May is National Salad Month, and we think that’s just great! We love crisp, cool salads during the warm spring and summer months, and with the right ingredients, salads never get boring. Nuts.com offers quite a few products that can give your salad a flavor and nutrition boost. Hooray!

Salad booster is the ultimate salad seasoning. We love it! Salad booster is made from a mixture of sprouted seeds, savory seasonings, veggies and superfoods such as organic sprouted pumpkin seeds, spirulina, organic sprouted sunflower seeds and white chia seeds. Cheesy salad booster has the same nutritional power as regular salad booster, with the added flavor of nutritional yeast.

Salad topper mix is a classic combination of salad topping such as sunflower seeds, soy beans, imitation bacon bits, sesame seeds, vegetables and spices. We also offer traditional salad toppings such as sesame salad bits and seasoned homestyle croutons. They’ll add a little crunch to your simple salad!

Nuts and seeds can add a little extra nutrition and flavor to salads. Try raw sunflower seeds, raw pepitas and sliced natural almonds. Organic hemp seeds and chia seeds are also both great options for topping salads.

If you like to add a little sweetness to your salad, we highly recommend adding a handful of dried blueberries. They’re great when paired with goat cheese and greens! We also love chopped organic sundried tomatoes. These sweet and salty little tomatoes are grown without pesticides and are certified organic by CCOF.

What are some of your favorite salad toppings?

Our Energy Squares are a delicious treat that provides snackers with a sweet little energy boost. Made with naturally delicious and nutritious ingredients, Energy Squares are ideal for hikers and sports enthusiasts. They’re transportable and tasty!

Energy Squares are available in a dozen varieties via Nuts.com. Customer favorites include Organic Raw Cacao Goji Energy Squares, Organic Chia Energy Squares and Honey Pistachio Energy Squares. They’re a fantastic component for a healthy diet, packed with whole foods that naturally promote high energy and good nutrition. We definitely recommend Energy Squares as an energy booster for healthy lifestyles!

If you love Energy Squares, you’ll definitely be a fan of our brand-new Organic Date Flax Energy Squares. These delicious Energy Squares are loaded with quality ingredients such as organic dates, organic flax, organic turmeric and organic acai, as well as organic sunflower seeds, organic sesame seeds and organic apricots. Besides being made of 100 percent organic ingredients, Organic Date Flax Energy Squares are certified gluten-free. Pack up a batch and head out into the spring sunshine for a workout!

What are your favorite varieties of Energy Squares? Have you tried our new Organic Date Flax Energy Squares?

We’re just wild about the health benefits that almonds have to offer! High in calcium, zinc and protein, almonds are packed with nutritional benefits. Tests have shown that almonds can even lower the risk of heart problems. In fact, a study published by the American Heart Association found that the monounsaturated fat in almonds can help lower blood cholesterol. They’re also a fantastic source of magnesium, vitamin E, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and iron.

Though we do love munching almonds by the handful for a healthy and filling snack, we also enjoy making homemade almond milk. Unlike many brands of store-bought almond milk, homemade almond milk is free of artificial flavors and sweeteners, and does not contain stabilizers that can give the milk a thick, gloppy texture. Homemade almond milk is slightly sweet and quite creamy, with a delicate flavor that pairs wonderfully with cereal, coffee and baked goods.

To start, pour two cups of raw almonds in a bowl and add just enough water to cover the almonds. Soak the almonds for eight to 12 hours, or until they’re softened and plump. Drain the water from the almonds and divide the batch in half. Dump half of the almonds into your blender pitcher.

Add 3 cups of cool water, 1/2 tablespoon of organic agave syrup and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, if you want to make vanilla almond milk. Blend the mixture until it is mostly smooth, then pour it through a fine mesh strainer to strain out the crushed almond pulp.

Repeat the process with the second cup of almonds. (Most standard blenders can’t handle the full batch at once without making a big mess!)

Store the homemade almond milk in a covered container in the refrigerator. It will keep for four to five days. Make sure to give it a shake before pouring it; because homemade almond milk contains no thickeners or stabilizers, it will separate in the refrigerator.

Most importantly, enjoy!

We are pleased to introduce one of our newest (and tastiest) products: Organic Prenatal Mix! This delicious mix is packed with healthy ingredients that are designed to satisfy pregnancy cravings as well as provide optimal nutrition for pregnant women.

Loaded with yummy ingredients such as almonds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, apricots, prunes, raisins and dark chocolate chips, Organic Prenatal Mix is perfect for the mother-to-be in your life. In fact, its sweet, rich and nutty flavor is something that just about everyone will crave!

Each ingredient in the Organic Prenatal Mix is certified organic by the CCOF, because we only want the best for moms-to-be! The mix is packed with helpful vitamins and minerals to help baby grow and mom remain healthy, such as calcium for the development of nervous, muscular and circulatory systems; and folate, which helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord and protects the pregnant woman against cancer and stroke. Organic Prenatal Mix also contains helpful vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin B-6, vitamin E, phosphorus and thiamin.

Our Organic Prenatal Mix makes a fantastic gift for the mother-to-be in your life! Give it a whirl, and congratulations from our nutty family to yours!

We have quite a few friends and customers who are currently sticking to the paleo diet. This diet is based on consuming foods such as lean meats, nuts, veggies and fruits. Quite a few of our delicious, nutritious flours, nuts and dried fruits work well in the paleo diet plan.

If you’re following the paleo diet, our selection of nuts will certainly give you a lift! Nuts are recommended for those following the paleo diet because they include a healthy dose of fats, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They’re also quite filling. Some varieties of nuts that are recommended for followers of the paleo diet include walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts and pistachios. Seeds such as sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are also great choices. All of our nuts and seeds are tasty and of the highest quality, so they’re definitely worth including in the diet!

If you’re looking to bake up some paleo diet-friendly treats, you have to give our specialty flours a try! Our flours are always fresh and delicious, perfect for whipping up a batch of your favorite paleo diet muffins, bread or cookies. We love our almond flour and organic coconut flour, both of which are naturally gluten-free. Our almond flour is a low-carb alternative to wheat flour that works in a wide variety of recipes. Organic coconut flour, savory and just a bit sweet, is scrumptious in cookies and cakes.

Some versions of the paleo diet also allow followers to eat a small amount of dried fruit, either on its own or mixed with nuts. We recommend taking a look at our selection of natural dried fruit, most of which does not include added sugars or preservatives. Chewy dried fruit and crunchy freeze-dried fruit are sweet treats that will certainly replace any sugary dessert or snack that you might crave! Freeze-dried vegetables are also a satisfying snack that may be considered paleo diet-friendly by some.

What are some of your favorite paleo diet ingredients and snacks? Is there anything from Nuts.com that you just can’t do without?

Chia pudding is one of our favorite treats. It’s smooth, a little sweet and quite delicious! It also has the added bonus of being fantastic for you. Chia seeds are packed with nutrition, and they’ve been shown to aid weigh loss, help athletes stay hydrated, reduce blood pressure and help control blood sugar.

Chia pudding is quite simple to make and, because it’s not cooked, even raw food enthusiasts can enjoy this delicious dessert!

Start by pouring 2 tbsp. of chia seeds into a mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup of vanilla almond milk or soy milk, 1 tbsp. of nut butter (such as raw smooth almond butter) and a handful of chopped strawberries or half of a mashed banana. Stir the ingredients to combine, then cover the bowl and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes, or until it has thickened. Serve it with a sprinkling of ground cinnamon or organic cacao powder. Delish!

We love to mix it up by adding nuts, dried fruit or sweeteners to this chia pudding recipe. A tablespoon or two of walnut pieces or chopped raw pistachios give the pudding a fantastic richness and crunch. Dried blueberries, organic sour cherries and jumbo golden raisins all pair well with the pudding’s texture and flavor. Organic maca powder, organic agave syrup and honey can give the pudding a little extra boost of sweetness that you might enjoy. A little experimentation definitely pays off with this recipe. Let your imagination run wild!

Do you make chia pudding? What are some of your secret ingredients?

February is National Fiber Focus Month, and we think it’s a great reminder to get more fiber in your diet. According to an article on MayoClinic.com, eating more dietary fiber can lower your risk for diabetes and heart disease, increase your overall digestive health and aid in weight loss. There are two types of dietary fiber: soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Both are very beneficial, and both can be found in delicious products from Nuts.com!

Soluble fiber can help lower total blood cholesterol, reduce your blood pressure and help control your blood sugar levels. That’s great for everyone! Some delicious snacks and ingredients that contain a good amount of soluble fiber include whole grains such as steel cut oats, beans, figs, dried apples and dates.

Insoluble fiber helps get your digestive system moving, and promotes overall digestive health by supplying your system with roughage. Many whole grains and dried fruit also contain insoluble fiber. Some of our favorites include flax seed, organic high fiber hot cereal, barley and dried pears. These treats are tasty and healthy!

What are some of your favorite fiber-packed snacks? Have any special recipes or meal ideas that incorporate this important dietary component? We’d love to hear all about them!

Does your loved one lean more toward healthy fare? We think one of the best presents you can give your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day is the gift of heart health. Many sweet and delicious treats also promote cardiovascular health. Here are our top five favorites:

1) Almonds: This nutty treat is spectacularly healthy! Of the 14 total grams of fat in a serving of almonds, 64 percent is monounsaturated. This monounsaturated fat has been shown to lower cholesterol, according to an American Heart Association study. Sounds like a fabulous deal to us!

2) Walnuts: Walnuts are naturally cholesterol-free, and regular consumption of these nutritional powerhouses can lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol, as well as your total blood cholesterol.  The phytochemicals and antioxidants found in walnuts protect cells from free radical damage that could result from heart disease.

3) Dates: Dates for your date? Great idea! Dates are packed with potassium, a mineral that your body uses to maintain muscle contractions, including those that keep your heart beating strong. They’re also a fantastic source of fiber, which can help lower blood cholesterol. Plus, they’re virtually cholesterol-, fat- and sodium-free! Dates sure are great!

4)  Raisins: Think raisins are just for kids? No way! Raisins are loaded with vitamins and minerals that are great for snackers of all ages! New research has shown that you can lower your cholesterol naturally by including raisins in a Mediterranean-style diet.

5) Heart Healthy Mix: This special trail mix was designed with your heart in mind! We put together some of the best ingredients known to help control cholesterol in this delicious Heart Healthy Mix. Try it today for a tasty, healthy treat!

What are some of your favorite smart snacks for a healthy heart?

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?

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!