Thursday, March 11, 2010

Are You Ready for Me to Rock Your Peanut Allergic World?

So when your child is diagnosed with a peanut allergy, like most folks, you clear your house of peanut products. Why take a chance on having it around if your child could die as a result of accidental exposure?

But maybe you've been used to having peanut butter on toast in the morning, all melty and delicious. Or maybe a secret spoonful at night as a treat?

Ah, I remember it well.

And I thought those days were gone.

But guess what? I've reclaimed that glory and I want to share it with you.

I'd like to introduce you to my new crush: Barney Butter.

I know, kind of a funny name (until you learn it's the name of the founder) - Barney reminds me of that big purple dinosaur and I used to shudder a little when I heard it.

But no more.

I've tried all the spreads that claim to be a great substitute for peanut butter: Sunbutter, soy butter, pea butter, other almond butters. But they never came close. Until now.

Barney Butter is peanut free, all natural almond butter. It is so eerily close to peanut butter that you might REALLY fool someone (and let's face it - anyone who says they've fooled someone with Sunbutter is suffering from a case of wishful thinking - it's good, but it's not THAT good). I think my husband may have actually had tears in his eyes when he tasted this - he was never expecting to have anything as good as this in our cupboards to slather on apple slices or soft white processed bread (yeah, I buy it, so what?!?).

Now if you have a tree nut allergy then this has just been a big tease (and for that I apologize). But if you've been given the go ahead from your allergist to incorporate safe tree nut butters then I highly encourage you to try this. The color is spot on, the consistency is identical (no stirring needed!) and, the taste, oh lordy!

This is so good that I've turned other folks on to this who's kids have a peanut allergy (but were told no tree nuts unless they were free from cross contamination) who stash this in their cupboards just for those times when you just need a little taste of the sweet stuff.

I sound like a pusher, huh?

I just want as many folks to try it as possible so it never goes away. Honestly, it's not the cheapest - it's almost $8 at my local high-end grocery, but it's SO worth it. I can't wait to cook with it - I'm sure the results will be phenomenal.

And what about little miss B - what does she think? She wont touch it - too close to the real thing. I don't think they intended to be a safe alternative for peanut allergy sufferers, but they have found a HUGE fan with me. Thanks Barney Butter!!!

OK, enough gushing on my part.

Have any of you tried it??

p.s. The folks at Barney Butter didn't ask me to write this post, haven't sent me this to review - heck, they don't know me from Adam. This post is truly from the heart.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

This is incredibly fantastic news! I think (I'm not 100% on this) the only reason I didn't buy this in the past is because it was processed in a facility with peanuts but I clicked through to their website and it says that their new facility is Almond only! VERY COOL. I am tempted to run out right now and I get it. I miss peanut butter so much! And I've been so sad thinking I could never give my son a peanut butter cookie. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I must forget what peanut butter tastes like because Sunbutter is heaven to me...

I buy Trader Joe's brand--no peanut/tree nut cross contamination.

jenn said...

I wish I could! Unfortunately the only nut my kid is more allergic to than peanuts is almonds... dang.

Unknown said...

And so...I bought the Barney Butter and Joe and I came home to make fake "peanut butter" cookies, he took one bite of the "yummy" out of the jar and boom: HIVES.

WHAT!? As far as I know he has no almond allergy - no tree nut allergy! Maybe the palm oil? And so I am now deflated. You were right - the stuff is heavenly and for some reason, not good for my boy. Back to the allergist, as they say. This allergy is so exhausting and so terrifying!

tabm said...

Ran out to buy Barney Butter as soon as I read your post...it is everything you said it would be! Tomorrow my peanut-free little ones will have apples with BB - thanks for sharing the info!

Lisita said...

I'm intrigued. My daughter is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. Her almond allergy however is super low. Perhaps this can be how I can safely get my fix when she is in bed. Thanks for the tip! :)

Anonymous said...

Barney Butter is made in a peanut free facility. I know the founder, Jenny Barney and they have invested in their own equipment that processes ONLY Barney Butter.. Also, the Almond butter spreads, looks like and tastes like peanut butter. Over the last few years, Jenny has managed to get the texture to mirror that of creamy and chunky peanut butter.. My kids can Not tell the difference.

Jane Anne said...

I will have to try this. I love Sunbutter and it tastes very similar to peanut butter to me. Thanks for the recommendation.

Patti said...

agreed Anonymous...Sunbutter IS just as good/if not better tasting (& DEFINITELY better for you) than PB

Pez said...

I did buy some Barney Butter but it was $7.99 for a 16 oz jar. My son loves it but I think we'll go back to Sunbutter.

Eileen said...

Barney Butter is fantastic! My peanut-allergic daughter won't touch it either, but I love it. I would never keep peanut butter in my house, even if it's just for me, as I'm so fearful of accidental exposure. But with the Barney Butter I can eat "peanut butter" and jelly sandwiches again! I love that it's peanut free and seriously, you can't even tell the difference. It's fantastic, but yes, pricey. Worth it, though.