Paint It Purple With Welch’s

I have taught and modeled healthy eating habits for my children since they were born.  Fruits and vegetables were my children’s first foods, and while they definitely don’t eat every piece of produce I place on their plate, they manage to consume a colorful variety of foods.

Juice is one of those foods (err…drinks) that I go back and forth with.  I enjoy drinking juice and I’d probably choose it over water on any given day. At the same time, I know that many juices and juice drinks on the market contain very little fruit and comprise a significant amount of a person’s daily intake of sugar.

We know that dark fruits and veggies are a source of antioxidants. While I definitely recommend choosing whole fruit over juice, I think that nutritional benefits can be reaped when 100% natural juice is consumed in moderation.

Grape juice has been a favorite of mine since I was a child and both of my children drink it on occasion.  Welch’s 100% Grape Juice is made with Concord grapes and a 4 ounce serving provides one full serving of fruit without added sugar.  Concord grapes serve as a source of antioxidants and the plant nutrient polyphenol which may play a role in heart health.

The company’s website offers a variety of health tools and grape juice inspired recipes.  The Family Vine Tool enables you to trace your personal health history and share the results with family members.  A combination of lifestyle habits and genetics plays a role in heart health. The goal of this tool is to help you become aware of and understand your family history’s role in your heart health.

The Grape Science Center is an additional resource you can use to learn and understand how Concord grapes play a role in keeping you healthy.  When you visit the site, you can read about the latest research, discover research-based benefits, learn about plant nutrients in grapes, and download a Grape Nutrition Resources guide.

I never thought about using grape juice as more than just a drink.  The site offers a variety of recipes, including heart healthy recipes like this one:
Grape Berry Crunch Muffins
Ingredients:
1/2 cup low fat granola
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup Welch’s 100% Grape Juice made with Concord grapes
1 large egg
1/4 cup canola oil
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Coat 12 2-1/2 inch muffin pan cups with cooking spray. Place the granola in heavy-duty plastic bag and crush it lightly with a rolling pin or other heavy object to break up any large clumps.
2. In a large bowl, combine the whole-wheat flour, all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir until blended.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the grape juice, egg, oil, sugar, and lemon zest until blended. Add to the flour mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until the dry ingredients are just moistened. Fold in the blueberries.
4. Fill the prepared muffin cups about two-thirds full with batter. Sprinkle with the granola and pat it in lightly so that it adheres.
5. Bake until the tops are golden brown and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Run a small knife around the edges and turn the muffins out onto a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.

For more information or to keep up to date with Welch’s, you can visit them on Twitter and Facebook.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Welch’s and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a gift code to thank me for taking the time to participate.