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, 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.

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.

April is National Soy Foods Month, and we know there’s plenty of cause for celebration. Soy products have myriad health benefits and are packed with essential nutrients. Sounds like good reason to snag some soy-based treats!

Soy items contain quite a bit of dietary protein, including all essential amino acids. This makes them quite helpful for rounding out vegetarian diets that derive most of their protein from plant-based sources.  Because soy contains no cholesterol, it’s also a heart-healthy alternative to animal-based proteins such as meat and dairy products. Cutting back on fattier proteins can decrease your heart-disease risk and lower cholesterol levels.

Soy also offers isoflavones, which some doctors believe have estrogen-like effects in the body. Consuming soy foods can be beneficial to women who are going through menopause for this reason. However, some people are more sensitive to soy foods than others, so it’s important to ask a doctor before incorporating soy into your diet as a treatment for symptoms of menopause.

These days, there are thousands of different soy products available! Soy milk, soy cheese, tofu and soy yogurt, as well as processed soy items like veggie burgers, are among the most common. However, it’s also simple to slide soy foods into your day as snacks in place of your usual chips, crackers or cookies.

Dried organic soy beans are delicious when they’re cooked and added to soups or salads. Salty roasted soy beans and dry roasted edamame are so satisfyingly crunchy that you’ll never miss fattier fried snacks.

If you like your munchies on the seasoned side, try hickory smoked soy beans or spicy BBQ soy beans.  The wasabi soynut explosion mix really attracts those who crave variety.

Soy snacks can also be sweet. Honey roasted soy beans are rolled in a sweet coating. Chocolate covered soy beans and dark chocolate covered soy beans are rich and delicious.

Soy foods are just waiting for you to give them a whirl, and what better time than during National Soy Foods Month? Whether you crave sweet or savory, we’ve got a treat for just about anyone!

March is almost over, but it’s not too late to celebrate National Peanut Month! National Peanut Month, which began as National Peanut Week in 1941 and expanded to a 31-day blowout in 1974, recognizes this mighty legume’s place in the American diet.

Peanuts are a great source of nutrition. A 1 oz. serving of roasted peanuts contains 6 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber. Peanuts, though high in fat, offer heart-healthy monounsaturated fats that can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. They are naturally cholesterol-free and include vitamin E, niacin, folate, phosphorus and magnesium.

There are many different ways to work a dose of peanuts into your diet. Start simple with a helping of unsalted, roasted Virginia peanuts. Jumbo roasted peanuts in the shell work wonderfully as appetizer items at a barbecue or snacks at a ball game. Spanish peanuts, which are served with the skin on, are a rich, salty addition to salads, soups and stir-fry.

If the natural peanut flavor gets a bit boring, branch out. Honey roasted peanuts are wonderful for those with a sweet tooth. Wasabi peanuts have an incredibly hot kick that will shake up your taste buds. Sweet and spicy buffalo peanuts and tangy ranch peanuts are delicious on their own or mixed together.

Organic smooth peanut butter, which contains no added sugar or salt, really showcases the natural goodness of peanuts. However, if you have a food processor handy, you can just as easily make your own peanut butter!

Pour about 2 cups of unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts and 1 to 2 tablespoons of peanut oil into a food processor. Process the nuts and oil continuously on high speed for a few minutes, until the mixture turns into a smooth paste. Add salt to taste, if desired, and store your homemade peanut butter in an airtight container in the fridge.

Peanuts are incredibly versatile, not to mention tasty! Make sure to mix up a peanut-based treat or indulge in some homemade peanut butter to celebrate National Peanut Month before the last few days whiz by!

Here at NutsOnline, we love to provide our customers with opportunities to get exactly the treats they need to fit their lifestyles. That’s why we’re proud to offer a new series of 10-item sampler packs specially aimed toward specific dietary needs and personal preferences. To celebrate the release of these packages, we’re hosting a competition to see who’s the nuttiest of all our specialty eaters!

Wanna get in on the fun? Hop on over to the Munch Madness page starting Friday to vote for your favorite package and enter to win a free specialty sampler pack!

Here’s how it works: We’ve pitted teams (representing the starter packs) against one another in a bracket-style competition. Browse the starter packs, choose your team, and register for a NutsOnline.com account to vote for them up to one time per day. The teams that receive the most votes advance to the next round. In the end, one lucky team will be named champion!

Of course, we want to reward you for your efforts by sending some goodies your way! After each round, we’ll draw names of voters who will receive a complimentary sampler pack for their team.

Not sure who to root for? There’s a sampler pack for everyone! Options for those with dietary restrictions include Team Gluten-Free, with snacks like veggie chips and chili-lime pistachios, and Team Raw Food, which includes Turkish figs and Acai Blueberry Superfood Cereal. For those who prefer a gourmet touch, we have Team Indulge, packed with yummy sweets like chocolate-covered pretzels, and Team Foodies, which offers premium products such as jumbo Medjool dates. Check out all eight options to find the team that deserves your support!

Munch Madness will run from March 19 through April 5, so don’t waste any time! Explore the sampler packs and choose your favorite today!

The unique spice of ginger is something that’s often enjoyed in cookies, cakes and teas. But did you know that the knobby rhizome lends more than just a snappy kick to foods?

Ginger has long been touted as having medicinal benefits. Since ancient times, Asian, Indian, and Arabic herbal medicine has used it to treat a variety of ailments, including stomach upset, colic, heart conditions and arthritis. It turns out that in many cases science backs up those traditions.

Perhaps the most common modern medical use for ginger root is in the treatment of nausea and vomiting. Doctors often recommend that those who regularly experience mild motion sickness munch on ginger-laced items to quell the symptoms. Pregnant women with morning sickness can also get some relief by chewing on pieces of the rhizome or sipping ginger tea.

Ginger is also widely used as a natural remedy for hot flashes related to menopause and cancer treatments. Chewing on ginger or ginger-flavored items can calm the sudden-onset symptoms as they occur and prevent them from returning.

When it comes to viruses like the common cold, ginger can also be a helpful recovery aid. Ginger tea soothes sore throats, producing a numbing sensation. The spicy tea can also open up clogged nasal passages and relieve coughing.

Modern doctors aren’t entirely sure why ginger helps ease the symptoms of so many ailments. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that the volatile oils and pungent phenol compounds found in ginger root are thought to be the active components, but it hasn’t been studied thoroughly enough to make a definite conclusion. Regardless of the reason, many health professionals who ascribe to natural remedies can’t get enough of this wonder rhizome.

There are many different ways to work ginger into your diet. Adding fresh ginger to your food or boiling it in water to make a ginger herbal tea is always an option, of course. If you don’t have the fresh version on hand, you can also get that gingery goodness from other sources. Crystallized ginger is a spicy, sweet treat that’s very popular and great to take on the go. You can also steep a sugary slice in hot tea to give your drink some pep. Ground ginger can be added to soups, hot drinks or baked goods like breads, cookies and muffins. Candies containing ginger oil, such as Ginger Cuts, can soothe coughs. If you crave something a bit more luxurious, dark chocolate ginger slices may be right up your alley.

It’s important to check with your doctor if you’re taking prescription medications on a regular basis before beginning an herbal treatment plan that includes ginger. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, studies have shown that ginger can interact with blood-thinning medications. Once you get the go-ahead, dive right in! Even when you’re feeling top-notch, ginger can spice up your day and your diet.

See some NutsOnline customer testimonials on crystallized ginger here.

More and more people are choosing to go organic these days, citing environmental and health concerns. As the demand expands, so has the number of organic items available in stores and online. But if you’re contemplating switching to organic foods, you may be left with a simple question: What exactly does that organic label mean?

Organic foods are items that are grown or raised without unnatural pesticides, weed killers, chemical fertilizers or synthetic drugs. Organic farmers use natural substances to grow their crops and ward off insects. All foods that carry the organic label in the United States come from a farm that has been inspected by a government official. These farms must meet stringent standards and undergo rigorous (and expensive) licensing tests, so you can rest assured that they offer organics that are up to snuff.

Though fresh fruits and vegetables may be the most noticeable organic foods in stores these days, pretty much any edible item (including animal products) can be organic. Organic meat, eggs and dairy products come from animals that consume organic feed and are not treated with antibiotics or growth hormones.

Because organic food production does not leach chemicals into the soil, it is better for the planet than traditional farming. Organic items generally come from smaller farms because the process is so much more labor-intensive, a fact that helps conserve both land viability and water supplies.

Some people also believe that organic products are better for your health. It is true that even when they’re washed, non-organic produce items still contain trace amounts of pesticides. These pesticides can cause harm in large doses, but studies haven’t definitively shown whether the small amounts found in non-organic food items affect humans negatively. However, if you do decide that you’d like to reduce or eliminate those type of chemicals from your diet, going organic will certainly ensure that they won’t sneak in. Because organic items do not contain the same preservatives, they also tend to be fresher and may offer more nutrients in some cases.

It is true that organic food can be costly; this is because organics are more expensive to produce. Growing organics requires more manpower and attention. Because organic farms tend to be on the small side, they may not qualify for financial help from the government that helps larger, non-organic producers keep the prices down. You can stretch your organics budget by focusing your efforts on the fruits and vegetables that tend to have the highest pesticide levels: apples, bell peppers, peaches, celery, cherries, kale, nectarines, strawberries, lettuce, grapes, pears and carrots.

Want to make the switch? It’s OK to take it easy at first! If you’re concerned about quick-spoiling fresh produce, start off by trying out some organic dried fruit and organic nuts. Dried organic mango is a sweet treat with a mellow flavor, and organic mixed nuts offer variety. Organic trail mix is great for munchers on the go!

You can also mix up a batch of custom organic trail mix by combining your favorite varieties of dried fruit and nuts. A mixture of dried blueberries, dried cherries, banana chips and macadamia nuts offers a great combination of sweetness and crunch that can’t be beat!

When it comes to eating for your health, many people swear by a plant-based diet. This style of eating can take on many forms, from simply working more fruits and veggies into your day to transitioning to a full-on vegan regimen. Want to take things a step further? Focusing on raw foods is one way to bring a plant-based diet to a whole new level.

A raw food diet generally consists of uncooked, unaltered plant-based items. This can include fresh produce, whole grains, sprouted seeds, beans, some varieties of dried fruit and raw nuts. Alcohol, caffeine and processed sugars are generally prohibited, as are animal products (with the possible exception of unpasteurized milk and eggs). Strict raw programs usually consist of about 75 percent fruits and vegetables.

Those who follow a strict raw food diet will not eat food that’s been heated beyond 115 to 118 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because they believe that warming the items destroys enzymes and vitamins that are critical for proper digestion. Though this point is a matter of hot debate in the scientific community, some studies do suggest that raw items are slightly more nutrient-rich than their cooked counterparts.

If you’re considering transitioning to a full-on raw food diet, make sure to do your research first! Raw foodists must consume a delicately balanced selection of items each day to get all of the fuel their bodies need to function. It is also prudent to take a multi-vitamin to make sure you’re getting enough vitamin B12, calcium, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids.

If you’re interested in testing the waters but aren’t ready to jump in the pool, never fear! You don’t need to go all in to reap the benefits that a raw diet offers. Raw diets are naturally low in fat, sodium and sugar, as well as high in fiber. Simply incorporating more raw items into your daily diet (as opposed to processed items) can help you lose weight and gain energy.

Start out slow by snacking on raw almonds, fruits and veggies. You could give exotic Turkish figs a whirl, or nosh on Cacao Goji Energy Squares for a quick boost.

Work in more raw items as the mood strikes; for instance, you can make a filling and nutritious chia seed smoothie for breakfast. Pour 16 ounces of water into a blender. Turn the appliance onto the lowest speed and slowly add 2 to 3 tablespoons of ground chia seeds to the water. Finally, throw in a few handfuls of berries or sliced bananas, turn off the blender and let the smoothie sit for about five minutes. The chia seeds will thicken the smoothie and cause it to resemble a loose gel. Chill the smoothie if desired, then drink it down!

Are you ALIVE?  Well, you’d better be!!! We just added the entire sprouted nut product line from this great company called Living Intentions. Instead of roasting their nuts, they sprout them, which is a process that involves soaking the nuts in water and then seasoning and gently air-drying at low temperatures less than 115 degrees. Drying at low temperatures, instead of roasting, protects all of the live enzymes and nutrients. The end result is LIVE nuts! Check out the great flavor sprouted products below:

Acai Blueberry Superfood Cereal

Cacao Crunch Superfood Cereal

Chia Ginger Superfood Cereal

Cilantro Lime Pistachios & Pepitas

Hemp & Greens Superfood Cereal

Sprouted Super Flour

Sweet & Spicy Chipotle Pistachios

Wild Berry Sprouted Trail Mix

Rosemary Garlic Pistachios & Almonds

Sesame Teriyaki Almonds & Cashews

Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds

Mango Goji Fire Sprouted Trail Mix

Maple Mesquite Pod Walnuts

Raw Cacao Brazil Nuts & Mulberries

Sprouted Almonds

White Chocolate Chip Almonds, Cashews & Cacao Nibs

Raw Cacao Almonds & Raisins

Sun Dried Marinara Almonds & Pistachios