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PrintHi Domenica, I have been meaning to write you for months now, ever since I got your wonderful cookbook. I have so many questions and I certainly understand if you don't have the time to answer them all. I am also a full time mom of nineteen year old twins in college and a surprise blessing who is eight, who has ADHD. I have read so many books and read labels all the time that it is overwhelming. I know all about the color dyes and sugar. I recently went to the Whole Foods market to get some products in your cookbook. I don't really shop there, but wanted to see what is was all about. I did buy their 365 Peanut Butter, as I always used Jif. I was surprised to find an oil substance at the top, and since I had no idea why it was like that I poured it out and tried to stir the rest. Well several weeks later, the jar is really stiff like mud, and unable to stir or spread. What did I do wrong, and is Jif so bad? Another one of my strict things is sugar for my sweet Thomas. I always gave him Capri-Sun rainwater juice boxes for his lunch as they had the littlest amout of sugar, but they did have aspartame.I recently found Hansen's juice slam at Whole Foods, but they have 24 sugars, even though it is 100 percent juice, is this bad for him? I was told by an employee at Whole Foods that they sell nothing that is not organic or natural. I'm not sure I can really afford to shop there and only buy organic, it seems very pricey. I have so many more questions, but I will stop for now. I will be embarrassed to tell you how many garbage bags I threw away when I cleaned out my pantry, according to your book. I thank you for your time, and look forward to hearing from you at your convenience. \r\n\r\nSincerely, \r\nMelody Herb
Thank you so much for your question. I am so sorry about the delayed response. We had a bit of a snafoo in the technology understanding with our cyber team. If only the computer were as easy to navigate as the kitchen is for me! Thank you for your patience.
Melody! Thank you for all you shared. How brave of you to make such a clean sweep of your pantry! You are not alone with the peanut butter issue. The one that you bought at Whole Foods is the natural one and the oil separates from the peanut solids. You are supposed to stir the oil back into the peanut butter. Jif and other brands use a method that binds the oils to the solids so you do not have to stir. There are other natural brands that are "no stir". The Whole Kids line at whole foods is one of them and Marantha makes one as well. Jif tends to be high in sugar and hydrogenated oil, if you can wean off it, it is preferable. (It sure does taste good though!) As far as the juice goes I suggest buying a large bottle of organic apple or pomegranate or other types (no added sugar or fake sugar) then cutting it with some water and sending in a reusable container. If you need the quick juice boxes on the go, look for ones that are only juice and water and limit the amount per day (1 is preferable, not more than two). Keep up the good work!
