refrigerator up to 4 weeks or transfer to freezer container for up to 3 months.