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Both these days!  At least that’s what my toddler wants.  Every night for the past year and a half or so, my son has had a cup of applesauce after dinner.  It’s sort of a tradition we started when he was younger to get him to take his vitamins.  He actually asks us for his applesauce after his dinner now.  It’s very cute.  We usually purchase an organic variety from Whole Foods which is unsweetened (meaning there is no added sugar).  It’s simply the apples pureed with water.

While my son can be a picky eater, we don’t have any problems getting him to eat fruit.  For some children, parents really struggle in this area.  I was contacted to consider a review for Musselman’s two product lines of applesauce, Totally Fruit and Healthy Picks.  How perfect, a line for my toddler and a line for me.  I like applesauce.  It’s a food I don’t eat often but should.  It’s healthy and tasty (particularly when it’s cold), especially on hot summer days.

Totally Fruit is a line designed for kids.  Available in three flavors (apple, peach, and strawberry), each applesauce variety is sweetened with fruit juice and other natural ingredients.  In other words, the products do not contain high fructose corn syrup.  Each fruit cup counts as one serving of fruit so it’s a great snack for your kids.  I actually would have thought the flavored varieties would contain more sugar, but they don’t.  I tasted all three of these and they’re really good.  My son really enjoys them.  The only thing that would make these perfect was an organic option!

Healthy Picks is a line of apple sauce with exotic flavors such as Raspberry Acai and Blueberry Pomegranate.  The flavors are not overwhelming but I’m not a huge fan of raspberry or key lime so my favorite was definitely the Blueberry Pomegranate. Again, the products are made without added sugar and contain fiber, calcium, vitamin C and antioxidants (what every woman needs!).  Again, I’d love an organic variety and perhaps a few more flavor options (Strawberry, Peach…).

You can purchase Totally Fruit and Healthy Picks online or at a location near you (sadly, there were no locations close enough to me…not yet anyway!). You can also download a coupon here.

Thanks to the sponsor, I was given some awesome Healthy Treat Ideas I thought I’d share with you (I wish I could take credit…sadly…I can’t):

Apple-Sicles: A healthy alternative to ice cream or popsicles!

• For a frozen treat, place a Musselman’s apple sauce cup in the freezer for 30 minutes until it’s slushy. Gently insert a stick through the foil lid, and then freeze solid overnight.

Delicious Dippers: A great NON-FAT dip for snack time!

• Use Musselman’s apple sauce as a kid’s fun dip.
• Try carrots and celery, chicken fingers, or even low-fat cheese cubes.

Triple Play: A healthy snack that’s just as fun to make as it is to eat!

• In a wide-mouthed glass, layer Musselman’s apple sauce, plain yogurt, and your child’s favorite crunchy whole grain cereal (granola, O’s, etc.).
• Repeat layers and serve.

Fruity Fun Pancakes /Waffles: A great way to add a fruit serving to breakfast!

• Place a cup of Musselman’s apple sauce in the microwave for 20 seconds to warm (REMOV E FOIL LID FIRST), and then serve over pancakes/waffles instead of syrup.

Magic Muffins/Cupcakes: Add a little surprise to their lunchbox!

• Prepare your favorite muffin/cupcake batter.
• Fill the muffin tin cups with half the batter.
• Place 1-2 tsp of Musselman’s apple sauce in the center of each cup.
• Cover the apple sauce entirely with additional batter and bake according to directions.

Do you ever use applesauce in place of oil in recipes?  I do this all the time.  I wonder how the flavored varities would work…I may have to try this!

Win It! One of you will win a sample pack of both Totally Fruit and Healthy Picks.  Sweet!  Um…Literally!  Simply head on over to the site and take a look around. Come back here and leave me a comment with your favorite flavor.  Comments will close on July 28, 2009 at 10 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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