Baby Hope munches on some NutsOnline pecans. Photo courtesy of the North American Bear Center and the Wildlife Research Institute.

At NutsOnline, we’re devoted to using our business to promote a better world for everyone. Because of that, we’ve teamed up with several nonprofits throughout the country, giving our customers the chance to help us help others. One of those very special organizations is the North American Bear Center in Ely, Minnesota.

The North American Bear Center is devoted to promoting the long-term survival of bears by helping people move past their misconceptions about these creatures. They also work to preserve increasingly endangered bear habitats, halt bear poaching and rehabilitate injured and orphaned bears so that they can be released into the wild.

We offer 3-pound snack packs for purchase that are shipped directly to the North American Bear Center. The snack packs, which contain 1 lb. each of raw pecans, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts, are used by researchers at the center as treats while they’re working with the bears, including a cub in their care, Hope. You’ve sent more than 2,000 lbs. of nuts to the bear center already. Stupendous support, all!

These snack packs really do make a difference at the North American Bear center. In a recent research update, biologists at the center said: “The nuts you’ve been sending have been a godsend.  We’ve never had such fresh pecans and hazelnuts to coax bears into letting us adjust their radio-collars and change their GPS batteries (which we have to do every 10 days).  The bears strongly prefer your nuts over anything else we can offer.  You’ve made our job easier than ever, and little Hope loves them.”

And that isn’t the only way our customers have shown their spirit of giving! A few weeks ago, we reached out to you, urging you to vote for the North American Bear Center in the Chase Community Giving grant program. We’re so pleased to announce that the center came in third and will receive a $100,000 grant from the organization.

We really want to take this moment to thank all of our customers from the bottom of our hearts. Without your generous help, it wouldn’t be possible for us to as extensively help the North American Bear Center, as well as the other worthy causes we support. You all are top-notch!

Summertime tends to be a busy season for us and our families, and we’re sure it’s the same way for you, too. Between vacation road trips and scrambling from one activity to the next, we make sure that we have snacks in the car at all times (especially those of us with little ones)!

These are a few of our favorite on-the-go treats for busy times such as this. They’ll tide you over between meals, whether you’re stuck in traffic or embarking on an hours-long journey. For added convenience, divide the snacks into single-serving containers ahead of time.

1)      Trail Mix: Trail mix is our main go-to snack during the summer. It’s filling and contains a variety of dried fruit, nuts and other tasty ingredients. You may want to steer clear of mixes that contain chocolate candies or flavored baking chips, as they will melt in the sun. Some of our favorite NutsOnline trail mix blends include the sunny Tropical Mix, peanut-packed Power Mix and ever-popular Deluxe House Mix.

2)      Dried Fruit: Dried Fruit is a fantastic on-the-go treat. It’s not terribly filling so it won’t spoil your dinner, but it does give you a sweet boost when you need it most. And if you have little ones who beg for candy and other sugar-filled snacks, dried fruit may be a great compromise! All of our dried fruit is fantastic on its own, but we really think our Berry Mix is where it’s at. It’s packed with seven different berries, including our famous dried strawberries!

3)      Fruit and Veggie Chips: Our all-natural fruit and veggie chips are a crisp, satisfying snack and a fantastic substitute for greasy potato and corn chips. The lightly salted veggie chips include gems such as green beans, carrots and taro. Slightly sweet fruit chips are a tropical delight, with melon, banana, pineapple, papaya and mango in the mix.

4)      Freeze-Dried Fruits and Veggies: Freeze-dried fruits and veggies contain nothing but the produce items they’re made from, making them a fabulous snack for toddlers to munch. The Simply Organic Mixed Veggies contain a cornucopia of farm-fresh ingredients such as sweet corn and crispy carrots. The Simply Fruit Cocktail offers up a melt-in-your-mouth array of bananas, berries, peaches, apples, pears and grapes.

5)      Energy Squares: Our bite-sized energy squares are good to keep on hand for days where meals may be delayed. They’re quite filling and provide a nutrient-packed punch for work and play. Organic Chia Energy Squares are fantastic fuel for athletes. Mixed Berry Blast Energy Squares and Honey Vanilla Energy Squares have just a touch of sweetness, with no delicate ingredients that could get melty or gummy in the car.

Refreshing iced tea is a fantastic beverage to drink throughout the summer. It keeps you hydrated while providing you with so many flavor combinations that you’ll never be bored! We think that making iced tea can be elevated to an art form, and we really love to experiment with different types as the summer wears on!

To make a basic pitcher of iced tea, boil 2 quarts of water and measure out 5 tbsp., plus 1 tsp., of loose tea into a large pitcher. Pour the water over the loose tea and steep the beverage for five to 10 minutes before straining it and storing it in the refrigerator. Serve the tea over ice, sweetened with sugar, agave syrup or honey.

Of course, we offer a variety of fruity and minty teas that offer an extra punch of flavor. Lemon spice tea is particularly thirst-quenching, and black currant tea will remind well-rounded tea drinkers of the popular British brew. Raspberry tea and blackberry tea are both bursting with fresh berry flavor. Spearmint tea can be especially cooling on blazing afternoons.

Of course, you can also make your own delicious flavored teas infused with dried fruit. Try brewing up a pitcher of our Ceylon black tea or Japanese Sencha green tea. Right before you pour the water over the leaves, toss a handful of dried fruit in the pitcher. They’ll leave a delightfully subtle, but mildly sweet, flavor in the beverage. Some of our favorites to add to iced tea are sweet dried strawberries, slightly tart whole dried cranberries and summery bing cherries.

Another iced tea concoction that’s popular, particularly in the South, is Lebanese iced tea. This rose-scented beverage has pine nuts floating in it for a rich, unexpected treat. Simply pour out a cup of brewed, chilled black tea and add ½ tsp. of rose water and 1 tsp. of pine nuts to the brew. Sip it through a straw to get the nuts from the bottom of the glass.

We’ve got tons of quality loose teas to choose from on NutsOnline.com, so swing by and peruse the selection. Create your own refreshing beverages and sip your way through the heat of summer!

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 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 (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.