November is National Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month and boy, oh boy am I a pb lover! Seriously though, what’s not to love? With an impressive nutritional report card including protein, fiber, vitamin E, iron and potassium it’s not surprising that peanut butter has been credited with many health benefits such as reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and protection against both Alzheimer’s and type 2 diabetes. To some, peanut butter’s health claims may seem confusing considering that pb contains moderate amounts of saturated fat and sodium. However, a Harvard doctor recently pointed out that peanut butter has a proportion of saturated to unsaturated fats similar to olive oil, provides several important nutrients and also has an incredible potassium-to-sodium ratio. And just in case you need more convincing, here are 10 Reasons Peanuts Improve Health.

This celebration of my favorite, gooey substance prompted a quest to seek out the best good-green peanut paste the market has to offer. My discovery of Justin’s Nut Butter was the end of my search. Justin’s sent me a generous box of goodies from which I stuffed my pack for a hiking trip in northern Portugal. Read on to see why my hunt ended with Justin’s and how nut butter made my trip.

The Justin’s Difference

Justin’s all started in Boulder, Colorado in 2002 when founder, Justin Gold, longed for a tastier peanut butter. From that dream Justin’s Nut Butter has taken an amazing foodstuff and done the impossible. Justin and his company have created a superior peanut butter and in the process managed to completely re-conceive the category. So, how is Justin’s Nut Butter better? Please review the following steps. Start with super high-quality, natural and organic ingredients that are sustainably harvested and sourced as locally as possible. Then add a proprietary grinding method that boosts yumminess and consistency. Combine with innovative packaging that facilitates on-the-go consumption and mix with a company dedicated to reducing its environmental footprint. The result? A delicious, nutritious, and ingenious snack that will blow your mind.

The simple ingredients in each of Justin’s products make them easy to love, whether you’re into Vegetarianism, Paleo, Slow Carb, South Beach, Atkins’ or just being healthy. Justin’s products are certified gluten-free by the GFCO, certified Kosher by Scroll K and use only PPO-free almonds. Aside from the aforementioned amazingness, Justin’s also offers variety. Check out each of the ways that you can enjoy Justin’s creations below.

Squeeze Packs

A seriously perfect snack for hiking, traveling or munching at work. Justin’s squeeze packs offer a super convenient way to eat nut butter on-the-go. I figured I would mostly add nut butter from the packs to apples or crackers, but found myself just as happy eating it plain. It reminded me of my childhood when I would shamelessly steal heaping spoonfuls of peanut butter right from the jar. Regaining some of my long lost courage, I noticed myself several times desperately massaging the last bits of nut butter from my squeeze pack, only to catch my boyfriend boldly ripping open the package to lick the inside clean. The packs excelled one night as a surprisingly satisfying dinner during a seemingly never ending journey aboard Portuguese public transportation on our way north to the Peneda-GeresNational Park. From Justin’s wide scope of eight squeeze pack flavors, I was sent the Honey Peanut Butter Blend and Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Blend. Both of the flavors have a rich, natural and grittier texture that you can almost chew for pure satisfaction. Justin’s Nut Butters use palm fruit oil that is sourced from a sustainably harvested, organic farm in Brazil to minimize oil separation. Not only does this provide excellent texture but palm fruit oil also has no trans-fatty acids and contains less saturated fat than many other oils. Once again, the quality shows. For me, the Honey Peanut Butter Blend flavor is the perfect combination of salty and sweet thanks to the unique coupling of sea salt and honey and a very faint sesame after taste. The peanut butter packs were a fabulous comfort food as the small pools of water in our tent slowly crept towards my sleeping pad. I thought the Hazelnut flavor would just taste like Nutella, but I was hit instead with a genuine hazelnut taste and hint of salt that lacked the artificial, over-sweetened, way-too-creamy faults of that other frosting stuff. The packs are generally easy to open, but can require some extra muscle with very cold hands. Plus,  REI just published some great tips for sleeping warm and it recommended eating peanut butter right before bed to give your body something to burn. No wonder I slept so well! Oh, and don’t forget to knead!

Jars

There can never be too much of a good thing, and that’s where Justin’s Jars come in. Not only are they filled with nut butter goodness, but all of Justin’s Jars are PETE-1 recyclable and BPA-free. If you’re not in a rush and have something more relaxing in mind, screw open a jar and enjoy any of the eight better nut butters on one of your favorite snacks. Make sure to try out each of the hazelnut, peanut and almond varieties. Here are some great recipes using peanut butter to check out, or there’s always just your spoon.

Peanut Butter Cups

Peanut butter cups are another fond memory from my childhood, specifically the hundreds that I consumed in the weeks following Halloween. Available in both milk and dark chocolate versions, Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups offer a refreshing look at a classic. In both flavors there is a pleasant absence of that cheap, milk taste and high quality peanut butter makes all the difference. The shell is made from decedent, fair-trade, organic chocolate that is Rainforest Alliance Certified. Using such virtuous chocolate, no wonder Justin’s decided to coat it on thick. The harder, more substantial shell provides a beautiful match to the normally overpowering peanut butter taste. Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups provided a particularly welcome lunch desert as we rested near a stream and bridge described by a local trail guide as, “a naturally well conceived scenario.” The dark chocolate mixed with peanut butter is an entirely new and wonderful experience, but even the milk chocolate flavor holds happily little resemblance to the unhealthy candies I enjoyed as a child. It’s like a peanut butter cup all grown up.

Sustainability

Aside from its earth-friendly kitchen, Justin’s takes steps throughout the business to reduce its impact on the environment. For a trip through their supply chain, visit Justin’s “Dirt on Nuts” to explore the company’s carbon footprint and what it is doing to reduce it. Already, the Justin’s headquarters is solar powered through panels in front of the office and sustainable packaging has become a priority. While Justin’s cardboard packaging is currently made from 100% recycled paper constructed using only wind power and dyed with Zero VOC inks, the company has also embarked on a unique journey towards a sustainable squeeze pack. The ultimate goal is 100% renewable packaging that can be composted at home, but the plan includes realistic stepping stones of 33% and 66% renewable packaging along the way. On the social side, Justin’s also supports Conscious Alliance in its work to distribute food to Native American Reservations through monetary contributions and of course, healthy food donations.

So, spread the love and make sure to spoon, squeeze and smear it on thick!

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Image Credit: Justin’s, Alina Jesien