Subways and bus stops are plastered with ads promoting the health benefits of peanuts, but consumers aren’t sure how to safely reap the rewards of these shell-covered superstars.

While I can easily tell you the answer isn’t to eat a dozen Snickers bars, I did have to conduct some serious hunting to find a reliable peanut source. I ended up tracking down the most unique peanut product ever to meet a butter knife.

After just a few exchanges with San Diego restaurateur and nut spread innovator Robin Schiff, I knew I could trust her to help me compose a healthy PB & J (though her spreads are so good alone, you will rethink reaching for the jam jar).

Robin and her hubby Andrew are the brains behind . 

Their Peanut Spreads and Almond Spreads are guilt and worry free jars of nouveau comfort food. Made with 100% organic, locally sourced ingredients, the spreads are carefully and perfectly produced in small, hand filled and heavily monitored batches.

The couple also own and operate Spread the Restaurant (check out the menu) where they stimulate and challenge the culinary imagination of their diners by working with and serving only locally grown, organic ingredients.

Spread’s mouth-watering blends include flavors like No. 30: White Chocolate Blueberry (featuring peak season, Spread dried, wild blueberries grown by a farmer/friend of the couple) and No. 31 Milk Chocolate Peppermint (think peanut peppermint patty).

We tried both of these at I Bought it Today’s Health Food Tasting on April 10, 2009. Participants dipped everything from strawberries to pretzels in Spread’s jars and we couldn’t stop! The results were unanimous. Spread offers incredible health benefits, pleasing textures, and overall is the salty and sweet answer to getting your “peanut on” safely.

All Spread flavors are hand packed into easily portable 4 oz. jars. The convenient size lends itself to being the perfect balanced snack for your purse, gym bag or at the office.

It ain't easy picking just one, but they try to make sampling a little easier by offering combo packages, like the Collection 420: The Munchies Collection. This set delivers Cannabis Kissed Chocolate Peanut, Pina Colada Peanut, Butterscotch Toffee Peanut and Ode to Elvis Peanut Spreads straight to your door in signature sleek black boxes (a very sexy looking package that makes a great gift)!

Robin was kind enough to compile a bestseller list to help you decide which to buy first:

                 Spread’s TOP TEN (in order):

1. White Chocolate Pretzel Peanut: The very first flavor to sell out at the 2008 Superbowl! One of four flavors purchased by the Superbowl Committee for the ONLY organic, vegetarian stand at the event, selling PB & banana or jelly sandwiches with a banana milk shot for $20!

2. Butterscotch Toffee Peanut Spread*: Part of our munchies collection, presented as part of the swag bags for the Emmys.

3. Mexican Chocolate Almond Spread*: Totally vegan! So good! A much lighter chocolate than white, milk, or dark, with hints of cloves, cinnamon, and vanilla.

4. Dark Chocolate Pretzel Peanut Spread*: Sweet and salty, just like the White Chocolate Pretzel, but for the true dark chocolate lovers. Made with a true, 72% cacao anti-oxidant rich dark chocolate.

5. Blonde Peanut Butter Cup: White chocolate with a homemade peanut butter cup swirled through.

6. White Chocolate Blueberry Peanut*: Featured in Health Magazine a few months ago. (I Bought it Today’s Favorite!!!)

7. Cinnamon Cherry Peanut Spread: Made with local Bing cherries.

8. Cannabis Kissed Peanut Spread: Made with hemp seeds, raisins, milk chocolate, and part of our munchies collection, our most popular collection. Also at this year's Emmy’s.

9. Plain Almond: Just pure, vanilla sweet roasted CA almonds. SO GOOD to add to oatmeal for a protein boost!

10. Dark Chocolate Chile Peanut: First you taste the sweet, then you taste the heat! Sought by chefs everywhere as the base for moles or other flavorful sauces, or just eaten with a spoon!

Order your healthy dose of peanuts from Spread today at: www.spreadtherestaurant.com.

Happy Spreading!

*These spreads were taste-tested at the I Bought it Today Healthy Food tasting on April 10, 2009 and received across the board 10’s for taste, nutritional value and packaging. Check out pictures from the event under Snaps!