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“Make a peanut butter pie this Friday and share it with someone you love. Then hug them like there’s no tomorrow because today is the only guarantee we can count on.” In Jennies Kitchen
These little peanut butter banana cream pie parfaits are for Mikey. For Jennie. For their two little girls. They were created to honor a family who has lost a daddy, a husband, a great man. By now most of you have heard the sad news that Jennie Perillo lost her husband suddenly last week. In an instant a man with a vibrant life was gone. Just like that. This was not planned, prepared for or thought about. Jennie has asked that we honor him by making a Peanut Butter Pie and sharing it with our loved ones. She gave the order I am here to serve……
Last Monday was bone chilling. I was out on my daily hike glancing at the Twitter feed. In real time we started the day together with very sad news. Jennifer Perillo lost her husband. Time stands still when we lose those we love. On Monday August 8th Twitter became something we are not used to. It is usually a casual place to talk about life’s little things…..”I ate this or that.” “I went for a run & now I feel great!” “Hey friends guess what? We are pregnant!” (I am not pregnant, just saying’ those are the kinds of tweets we see regularly)
Monday was very, very different. This exchange of information was so painful to read. While walking I picked these wildflowers and sent them to her as a tweet.
We never know when someone will get sick, injured, wounded or leave this Earth. That is why we need to celebrate life today……with chocolate, peanut butter and lots of hugs and kisses.
When Jennifer’s tweet came through food bloggers from around the world stopped what they were doing. They asked “How can we help?” This family need us and we need them. Our goal is to provide them with love and support in this awfully tough time.
All Jennie has asked is that we come together to celebrate Mikey, his life and his favorite pie.
All pie is great. I simply chose to create a deconstructed version of Mikey’s favorite treat. It has my healthful angle too. Something that comforts me. Hopefully it can comfort you too. This “pie” makes us smile. There are 4 of us and 4 little parfait/pies. We enjoyed them together with smiles, prayers and hugs for a family far away.
Here is to health, love and support of our those in our lives in times of darkness, lightness and everything in between…….
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Peanut Butter Banana Cream Pie Parfaits
Makes four 4 ounce parfaits
NOTES:
- I mashed my bananas by hand and mixed it with the yogurt and peanut butter, you can also use a blender or food processor. By hand you have a few nice chunky pieces of banana.
- Sweeten to taste as you go….if using very ripe bananas you might not need any additional sweetener.
- I often strain my own yogurt with a cheesecloth because I like it extra thick.
INGREDIENTS
- 2-3 Bananas, mash one and slice the other 2 into tho pieces
- 8 ounces thick fat free Greek Yogurt
- 1 ounce natural Peanut Butter, we like crunchy
- 1/4-1/2 dropper full of Vanilla Stevia Drops
- 1 ounce ground Flaxseed
- 1 ounce chopped Salted Peanuts, plus some for topping
- a few pinches of ground Cinnamon
- 4 pieces of fine dark Chocolate
OPTIONAL GARNISH
- freshly Whipped Cream
- Chocolate Sauce
METHOD
Combine one mashed banana with yogurt and peanut butter. Add stevia or your favorite natural sweetener to taste if desired. Mix together chopped peanuts and flaxseed. Layer flaxseed in a small glass and then the yogurt. Top with sliced bananas, more chopped nuts, a piece of chocolate and a dash of cinnamon.
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LINKS
Check out all of the beautiful pies that bloggers around the world have been creating……
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That looks so delicious.
I was so saddened by this when I read it last night. Never take our time here on Earth for granted. <3
Marla, such a beautiful post…I too posted a tribute post, but didn’t have time to make fresh recipes. What you made is beautiful! And the photos, spectacular.
Most of all, the message, and Jennie and her family…my deepest sympathies are with them.
You and I know that as moms and being busy we can get so caught up being…busy. And really, we all need to just slow down and hug our kids more I think 🙂
Averie, gosh is it tricky to slow it down and enjoy the very small things. My head gets so busy and I really wish I could be more patient. Working on this post today was freeing. Gosh do I feel for that sweet family.
Mmmhhh, so delicious looking and sounding!
Cheers,
Rosa
Beautiful post Marla.
Beautiful, thoughtful post in memory of Mikey and in support of Jennie and her family. Life is so delicate, something I know I take for granted too often.
Jeanette, that is the most common feeling we all share. Amazing we know not to sweat the little things, but somehow they tai over. Unexpected events like this force us to take a good hard look at what is important.
I think my heart is racing a million miles a minute from seeing this! wow each layer of this gets better and better- and the amazing combinations you used to accomplish such deliciousness is really remarkable! this would take me a long time to eat because i wouldnt want the experience to end..although there are more than one served up..so possibly i could have two 🙂
xoxo <3
Kelsey, how about one for breakfast and another for a snack later in the day? That is what I often do. You are right, each layer is delis and when combined in one spoonful even better! Glad you like 🙂
These parfaits look amazing. Great post today. Really moving 🙂
What a delicious tribute to Mikey. I love your version of his favorite pb pie…just stunning.
Thanks Liz, it was fun to add a playful, healthful twist to a classic.
Beautiful post Marla and gorgeous pictures!!
Your recipe sounds divine!
So beautiful Marla!!
Beautiful post, Marla. Praying peace and comfort for Jennie’s family.
Thank you for sharing Jennie’s message of love in the midst of sadness. What a beautiful way for a life to be remembered<3
Loving your sweet little parfait cup holders and the sweet message shared with your photos and words.
Beautifully said, Marla.
And the parfaits look amazing.
My heart is with Jenny and her daughters. How nice it was to send her that bouquet of wild flowers. They were beautiful!
Beautiful, touching post Marla. I love your heart.
Yes, bone chilling it was. So sad, but so comforting to see how an almost total group of strangers came together to express love, support, and gratitude. Enjoy the clean air, your children, and these gorgeous parfaits! xx
Lovely post Marla – the parfaits are perfect – so glad that you were able to spend time with your family hiking – a truly fitting tribute!!!
Oh wow, i’m so glad i found you! Your blog is amazing, and this recipe is awesome!! I love everything, i’ll follow you by now 😉
Hugs
Love these Marla! So pretty!
Oh Marla what sad news. Your post was so thoughtful and moving.
We must enjoy simple, true moments with the ones we love.
We all exist but not all of us truly live. How sad to lose someone who led such a vibrant loving life.
These parfaits are also simple and full of love! Yummy.
Enjoy telluride and your wonderful family.
Hi Angie! Thanks for popping by girl! It’s all about that living and creating memories with those we love. No piddle paddling over here….hugs 🙂
Thanks for linking up Marla, I featured your beautiful post in my wrap up http://tidymom.net/2011/great-ideas-6/
Have a beautiful rest of the weekend.
Hey Cheryl I just popped over to your blog. LOVE your I’m Lovin’ It re-cap. Thanks so much for including my parfaits 🙂 Can’t wait to check out the other links.
Beautiful post and I love this little parfaits
Marla – what a touching post. My heart really goes out to them. Thanks for sharing these lovely parfaits.
just beautiful Marla {and those parfait cups are adorable} I’ve taken lots of time this week to slow down and it feels good : ) xoxo
Hi Paula. Amazing how good it feels to slow it down a bit. Just a tricky thing to do. I think I need to be re-taught how to just chill. Glad you like this post – I was soooo excited to find those little parfait cups. I wanted something unique and special for this tribute post.
Marla,
Thanks for leaving a comment. What a wonderful gesture from all of you bloggers to have made peanut butter pie or anything related. I can say I am an illiterate on twitter and facebook. I totally missed this until I saw peanut butter pie posts everywhere. I would’ve been very happy to do the same. May God bless all and give them enough strength to endure the challenges of life.
Hi Champa, gotta tell you I saw the #pieformikey posts after the idea had been pitched. I was a little late to do my post, but the idea behind all this is not to stress the little things. I am happy I could help support Jennie and her family. Enjoy all the posts and give yourself a pat on the back for being a wonderful person and a great blogger 🙂 *hugs and blessings*
Great parfait and how wonderful that you participated in supporting Jennie and her family.
Beautiful post. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jennifer and her family. Wonderful of you to do this in support of her. God bless.
i cannot tell you how many buckets of tears i’ve cried this last week; such a shock and i ache for Jennie and those girls; so much sadness lately Marla . . . i’m grateful we have each other to hold on to, to cry with and to share deep sorrow with. thanks so much for the beautiful post!
What a beautiful post, Marla. I am so glad you shared with us your feelings about this incredibly difficult moment in Jennifer’s life and how it has touched all of us in the food blogging community. And also, thanks for creating this healthy (no-bake!) version of Mikey’s pie.
Touched. Yes indeed. A a great BIG reality check. Or not really sure what “reality” is right about now. *kisses* to you miss Brooke 🙂
What a stunning dessert! Gorgeous photographs too Marla, I want to go off and make it now, although, as it’s breakfast time here in England, I think I had better wait 😉
Paula, go for it. Please do enjoy these parfaits for breakfast too. They are sugar free (other than the natural sugars from the banana) filled with healthy fats (peanut butter and flaxseed) calcium (yogurt) + fiber. Dig in girl. Thanks for stopping by the England. I love it there. Spent every summer until I was about 14 years old at my aunt & uncles organic dairy farm in Devon 🙂 beautiful!
A beautiful post Marla! I have been removed from Twitter and the blog world lately due to things in my personal life and just heard of Jennifer’s loss last Thursday. I don’t know Jennifer, but her story brought tears to my eyes and my heart ached for her. As a wife and a mom I can only imagine what she is going through. It’s been truly beautiful to see the blogging community gather together to pay tribute to Mikey and support Jennifer.
Again, beautiful post and your photo’s are amazing!
Thanks Heather. I know how it is to be off the social network scene for a few hours let alone a few days. Frankly, I need to learn how to stay away from it a bit more. I do not know Jennifer P. (just via FB & Twitter) either. When I heard the news it was a big reality check. Sounds like all of us need to face this stuff. Thankfully we all have each other – I hope we are all providing the Perillo family with comfort, love and the hugs that they need at this time. You are a gal with a BIG wide open heart and I am so happy to know you. xo
I hope things are going OK with you guys…….
Can’t believe this is so healthy & good-for-you! Definitely going to be trying this out.
Great tribute for Jenny. These parfaits look amazing, and I love how healthy they are!
This looks so lovely, but now when I see a peanut butter treat, my heart breaks a little.
Such a beautiful post and a wonderful tribute, Marla. My heart truly goes out to Jennie and her family.
Your take on peanut butter pie is gorgeous — it looks like the perfect healthy and delicious treat!
What a lovely post, Marla. I don’t know Jennie, other than a few tweets exchanged over the last couple of years, but her family has been in my heart all week.
My dad was in town over the weekend, and as we spent time together with him, my sister’s family and all of the kiddos, Jennie’s husband and Kristen’s brother were always in the back of my mind.
I love your version of this peanut butter “pie” and your tribute to Jennifer and Mikey, so touching. Your photo’s and styling look awesome, btw! *hugs*
Your parfaits look wonderful. In Jennie’s loss she managed to bring us all together. Hope she is feeling some sort of comfort in all the prayers said at this tragic time.
Beautiful photos. It’s so nice to see the blogging community jumping to help Jennie! I’m excited to post my pie, too.
Deconstructed and gorgeous, a sad tribute, so amazing over 1000 bloggers have now made #ApieforMikey! this looks amazing great job Marla`
Claudia…over a thousand. Amazing community we have 🙂
Beautiful photos, and recipe!
I’ve loved reading these peanut butter pie posts in the blog community – it just shows how strong the community is!
I love your variation by doing parfaits – for some reason I’ve always found parfaits and trifles so much more fun and enjoyable than the real thing (i.e., pie or cake).
What a wonderful way to tribute Mikey. I’m sure he would have loved your spin on this classic!
Beautiful website with delicious ideas….for a worthy cause also!
Gems xx