Stir the PB

Surely you know that natural peanut butter is better for you than the regular kind that has hydrogenated fat and sugar! But natural PB does separate and can be a pain to stir up. Here are a few suggestions:

www.lehmans.com sells this nifty little lid they call a Natural Peanut Butter Mixer for $8.95 plus S & H.

A cheaper alternative: When you first open the jar, use a wooden chopstick to stir in the oil, then keep it in the fridge so it doesn't separate again.

If you don't want to refrigerate it, store the jar upside down so the oil migrates to the bottom of the jar instead of the top.

One last suggestion: Smart Balance Omega Natural Peanut Butter -- I especially like the chunky kind. Ingredients: Peanuts, natural oil blend (flaxseed and palm fruit oils), salt, molasses. It does not separate and can be kept at room temperature.

Once you get accustomed to the real peanut flavor of natural PB, you won't want to go back to the fake stuff.

Bonus tip: One of my favorite snacks is apple slices dipped in natural PB or almond butter. YUM!