I have gotten so many e-mails and comments about this, so I must say I’m a little nervous to report these results! I mean, they’re not bad or anything, but it’s not quite as exciting as we were all hoping… If you missed the introduction to this experiment, go HERE to read about it.
I began with the butter and margarine in the back yard. Mostly because I wanted to prevent the neighbors from thinking I’m crazy. There was little activity all morning, and since it was in the 90s that day, the butter and margarine started melting around noon. I figured this was okay – melted butter and margarine are still edible. In the early afternoon, I spotted this guy checking out the margarine. I had to photograph him through our back screen door, so I apologize for the fuzziness.
I’m guessing there were more squirrels involved in the feast, because when I went outside later that day to check on the plates, they were not quite as full.
I decided to leave them there overnight because there was still plenty left on the plates. This was probably a mistake, because around 5:00 am the sprinklers came on. Luckily oil and water don’t mix, so I didn’t lose any butter or margarine – I just had soggy plates. The butter/margarine was hardened on the bottom, and the water had pooled on top. That morning I drained the water off the top of the plates. A few hours later, there were ants all over the “butter water” on the sidewalk, but not much going on with the “margarine water”.
I was gone most of this day, but when I returned late that afternoon I noticed a lot of insects in the butter and not much going on with the margarine:
This guy must have been here for a while, because he eventually just got himself stuck as the butter started to harden towards the end of the day!
Finally, by the end of the second day, the butter was almost fully eaten and the margarine was only about half eaten. There were lots of insects stuck to the butter plate in various places, but only a few leaves and maybe one or two insects on the margarine plate.
Here’s what I learned from this experiment:
- Margarine is dark yellow when it melts, whereas butter is more of a pale yellow. This must have something to do with the preservatives and “fake” ingredients in the margarine being more difficult to break down.
- The animals tried both snacks, but the butter definitely got eaten more quickly. The margarine ingredients (listed HERE) included salt and buttermilk (among many other things), so there are still some “real” ingredients that tasted good to the animals.
- The margarine melted much more slowly than the butter (see photos at beginning of this post). This must be because of all of the fake ingredients that are added into the margarine.
- I’m really glad I used paper plates, or I would have had melted oil all over my sidewalk!
You can't really tell from the photo above, but the margarine was thick and most of it was leftover, whereas the butter plate only held a thin layer. I think I need to try this again in the fall, when it’s much cooler outside and the sticks of butter and margarine won’t melt. This will be a more accurate experiment, because I can do a better comparison of what’s leftover at the end of the day. SO, maybe I’ll try it again in few months – after all, I still have another stick of margarine in my fridge, and I won’t be using it for anything else!
![](http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu160/elliequent/piercenutritionSIGGY-1.gif)
Interesting experiment. We have a severe dairy allergy in our home, so butter is not an option for us, but neither do we eat anything fake. So Earth Balance with olive oil is what we have settled on, but don't use it for anything other than toast, etc. I find that coconut oil works like butter in most baking applications. Anyway, I realize that butter is more "natural" than margarine, but I also wonder if dairy is a food meant for humans. I wonder if the hormones in dairy products, while natural, may be responsible for some of the illnesses we tend to experience. I know many people are concerned about added and engineered hormones, but even when dairy is totally unaltered, the cow is producing enormous amounts of hormones just to sustain that kind of lactation. Is that a totally off-base concern?
ReplyDeleteWow, this was an outstanding experiment! Thank you for posting. Very outstanding indeed! Makes me happy to know my choice 20 years ago to use butter (in moderation) instead of margarine was wise. I buy organic butter too. Sarah brings up a modern day issue with the GMO's, but moderation is still a big determining factor too, Your home has diary allergies, ours can't tolerate coconut or any tree nut for that matter, So we are both lucky in having choices to use to the best of our needs.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding post. Great photo journalism Ann!
Hi there, I discovered your web site by the use of Google even as looking for a similar subject, your site came up,
ReplyDeleteit looks great. I've bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hello there, simply became aware of your blog via Google, and located that it's truly informative.
I am gonna watch out for brussels. I will be grateful
for those who proceed this in future. Lots of
people will likely be benefited out of your writing.
Cheers!
Here is my weblog ... Stellenangebote Zuhause Geld Verdienen
My brother suggested I would possibly like this website.
ReplyDeleteHe used to be totally right. This post actually made my day.
You can not believe just how so much time I had spent for this information!
Thanks!
Also see my webpage :: die
It's actually a great and useful piece of information. I'm
ReplyDeletehappy that you shared this useful info with
us. Please stay us up to date like this.
Thank you for sharing.
My web page http://bestonlinecasinoworld.tumblr.com/
Hi there to every body, it's my first visit of this web site; this web site consists of amazing and really excellent information in support of visitors.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to visit my blog post - Full Range Of Banking Services - Checking, Savings & Mortgages - E ...
Hi, I'd love to have permission to use that pic of the squirrel eating butter and shunning margarine for a presentation I'm doing on gluten-free diets... May I use it?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
:)Anne
Hi my loved one! I wish to say that this article is awesome, nice written and include almost all significant infos.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see extra posts like this .
Check out my homepage :: small business marketing
Hi there to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more from
ReplyDeletethis web site, and your views are fastidious in favor of new visitors.
Have a look at my web-site ... online shopping experience
Appreciate this post. Let me try it out.
ReplyDeleteMy website :: natural supplements
Also see my web page :: daily intake values
Howdy, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious
ReplyDeleteif you get a lot of spam responses? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you
can advise? I get so much lately it's driving me crazy so any help is very much appreciated.
Review my blog post how to quit smoking
my web page > http://wiki.galaxy-tales.eu/
Hi there, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one
ReplyDeleteand i was just curious if you get a lot of spam feedback?
If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you
can suggest? I get so much lately it's driving me insane so any assistance is very much appreciated.
my web-site ... purchasing group health insurance
Hey there! I could have sworn I've been to this website before but after checking through some of the post I realized it's
ReplyDeletenew to me. Nonetheless, I'm definitely delighted I found it and I'll be bookmarking
and checking back often!
Feel free to visit my site ... gohima.com
Hi, this weekend is fastidious in support of me, for the reason that this
ReplyDeletetime i am reading this wonderful educational piece of writing here at my
home.
Feel free to visit my web page - coffee maker
I don't create a great deal of remarks, however after browsing through a few of the remarks here "Butter vs. Margarine: The Results!". I actually do have 2 questions for you if it's okay.
ReplyDeleteIs it only me or does it look like like a few of the remarks come across like they are left by brain dead individuals?
:-P And, if you are posting on additional online sites,
I'd like to keep up with you. Could you post a list of every one of all your shared pages like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?
Here is my weblog ... http://www.goldenrat.com/fast-products-for-modcloth-coupon-code-the-facts/
I always used to study paragraph in news papers but now as
ReplyDeleteI am a user of internet therefore from now I am using net for articles, thanks to web.
Here is my webpage ... visit This Website
If a lot of barking is due to medical problems, bring your dog immediately to your veterinarian for fast treatment.
ReplyDeleteReward the puppy with praise or a treat when
he does walks along beside you without pulling.
No matter how guilty a dog may seem to act after you find your favorite shoes
destroyed, he is really just reacting to your anger
without understanding why he is in trouble. Our dog has been praised many times,
especially on his walks. Owners need about 1 to 2 weeks of consistent time so take the time off from work, school or play and devote it to
this wonderful creature chosen to spend it's life with your family.
Here is my site: motapuppies
Appreciation to my fatheг who stated to me on the topiс οf thіs webpage, this webрage іѕ in faсt гemаrkable.
ReplyDeletemy website: 3d flower tattoos
Very rapidly this website will be famous among all blogging users,
ReplyDeletedue to it's good posts
Here is my homepage: seo training online
Hi! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to give
ReplyDeleteit a look. I'm definitely loving the information. I'm book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Great blog and fantastic design.
My page ... cover up tattoos
If some one wants expert view on the topic of running a blog
ReplyDeleteafterward i suggest him/her to go to see this website, Keep up the good job.
my weblog; butterfly 3d tattoos
I visited several blogs but the audio quality for audio
ReplyDeletesongs existing at this website is in fact superb.
Also visit my web page :: gagner plus bourse
Low-priced Smokes Free Shipping charges
ReplyDeleteLet me ensure that you get an example. You should attend a French class in your neighborhood, but you know that you'll be late because within your schedule (work) Cheap Cigarettes Online USA. Why trying this approach while there are plenty of others?
Another model: you decide the fact that absolute best technique to learn French is to consult with Paris Buy Cheap Newport Menthol Cigarettes Online. You purchase your ticket and air travel. Many people chose this approach and never became fluent for the reason that didn't even have learned to go to education Marlboro Cigarettes Size, and where they will find a education or institute which includes a decent program. Just as before, lack of really serious planning.
Another thing for you to shouldn't overlook: What the heck is your actual place in French?