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!

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?

Howdy!

Have you tried typing nuts.com into your browser recently?

Surprise!

You can now reach us at nuts.com, as well as nutsonline.com.

Our goodies will still make you smile, we’re just easier to find.  Come visit us at nuts.com and say hello to the same nutty family our customers have known and loved since 1929.

~ The NutsOnline Family

What are your Halloween plans? If you’re headed out for an evening of trick-or treating or you’re throwing a bash for your favorite ghosts and ghouls, you’ll want to have a sweet and tasty treat available! This homemade Halloween trail mix is one of our favorite snacks to take on the go and serve to guests!

Mix equal parts roasted pistachios, roasted almonds, roasted peanuts, whole dried cranberries, banana chips and mini dark chocolate nonpareils. Then, add a handful of the secret ingredient: candy corn. Shake it up to mix, and you’ll have a sweet, nutty, fruity blend that’s easy to eat on the go and is packed with protein and fiber. And the best part is that you can customize this trail mix based on your preferences! Try using raw or unsalted roasted nuts for a healthier twist, or unsweetened dried fruit to cut back on the sugar. Pack it all up in a container, and you’ll be ready to hit the town!

Do you have a favorite Halloween treat?

Trail mix is one of our favorite treats. It’s loaded with so many delicious ingredients, and it’s easy to pack in lunchboxes and take on the go. Comes in handy, that’s for sure!

At NutsOnline, we offer nearly 40 varieties of trail mix. There’s something for everyone! Here are some of our favorites.

1)  Berry Mix: Berry Mix is a great treat for those who are wild about dried fruit. It’s packed with raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, sour cherries, cranberries, blackberries and bing cherries. This trail mix slightly sweet and berrylicious!

2)  Jericho Party Mix: Jericho Party Mix is our special creation! Inspired by the CBS show Jericho this trail mix starts with our Southern Heat Mix, which is bursting with peanuts, pepitas, toasted corn nuts, sesame sticks and corn sticks.  We punched it up with fried green peas and sugar toasted peanuts. Jericho Party Mix is a hot, spicy and crunchy mix that can’t be beat! We love to snack on it and take it to parties!

3)  Organic Trail Mix: If organics are your favorite, you’ll love our high-quality and delicious Organic Trail Mix.  This trail mix combines classic ingredients, such as organic sunflower seeds, organic raisins, organic almonds and organic cranberries. It’s a fantastic, heart-smart choice that tastes great!

4)  Extreme Trail Mix: If you like your trail mix loaded with different ingredients, our Extreme Trail Mix is definitely for you! This mix includes popular ingredients like dried strawberries, almonds, M&M’s and golden raisins.  It’s so delicious! Extreme Trail Mix is always a crowd-pleaser, from tots to adults.

5)  Antioxidant Mix: Looking for a trail mix that’s loaded with antioxidants and great flavor? Give our Antioxidant Mix a whirl! The Antioxidant Mix combines goji berries, organic cacao nibs, mulberries, goldenberries (also called gooseberries) and Brazil nuts.  It’s crunchy and sweet but, best of all, it’s good for you, too!

What are some of your favorite varieties of trail mix?

Recently, we were contacted by a First Sergeant in the United States Air Force. He and his unit are currently serving in Afghanistan, and they were in need of care packages. Of course, we jumped at the opportunity! We feel so lucky and humbled that we’re able to send care packages to the brave men and women serving abroad through our Nuts for Our Troops program. We hope that these treats bring them a little piece of home while they’re far away from their families and friends!

If you have a friend or family member serving in the armed forces, you can send them a Nuts for Our Troops care package, too! Just email their names and addresses to customerservice@nutsonline.com, and we’ll help you take it from there! If you’d like to donate a Nuts for Our Troops care package but don’t know anyone who’s currently serving overseas, no worries! We can match you up with a serviceman or servicewoman from our handy database.

And of course, you can always ship any of our products to any APO/FPO military address. We promise speedy shipping and delicious treats!

Here are some photos of our new friends enjoying their care package treats in Afghanistan:

Thanks for your brave service to our country!

It’s apple season, and we couldn’t be happier! We love that crispy, crunchy fruit when it’s at its peak, and we buy them up by the bushel! Oh course, this leads to some experimentation in the kitchen as we work to eat up all that yummy fruit.

One of our favorite recipes to make with apples is homemade applesauce. Our recipe can be kept in the refrigerator for about a week, frozen for up to six months or even canned for later use. And talk about delicious! We accentuate the flavor of our favorite apples with cider, cinnamon and a sprinkling of evaporated cane juice. This completely natural sweetener is not processed like granulated white sugar, meaning that it retains more of the nutrients (and delicious flavor) of the sugar cane. It can be used as a substitute for granulated sugar in any recipe, including baked goods and beverages.

To start, peel, core and chop four large apples of your choice. (We recommend something that’s a little tart, like Jonathan or Granny Smith apples.) Place the apples in a medium saucepan and add ¾ cup of apple cider, ¼ cup of evaporated cane juice, 1 tbsp. of lemon juice, 1 tsp. of ground cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Cover the saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once it’s boiling, lower the heat and continue to simmer it for 20 to 30 minutes. When the apples are soft, remove the pot from the heat and allow the applesauce to cool slightly. If you like chunky applesauce, leave it as-is. If you like smoother applesauce, use a potato masher to mash the apples.

Serve the homemade applesauce as-is, or as a topping on pancakes, waffles or pork chops. Sprinkle the applesauce with pinch of evaporated cane juice for a little extra sweetness, if desired.

That’s all there is to it! What are some of your favorite apple recipes? Have you ever tried evaporated cane juice? We’d love to hear about your experience!

Sesame is one of our favorite additions to homemade breads, cookies and crackers. That’s why we have a selection of sesame seeds that can’t be beat! Take a look!

Sesame seeds are a fairly common ingredient in baked goods, as well as Asian-style sauces, pastas and Mediterranean fare. But did you know there are many different types? We make it our business to carry a wide variety of the highest-quality sesame seeds around. These fresh and delicious sesame seeds will simply pop in all your favorite recipes!

Sesame seeds, which are native to Africa and Indonesia, have been cultivated since the earliest times. These yummy seeds are incredibly nutritious, and contain up to 60 percent oil and 25 percent protein. When sesame seeds are roasted, they have a tasty, nutty flavor reminiscent of the almond.

Unhulled white sesame seeds are perhaps the most familiar variety. They’re the crunchy, toasty seeds that you’ll often find on top of your favorite bagel. These imported seeds are scrumptious in many different recipes.

Black sesame seeds are a prominent ingredient in many Asian recipes, particularly those that feature fish. These unique unhulled sesame seeds are packed with manganese, copper, calcium and iron.

Hulled sesame seeds are softer and lighter in color than the natural unhulled variety. They’re delicious mixed into cookie dough or as topping on soft bread and rolls.

For those of you who prefer organic products, we offer unhulled organic sesame seeds and hulled organic sesame seeds.

Many delicious dips and sauces, including homemade hummus, call for a sesame seed paste called tahini. We offer the creamiest, most delicious Organic Sesame Tahini. It’s even yummy on its own as a vegetable dip or alternative to peanut butter on sandwiches.

What are some of your favorite recipes featuring sesame seeds?

Need a quick, sweet and healthy summer treat? We’ve got a recipe for some outstanding yogurt pops that are sure to tickle your taste buds and cool you down after a long, hot day outside!

Start by lining up four to six small ice pop molds on a flat, level surface. In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup of any flavor of regular, soy or coconut milk yogurt with ¼ cup of chopped dried fruit. What kind? Well, that’s up to you! We like to pair chopped dried strawberries with strawberry yogurt. Dried blueberries, dried bing cherries and whole dried cranberries are scrumptious mixed with vanilla yogurt or plain yogurt sweetened with a bit of honey. For a tropical twist, try mixing chopped dried pineapple or dried mango with coconut milk yogurt.

Spoon the yogurt mixture into the ice pop molds, then pop the sticks into the yogurt. Freeze the yogurt pops for four to eight hours, then slide them out of the molds and enjoy!

Don’t have ice pop molds? Freeze the yogurt mixture in individual serving cups instead! It makes a refreshing frozen yogurt treat, even if it isn’t on a stick!

What are some of your favorite cool summer recipes?

Earlier this week, we told you all about the steps we take to make sure you get your special-occasion sweets delivered safe and sound. But what about after they arrive? Storing your goodies correctly will keep them fresh and delicious for your favors or candy buffet on your big day!

Though we pride ourselves on speedy shipping, it’s a good idea to schedule your candy delivery for two to four weeks before your wedding or party. After you order your products, you can use our special order tracker to see where the shipment is at any time. Cool, huh? If you can, schedule your delivery for a day or time when you know you’ll be home, and avoid shipping candy and chocolate over weekends to make sure they get to you as quickly as possible.

Once your special order arrives, it’s easy to take care of it! Keep all of the products in their sealed NutsOnline pouches until it’s time to make your favors or assemble your candy buffet. If your favors are made of material that exposes the candy to open air, such as mesh, make sure to package the assembled product in airtight containers until use.

Nuts and dried fruit should generally be stored in the refrigerator. Candy and chocolate, on the other hand, need to be kept in a cool, dry spot that is between 59-63 degrees Fahrenheit and has a relative humidity of less than 50 percent. Keeping chocolate in the fridge or freezer can promote “blooming,” which is a whitish discoloration on the surface of the candy. You don’t want that, so opt for a kitchen pantry or cupboard instead!

In addition to following these general guidelines, we offer specific instructions for storing each of our products in the lower left corner of the product pages. Scope out the directions for each of your items to ensure that you’re taking every precaution to keep them fresh.

Of course, if you have any questions about storing your treats, just ask us! We’re available via email at CustomerService@NutsOnline.com or phone at 800-558-6887. You can also reach us via Twitter @Nuts_Online or on our Facebook page.