In addition to being chockfull of vitamins and minerals as well as a source of fiber and powerful antioxidants, research has shown that California Raisins fight bacteria in the mouth. At least 5 different phytochemicals found in raisins, have been shown to reduce the number of Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromas Ginivalis bacteria that contribute to formation of cavities in teeth and gum disease, respectively. "Foods such as raisins that are sticky do not necessarily cause tooth decay," states Dr. Christine D. Wu from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. "The added sugars, especially sucrose, in many of our foods are the primary contributors to the problem," she adds. Remember to have a generous supply of those small snack packs of California Raisins for your trick or treaters!

A note to parents about those sweet treats:

Halloween is only one night but trick-or treat candy can last for weeks adding a lot of emply calories to your child's diet. Here's some ways to let your young ones enjoy their treats without overdoing it. First of all, take control of the loot. Then,

• Have children select a few of their favorite candies; donate the rest to a shelter or food pantry.
• Offer to swap money, a book or small toy for the candy.
• Give your kids tickets equal to the candies they collected.
• Set a limit on the number of tickets that can be redeemed each day.
• Allow most redemption for after-supper snacks.

October 2005

Jack-o'-lanterns! Goblins! Witches & black cats!

A favorite of young and old, alike, this holiday stimulates our imaginations and invites the macabre and eerie into our lives for a night. It's a great time to explore the world of ghosts and apparitions and other scary things with a ghoulishly delightful Halloween get-together for family and friends.

And what would Halloween be without party favors?

• Could be something as simple as our Raisin Peanut Butter Balls or Sunshine Snack Mix tied up in a square of plastic wrap with orange and black curling ribbons and a jack-o'-lantern or black cat favor, too, or just spiced up with a Halloween sticker.
• A bag o' bones would set the right tone. The recipe is called Little Raisin Logs but this time of the year, they look just like bones.
• Stack up some manhole covers, a.k.a. Our Raisin Growers Favorite Oatmeal Raisin Cookies; Bourbon, Pecan-Praline, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies; and Golden Raisin, Lemon, Pistachio and Butterscotch Cookies, to invite your guests into the under world.
• Raisin Nut Brownies make great grave markers and Raisin and Chocolate Filled Cookies can be your worst nightmare of Squishy-gooey stuff in a bag.

• Serve punch in a witch's vat - a punch bowl with pieces of dry ice for that spooky smoke effect.
• Citrus Cider with raisins frozen into the ice cubes becomes Spider Cider as the ice melts and the raisins float up and down.
• Breakfast Raisin-Banana Tortilla Roll-up makes Bugs in a Rug just for this ghostly occasion.
• A hot dog in a bun couldn't ever be anything but a scary Vampire in a Coffin especially with California Raisins for eyes and feet.
• And our favorite Vagabond Baked Beans serves up as Gremlin Goo.

• Make or buy plain round sugar cookies. Put out decorations and orange and green frostings in small bowls and/or pastry bags. Let your guests, young and old, have a blast decorating them like jack-o'-lanterns. Hint: California Raisins make the scariest eyes and teeth!
• Make popcorn balls. Here's our favorite recipe for Sticky Popcorn Balls.

Look Who's Cooking with California Raisins!

The California Raisin Marketing Board's newest advertising campaign features high-profile culinary chefs promoting California raisins.

The new campaign showcases 11 chefs from the Omni Hotels, a national luxury hotel and restaurant chain ranked among 14 upscale national hotel brands. Omni Hotels operates 40 first-class luxury hotels and resorts throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The special partnership between the CRMB and the Omni Hotels began over a year ago with a series of culinary ideation seminars that introduced Omni Hotels to the functionality and versatility of California raisins.