Slather Me In Butter.

I don't like butter. I just don't. I realize that some people think that it makes everything taste better. I also know that it is necessary in some recipes. I get it. However, I am not a huge fan. It is packed full of calories and fat, and it is one of those things that is extremely hard to get my clients to cut back on.

So, what do I do instead? Let me show you.

 I am a huge fan of spray butter. I spray a lil' bit on air popped popcorn, eggs, and steamed veggies. It adds a little flavor without adding all of those calories.

I have seen this butter flavored popcorn seasoning like a bazillion times at the store, and I decided last week to try it out. The verdict? I liked it. I spritzed a little spray butter on my air popped popcorn and then sprinkled a little bit of this over the top.

Voila. It made for a great low calorie snack. I love me some popcorn.

You'll notice in most of my recipes I substitute at least half, if not all, the butter out for applesauce. It saves a TON of calories and saturated fat.

You should know...There is one kind of butter that I love. In fact, I like to run allll over my body. Literally. (I am instantly reminded of the Full House episode in which the boy DJ is babysitting gets his head stuck in the stair railings and Danny has to come use a tub of butter to slide him out.) 

Anyways...the butter I love? Chamois Butt'r. This stuff is AWESOME. Judi, from Paceline Products sent me some Chamois Butt'r to try out, and I was super excited about it. I have a huge. HUGE. HUGE issue with making sure my clothing doesn't bug me while I'm running. If I am doing a long run and I have any sort of chafing it makes me crazy, and it's all I think about. It seems to make my run ten times longer as I focus on the spot(s) I'm feeling the pain. I've used several different anti-chafing products and have had some successes and some failures, but I liked this product more than anything else I've tried. Why you ask? 

Well... first off...check out the creativity in the packaging....

  

Amazing. Also, it isn't just a roll on or something that leaves you feeling like you have deodorant all over your body. It is a skin lubricant/chamois cream that goes on like lotion. It isn't greasy at all, and can actually be used to soothe skin that is already chafed or irritated. You rub it in on all the areas that you would experience chafing.

 This product was designed by a cyclist, but I use it for long distance runs and I think that any athlete could use it if they are experiencing irritated or chafed skin. I also loved that this product doesn't ruin your gear. It washes easily off your skin and clothing. No chafing and no ruined clothing? Yes please. I'll take anything that will make my running life easier!! Please pass the butt'r? I think so.

So, what is your take on butter? Do you like it? Do you have substitutions that you use instead of butter? Do you have chafing issues? If so, what do you do about it?