Sumflower butter- mmmmmmmmm yummy!

We have been eating sunflower butter for some time now. The boys tummies don't seem to agree wtth peanut butter. Then the whole peanut butter scare sent the prices of the sunflower butter to the moon. It used to be $2.69 per jar, now it is $4.99 a jar. The stuff in the store is ok. I mean it is an easy alternative to PB, but it is so thick to spread on your sandwich. Kind of like hard butter.
Voila~ I played around with my recipe I found and mastered the art of homemade seed butters.

I bought my sunflower seeds from the bulk food store( West Dearborn) I mixed half salted, and half unsalted to balance the sodium and flavor. They were $2.69 per pound.

I just used my cheapie food processor. It also has a blender attachment that we use pretty frequently.

THE RECIPE~

1 1/2 cups sunflower seeds
1-2 TBS canola oil( or any other light healthy oil
1/4- 1/2 cup sugar( I used white granulated sugar since I was out of brown sugar. My honey hardened up otherwise I would have used that.

Place sunflower seeds in food processor. Turn on med/high for approximately 5 minutes until the seeds are to your favorite consistancy. We like chunky. Keep yours blending until smooth if that is your cup of tea. Drizzle in oil. Once the oil is incorporated the "butter" consistancy will develop. I used a funnel to pour in the sugar. Mix for a few minutes...... Get your spoon and dig in. This stuff is soooooo good. Like cookie dough without the guilt.
Sunflower seeds are a powerhouse of flavor and health. Read below-
Plus it is a huge savings at the grocery store. You control the sugar, you control the oil.
Another benefit is that if kids make it, kids taste it..... :)
Next time we'll buy some salty pecans and try that...... my mouth is watering already!


High protein, low carbohydrate diets are here to stay; thus it is even more important than ever to make sure they are full of naturally healthy foods such as sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are the best whole-food source of Vitamin E. They provide an ideal heart-healthy profile, are high in protein, and naturally low in carbohydrate. The Amazing Kernel - A Powerhouse of Benefits

According to research completed in March 2001 by Dr. K. Phillips of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, sunflower kernel is rich in a number of components that have been shown to protect against cardiovascular and other diseases and to act as antioxidants and anticarcinogens; thus the kernel can be considered a functional food. When considered in aggregate, the amazing kernel adds a nutritional wallop to a wide array of products such as breads, muffins, crackers, and snack foods.This is good news for consumers who are increasingly interested in functional foods. It's also good news for manufacturers of baked goods and snack foods, because it provides the opportunity to consider kernel as an ingredient in new products in order to deliver upon this growing demand.What are functional foods?While an exact definition continues to evolve, functional foods provide benefits beyond basic nutrition. They may prevent certain disease(s) or promote better health. Most foods are functional, at least to some degree, since they provide important nutrients essential for good health. Here are a few examples:
Tomatoes contain "lycopene" which may decrease the risk of developing certain cancers,
Onions and garlic contain "diallyl sulfide" which lowers LDL cholesterol and maintains a healthy immune system,
Cranberries and chocolate contain "proanthocyanidins" which have been shown to improve urinary tract health and may reduce risk of cardiovascular disease,
Sunflower kernel, the edible heart of the sunflower seed, is a good source of phytochemicals (non-nutrient plant chemicals) that can be protective against disease.What specific phytochemicals are prevalent in kernel and what are their respective health benefits?In comparison to other nuts and foods high in these compounds, sunflower kernel contains high levels of vitamin E, betaine, phenolic acids, and choline. In addition, kernel is a good source of arginine and lignans compared to some nuts. Each of these compounds, while perhaps unfamiliar to the layperson, has been studied by the scientific community and shown to offer a variety of health benefits

Vitamin E (tocopherols)-May protect against cardiovascular disease

Betaine-May protect against cardiovascular disease

Phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid) Antioxidant and anticarcinogen

Choline- Plays a role in memory and cognitive function

Arginine-Potential heart benefits

Lignans-May protect against heart disease and some cancers; lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides

Saving money on family fun

We bought a family pass to the Science Centers and Children's Hands on Museums. Since they have a program that allows you to visit them all over the world, you only need to buy one. We bought ours here http://impression5.org/index.php. This was the cheapest to purchase. Others in our area were $80, $90. This one was only $60. We bought an extra year when they had their birthday party for the museum and got 2 years for $100. You can buy a membership over the phone too.

The area museums that we go to are- Cranbrook http://science.cranbrook.edu/( dinosaurs, fossils, birds, rocks, stars,),
Flint Children's Museum http://www.flintchildrensmuseum.org/( oh my- all child sized for ages 1-10 fun for mommy and daddy too!
Impression 5 Hands on Museum-http://www.impression5.org/index.htm
They all allow you to bring in your own food and drinks. There are tables to eat your snacks or lunch at. Another good rule of thumb is to go after the school field trip rushes- anytime after 1 pm. That way you will have the museum mostly to yourselves!

Here is the complete list for the state of Michigan. There are a few in Ohio and Indiana. We went to the Cosi in Toledo but it closed. It combined with the Cosi in Cleveland. Maybe a good day trip....Also, the Flint museum, Cranbrook, and Impression 5 museum all have FREE PARKING. I really don't like paying for parking when I don't have to. I like to make my dollar stretch as far as I can!

Alden B. Dow Museum of Science & Art1801 West St. Andrews RoadMidland, MIweb site: www.mcfta.org
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum220 East Ann StreetAnn Arbor, MIweb site: www.aahom.org

Cranbrook Institute of ScienceP.O. Box 80139221 Woodward AvenueBloomfield Hills, MIweb site: science.cranbrook.edu
Detroit Science Center5020 John R. StreetDetroit, MIweb site: www.detroitsciencecenter.org

Museum of Natural History1109 Geddes Avenue Ann Arbor, MIweb site: www.lsa.umich.edu/exhibitmuseum

The Flint Children's Museum1602 West Third AvenueFlint, MIweb site: www.flintchildrensmuseum.org

Impression 5 Science Center200 Museum DriveLansing, MIweb site: www.impression5.org

Kingman Museum175 Limit StreetBattle Creek, MIweb site: www.kingmanmuseum.org

Museum at Southwestern Michigan College58900 Cherry Grove RoadDowagiac, MIweb site: www.swmich.edu/museum

Sloan*Longway1221 East Kearsley StreetFlint, MIweb site: www.sloanmuseum.org
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Saving money on family fun

This is my first post to what I am sure will be many. We are a busy homeschool family that likes to do things together. My days are filled with cooking, homeschooling, keeping the boys busy, cleaning, etc.