By Monita Baker

Ah, peanut butter. March 1st was designated as National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day, and the many ways the goober has been paired, blended and added with yummy results!

Peanut butter is both nutritious and delicious. It pairs well with everything from fruits to chocolate and jelly to celery.

Besides being delicious there are some great health benefits offered by the peanut.

A serving of peanut butter has 3 mg of the powerful antioxidant vitamin E, 49 mg of bone-building magnesium, 208 mg of muscle-friendly potassium, and 0.17 mg of immunity-boosting vitamin B6. Research shows that eating peanuts can decrease your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions. Studies have also found that the monounsaturated fats found in foods like nuts and olive oil are protective of brain health and function. How? Nuts’ antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties help reduce stress to the brain. Who knew?

What does peanut butter have to do with feng shui?

The humble peanut is regarded as a lucky symbol by the Chinese because of its auspicious-sounding name. The Chinese name “fah sung” is a homonym for Prosperity and Abundance!

Looking at the natural design of the peanut, notice that it resembles the lucky “8” which brings excellent prosperity and wealth luck. And we all want more of that right?😉

During the festive Chinese New Year season many Chinese families will have peanuts in their home. This is to generate the luck energy that is associated with health and longevity. The peanut thus symbolizes the wish for many children for a long and happy life.

The peanut is unique because it grows with its roots expanding in a wide area in the form of nodules. This is a symbol of “stability”. It also automatically fertilizes the soil and enhances surrounding chi to prepare the land as a rich planting ground for all sorts of plants. This is the reason why it has been associated with good yields and prosperity for centuries. The peanut draws Earth energy to give rise to continuous growth in prosperity and wealth.

The Peanut therefore, represents a time of fruition and balance that all things work together or soon will in their own perfect timing. Peanuts represent the stability, prosperity and wealth you are seeking.

So, fall in love with some peanut butter or a new peanut butter combination.  Try peanut butter and apples. Or maybe fried peaches and peanut butter. And when you do, show your gratitude for all that you have and for all that is in your life and that which is yet to come.

While you are reveling in all that gratitude enjoy these fun peanut butter facts. 😉

Fun Peanut Butter Facts:

• It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup was introduced to America in 1928.
• The oldest operating manufacturer and seller of peanut butter has been selling peanut butter since 1908.
• Americans spend almost $800 million a year on peanut butter.