A “Puas-Puas Puasa” With California Raisins

California Raisins are a healthy snack for adults and children alike. Dried in the warm California sunshine, they come by their sweetness naturally and contain a host of goodness. Indeed, this little fruit has many benefits that help to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I am glad to attend a California Raisins showcase at Hotel Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur that presented by Raisin Administrative Committee (RAC). The showcase featuring California Raisins’ tasty and nutritious role for the imminent holy Ramadan month. 

To celebrate Puasa, the media event, themed “Puas-Puas Puasa” (“Happy Fasting”), shed light on the wholesome goodness of California Raisins, together with creative yet easy recipe ideas to serve up for Sahoor and Buka Puasa. There are a competition for all of us to prepare a creative recipe using California Raisin for cupcakes and biscuits. The winner will get the RM600 cash.  Let's take a look of my creation and all the creative creations.

RAC’s Trade Promotions Director for Southeast Asia, Mr Richard Lieu says for most consumers, especially children, California Raisins are a healthy snack, compared with other snack foods, as they are naturally sweet and do not contain any added sugar. California Raisins are also a very versatile ingredient and can inspire a wide repertoire of dishes from appetisers and main dishes to desserts and beverages especially as consumers are becoming more health conscious and more adventurous in their culinary endeavours. He adds that for Puasa, California Raisins are ideal for Sahoor or break fast, as they are ready-to-eat, tasty and healthy. A package of California Raisins fits perfectly in a purse or briefcase They also conveniently fit in lunch boxes, gym bags, and in your desk drawer.

To demonstrate the simplicity of incorporating California Raisins in home cooking, popular TV personality and a busy mother herself, Nur Affizzabinti Azmi demonstrated three recipes using California Raisins for busy and active working professionals and mothers to enjoy during the fasting month. The recipes were California Raisin Sweet & Sour Donuts, California Raisin Puas Smoothie and California Raisin Tom Yum Chicken Angel Hair Pasta.

Certified dietitian from KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital Adibah Rushda Ismail who shared health insights to the media said that fasting can take atoll on the body and mind during Ramadan. Adibah shared practical ways to keep one healthy during this period. She also expounded on how California Raisins can be a great ingredient to boost energy and provide the body with the necessary nutrients to keep it going during Ramahan.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that adults consume 1½ to 2 cups of fruit per day.A portable, readily available fruit, such as California Raisins, is ideal to help fulfill this quota. Some key benefits of California Raisins include: 

• They are all-natural
• They are naturally sweet and do not contain added sugar
• They are fat- and cholesterol-free and naturally low in sodium
• They are a source of potassium(an important electrolyte that aids in muscle, cardiovascular and nervous system function)
• They are a source of fibre
• They are a source of concentrated nutrients
• They are known to contain phytonutrients that suppress the growth of oral bacteria associated with cavities and gum disease 

Congrats to all the media/bloggers that won the "Puas-Puas Puasa" California Raisins Creative Creation competition. We really can prepare a lot of recipe using that to replace sugar for more healthy lifestyle.

For  more information and recipes on California Raisins, please visit California Raisin Website, California Raisin recipes website or California Raisin facebook page.