htlp;//www.thediarlottepost.com TOje Cljarlottc ^osst LIFE Section THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2006 IN KZUGION Whites ask tor forgiveness in the slave trade. See 6B FAMILY FEATURES P Biiut butter has been a pantry staple in households for Pnerations. While best known for its starring role in Re classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, it is also a nutrient dense food that can be med in a variety of dishes and snacks as part of a healthy lifestyle. Just one serving of peanut butter — two tablespoons — provides eiglil grains of protein, two grams of fiber. 10 percent of the US DA Reference Daily Intake (RDI) of vitamin E and 12 percent of the RDI of magnesium. Additionally, theiUSDA's new Myl^xamid recognizes the importance of varying dietary protein sources and suggests that peanut butter, along with nuts and other nut butters, may be substituted for meat or poultry in meals. Peanut butta- is cholesterol free and contains zero grams oftrans-fats per serving. ■‘When consumed as part of a balanced diet and exerciseregi- men, the dietary fat in peanut butter promotes satiety, or a feeling of fullness, a factor that can ctirb hunger and contribute to weiglit loss,” according to Kelli Calabrese. Persona!Fitness Professional’s 2004 Personal Trainer of the Year for Online Training, Today’s grocery store is full of a wide variety of peanut butters to meet everyone's tastes and dietary needs, from crunchy to creamy, from sweetened to natural. For your next meal or snack on the go. open a jar of your favorite variety of ijeanut butter and see what two tablespoons can do for you. For more ways to enjoy peanut butter, visit www.j/niickcrs.com or vvww.)(/!com. For more fitness tips from Kelli Calabrese, visit www.kellicalabrese.com. Letlvice RoU’Ups. TIPS ■ Get creative with a peanut butter sandwich mid add ingredients like shredded coconut, honey, choj^>ed af^les, shredded carrots or diced celery. m Combine peanut butter with high- fiber foods, like whole grain bread or apple sHces, for a satisfying snack. ■ Oil separation occufs in natural peanut butter, so simply stir the oil back in to fully eujoy the product. ■ Keep a jar handy at work or in the gym bag to curb hunger pangs. Peanut Chicken Lettuce RoH-Ups Preparation time: 15 minutes, Cooling time: 45 minutes 1 (3 mince) package ratnen noodks (any ilavor) Crisco^ No-Stick Cooking Spray 1 1/2-inch piece peeled fresh gingerroot, grated 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 tablc.spooiis Stniicker's'^ Natural Creamy Peanut Butter 1/3 cup rice vinegar 1/4 cup rciluced-sodium soy .sauce 2 cup.s coarseiy chopped cooked chicken 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper 1/2 cup chopped water chestnuts 4 green onions, .sliced diagonally into 1/4-inch slices 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 12 leaves green leaf lettuce, washed and dried 1 cup Smacker’s Low Sugar Sweet Orange Marmalade, if desired Break ramen noodles, save flavor packet for another use if desired. Cook noodles according to package directions; drain. Spray a large noratick skillet with no-stick spray. Add ginger and garlic and cook on medium-high heat 1 minute. Add the peanut buner, rice vinegar and soy sauce, stirring over medium lietit until well combined. Remove pan from heat. Add chicken, noodles, papers, water chest nuts, onions and cilantro. Mix to combine well. Cool; cover and refrigerate, To serve, lop each lettuce leaf with noodle salad; turn in sides and roll up. If desired, hetit 1 cup mamialade in a microwave- safe bowl on HIGH (100-percent power) for 20 seconds or until melted. Serve as a dipping sauce for roll-ups. Makes 12 rolls Peailut Butter and Banana Cream Smoothie Preparation time: 10 minutes 1/3 cup/t/"® Reduced Fat Ci'eamy Peanut Butter 1/3 cup maslieil ripe banana i-1/2 cups premium low-fat sugar-free vanilla icc cream Lite or fat-free whipped topping Combine petintu butter, banana and ice cream in bleaid^a- cont^ier. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into two tall glasses. Garnish with whipped crovun, if desired. Makes 2 servings Strawberry Banana^Nitt Breakf^i Brasehettaa Asian Noodles With Chiii-Nut Sauce Preparation time: 10 minutes. Cooling time: 10 minutes 3 table.spoonsS»M/cAer’s Natural Chunky Peanut Butter 1/4 cup ri^uced-soiiiuni soy sauce 1 to 2 tablespoons Chinese chili oil 1/4 cup rice vinegar 2 tablespoons dark brown .sugar 1 (10‘Ounce) package Chinese wheat noodles or 1/2 pound package whole wlieat .spaghetti, cooked according to package directions 4 ^reen onions, sliced diagonally into 1/4-Inch slices 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper Toasted sesame seeds for garnish Combine peanut butter, soy sauce, chili oU, rice vinegar and brown sugar in large bowl. Stir to blend well, loss drained noodles with chili- nut sauce, onions and peppers. Cool noodles to room temperature. To serve, place noodles on serving platter, garnish with sesame seeds. Note: Chinese chili oil and wheat noodles are available in your grocer's Asian food aisle. Makes 6 servings Variation: Add 2 cups chopped cooked chicken. Asian Noodlaa Witli CiiilFNut Sauce Strawberry Baiiana-Nut Breakfast Brusehettas Preparation time: 25 minutes 1 ioaf French baguette bread 1 cup cold skim milk 1 (4 serving size) package banana creme fal-free sugar-frce instant pudding & pie filling 1/4 cup Simply Jif'^ Creamy Peanut Biilter 1/2 cup chopped ripe banana 1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries, drained 1/2 cup chopped pineappk-. drained Ground cinnamon Fre.sh lemon juice Cut bread into slightly angled 1/4 wide slices. Brown slices on both sides under broiler. Whisk together milk and pudding mix until lump-free. Add peanut butter mixing until well combined. Just before serving, combine fniit, SprcM a scant tablespoon of pudding mixture on each bruschetta; top with I tablespoon of mixed fruit. Ganiish witli a sprmklkig of cimiamon; serve immediately. Note: To avoid discoloration of bananas, sprinkle with fresh lemon juice after chopping. Makes 12 servings (2 slices each) omo