We ❤️ Pears in February
Ellie Wilson MS, RDN Senior Nutritionist
Savvy seasonal eaters know a great secret – the luscious pear is at its peak during the winter months. Different varieties offer flavor adventures and fresh opportunities for a fast, functional snack. Packing six grams of fiber, Vitamin C, and 5% of the daily recommendation for potassium, pears are a nutrition powerhouse. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend about 2 servings of fruit daily – if you are adding more fruit to your fresh approach to healthier eating, one pear gets you halfway there!
“Pears ripen from the inside out, and play well with other produce that does the same in a basket on your kitchen counter, like bananas and avocados. Check the neck for ripeness by pressing near the stem with your thumb – if it gives to pressure that means it is ripe and ready for a lot of sweet enjoyment!
Pears are a recipe sweetheart during American Heart Month – and have the American Heart Association Heart Check to prove it! Slice pears and dip in dark chocolate for a valentine treat, chop and top steel cut oatmeal and cinnamon for a breakfast with (heart) benefits, or poach in cranberry juice and kiss with cinnamon mascarpone cheese and chopped walnuts to delight someone special. (https://www.pricechopper.com/recipes#/9201). Overripe pears are great for sauces and smoothies – “pear” them up with avocados and spinach for a snack attack smoothie bonanza. Find fresh promotions in stores throughout February, and learn more ways to enjoy more pears at USAPears (http://usapears.org/), Drink to Your ❤️ Health
Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN Senior Nutritionist
Did you know – your heart beats over 100,000 times per day? Something that works that hard for you needs good care and nutrition. Welch’s 100% Grape Juice can be part of your solution. Each glass is made with over 40 Concord grapes and delivers 250 mg of polyphenols – natural plant nutrients that help support a healthy heart. In fact, Welch’s 100% Grape Juice provides many of the same heart-health benefits as red wine.
The small but mighty Concord grape is an original American “super” fruit. The first vines were successfully cultivated in 1849, in Concord, Massachusetts. While this grape can be hard to find fresh, Welch’s 100% Grape Juice is made with whole Concord grapes – skins, seeds and all – making it a great way to enjoy the heart-health benefits of this special grape anywhere, all year long. 
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 8 oz. of 100% grape juice counts as one cup (2 servings) of fruit. It is considered a healthy beverage choice with no added sugar. In a glass or as part of a delicious recipe – celebrate American Heart Month this February with the great taste and heart-health benefits of Welch’s 100% Grape Juice.
Download Welch’s Recipe E-Book for variety of delicious recipes certified as heart-healthy by the American Heart Association®.
And, bring home the super taste and super nutrition of Welch’s 100% Grape Juice, all at a super price!