Aaaaand cue the randomness!
1. It’s official! Happy first day of spring! 😀 In a cruel twist of fate, however, the last week of winter was actually nicer than the first week of spring is looking. We got as high as 11ºC (52°F) last week, and now?
Womp, womp.
2. Thankfully, seeing things like this makes up for it…
It may not be green grass or budding trees, but you’ll never hear me complaining about finding organic strawberries on sale. I may or may not have come home with 3 pounds 😯
3. I also may or may not have come home with a little more than I intended when I stopped by the mall…
I needed to go in to get something in my laptop tweaked, and I somehow managed to accumulate a variety of goods somewhere between the entrance to the mall and the entrance to the Apple store. Funny how that works… But hey! At least it wasn’t a big bag of beauty products from Sephora. That being said, I do have to go back in to buy Frozen sometime soon…
4. … or maybe not considering I haven’t even had a chance to sit down and watch any of the movies I just bought. I blame this…
(expect to see a review in this month’s favourites post)
5. This makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside…
Anyone else?
6. Riddle me this… are you supposed to refrigerate your nut/seed butters? I’ve just been keeping mine in the pantry, but I noticed that the newest jar I bought suggests to “refrigerate after opening.” Why? Can nut butters go bad? Or is it more of a texture thing? Mine never really last more than a few weeks once I open them, but I’d still rather not risk eating rancid nut oils 😯
Edited to add: apparently refrigeration is used to prevent the oils from oxidizing and going rancid. That being said, it takes a handful of weeks to occur, so unless it takes you a month or more to get through your jars, you’re probably okay storing them in the pantry. You’ll know if they’re starting to go bad if they taste sour or chemically.
7. Something that is in my fridge is big carrots… or… normal carrots, I guess. Why am I mentioning this? Because I never buy big carrots — baby carrots are my jam. I’m not sure what possessed me, other than the fact that I wanted to try something different. I’ll be going back to my babies soon, though, because I find them to be so much sweeter. And yes, I randomly think about carrots… and take pictures of them 😯
8. Ooo! But let’s go back to nut butters for a second. I recently tried (and fell in love with) a new one…
Toasted soy nut butter. Have you ever tried it? I bought a jar on a whim because it was the only nut butter available that was free of peanuts and I needed to satisfy a craving, stat. I didn’t expect to think much of it, so imagine my surprise when I ended up really loving it. Apparently it’s supposed to taste “just like peanut butter,” and while I can’t speak to that, I can say that it’s definitely tasty… and so, SO creamy.
9. And while we’re talking about food, let’s talk about hunger. Am I the only one who can be perfectly content and satisfied (read: not hungry), randomly grab something “just for a little taste,” and then all of a sudden be ravenous? It’s like suddenly the flood gates open and I want to eat ALL the foods.
10. I hope you guys are having an awesome Thursday, and thank ya for sharing your random thoughts with me — they always make me smile 😀
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I don’t think I have ever had PB go bad, simply because I typically go through a jar every week or so ( no joke) between PB&J sandwiches (a go to training food for me), and putting PB in protein smoothies, it goes pretty quickly.
I am 100% with you, I like baby carrots way better. I also feel like you get more bang for your buck that way too.
Weather has been up and down, it’s driving me (and my sinuses) crazy. I’m ready for consistent warmer temps!
Two things:
1. I probably shouldn’t mention that just yesterday I was complaining about how hot it was down here, should I? 😉
2. About #9, I’m not sure if this is right or not, but for some reason it makes sense in my mind: when you take some bites of something really good, your brain releases feel-good chemicals (endorphins? dopamine? something along those lines) and then your body/brain want more of those feel-good chemicals so you want to eat more. Like I said, I could be totally wrong, but that’s the best explanation I can come up with from my biochemical knowledge….
That would definitely make sense except for the fact that it doesn’t even have to be something really good — it can be a slice of cucumber and it’s like… EAT IT ALL!
Those large carrots ALWAYS make me think about Bugs Bunny. So I don’t even mind cutting and peeling them because I have a huge smile on my face!
Oh my goodness I wish I had as many nut butters as you!! They all look so good! I refrigerate mine that say to be refrigerated, I’m not sure why they are supposed to be refrigerated though. I just do it because the jar says so. 🙂
Oh my gosh I was JUST thinking about watching The Jungle Book last night!! How ironic!
And I always refrigerate my nut butters. I like them a little tougher and cold, so it’s more like a dessert treat for me 🙂
Thanks for hosting these Thinking Out Loud Thursdays! 🙂 Happy First Day of Spring!
Funny you mention carrots because I’ve been on a baby carrot binge of my own. I’ve been snacking on them almost every day, so I’m slowly turning into a bunny rabbit.
I’m the same way with books- I can spend hours in the book store!
Better a bunny rabbit than an oompa loompa 😆 I’ve either gotta kick my carrot or kabocha addiction to the curb…
I love #5 and #9!!! I feel warm and fuzzy every night when I get into bed to read!! And oh yeah, that happens to me every time haha sometimes when I’m going for my afternoon snack, I’m not starving or anything, but I’ll suddenly feel like I’m going to die if I don’t eat half the peanut butter jar by dipping in handful after handful or raisins
OH MAN you have read my mind this week. I seriously kid you not. A bag of baby carrots lasts me maaaaybe three days? If we’re lucky. And books just make the world go ’round. So hey – even if we are having winter in the springtime we can just pass the time with a thousand and one books curled up by a fire. 🙂
So I was babysitting my nephew a few weeks back and my sister has wowbutter in the cupboard (he’s not allergic but can’t take PB to school) and it was actually quite good! I was decently surprised!
On another note, Arman gets tuna and special k ads…I get card ads? What should I make of this…
I threw my homemade peanut butter in the fridge, but everything else I keep in the cupboard. I don’t like the texture of refrigerated nut butter and I go through them quickly enough, so I figure they’re fine.
And yaaay Game of Thrones!! Eric and I may or may not have a countdown going until season 4 starts (which right now is: 17 days, 12 hours, 14 minutes, 21 seconds….ya….). We’re excited 😉
I got 4 books come in at the library a few weeks ago, and I have to get through one more in 2 days to get them back in time. Challenge accepted.
I have “big” carrots in my fridge right now too! Oh, and strawberries! My “big” carrots really are BIG. They are some of the largest carrots I’ve ever bought. And the strawberries? Well those are just downright tasty. I am so excited that they are finally coming back into season.
As for the nut butters go, I used to always refrigerate mine since it said too…but the consistency is then totally wacked up. So now I “risk” it and leave them in the pantry. I go through a jar quickly enough that so far I have been just fine.
It seems that’s the route that most people go, so I think we should be okay 🙂
I see that you love nut butters as much as I do, although my collection isn’t nearly extensive as yours. So glad that spring is here, although we are supposed to get more snow here in Colorado on Saturday. But trees are budding, which definitely makes it feel springlike. Have a great week!
We used to keep our nut butter in the fridge when we first started eating more natural kinds…but I hated eating it cold, so we stopped. Haven’t died yet 😉 also, we consume it at such an insane rate that there’s really no way it could go bad in such a short amount of time.
Also. Spring. Really?! Maybe we should tell the forecast that. Snow coming next week.
I don’t go through nut butters super fast, but I used to never refrigerate them but one time I opened up a jar and it was all fuzzy inside, so now I just stick them all in the fridge once they are opened!
Ack that’s all sorts of nasty. See I didn’t even know that could happen, but I’d pretty sure I’d start refrigerating mine if I ever saw it 😯
One of my word study groups has the word bibliophile this week… they think it’s hilarious to say 🙂
So funny that you asked (and then answered) about refridgerating nut butter because I literally had a friend ask me the same question YESTERDAY! I appreciate you letting us all know why it’s recommend becase now I can tell her. Geesh, what would I do w/o you??!!
Toasted soy nut butter? How awesome sounds that?
I am so bibliophile I have about 500 books (incl. children’s books) I can’t resiste books. It’s a necessity just like underware!
Guilty! I also always end up with too much when I step into a mall.
SPRING!!! Finally! Except for the fact that it doesn’t feel like it… 😉 I’m super jealz of those berries – they even look tasty! Ours are still non-red and though I’m tempted to buy them, I know it’ll be better if I wait until they actually taste good 🙂
i am pretty sure I am a love of books, that isn’t even an exaggeration.
Oh yes. A ‘nibble’ turns into a meal! And I love the asterisk on the weather giving you a a heads up that the weather is abnormal! And love love Catching Fire! The whole book series was fantastic. I plan to see Divergent (read those, too!) this weekend! Happy Thursday!
I used to keep my nut butters in the pantry when I didn’t buy natural nut butters (just the Skippy or Peter Pan peanut butter with hydrogenated oils….eek). But then my grandma made sure I refrigerated all my nut butters 🙂
It’s raining over here on this first day of spring, and I’m sorta happy about it because A) it’s not snow; B) April {March} showers bring May flowers!
Hmm I’ve never tried that Wowbutter before, but I have seen it! And to be honest, I sorta scoffed at it because I thought it was trying to be a knockoff PB (like Better ‘n Peanut butter that is “made from real peanuts” but not really). But now I know that it’s actually just soy nut butter!
I feel the SAME WAY about eating a bite and then becoming ravenous. It’s like there’s an on and off switch in my body that I cannot control.
I would actually love some rain! It would help wash away all the grit that’s leftover from winter. As it stands, we now have a nice white blanket covering everything 😆
I’m definitely a baby carrot person too, so that’s interesting about the bigger carrots–I’ll have to give them a try! I’ve also wondered about the nut butters….sometimes I refrigerate them and sometimes I don’t, but I definitely prefer them not refrigerated because the texture is smoother and not as hard to spread. Glad you found a “peanut butter” that you enjoy!
Absolutely happens to me every time I take a nibble – I wasn’t overly hungry and then I eat something and it sets my appetite off! And I never keep peanut butter in the refrigerator. I used to back in the day and then stopped. The jars don’t last long enough to go bad in my house anyways…
Yummmmy nut butters! I made my own yesterday, peanut butter and cashew butter. So smooth and creamy! Now I literally cannot stop eating it! Good job I run a lot, as even though it is good for you…..I am definitely consuming a lot of calories haha! I love getting bigger fruits and vegetables, although I did puchase a GIANT apple yesterday, it costed $3!!!! I was pretty mad at the checkout!
Wow! That is an amazing price for organic strawberries! I’m really glad you posted about the wowbutter, I’ve seen it around and wondered how it tasted! Hope your weather clears up soon! 🙂
I always keep my nut butters in the pantry. Keeps the texture spot on!
Weather is doing the same thing in Scotland, one minute you think spring is coming and the sun is out (10c yesterday- whoop!) and then today, back to rain and cold temps – wish it would make up its mind!
Haven’t seen the jungle book in sooo long! Such a classic!
Very much so! My only complaint is that I get the Bearnecessities song stuck in my head for the rest of the day 😆
Yes, I have the same problem where I try a taste of something and the wild best is let loose and I am scavenging for more!!!
That’s a damn good price for strawberries! I buy the baby carrots too and I know why… less commitment. And easier to pack in my lunch box!
This nut butter thing is also a mystery to me because some say to refrigerate after opening and yet in scouring the Justin’s label, I couldn’t find anything about refrigerating. I’m glad that you said it’s okay to put them in the pantry. Out of habit, I usually put them in there. And I go through my almond butter ridiculously quickly so I should be good 🙂
I normally go through peanut butter very slowely. (Read: over a month) and I’ve never had it go bad. that is quite interesting! our weather has been equally bad…snow monday, nice tuesday and then pouring freezing rain on Wednesday. I fear it might never end.
Same here…
Refridgerating nut butter? Not around here for multiple reasons: 1.) same as for you there’s no way they last long enough. 2) I want them drippy not … firm and the one time I tried the flavour was affected – not cool [literally]. 3) There wouldn’t be enough room in my fridge by any means. Does that say my fridge is too small or my nut butter stash obsessively large?
Soy nut butter: want. Can’t get. It’s not fair.
Bibliophilie – yes. I’ve been neglecting my Kindle for … months now but have about 1/4 of the library’s books at home right now. Not all of them are to my liking but hey, at least I didn’t spend money on them so it’s all fine and well, right?
Just in time for the first day of Spring – the year’s really passing by at lighting speed – we’re having a gorgeously sunny morning right now. <3 it.
Enjoy some sunshine for me! It only -just- stopped snowing here 😡
Ugh – that’s some NAHSTY weather! We are to dip into the 30’s again next week…here’s hoping summer lasts extra long!!
I have been storing my nutbutters in the fridge – seeing mine last as a bout s long as yours do, I guess I don’t need too – some nutbutters seem to taste better cold. Soy nutbutter I have yet t try…
Ooohh love The Jungle Book! I even forgot what a classic that is..I need to see it again soon.
You guys get all the nut butters!..and all the cold apparently 😉 . Yeah I agree, big ol’ monster carrots don’t stand a chance against baby ones.
That just happened to me last night! I thought I was ‘full’ but I knew I had to eat something so I had a small snack…well waddaya know? I was starved! Hunger is one of life’s greatest mysteries!
Oooooh, I am such a bibliophile! Just talked to Jay on skype about this yesterday – in my crazy years (9-14 or so) I used to get through 10-15 books from the library each month. Yep, I have been basically reading all day as long as my parents did not stop me and insisted that I played outside. Party poopers.
I LOVE having quality books in my hand. A reason why I still didn’t buy an E-Reader… real books have my heart!
I am so jealous of your nutbutter collection!! The AB we can buy here is so liquid, I can not stand it. And I missed ordering new, AND all my food processors died. Saying that, a new Ninja Blender is on its way……
Carrots – I love the yellow and purple ones! They don’t really taste that different, but I just feel they are more fun to eat 🙂
ps. thank you for your wonderful comment on today’s post love.
Well that makes the likelihood of coming to Australia more possible….we have no baby carrots lol! Sorry, you’ll have to stick to the normal.
And the food and hunger thing…YES. I can be meh for lunch then finish a meal and feel hungrier than before. Someone research this and come to a conclusion.
Can number 5 count with a kindle? And….wow from the Jungle Book to quite a sinister looking book- You are one strange spoon. I like it.
You may not have baby carrots, but you have koalas — I would come for those. Oh, and I guess to visit you as well 😆