I am not one to make New Year’s resolutions, but I do try and set some goals for myself each year. I feel that there is less pressure when it comes to goals as there is if you label it a resolution. Most resolutions seem to die out after the first month of the year. At least with goals it gives you the whole year to get them done.
One of my goals for the year is to make healthier food choices, cook more foods from scratch, and offer my family a variety of new foods. I honestly believe that we’re in a food rut. We seem to buy the same things from the grocery store week after week. We always have the same things for dinner, the same foods for breakfast, the same foods for lunch and even the same foods for snacks. It’s time we mixed it up a bit and try new foods, recipes and products.
When I am choosing new foods, products and recipes to try with my family I am going to opt for a better for you option. Meaning I’m going to look for things that are wholesome and nutritious and with less fat and calories then other products.
I received a bread maker for Christmas. I’ve made a few loaves so far and they have turned out pretty good. I picked up a cookbook with 300 bread recipes in it so I know I’ll be branching out and trying different breads other then white, wheat, Italian and raisin bread. I plan on making some of the yummy Artisan breads that I found in the book.
One thing that goes great with fresh, homemade bread is a fruit spread. I have actually made my own jellies and jams, which is great. But it’s not something I can do quickly. We also have lack of counter top space. When I’m baking bread in my machine I don’t have room for my jam/jelly maker. So it’s a toss up. I can only make one or the other. That is why I like the option of having fruit spreads handy for those times that making my own is not possible.
I had the opportunity to try Santa Cruz Organic Fruit Spreads. What I like about these fruit spreads is that they taste homemade. They taste as if I made them myself.
Santa Cruz Organic Fruit Spreads are certified organic. The first ingredient for each flavor is the organic fruit. For example, the first ingredient in the Apricot Fruit Spread is organic apricots. The first ingredient in the Blackberry Fruit Spread is organic blackberries.
The remainder of the ingredients is simple (and organic!) too. All the spreads contain organic sugar, fruit pectin, citric acid and a couple of them also contain other organic juices for flavor or coloring. You won’t find any ingredients that you cannot pronounce or understand what it is. Look at your current favorite fruit spread, jam or jelly. Check out the ingredients. You’ll be shocked by what you find.
The current available flavors of Santa Cruz Organic Fruit Spreads are Organic Apricot, Organic Blackberries, Organic Concord Grape, Organic Mangos, Organic Red Raspberries and Organic Strawberries.
Not only are the fruit spreads made with better for you ingredients, but they are also low in fat and calories. Each spread is only 40-45 calories per tablespoon. Plus they are made with real organic fruit so there are zero calories. If you are watching what you eat and counting calories these spreads are a great option.
Let’s not forget how they taste too! Santa Cruz Organic Fruit Spreads taste homemade. They taste like something I could have made. Best of all they taste EXACTLY like the real fruit. Sometimes spreads taste like the intended fruit, but with something more added to it. Not with these spreads. When you eat the apricot for example it tastes like the real deal. It’s as if someone tossed a fresh apricot into the blender and made a spread. They really do taste fresh too.
These spreads go great with my homemade bread. Plus they are great on crackers and sandwiches too.
If you are having company over why not consider offering some Santa Cruz Organic Fruits spreads and some crackers. Pick up a few different flavors and offer guests a variety. Add a bottle of R.W. Knudsen (www.RWKnudsen.com) sparkling juice and you are a quick, easy and tasty brunch option too.
For more information about the Santa Cruz Organic Fruit Spreads and other Santa Cruz products visit www.SantaCruzOrganic.com. They also carry celebratory beverages, chocolate, juice, peanut butter and other ogranic goodies. Look for the brand on Facebook and Twitter too. They have a product locator on their website as well as yummy recipes you might want to check out.
Kimberly
*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way.