Food Stuffs

Food is, without a doubt, one of the highlights of my life.  Seriously.  I consider eating/cooking/baking/imbibing a hobby.

Steve calls the picture below a "Ramirez family dinner."  I love meals that consist solely of tapas - and although I don't have access to some of the wonderful cured meats, I make do with the overly priced cheeses at the stores.  These dinners typically occur when: a) I'm too lazy to cook; b) Steve is away for the night for work & I'm too lazy to cook; or c) I'm too lazy to cook.  Wait...did I say that already?

This particular meal of loveliness is a few marinated olives, a variety of artisanal cheeses, & asparagus broiled with olive oil, salt & pepper (the broiling method gives the asparagus a nice crisp at the top of the spears).  Oh, and don't forget a key ingredient - giant glass of wine.

Peanut Butter is one of my daily staples.  If I don't have PB at least once a day, something is missing in my life.  Usually, I work PB into my breakfast.  Although you have to be aware of the calorie content, if eaten in moderation, it provides a great amount of protein, which is a necessity to get me through to lunch.  I read about Peanut Butter & Co. some time ago & knew I had to get my sticky lil' mitts on some.  On a recent trip to WalMart (which is the bane of my existence & a store I try to avoid at all costs...but living in a small town, is an unfortunate necessity), I just about danced through the aisles when I saw none other than PEANUT BUTTER & COMPANY hiding so quietly next to the big-kahuna brands of PB.  Will I overpay for what is supposed to be super delicious peanut butter that is made of all natural ingredients??  You bet'cha!

Oh. My. Goodness.  I took one little taste of the Dark Chocolate Dreams & let me tell ya...was it dreamy!  Sooooo so so so so very delish.  Not overpowered by cocoa, not overpowered by sugar - just perfection.  After finishing off the jar (not in one sitting, darlin', I have some self-control), I jetted back to WalMart & decided to balance out the Dark Chocolate Dreams with White Chocolate Wonderful.

I tried both this morning with my breakfast.  I fainted in delight.  While at my desk at work.  My boss considered calling the psych ward.

Just kidding.  But this stuff is awesome.  And yes, the nutritional content is relatively similar to standard PB - in fact, it has only a few more grams of sugar but less calories.

 Don't worry, the bottle of wine doesn't go with me to work for my breakfast.  Although there have been days when I've considered it...