We love our selection of energy squares! These sweet little snacks are perfect on the road, after the gym or as an energy-boosting treat between meals. And now, we’re especially excited to announce that two of our favorite varieties of energy squares are gluten-free!

Organic Raw Cacao Goji Energy Squares are one of our personal favorites. These antioxidant-rich energy squares are loaded with chunks of cacao and goji berries. They’re packed with all-natural, gluten-free ingredients, and have a rich and delicious flavor we know you’ll love!

Organic Chia Energy Squares or loaded with the goodness of chia seeds, cashews, dates and sesame seeds. They’re simply delicious with a glass of vanilla almond milk or fresh-squeezed juice. We love to eat these delicious energy squares for breakfast, and we bet you will, too!

As with all of our gluten-free products, our gluten-free varieties of energy squares are handled and packaged on a segregated production line in a separate area of our warehouse. This helps us avoid cross-contamination with other foods and ensure that all of our gluten-free products are safe to enjoy. We are Certified Gluten-Free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), and we label each gluten-free product on our site with the “GF” logo, so keep your eyes peeled!

What are some of your favorite gluten-free treats from Nuts.com?

When packing lunches and snacks, we like to make sure to include a little something sweet. What could be better than a snack bar packed with the goodness of trail mix? Not much! These Trail Mix Treats come together quickly and easily, and they are absolutely delicious!

Start by measuring out 1-1/4 cups of organic rolled oats, 2/3 cup of packed light brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. of ground cinnamon and 1/2 cup of biscuit mix (or gluten-free biscuit mix). Add 1-1/2 cups of your favorite trail mix. We like to use Healthy Trail Mix for this recipe, but you can use any variety that you desire. If your favorite trail mix contains whole nuts or large pieces of dried fruit, we suggest that you give it a quick chop before adding it to the Trail Mix Treats.

Add one egg; 2 tbsp. of cow’s, almond or soy milk; 2 tsp. of vanilla extract; and 2 tbsp. of vegetable oil to the bowl. Stir the batter until it’s just combined, then pour the mixture into a greased 8-inch-by-8-inch baking dish. Bake your Trail Mix Treats at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Allow the Trail Mix Treats to cool in the pan on a wire rack, then slice the treats into16 bars. They’re great with a big glass of milk or crumbled over a bowl of Greek yogurt!

If you’re looking to include some extra whole grains in your diet, we highly recommend barley! This grain adds a little something special to hot cereal, soups, salads and casseroles, and its health benefits are certainly something to celebrate.

Barley is packed with protein, phosphorus and vitamin B-6. It’s a low-glycemic grain that contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. That’s great news for people seeking a more heart-healthy diet! Insoluble fiber provides you with roughage that aids a healthy digestive tract. Soluble fiber can help lower cholesterol. Best of all, barley has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels for up to 10 hours!

Barley has a chewy texture and a mild flavor, making it a great substitute for rice in casseroles and risotto. Ground barley also works well in many bread recipes. We highly recommend cooking up a pot of barley, then adding milk, honey, dried fruit and nuts for a heart-healthy, filling breakfast cereal. We also love bean and barley burgers for a quick and delicious dinner entree.

Have you ever tried barley? What recipes do you enjoy that include this super grain?

Jan. 21 is National Squirrel Appreciation Day, and we’re going nuts! Squirrels are some of our favorite furry friends, and we’d like to show our support by helping them during the long, cold winter months.

We will be donating $1 to the Squirrel Refuge Organization for every online order that includes our in-shell hazelnuts this Saturday, Jan. 21 (through 11:59 PM PST).

Why hazelnuts? They’re a favorite treat that we can share with the squirrels. The nuts are packed with nutritional benefits that are great for us and our furry friends! Hazelnuts are chock-full of protein, fiber, iron and phosphorus, as well as vitamins B1, B2, C and E.

Animals can have a tough time finding food in the winter, and the squirrels sure will appreciate it if you share your nutty treat with them. So spread the nutty love, and order some in-shell hazelnuts on Jan. 21!

Hi there, nutty fans! Don’t know about you, but we’ve made some resolutions to eat better and exercise more in the new year. Here are some nutty tips that we’ve received in our journey toward a new, healthier us!

1) Choose Good-For-You Treats: Nuts might have a higher calorie and fat content than you’re used to associating with diet foods, but they provide quality nutrition that can’t be beat! They are generally a great source of protein, fiber, monounsaturated fat and antioxidants, and they keep you feeling fuller longer. A recent study found that walnuts contain  more healthful antioxidants, called polyphenols, and a higher antioxidant potency than other nuts analyzed in the study. Almonds are the leading source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat among America’s most consumed nuts. That’s some serious nutrition!

2) Pack Your Snacks: Now that you know what kind of foods you want to eat to power up your body, you need to make sure you have them on hand! Pack individually bagged portions of nuts, dried fruit, trail mix and other healthy snacks in your purse, briefcase or car glove compartment so that you’ll never be at the mercy of vending machines or convenience stores. This tip works great for those of us who are constantly on the go!

3) Eat Breakfast: You mom always told you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and she was right! Breakfast gives our bodies fuel for the day. Breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated. Whip up a bowl of oats, grab some energy squares or munch on some Power Mix. Your body will thank you!

4) Snag Some Whole Grains: The fiber in whole-grain foods can help prevent heart disease, and they offer a fantastic level of nutrition. Check out our selection of grains for some fantastic (and tasty) choices, including wheat, buckwheat, barley and oats.

What are some of your favorite health tips for the new year?

We sure love to start our day with a nice, steaming bowl of hot oats. Oats are as delicious as they are nutritious, and we love that they keep us feeling full and satisfied all morning. Now, we do enjoy regular old oats made on the stove or in the microwave, but we do crave something a little different from time-to-time. That’s where baked oatmeal comes in!

Baked oatmeal takes about 30 minutes to prepare, but it’s definitely worth the extra effort. The baked cereal tastes like a delicious oatmeal cookie. It certainly is a treat!

To start, pour 1/2 cup of organic rolled oats or organic steel-cut oats into a bowl. Stir in 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or plain canned pumpkin and 1 tbsp. of organic crunchy peanut butter or organic crunchy almond butter. Add 1/4 cup of water, cow’s milk, almond milk or soy milk to the mixture. Sprinkle in 1/2 tsp. of ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. of vanilla extract and 1 to 2 tsp. of light brown sugar or honey. Stir the oatmeal mixture to combine. Then, if desired, sprinkle in about 1 tbsp. of raisins, organic dark chocolate chips or the dried fruit of your choice.

Pour the oatmeal mixture into a 1-cup ramekin that has been greased with cooking spray and bake the oats at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve the baked oatmeal immediately, or store it in the refrigerator for up to three days or in the freezer for up to a month. It’s a great to make a large batch, then defrost one in the microwave for breakfast at the office or on the go!

Hitting the gym or trying to be more active in the new year? Many people (including us) love to munch on all-natural food bars to get a little boost of energy before and after exercising. Did you know that these sweet little bars, which are usually made from a combination of dates, nuts and a little salt, are simple to make at home? We like to use cashews to make our homemade food bars rich and delicious!

Start by placing 1/2 cup of pitted dates in a food processor. Process the dates until they’re smooth and have a pastelike consistency, then transfer them to a bowl. Pour 1/2 cup of raw cashews, along with 1 tbsp. of cashew butter, 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon and 1/2 tbsp. of sea salt, to the food processor. Process the nuts until they’re chopped rather finely, then add the cashew mixture to the dates. Mix the ingredients until they’re thoroughly combined, then press the mixture into a 9″ x 9″ square baking dish that has been lined with wax paper. Refrigerate the bars until they’re hard, then flip the bars out of the dish and cut them into granola-bar-sized rectangles or bite-sized cubes. Wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator or in an airtight container in the pantry. They will keep for several days.

The best part about this recipe is that you can add the ingredients that appeal to you. If cashews aren’t your nut of choice, try the recipe with peanuts, pecans or macadamia nuts. (Or a combination of nuts.) Substitute some or all of the dates for another dried fruit, such as dried cherries or dried blueberries. Add 2 to 4 tbsp. of baking chips to give them a candy bar-like flavor. The sky’s the limit!

Whew! Did anyone else overdo it on the treats, sweets and rich eats over the holidays? We sure did, and now we’re ready to get back to basics when it comes to our diet! USA Today posted an interesting list of nutrient-rich foods to roll into your diet for 2012. Some of these a great ideas for building a healthful, delicious meal plan that will leave you satisfied! Here are some of our favorite recommendations:

1) Nuts: Well, of course nuts would be our top pick. We love all varieties! Try snacking on a handful of raw almonds for a calcium, protein and zinc boost. Roasted pistachios contain a great amount of fiber and potassium (and they taste mighty good, too). If you want to try something new, soy nuts, macadamia nuts and Brazil nuts are all fantastic choices.

2) Chocolate: Who doesn’t love a little chocolate now and then? It’s a great way to sweeten up your diet! It doesn’t hurt that dark chocolate contains powerful antioxidants that can lower blood pressure and help battle heart disease. We love it! Try our high-quality chocolate bars, such as the Godiva 85% Dark Chocolate bar, or chocolate-covered nuts like our rich and delicious dark chocolate covered almonds for a special treat!

3) Beans: Beans are a fantastic vegetarian source of fiber and protein. Try including them in soups, salads, stews and stir-fries in place of meat. You can even make bean-based dips, such as hummus, for a nutrition-packed pairing with vegetable sticks. We’ve got more than 20 varieties of beans, from adzuki beans to pinto beans, so you’ll never get bored!

4) Lentils: Red lentils and green lentils don’t need to soak overnight like dried beans, so they’re a quick, fiber- and protein-rich food that’s perfect in soup or served over a bed of brown rice. Lentils have a surprisingly rich flavor, and they’re packed with nutrients. We love to keep some in our pantry for a rainy day!

5) Oats: Oats make for a filling, whole-grain breakfast that’s full of good-for-you fiber. Oatmeal has been shown to lower cholesterol , and it’s one of the healthiest breakfast foods you can indulge in. The best part is that it never gets boring! We offer more than a dozen varieties of oats, including steel cut oats, organic rolled oats and organic Scottish oatmeal. We also have several varieties of gluten-free oats for those on a gluten-free diet. Yummy!

What are some of your favorite healthy foods?

In the South, blackeyed peas are thought to bring luck and prosperity to the new year if eaten on New Year’s Day. Who are we to tangle with tradition? Lucky for us, blackeyed peas are simple to prepare and delicious! Though blackeyed peas are usually served in a dish called Hoppin’ John, we like to make a delicious and (moderately) nutritious dip with the peas. It’s the perfect addition to a New Year’s Day menu!

Start by soaking about 4 cups of blackeyed peas in water overnight (or for at least eight hours). Drain and rinse the blackeyed peas, pour them in a saucepan and add just enough water to cover them, along with a pinch of salt. Simmer the peas over medium heat for 45 to 60 minutes, or until they’re soft and tender. Drain the blackeyed peas and set them aside until they’re cool.

Saute one finely chopped white onion and three to four cloves of minced garlic in a skillet over medium heat. When the onion is soft, add about 1/4 cup of chopped jarred jalapenos, 1/4 cup of salsa, 1/2 tsp. of cumin, 1/8 tsp. of cayenne pepper and a 4 oz. can of chopped green chilies (drained). Simmer the mixture for about five minutes to allow the flavors to marry, then remove the skillet from the heat.

Mash the cooled blackeyed peas with a fork or potato masher so that the texture is a bit chunky, but creamy. Stir in the onion mixture, along with 2 oz. of cream cheese. Pour the dip into a baking dish and top it with about 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese. Bake the dip, uncovered, at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes, or until it’s heated through and a bit bubbly. Serve the blackeyed pea dip with pita wedges, tortilla chips and raw veggies for dipping. Yummy!

In 1929, my grandfather, Poppy Sol, started The Newark Nut Company in Newark, NJ.  My dad and uncle grew up in the business in the 1950s and 1960s, and my cousin David and I grew up in the business in the 1980s and 1990s.  We survived the Great Depression, Poppy Sol going off to WWII, our warehouse burning down, and our store being bulldozed twice.  Otherwise, it was business as usual!

Until 1999… .  The Internet was really taking off and, as I was sitting in my freshman dorm, I wondered if people would actually be willing to buy nuts online.  I figured it was worth a shot!  But what should I name the site?  NewarkNutCompany.com was just too long to type in.  I put together a list (including names like eNuts.com and NutsDirect.com), but unfortunately all of them were taken.  Hmmm… .  I used America Online back then, so I got the idea for Nuts Online.  Voila! NutsOnline.com was available.