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Let's Talk Wise Choices for Healthy Living
The balance of mind and body starts with the balance of diet.
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Cutting the Holidays Down to Size
Life is
not a test. You don't lose points for failing to eat healthy every
single day of your life. Are you dreading the holidays just around the
corner? Find it difficult to maintain healthy eating habits amidst the
rush and hubbub this time of year? Remember you can eat everything you
want -- it's just all about moderation. This season of the year, it's
even more important to think "mindful eating" and Wise Choices to
balance those important nutrients -- carbohydrates, protein and fats
along with a healthy portion of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
California Raisins can help you do that with their all natural, tasty,
sweet, no fat, no cholesterol, antioxidant-rich, fiber included, energy
rich nutrition. Just think about making really wise choices and eating
extra healthy in between the parties and holiday festivities. Then,
have a good time and get back on track afterward.
Whether
planning your own parties or enjoying somebody else's, manage your
snacking by making Wise Choices. Choose raw veggies and crudités,
fruits, lean proteins and cheeses. And, remember when you choose wisely
in one area, that leaves extra calorie room for another.
 Salsas and chutneys add bold satisfying flavors to many foods. Tropical Fruit Salsa with California Raisins, California Raisin and Fruit Chutney, or Harvest Salsa are quick and easy to prepare. They are oh, so good, and good for you, too!
Keep desserts light and satisfying. Fruit Salsa Salad packs in tons of fiber. Pockets Full of California Raisins are a buttery treat, minus the loaded calories.
 In
between times, incorporate lots of leafy greens and a variety of
vegetables into your meals. They are low in calories and contain lots
of antioxidants and many vitamins and minerals, too. Spring Vegetable Sauté or Spinach Salad with Pears and Raisins are flavorful side dishes and tasty accompaniments while Crunchy Raisin Rice, Spicy Tomato Rice with Raisins and Bananas, or Vagabond Baked Beans add fiber and fun.
 Lean meats and fish help reduce saturated fats. No-Fuss Fish; Honey Chipotle Raisin Glazed Salmon; Chicken with California Raisin Mole; and Pan Roasted Sea Scallops with Wilted Spinach, California Raisins and Pine Nuts all load flavor into lower fat, healthier protein portions.
It's
o.k. to snack in-between meals. Eating more and smaller portions will
actually help speed up metabolism. California Raisins, nuts, fruits and
vegetables all make great take along snacks. Frothy Yogurt Shake and Fruit Shake
are easy to prepare and filling drink snacks that provide lots of
energy and add up the servings of fruit, too. They are especially good
for that quick pick up after a workout or power walk.
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Valerie Waters Tip of the Month
 To
keep the food and calories from getting way ahead of you and speed up
your metabolism, too, take Valerie Waters' Tip of the Month to heart and
- Make Time For Exercise
Working
out doesn't just happen when you "find the time." Make time to workout.
Schedule your workouts just like any other appointment. Hard to do
during the holidays, but more important now while rich party foods and
stress - lots of stress - dominate our lives. Make the time!
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Last Minute Holiday Planning
With the holidays, just around the corner and open
houses, parties and important get togethers happening everyday, easy
party ideas are a necessity. For fun and festive Holiday Parties
without the fuss, try these easy, nutritious recipes.
  Start off with these door openers -- California Raisin-Walnut Wontons with Goat Cheese and Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce and Baked Brie with California Raisins and Port Wine in Puff Pastry. Then, move right on to warm soups like Harvest Butternut Squash Soup with California Golden Raisin Crostini and Caramelized Onion Soup with Golden Raisin Pesto to warm up holiday spirits.
 Special seasonal side salads like Ensalada de Noche Buena and California Raisin and Orange Salad Platter (Ensalada de Naranja Pasa) add to the festivities, and Fall Greens and Winter Fruits with Golden Raisins is another seasonal harvest delight.
 For tasty main dishes, Breast of Turkey Stuffed with Chestnuts, Pistachios and California Raisins and Pumpkin Tamales Filled with Shredded Beef and California Raisins are familiar and favorite holiday meals. If the choice is ham, try one of these delicious California Raisin sauces -- Raisin Grower's Raisin Sauce or Sunshine Raisin Sauce.
 Side dishes that pair perfectly with these are Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Raisins, Winter Harvest Stuffing, and Raisin-Apple Stuffed Squash.
  For the finishing touch, treat guests to a holiday dessert like Chocolate Walnut Raisin Baklava or Cherry Chocolate Raisin Towers. Raisin Cranberry Cheesecake is a very easy to prepare yet festive party finale.
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Quick Tricks for Holiday Gifting
  Looking for quick, easy and tasty cookies and candies to fill those festive tins and jars or to wrap in cellophane and tie with bright ribbons and candy canes? Let the little ones help with the preparation and wrapping of these fun homemade holiday gifts. Raisin Cashew Toffee and Chocolate Raisin Knackerly will satisfy sweet tooth cravings. Snickerdoodles and Raisin Coconut Macaroons make great additions to goodie bags and tins. No-Bake Raisin Chocolate Cherry Liqueur Balls add that special something. And, what kind of holiday would it be without Gingerbread Men! Let everyone decorate one or two and enjoy presenting them to friends, relatives and loved ones. They're sure to spread holiday cheer all around!
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Getting The New Year Off to a Great Start
  Say goodbye to 2007 with a fun New Years Eve bash.This hassle-free buffet welcomes 2008 in style. Save all the fuss with these delicious and easy menu suggestions. Wow your guests with Apple Raisin Chutney Filled Brie (Sev Paneer) and Sweet and Smokey Canapés at the beginning. Follow with a Warm Apple Cider Soup with Crispy Apple-Raisin Turnovers served in demitasse cups to heat up the party.
  Add a crisp touch with these easy, tossed salads prepared ahead of time and chilled until the party's ready to groove -- Tossed Green Salad with Spiced Pecans and Raisins Vinaigrette, Spinach Salad with Pears and Raisins, Cauliflower-Raisin Salad, and Pear, Raisin and Gorgonzola Salad.
 For the main event, serve Roast Tenderloin of Beef with Fennel-Raisin Gnocchi, Wilted Watercress, California Raisin Caponata and Syrah Butter; Roast Leg of Lamb and Minty Raisin Jam; or Baked Chicken with Champagne Raisins. Pair these with nutritious, lowfat and high fiber side dishes like Pilaf Extraordinaire, Sautéed Spinach with Pine Nuts and Golden Raisins, and Crunchy Raisin Rice.
Serve Citrus Cider and Fireside Glögg throughout the evening and then, end the night with a decadent dessert to finish off the Old Year and welcome in the New. Mascarpone Cheesecake with Five-Spiced California Golden Raisins and White Chocolate Mousse with Raisins are light and satisfying treats or consider Rum-Raisin Chocolate Ice Cream served "Martini-Style" and let the count down begin!
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Recipe of The Month
 Our recipe of the month, Rum-Raisin Chocolate Ice Cream served "Martini-Style" toasts in the New Year with a festive flare when served in those sugar-rimmed martini glasses with candy canes for swizzle sticks.
Happy, Healthy Holidays from the Growers of California Raisins!
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