Armadillos and Buying in Bulk

Reason number 23 for buying groceries in bulk?

Armadillos.  

Yes, that's right.  Armadillos.  We love to eat Armadillos!  They are just the perfect snack. Healthy and sweet and some protein to keep you going! And I would've never discovered how to make armadillos if I had chosen to stay in my comfort zone and not ask the lady at the Natural Food Co-op about ordering groceries in bulk.  :)

But, now, see, I get all kinds of things in large quantities.  Which is great for so many reasons but mostly I like how it's sparked some creativity in us to figure out what else we can make with our 25 lb. bag of rice or our 50lb. bag of wheat berries. 

(the giant raisin jar...little owl's favorite thing in the kitchen i think)

The armadillo recipe we came up with in order to use two of our favorite things that we buy in bulk....peanut butter....and raisins.  Both come in a 5lb. quantity.  (although I'm thinking about making the jump to the 10lb. jug of peanut butter because, well...why not?)  

Here is our recipe for armadillos.  

1 cup organic peanut butter, preferably the crunchy variety

2 T. to 1/3 cup of honey, depending on how sweet you like it or how dry your PB is

2 T. cocoa powder

a large pinch of cinnamon

2/3 c. raisins

1 1/2 to 2 cups pecans, chopped 

In a glass bowl of medium size, mix together all the ingredients besides the pecans.  With clean hands make small teaspoon size balls of the mixture and roll them into the pecans making sure to press the nuts into the balls so they stay put.  Chill.  Eat.  Yum!

*porcupine variation** in place of the pecans use the same amount of toasted unsweetened coconut.  (super good too)

I encourage you to figure out a way to buy in bulk some of the things you use in your everyday cooking experiences.  It simplifies things so much!  It saves money, time, and packaging!  And I have found there is less temptation to order out food because of my usual excuse of "there is nothing to make" because I always have rice and beans now!  I always have wheat! I always have rapadura and oats and peanut butter!  I am so thankful that we have such a huge variety of food in our lives.  We really are so blessed.  And for me, buying in bulk is one small step toward being a good steward of what we've been given.  Plus, it means porcupines and armadillos for afternoon snack. :)