Elephants Love Peanuts

At least, that's what I thought.  Apparently, it isn't true!  According to the Smithsonian website (and the article, "10 Things You Didn't Know About Asian Elephants")...

Peanut-loving elephants are a myth.  Elephants, Asian or otherwise, don't eat peanuts in the wild, nor are peanuts a typical diet for captive elephants.  In fact, most elephants don't even appear to like them very much.

Well, imagine that!!

Okay...so this was T's lunch today.  :P

• elephant-shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
• "DOTHAN AL" Scrabble Junior Cheez-It Crackers
• roasted peanuts in the shell
• applesauce with circus-colored sprinkles
• Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

T loves peanuts...the cookie variety, anyway!  ;o)

Did you know that Dothan, Alabama is called "The Peanut Capital of the World"? Approximately one-fourth of the U.S. peanut crop is produced nearby, with much of it being processed in the city of Dothan.¹

In Dothan stands a brilliant gold peanut monument acknowledging the debt of gratitude the area owes and feels toward this legume.  Back when the boll weevil wreaked havoc on the cotton crops of the South, peanuts became the salvation of the farmer.  This versatile and more pest-resistant crop was highly instrumental in reviving the sagging economy.²

sources:
   ¹Wikipedia

   ²Examiner

Linked to:
   Bento Blog Network
   Meatless Monday
   Food Fun Friday

The End

In recognition of the end of this school year, I created the following lunch for T to enjoy today.

• elephant - sandwich (details piped on with chocolate icing)
• "THE END" - Cheez-It crackers
• peanuts - Nutter Butter cookies (letters piped on with chocolate icing)
• peanuts
• applesauce with chocolate jimmies
• milk

Check out some other "end of school" meals....