Father’s Day is a very special holiday to us at NutsOnline because of the strong family legacy that the company embodies. Here, Jeffrey Braverman, founder of NutsOnline.com, says a few words about what working with his father, Kenny, in a family business means to him:

“Father’s Day is coming up and it gives me pause (amidst the holiday rush) to reflect on how wonderful it is that I get to see my dad every day at work.  In general it’s pretty easy to take people for granted, and even more so when you see them every day.  Also, working with family can get tense (OK, very tense) at times, but it is a real blessing to be able to spend this much time together.

Since he was a boy, my dad has worked incredibly hard in the nut shop to take care of his family, just like Poppy Sol did before him. (Read about my dad here.) Even though NutsOnline is my baby, my dad was the one with the trust and foresight to let me take the keys.  Dad, I am grateful, and I love you, for everything.”

When we get a craving for something sweet, we reach for a handful of dried fruit. Though fresh fruit has its unique benefits, dried fruit is also a great way to get nutrients, fiber and vitamins.

Most dried fruits are significant sources of fiber, which promotes colon health, lowers cholesterol and controls diabetes. Dried apples, for example, contain five grams of fiber per serving and dried apricots offer up four grams per serving. Most berries are also fairly high in fiber. Our berry mix, which includes sweet strawberries, blackberries, cranberries and cherries, packs in three grams of fiber per serving.

Dried fruits also offer the same basic nutrient boost as their fresh counterparts. Dried strawberries are a super source of vitamin C, potassium and folate. Whole dried cranberries have powerful proanthocyanidins that promote urinary tract health and help prevent stomach ulcers and gum disease. Dark raisins are 70 percent pure fructose, which makes them an excellent and easily digested high-energy food. They’re a particularly fantastic snack to munch on before playing sports or going for a run.

Dried fruit also gives you a chance get a taste of exotic fruits, as well as fruits that aren’t in season. Goji berries, which are grown in the Himalayan Mountains, spoil quite quickly and are rarely sold fresh in the United States. The dried version of the superfood allows you to access the berry’s unique immune-boosting antioxidants. Moist Turkish figs and plump Medjool dates are special treats that you don’t see every day, and our brand-new dried pomegranates are loaded with vitamins.

Though dried fruit is more calorically dense than fresh fruit (largely because of its sugar content), it also keeps you feeling fuller longer. The low water content in dried fruit makes it a convenient healthy snack for on-the-go kids and adults. Best of all, the sweet taste of most dried fruits can satisfy your craving for sugary treats, and the fruit is far better for you than cake, cookies or candy.

If you are on a special diet, it’s best to consult your doctor before including dried fruit in your regular menu of snacks. The sugar content can relegate dried fruit to an occasional treat for some, particularly those who are following a low-carb plan.

Learn more about NutsOnline.com’s full selection of dried fruit here.

When it comes to superfoods, quinoa is at the top of our list. This light, fluffy grain is an incredibly nutritious complete protein that’s loaded with dietary fiber, phosphorous, magnesium, and iron. It’s also naturally gluten-free, which makes it very easy to digest. If that isn’t enough for you, it also offers up more protein than any other grain. Like we said, it’s super!

We offer several varieties of quinoa: Our best-selling organic quinoa, organic red quinoa and organic black quinoa. Each offers a mild, slightly nutty flavor that is great on its own and pairs well with a variety of ingredients.

The general rule for cooking quinoa is to use two parts water for every one part quinoa. Simply pour the quinoa and water into a saucepan, bring it to a boil and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Simmer the quinoa over medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat and allow it to sit, covered, for five minutes before fluffing and serving.

Most varieties of quinoa come with a layer of bitter saponin over each grain that you must rinse away before cooking it. However, we’re pleased to say that’s not the case with our quinoa. All varieties of NutsOnline quinoa come pre-rinsed and ready to go, making it a breeze to cook it up in a short amount of time.

Quinoa is such a versatile grain that there are quite a few different ways you can serve it. Here are some of our favorites:

1)      Quinoa makes a fantastic substitute for rice when it’s paired with stir-fry. We highly recommend making the switch!

2)      Serve quinoa hot or cold for an awesome breakfast cereal. Spoon the cooked grain into a bowl and top it with goodies like almond milk, cinnamon, chopped nuts, dried or fresh fruit and agave nectar. (Thanks to Facebooker Kristine LaBelle for this fabulous tip!)

3)      Quinoa works well as a side dish for just about any meal. Season it with herbs used in your main dish to make a nice pairing. Cook it with chicken broth instead of water to make it savory. Add fresh or frozen veggies, like peas, carrots and sweet bell peppers, to the liquid before cooking the quinoa to give the dish some pop. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even throw in some dried fruit and top the dish with a sprinkling of toasted almonds.

4)      Need a delicious, protein-packed salad? Look no further than this superfood! You can sprinkle cold or warm quinoa on top of your green salad to punch up its nutritional value. You can also create a pasta salad-style dish with the grain. Toss cooked, cooled quinoa with fresh raw veggies, a vinaigrette dressing and feta or Parmesan cheese to make a special treat that’s fabulous for picnics.

5)      Organic quinoa flour is wonderful in flavor-packed bread recipes. We especially love this recipe on NutsOnline.com for Crunchy Hemp Protein Bread. This crisp bread is as healthy as it is scrumptious!

One of the things we love most about May is that it’s National Strawberry Month. Celebrating all things strawberry just seems right as spring emerges before our eyes. The fruit’s fresh, sweet flavor tantalizes our taste buds in a way that few other berries manage.

Strawberries are incredibly healthful, which is another great reason to indulge. They’re loaded with antoxidants and vitamin C, two immune-system boosters that we don’t like to skimp on as the weather grows warmer. In fact, according to the California Strawberry Commission, a serving of strawberries contains 93 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. The ruby-red berries also offer up healthy doses of folate and fiber.

Though we love the berries in their fresh form, we also satisfy our cravings with delicious dried and freeze-dried strawberry products from NutsOnline. Our dried strawberries, which are one of our top sellers, are moist, soft and delicious. They rival any processed fruit snack that you might buy the youngsters in your family, and they’re also an amazing addition to baked goods and salads.

Freeze-dried Simply Strawberries are crunchy and a bit tart, and contain no added sugar, salt or preservatives. (They’re also available in an organic version for those who prefer.) Our natural dried strawberries are infused with apple juice to make a sweet, good-for-you treat that has no sugar or corn syrup.

We also like to snack on berrytastic treats such as natural strawberry fruit leather, our berry mix and Simply Fruit Cocktail. Though they don’t rank as highly in terms of health benefits, we have to say that we also adore strawberry covered pretzels and gummy strawberries as special treats, especially this time of year!

Though all of these treats are fantastic on their own, one of our favorite ways to use dried strawberries is in chocolate chip cookies. Mix up a batch of the cookies according to your favorite recipe, but substitute about ½ cup of chopped dried strawberries for ½ cup of chocolate chips. When the chocolate and dried strawberries meld during baking, the result is a gooey, sweet dose of deliciousness that tastes an awful lot like a chocolate-covered strawberry. They’re an amazing way to mark National Strawberry Month (or just to get your berry fix at any point during the year)!

Our dark chocolate almonds are a smooth, rich treat that can soothe any craving for sweets. But did you know these tasty treasures offer all kinds of benefits, in addition to being delicious? It’s true!

Almonds are an amazing source of all kinds of essential nutrients. One ounce of roasted almonds offers about six grams of protein and about three grams of fiber. Though, like almost all nuts, almonds contain a fair amount of fat, about 64 percent of that fat is monounsaturated, which can help lower cholesterol levels. In fact, almonds are the leading source of monounsaturated fat among America’s most consumed nuts. This super nut is also a fabulous source of zinc, potassium, phosphorus, iron and calcium, so munch away!

Luscious dark chocolate is more than just a special sweet. It contains powerful antioxidants that can lower mildly high blood pressure and battle your risk of heart disease. A little goes a long way, which is why our dark chocolate almonds are so fabulous. They give you just the dose you need, without going overboard.

These almonds are tasty enough to munch as a snack or serve at a special event, such as at a party or in wedding favors. They’re also downright delicious when mixed into trail mix or used to decorate cakes and cookies.

If you’d like to give this treat a whirl, but don’t want to buy a whole bag, never fear! They are available in a sweet little sample size for just $2.50. We also offer our dark chocolate almonds in several sampler packs, including the Premium Sampler Pack, the Indulgent Sampler Pack and the Heart Healthy Sampler Pack.

Let’s talk cacao butter! You may already be familiar with this light yellow, semi-solid fat, but do you know all the awesome things you can do with it in its organic raw form?

Cacao butter, also known as cocoa butter, is a pure vegetable fat that’s extracted from the cacao bean. When it’s mixed with cocoa, sugar and other additives, it makes the chocolate products that we’re all so fond of. It’s also the primary ingredient in smooth white chocolate. However, raw organic cacao butter has quite a few uses besides being an ingredient in beloved treats.

Cacao butter is entirely edible, which is great news for both health-conscious and indulgent snackers alike! It’s packed with vitamins and minerals, along with antioxidants that promote cardiovascular and immune-system health. Raw cacao butter is often used to make dessert-type dishes, as well as moisturizers and lip balms.

Raw organic cacao butter isn’t really meant to be eaten as-is, but it’s quite easy to whip up a fantastic dessert with it! You can make scrumptious raw chocolate treats by melting about 50 grams of the cacao butter over low heat, then mixing in about 3 tbsp. of raw organic cocoa powder and 1 tbsp. of organic agave syrup. Pour the liquid chocolate mixture into molds or small candy cups and let them set up in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. You can add a couple of spoonfuls of organic raw crunchy almond butter or some handfuls of crushed organic raw cashews to the chocolate mixture to give it a bit of crunch, if desired.

Don’t stop with edible treats! Make your own simple skin moisturizer. Cacao butter melts at just below body temperature, meaning that if you hold it in your hands for a few minutes it will soften enough to apply directly to the skin and lips. However, you can also heat one part cacao butter and three parts organic raw coconut oil over low heat until they’re combined, then rub the easy-to-spread mixture on your body. Cacao butter-based moisturizers have a delightful chocolaty scent and can improve skin elasticity. They‘re especially helpful for pregnant women who are trying to avoid or minimize the appearance of stretch marks.

What’s your favorite way to use raw organic cacao butter? We’re firm believers in the awesome (and truly delicious) benefits that it can lend to so many different purposes!

We’re just nuts for goji berries. Sure, the sweet-and-sour, tangy treat is incredibly an incredibly flavorful addition to just about any dish. However, our love doesn’t stop at flavor alone. Goji berries are a super nutrient-rich dried fruit that can really perk up your diet.

Goji berries are rich in powerful antioxidants, which can boost immune system function. They also contain heaping servings of vitamin C, beta carotene, iron and B vitamins. A small helping of these berries will give you more vitamin C than an orange, more beta carotene than a serving of carrots and more iron than a standard cut of red meat. That’s some powerful stuff!

There are many different ways to enjoy goji berries. Here are our top five favorites!

1)      Tea: Goji berry tea is slightly tart, and very soothing (especially when you’re under the weather). To make it, place about 10 dried goji berries in the bottom of a mug and pour boiling water over them. Let them soak for five to 10 minutes, then sip the tea. For an added benefit, chow down on the berries in the cup after you’ve finished your tea. They’ll be soft, plump and moist.

2)      Smoothies: Though it’s nearly impossible to find fresh goji berries (they spoil too quickly to be shipped), you can still add their power to your smoothie. Soak 10 to 20 berries in a bowl of cool water for about 10 minutes, then fish them out and pop them in the blender with yogurt, ice, fresh or frozen fruit, milk and any other smoothie fixins that you enjoy. Blend the smoothie for several minutes and drink it down!

3)      Soup: Chinese chefs often include goji berries as a nutrient boost in simple chicken-based soups. Throw a handful of dried berries (roughly chopped, if desired) into a pot of simmering chicken stock. Cook the soup until the berries are soft and plump, 10 to 15 minutes. Many chefs accent the broth’s flavors with ginger, garlic, cilantro or ginseng.

4)      Mix-Ins: Goji berries are delicious when mixed into trail mix or granola. You can sprinkle them on top of cereal, stir them into oatmeal or add them to plain yogurt sweetened with honey. They lend a chewy punch to these dishes that can really elevate them to the sublime.

5)      As-Is: Who are we kidding? Our favorite way to nosh on dried goji berries is to munch them by the handful! A small helping goes a long way and will leave you feeling satisfied for an hour or two.

Chia seeds are a superfood of the highest order. Originally consumed by Aztec warriors as a survival ration during battles, these tiny seeds pack in a ridiculous amount of nutrients and full-body benefits.

Chia seeds can absorb 10 times their weight in water, which helps you feel fuller longer and promotes hydration. Chia seeds are also the richest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids. This dietary necessity helps your body beat inflammation from diseases such as arthritis and promotes heart health. Chia seeds have been found to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and decrease blood sugar by slowing the conversion process of carbohydrates to simple sugars. Their unique combination of fiber and healthy oils helps remove toxins from the body.

Many people consume chia seeds by adding them to the beverage of their choice. When combined with water, chia seeds form a thick gel that mixes easily with drinks. The gel is tasteless and odorless, and imparts a bit of texture to the beverage.

To make chia gel, pour about 2/3 cup of seeds into a large container with a lid. Add 4 cups of water to the seeds and stir or shake to combine. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes to allow the gel to form. Chia gel will keep in the refrigerator for two to three weeks.

One of the simplest drinks to make with chia gel is a chia fresca. This refreshing beverage, which is popular in Mexico, combines the goodness of chia seeds with tart citrus. To make chia fresca, squeeze several teaspoons of lemon or lime juice into the bottom of a glass. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chia gel to the juice, then top the mixture with several ice cubes. Fill your cup with water and add natural sweetener, such as organic agave syrup, stevia powder or organic honey, to taste. Mix it thoroughly and sip it through a straw to draw up that chia goodness from the bottom of the glass.

You can also add a couple spoonfuls of chia gel to fresh-squeezed fruit and vegetable juice, lemonade, smoothies, herbal tea or nut milk. The gel combines easily with yogurt and oatmeal as well. The sky’s really the limit!

Do you already incorporate chia seeds into your day-to-day diet? What are some of your favorite ways to use chia gel in drinks? If you haven’t tried these super seeds, we urge you to give them a shot! It’s not every day that you find a great snack that offers such spectacular nutrition. Good for the body and the soul!

We sure do love a nutty holiday here at NutsOnline, and it turns out that we’re in luck today! April 14 is National Pecan Day. Excellent news! Pecans are a delicious and nutritious addition to just about any diet.

According to the National Pecan Shellers Association, a serving of this mighty nut provides about 10 percent of your Recommended Daily Value of zinc. They’re also a fantastic natural source of fiber, antioxidants and protein. That’s a lot of power packed into a tiny package!  The residents of Albany, Georgia, even host a festival honoring the pecan each year. The pecan capital of the U.S., Albany is home to more than 600,000 pecan trees. Festivities at the annual celebration include a pecan cooking contest and the crowning of the National Pecan Queen.

Pecans are a scrumptious snack, and they’re great to eat as-is. Whole paper shell pecans are easy to crack and have an incredibly fresh flavor. Raw, shelled Georgia pecans are tender and sweet. Roasted pecans (available in both salted and unsalted varieties) are crunchy and delicious. A heaping bucket of pecans makes a great gift for the nutty pecan fan in your life!

Of course, we also offer dressed-up pecans for special occasions or those with a sweet tooth. For a sugary sweet, crunchy treat, try indulgent favorites such as praline pecans, cinnamon pecans, sesame honey pecans and butter toffee pecans.

Of course, we can’t ignore one of our most popular pecan delicacies: Oh My! Pecan Pie. This out-of-this-world baked good, which is studded with mammoth pecans, is a gooey, amazing dessert that we cannot get enough of.

We’re also offering a new product that will help you get your pecan fix. Pecan meal, which is pecans that have been ground into a fine flour, can be used as a flour substitute in recipes or as a coating on chicken or fish. When baked or fried the meal comes out crisp, with a light, nutty flavor and texture. Simply mix the pecan meal with seasonings of your choice, such as garlic powder, parsley and seasoning salt. Dunk the meat in beaten egg, then dredge it in the pecan meal mixture and cook it as usual.

Pecans can be used in a variety of scrumptious ways to contribute to a healthy, well-rounded diet. Want to learn more about enjoying pecans in your day-to-day life? Hop on over to National Pecan Shellers Association’s recipes page for suggestions!

Everyone craves chocolate sometimes (or, if you’re like us, a little more frequently)! Why not go for the good stuff? Chocolate (particularly the dark varieties) is often considered a superfood because of its awesome antioxidant powers. All the more reason to give in to your sweet tooth!

We’ve recently rolled out a selection of gourmet bars that are sure to fulfill your cravings for the decadent taste of premium chocolate. These rich treats contain pure ingredients, exotic add-ins and complex flavor profiles to create a satisfying sweet for both discerning tongues and those who are looking for something a bit different.

Dagoba Organic bars contain 100 percent organic dark chocolate and a smooth, sultry punch. The Dagoba Organic 87% Dark Chocolate Eclipse Bar is an incredibly dark treat with just a hint of sweetness and coffee flavor. The Dagoba Organic 59% Dark Chocolate Bar is tempered with quite a bit more sweetness, creating a more mellow bar. The Dagoba Organic 74% Dark Chocolate New Moon Bar is slightly darker with deep cacao flavor notes. The Dagoba Organic Dark Chocolate Nib Bar combines the crunch of roasted cacao nibs with the velvety texture of the chocolate, and the Dagoba Organic Dark Chocolate Lavender Blueberry Bar punches up the treat with antioxidant-rich berries and the calming presence of lavender. Dagoba Organic Milk Chocolate Chai Bars mix mellow milk chocolate with crystallized ginger and chai tea spices.

We also offer several bars with a name you might recognize: Godiva. Our Godiva Milk Chocolate Bar is simple, sweet and delicious. The Godiva 72% Dark Chocolate Bar and Godiva 85% Dark Chocolate Bar are quite a bit richer, but still smooth and scrumptious. The Godiva Dark Chocolate Bar with Almonds is packed with perfect nuts.

Chocolove makes some truly unique chocolate bars that we just can’t pass up! If fruit is your favorite, you simply must try the Chocolove Dark Chocolate with Raspberries Bar, which is full of crisp dried berries. The Chocolove Dark Chocolate Bar with Chilies and Cherries is simultaneously spicy and sweet. Crystallized ginger gives the Chocolove Dark Chocolate Bar with Ginger its sparkle. The Chocolove Dark Chocolate Bar with Sea Salt and Almonds is a fantastic treat for those who enjoy a sweet and savory combination.

These new chocolate bars really do give new meaning to the word “gourmet.” We’re proud to offer them as part of our product line and know you’ll just love them, whether for frequent cravings or special occasions.