For MOMS & MOMS-TO-BE and Toddlers 1 year+
Growing up, my mom used to always make me peanut butter and honey sandwiches for my lunches. And while I loved this combo, the peanut butter was not the healthiest of brands and the honey was nothing more than the bottled bear variety. Thankfully, I have grown to know a lot more about nutrition than I did back then and have discovered the health benefits of local honey and that your typical name brand peanut butter is actually filled with several ingredients that it’s probably better not to ingest.
However, I will admit that I had somewhat forgotten how much I loved this blend – well that is until I came across Bliss Nut-Butters. The perfect mix of peanut butter and honey, with a hint of sea salt to give it that extra something special, what merely started as one delicious flavor has grown into a full line of healthy and delicious nut butters that I just can’t get enough of.
THE PRODUCT: Peanut Butter Bliss was the first product created under the brand Back 2 Basics Wellness, LLC. As the two Founders both grew up living very healthy, active lifestyles filled with sports, marathons and triathlons, they quickly learned about the importance of properly fueling their bodies and ways to improve overall health; and they wanted to help others do the same.
Coming up with the idea of a healthier peanut butter after running and craving a quick and delicious food that had that perfect balance of carbohydrates, fats and protein to help fuel those long distances, work began in the kitchen. Giving away the delicious blend of peanut butter, honey, and sea salt as gifts, people soon wanted to start buying it, and so, what was originally called “Bee-Nut Butter Bliss” started selling in stores in 2012.
However, due to some confusion with the name, it was changed and trademarked to “Peanut Butter Bliss” in December of 2013. Now in over 100 local stores, Bliss Nut Butters has expanded their line to include 3 other delicious flavors, including: Chia Seed Peanut Butter Bliss, Cinnamon Chia Seed Peanut Butter Bliss, and Hazelnut Butter Bliss.
NUTRITION-WISE: Bliss Nut Butters takes pride in keeping things simple, and makes it a point to use local, high quality ingredients for all of their butters. Using a Fresh Ground Process, which is unique in the world of “jarred” nut butters, they are able to preserve both the integrity, and taste, of the ingredients.
Using real, non-GMO roasted peanut oil and cold pressed sunflower oil, both of which are high in heart-healthy Omega 3’s and 6’s, Bliss Nut Butters also use local honey instead of sugar, which can help with allergies, is good for gastrointestinal health, and is low on the glycemic index.
Plus, some of their flavors also contain chia seeds, which are loaded with protein, heart healthy fats, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, as well as cinnamon, which is also filled with antioxidants. Furthermore, all of their products are dairy and gluten-free, and do not contain any preservatives or additives, and are packaged in glass jars that are recyclable, sustainable and reusable.
Moreover, as briefly mentioned above, Bliss Nut-Butters are also GMO free. However, they are still working on their certifications due to the fact that certifying honey can be a bit “sticky” thanks to the fact that you can’t really control and/or monitor where bees fly and get their pollen from.
Coming in at around 170 calories, 120 of which are from healthy fats, you will also find around 2 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of sugar per 2 Tb. serving (of the Peanut Butter flavors). The Hazelnut Butter Bliss contains around 260 calories, 236 of which are from healthy fats, as well as 2.9 grams of fiber, 4.5 grams of protein, and 1.3 grams of sugar.
*Since all of Bliss Nut-Butter products contain honey, you should not give them to children under 1 year of age due to the potentially fatal bacteria known as botulism. However, in regards to exposing your littles to peanuts and other nuts while they are still so young, the “rules” have changed and it is actually advised now, as waiting to expose children to possible allergens can actually do more harm than good. Please consult with your physician though if you have a history of peanut or other nut allergies in your family, as every child is different.
WHERE TO BUY: Bliss Nut-Butters can be purchased directly through their website, or to find the retail location nearest you, please visit their Store Locator. However, please note that Bliss Nut-Butters are mainly available in the Northwest, although they are quickly expanding to stores all over the US. They are also hoping to be on Amazon.com very quickly, so stay-tuned for that as well.
FINAL THOUGHTS: With so many different brands of nut butters on the market these days, it’s getting hard to tell them all apart – especially from first glance. However, if you’ve had the chance to try an array of them, you will soon learn that there really are quite a few differentials that can make one brand unique from the other.
And I’ve got to say that Bliss Nut-Butters has really done a good job at this. Slightly sweet and yet still savory, thanks to the additions of honey and sea-salt, this line of peanut-based nut butters is something truly unique – and delicious! The Hazelnut flavor is also great, and is a nice change from your typical chocolate-based hazelnut spread.
Another thing I really like about these nut butters is that they don’t need to be stirred constantly – if kept in the front part of your fridge – unlike other “all-natural” nut butters that always seem to have a nice layer of oil sitting on top. Plus, the fact that they are filled with other good-for-you ingredients, like chia seeds and local honey, make them a healthy and tasty snack whether you want to spread them on an apple, as part of your favorite sandwich, or even eat them straight out of the jar.
I’m happy to have discovered Bliss Nut-Butters and hope that you will give them a chance as well! Just be aware, they are addicting!
Try any or all of Bliss Nut-Butters today and see for yourself how amazingly delicious honey-nut butters can be.
To learn more about Bliss Nut-Butters and to try them out for yourself, please visit their website and check them out on Facebook.
And remember, Contact Healthy.Fit.Fab…Moms today to create a personalized plan so you and your family can live a healthy, fit, and fabulous life!
