Oct 3 is Child Health Day

Today, Oct 3rd, is Child Health Day!  More than ever we need to make sure that our kids are healthy.  First Lady Michelle Obama has been working very hard to get the nation to recognize her Let’s Move campaign to get kids active and moving.  Our health is a real concern because for the first time ever, this generation of children may have a shorter life expectancy than their parents and grandparents.  Amongst all the technology and medical breakthroughs, children may not live as long simply because of the food they put in their mouth!  When the kids come home from school today, make this healthy, homemade peanut butter as a replacement for the normal sugary peanut butter found in the store.

Prep time: about 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1½ c. unsalted roasted peanuts
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil

Utensils:

• food processor (you’ll need help from your adult assistant)
• bowl
• mixing spoon
• storage container
• measuring cups and spoons

Directions:

For smooth peanut butter:

1. Mix the peanuts with the coconut oil, and pour the mixture into the food processor.
2. Process the mixture until it’s very smooth.
3. Store your smooth peanut butter in a sealed container in the fridge. It will be good for 2 weeks.

For chunky peanut butter:

1. Take about ¼ cup out of your 1½ cups of peanuts and set them aside.
2. Mix the rest of the peanuts with the oil, and pour the mixture into the food processor.
3. Process the mixture until it’s very smooth, then stir in the peanuts that you had set aside.
4. Process a few seconds more to create the chunks in your chunky peanut butter.
5. Store your chunky peanut butter in a sealed container in the fridge. It will be good for 2 weeks.

Serves: 12

Serving size: 2 tablespoons

Recipe adapted from kidshealth.org.