|
Let's Talk Wise Choices for Healthy Living - Healthy Snacks
Wheresoever you go, go with a tasty snackHere's to a Happy, Healthy Halloween
 Recent research has shown that compounds found in California Raisins fight bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. These phytochemicals, like oleanolic acid found in California Raisins, may actually be beneficial to oral health by suppressing the growth of bacteria that cause the formation of plaque and consequent tooth decay.
 This festive Halloween season, reduce some of the concern about sugars and sweets with these fun ideas for Trick-or-Treaters that, not only taste delicious, but are good for them, too. Pack portions of Savory Trail Mix in small sample bags with Halloween stickers or wrap Raisin Peanut Butter Balls in orange and black plastic wrap for quick distribution. Raisin Cereal Pops come with their own individual paper cup containers and Popsicle handles to boot. A big batch of Raisin Filled Pastry Bars, divided and individually wrapped, makes healthy treats for a crowd, too.
If all that sounds like too much, even with the kids' help, don't forget the handy California Raisin snack packs available at most grocery stores, supermarkets and even some drug stores.
Mexican-style Halloween Party
 In
Mexico, Halloween is the first of three days of consecutive holidays --
Halloween followed by All Saint's Day and then The Day of the Dead or
El Dia de Los Muertos. Halloween is celebrated very much as it is on
this side of the border with costumed Trick-or-Treaters running around
the neighborhood in search of candy. Older preteens, teens and adults
enjoy typical American-style costume parties, festivals, bonfires,
haunted houses, horror films and traditional autumn activities such as
hayrides.
 Along
with all of the scary sounds and pumpkin jack-o'-lanterns and dried
decorations that reflect the Fall season, menus for these parties
include foods that recall harvest time and the changing season, too.
Start the buffet with munchies and appetizers like Pumpkin Pie Popcorn Mix with Raisins, Spiced Apple Pie Party Mix, and California Raisins Squared.
 Then, move right into the main course and Halloween theme with Mummy Wraps (Beef and California Raisin Picadillo or Island Chicken Wraps). Follow up with A Bowl Full of Bugs (South of the Border Bowl) and Spider Webs (Sweet and Sour Coleslaw or Favorite Carrot Salad) and some Goblin Grub (Fruit Salsa Salad).
 For dessert, Raisin Nut Brownies can masquerade as Ghost Tracks and Brown Sugar Bars or California Gold Bars
make great Headstones for the Graveyard Scene. Equip some modern-day
witches or goblins with their very own Flying Saucers made from Our
Growers Favorite Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and Chocolate Raisin Crinkles.
|
Winners for Fall   As the days grow shorter, there's a chill in the air and soon clocks will fall back to end Daylight Saving Time. Then, foods get hotter, heartier and healthier. We've got some real winners for you, this year! Home cooks and amateur chefs from all across the nation submitted recipes to the Wise Choices Recipe Contest and the winners are in.
 Take
the chill off those rainy days with our Recipe of the Month and winner
of the Grand Prize and Valerie Waters Wise Choice Award, Caramelized Onion Soup with Golden Raisin Pesto, submitted by Jeanette Corvino.
 Be a winner with Shelley Hunter's Sunshine Cheeseburgers at the next tailgate party. It got her a First Prize! Round out family meals or special occasions with Crunchy Raisin Rice or Jane's Favorite Tri-colored Salad, both contest winners from Margaret Staszak and Jane Moughon, respectively.
|
|
Planning to Win with Valerie Waters Fun Halloween and tailgate parties and Trick-or-Treating
don't just happen -- they take planning. Well, so does eating right and
staying fit. Fitness trainer Valerie Waters says,
Plan Your Meals and Plan Your Snacks!
- Don't leave your nutrition up to chance.
- Prepare and pack lunches the night before.
- Plan
for mid-morning and midday munchies and bring along a healthy snack. A
handful of yummy California Raisins will do the trick. Low-fat yogurt
or some almonds are great choices, too.
Work
out a plan with those potential Trick-or-Treaters at your house for
healthy ways to use all those collected treats. One way is to donate
them to local children's hospitals and shelters after Halloween. If it
is just too hard to part with them, consider issuing coupons redeemable
for one or two treats after school or after supper each day.
|
|
Love Those Raisins... Sir Francis Henry Laking, M.D., physician to the King of England [Edward VII], stated, "It is to be regretted than an economical and valuable article of food, in the shape of the dried currant (raisin) should be so much neglected. The dietetic value of the fruit is misunderstood and the prejudice against it entirely unjustified. There is 54.87 per cent more total nutriment in currants than in lean beef." Sir Francis loved his raisins!
. . . From Scientific American, October 1907.
|
|
