I saw a statistic that said the average American eats three pounds of peanut butter per year (or something like that.) Well, I must eat a pound of peanut butter each week!

I eat every type of natural peanut butter I can find, but not only do I like to try new brands, I like to make my own natural peanut butter at home!

There’s no better way to ensure quality, healthfulness, and freshness than by making it yourself. And best of all, it’s very simple.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Raw peanuts
• An oven
• A blender

1. Spread raw peanuts on baking tray.

2. Place in oven, pre-heated to 350 degrees.

3. Roast for 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them, since you don’t want them to burn.

4. Allow to cool.

5. Put roasted peanuts in blender or food processor.

6. Blend until smooth and creamy. Probably 3-5 minutes.

Note: Be patient. It takes a long time to blend them into actual peanut butter. At first, the PB will look dry. Blend it a while longer and then the natural oils start to come out and you’ll have creamy PB.

7. Eat.

While peanut butter and jelly is everyone’s favorite sandwich, there are quite a few other peanut butter combinations out there. My favorite would have to be the peanut butter and banana sandwich. But most peanut butter banana sandwiches are missing a critical step…

You have to toast the banana! A warm banana on warm bread, plus melting peanut butter, is great. So let’s put an end to warm bread and peanut butter plus cold, raw bananas!

You will need:

• 2 slices whole wheat bread
• 1 medium banana
• 1 or 2 Tbsp natural peanut butter

And then follow these instructions:

1. Grab two slices of bread.

Take your two slices of 100% whole wheat bread and lay them out side by side. One will be for the banana, one for the peanut butter.

2. Slice the banana.

Slice the banana into little circles (like you are putting it in a bowl of cereal.) Then spread the slices out on one slice of bread. Cover the entire slice of bread, using half-slices of banana to fill in the gaps.

3. Toast everything.

Put the bread and banana in the toaster oven. (Be careful when putting the banana slice in; you have to support the weight of the banana or the bread will flop over.)

Toast as desired, or until bread is golden brown. (Afterwards, remove bread from toaster.)

4. Spread peanut butter.

Spread peanut butter over the plain piece of toast.

5. Put it all together.

Put the peanut butter slice on top of banana slice. Cut in half and serve.

Mmm mmm, it’s all warm and gooey! Now isn’t that the best peanut butter and banana sandwich?