05 07 2015

“No Bones About It Challenge” Sponsored by the California Dried Plum Board

Comments are closed Posted by Cindy Brison MS RD LMNT

I received free samples of California Dried Plums mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by California Dried Plum Board and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

May is National Osteoporosis month. The National Osteoporosis Foundation states that two million broken bones occur every year in the U.S. due to osteoporosis. Many people do not even know they have it. Trends have shown that people are developing osteoporosis at younger ages—it is not an older person’s diagnosis anymore. The good news is that there are many nutritious and tasty ways to help prevent it!

California Dried Plums are one of those tasty ways! Plums are a nutrition powerhouse. Emerging research suggests they may support healthy bones, heart health, digestive health, immunity and healthy aging! They contain antioxidants and phytochemicals that may protect us against certain cancers. They are a good source of fiber, contain no added sugars, and are considered a low glycemic index food. What more can you ask for?

According to the California Dried Plum Board, they are an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be eaten alone or used in both sweet and savory recipes. They can be used as fat and sugar replacers. They can be added to salads, cereals and yogurt. They can add moisture and sweetness to baked goods. California Dried Plums add texture and flavor to stuffing, sauces and marinades. Their use is only limited by the imagination!

One way I love to Use California Dried Plums is to make a fruit dip that I serve with sliced apples or graham crackers. I have been known to eat it with a spoon! I served this dip with graham crackers at a recent board meeting, and the comments were not suprising. Everyone wanted the recipe, and was so happy I let them sample something I was using for a blog article. One of the board members asked what type of chocolate I used in the recipe. When I told them that the sweetness they were tasting was the California Dried Plums—they were amazed—and excited that something that tasted sinfully good was actually good for them! Give them a try today!

Plum-Apple Snack Dip

Recipe type: Snack

This recipe makes a terrific dip for apple slices or graham crackers. It is a very thick dip, so if you want it to be thinner, add ⅔ cup instead of ⅓ cup milk.

Ingredients

8 ounces low-fat cream cheese
⅓ to ⅔ cup skim milk
½ cup low-fat whipped topping
1 cup finely chopped tart apples
1 cup chopped walnuts
½-3/4 cup finely chopped California Dried Plums

Instructions

Soften cream cheese; whip with milk and whipped topping; stir in apples, walnuts and California Dried Plums. recipe makes about 3 cups. Serve with graham crackers or apple slices.

For more nutritious ways to try California Dried Plums, check out many other blogs by nutrition professionals by clicking below.