I am the proud owner of a peanut butter mill. It may sound odd to you, but it makes perfect sense to me. I spent many years in Portales, New Mexico, a town lovingly known as Goober Gulch. It is the valencia peanut capitol of the world. A while back I decided I’d like to get involved in farmers’ markets and started researching how to buy a peanut mill so I could make my own brand of organic peanut butter.
I guess I didn’t completely understand how Ebay works—When I found a peanut mill that looked like a good value, I thought I placed it in my online basket. I only realized I had actually placed a winning bid when I received a congratulatory email letting me know I was the proud new owner of a one thousand dollar peanut mill. As luck would have it, that’s a pretty good price for a peanut mill—if you need one. I didn’t. I had the mill and no plan.
I made a bunch of peanut butter and made friends with all the peanut-butter-loving women at work. I perfected my recipe but hit a road block when it came to a name and a label. We tried “Norman Ranchero’s Peanut Butter” and “Norman’s Own Peanut Butter” and nothing quite hit home. We had some artistic label ideas but the peanut butter idea sort of fizzled before they came to fruition. The rigors of my news job killed my latest promising entrepreneurial masterpiece.
Recent events (brain tumor) have led me to consider taking my peanut mill out of storage and whipping up a new batch. I figure sympathy (if nothing else) could sell a few jars.
I did mention that this is just my latest entrepreneurial flare— I’ll introduce you to my Nancarrow EWWW Bin (a worm composting system) in the days ahead.
Until then, there are important decisions to be made—crunchy or creamy?
Loren
The Nancarrow Project 
I now have this visual of you pitching your new peanut butter business on Shark Tank, making millions & millions…and all of the sharks having blue nails by the time the show ends ;o). Your charm is contagious like that! Over here, we’ll take several jars of organic creamy and organic crunchy! We and our 12 yr old Wheaten Terrier love anything peanutty! We also love anything inspired by time in New Mexico ❤
You’ve really impressed me with that answer!
Creamy! I like the name “Nutcarrow” (Noreen’s suggestion)
As your market grows… Loren’s Finest; San Diego’s Finest; America’s Finest; World’s Finest ❤
Crunchy!!! Plus I would buy your peanut butter to put in my peanut butter cookies . . . I am trying to find local, organic sources for as many of my ingredients as possible and this would be so perfect since it’s from a friend as well. I love it! . . . I could keep your peanut butter mill humming . . . really–I’m very excited about this!!!
Loren, I need some that is low in sodium for my hubby – he likes the crunchy kind. Let me know where you will be selling it. Sounds like a great plan to me!! I like crunchy, too. Our daughter likes creamy. So you have 2 votes for crunchy and 1 for creamy. thanks! P.S. love you blue nails nad the blogs! God Bless!
Crunchy! and worm castings too!!
Creamy!
I will buy both !!! Love peanut everything.
Crunchy!
WOW…who knew you would have so many friends who are NUTS about PeaNUTS. When I signed up to see the responses I had no idea my email would go viral. I think that is a sign of good things to come.
Creamy PB for sure!
Though I like both, I still prefer crunchy!! But both would bre good!
crunchy, yummy ! can you make almond and or cashew butter too ? hmmmmm….
love me some : )
Crunchy. Can you make tasty but low fat?
Visions of the Nutcarrow empire are taking shape…. of course both smooth and creamy are necessary; one is either a ‘smoothy’ or ‘crunchette’ at heart. Of course now you are going to get whackjobs like myself begging you to eventually branch out to Almond or Walnut butter pretty please………. I promise to wait patiently. hugs.
I vote for both. How about Loren’s better brain butter and you donate a percentage of every sale to brain tumor research? I’m so sorry about this news and hope you’re feeling right as rain soon. I imagine you’ve heard and seen the research on medical cannibus and the profound shrinking of tumors but in case you haven’t I wanted to bring it up.
Creamy… I’d buy some 😀
You are a Renaissance Man Loren! I like either crunchy or creamy. You’ve got more energy than the Energizer Bunny my friend. Can’t wait to hear when we can buy some. 😀
I want Crunchy and my husband wants creamy CareRows organic Peanut Butter.. Put me at the top of the list for worm compost!!
Crunchy. And might I add, you look fabulous in purple.
Creamy! Yum! Peanuts only, no almonds, yuck! Rock on!
I vote for creamy partly because I put peanut butter in Smokey’s Kong. She can’t get the bits out with her tongue, you see. Can’t wait to hear more about the worms. I almost tried to start a worm garden, but stopped myself in time!
I’m a ‘smooth’ operator… 😉
Crunchy, creamy…both are awesome. And given the circumstances you have given a whole new meaning to Peanut Brain.
Creamy, but beyond that, with the purple shirt, black jacket and cobalt blue nails you’ve become a true rock and roll icon. Rock on, Loren. Best, Justin
I’m going with creamy(no jokes please)
Wow! How fun! Being that I L O V E peanut butter, both crunchy and creamy (depends on what I put it on…i.e. a sandwich or a spoon), I’ll take a jar of both, please! Lemme know how much and I’ll pay pal it over! Love that you have this new venture! Isn’t it amazing how things happen. Like avocados…”peanut butter…the good fat!”
Creamy. A different take on Audra’s suggestion “Loren’s Crushed Nuts”.
I love the above comment post with a name idea of “Loren’s Nuts” and I prefer creamy so it doesn’t tear holes in my bread…You sound pretty happy and strong, and careful with that eBay site from experience you end up with a lot of things you didn’t really need because it was a really good price…God speed
So what is the name going to be? Something with Blue in it? Honoring your nails?
And if you could, both creamy and crunchy would be delightful! You know, cause some of us change our minds from time to time! 😉
I want a composting bin! Getting ready to plant my spring garden!
I’d like a jar of creamy peanut butter please! 🙂
Crunchy–you have always pushed the limits which creates bumps so crunchy is appropriate. I can be thinking about me when I say pushing the limits. 🙂
Debi
PS–keep pushing!!
Sent from my iPhone
I’ll buy crunchy! Been trying to make it at home the past few weeks, to no real success.
I’d by some too! Always creamy!! Hillcrest Farmers Market maybe?
Call me a swinger, but I go either way on peanut butter. Sign me up for a couple of jars. BTW, your latest picture reminds me of Bryan Cranston from Breaking Bad, so I am thinking the perfect name is “Crack Butter”. Hope to see you soon!
I love them both…
you could always call it Cobalt Blue Peanut Butter…
Creamy. I remember the Nancarrow EWWW Bin worm composting system, although, to my eyes, it looked more like a cappuccino maker that only needed a barista to operate it for me. 🙂
I’m a fan of both. Is there a way to make it so all the oil doesn’t sit on top? It is really tough to mix it evenly. If you could make an organic peanut butter that stayed intact, I’d be first in line for that puppy! Good luck, Mr. Entrepreneur!
Crunchy, of course, with a touch of red pepper flakes. YUM.
I think Audra has a perfect name and I’ll take Creamy please.
Well – we need to step up then and get your PB Jayed! What comes to mind? Nancarrow Peanut Cream out of the gate. Smooth or Crunchy is all that is needed as an insert! The best partner Jelly ever came across!
I just LOVE you, Loren. You ALWAYS make me smile with good warm and tingly feelings inside. I might even have to buy some of your peanut butter. Creamy, please. Can’t wait to hear about all your other entrepreneurial adventures as well!!
Peace & Love!
Jamie
Hi Loren,
Why don’t you make a bunch of both kinds and donate the proceeds to cancer research? I would buy a few jars to help. Use the pink cancer ribbon as part of your label.
Being from Hobbs, we used to drive through Portales on our way to Clovis to catch a train. My guardian would always stop and get me a big bag of peanuts. Thinking about naming your Peanut Butter I believe the simplest name is often the best. How about: *Loren’s Nuts! * Audra
How about Goober Gulch: Crunchy or Creamy Style? Handcrafted Lovingly in the USA. ot Nuttin But the Best! 🙂
let us know when it is ready, crunchy or creamy…either one. Good protein and good fat.
Definitely crunchy. I’ll buy some 🙂
Why don’t you make both so everyone will be satisfied!
Definitely CRUNCHY, Loren!
have preferred creamy my entire life, but will enjoy either!
creamy!