The little ones are sure to love this cranberry nut bar.

For years, parents have been trying to get their children to eat healthy. They send fruits, vegetables and healthy sandwiches as school snacks, but they all come back uneaten, while the preferred chips and other less ideal choices are happily consumed.

But now there is a healthy snack that your children are sure to love; Craisins!

Craisins

Craisins come from one of the most unique fruits in the world, cranberry. It is a wild fruit that grows on long-running vines in sandy bogs and marshes, mostly in the northeast of the United States.

Today's research has shown that cranberries help to cleanse and purify the body. They contain powerful nutrients called proanthocyanidins (PACs) that help keep certain bacteria from sticking inside the body. The PACS in cranberries are different from other fruits, which gives them more 'anti-stick' potential. They also have antioxidants, like flavonoids and vitamin C, which help to strengthen the immune system.

There's been a growing demand ever since the Ocean Spray craisin came on the market. They may be eaten as a healthy snack, used in baked items, tossed into a salad, or added to yogurt or cereal for a sweet treat. Much of the popularity of craisins can be attributed to the worldwide consumer quest for healthy food alternatives.

Snack Ideas

Cranberry Nut Bars

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted

1 1/4 cups Ocean Spray fresh or frozen cranberries

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Method

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease an 8-inch baking pan. Beat eggs in a medium mixing bowl until thick. Gradually add sugar, beating until thoroughly blended. Stir in flour and melted butter, and blend well. Add cranberries and walnuts, mixing gently until well combined. Spread evenly in a pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool and cut into bars. Makes 16 servings.

Craisins Citrus Burst Muffins

A delicious way to have your children eating healthy is with Craisins Citrus Burst Muffins. - Contributed photos

2 cups flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt, optional

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup oil

1 egg

1 cup Ocean Spray craisins orange flavour sweetened dried cranberries

1/2 teaspoon orange zest

1/3 cup chopped pecan

Preheat oven to 400F. Grease or line a 12-cup muffin tin. Combine flour, both sugars, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Combine milk, orange juice, oil and egg in a separate mixing bowl. Add liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until dry ingredients are moist. Stir in orange flavour sweetened dried cranberries and orange zest.

Fill muffin cups 3/4 of the way full of batter. Sprinkle tops of muffins with pecans and sugar. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for five minutes in muffin tin. Remove muffins from tin; cool on a wire rack. Makes 12 muffins.