During the cold, blustery days of winter, it can be tough to gather the energy you need to power you through the day. It’s easier to pull the covers over your head in the morning than to get to get up and tackle your daily goals.

Luckily, the foods you eat can give you a big pick-me-up. On the new health section of our website, you can find a number of foods to boost energy. Just click on the lightning bolt! Here are five of our favorites.

1. Chia Seeds

The terrific nutritional power of chia seeds makes them a favorite of health experts. According to Dr. Oz, “They just may be one of the healthiest things around.” Marathon runners and business people also love chia for its energy-boosting benefits. Aztec warriors are said to have carried chia seeds with them in battle and on the hunt, to build their energy and endurance. Try chia seeds in your oatmeal, add them to baked goods, or eat them raw!

2. Goji Berries

A study by the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that among healthy adults, goji berry juice increased energy levels, athletic performance, and even a general sense of well-being. Goji berries are mildly sweet and satisfyingly chewy. They’re delicious when added to cereal, yogurt, or trail mix.

3. English Walnuts

Walnuts make a versatile, delicious snack. They’re also full of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital to keep your body’s systems functioning: cell division, digestion, and brain activity. Getting these systems running smoothly will help you feel less sluggish and more energized.

4. Sunflower Seeds

Your body needs a combination of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to stay properly fueled, and sunflower seeds contribute nutrients in each of these categories. They’re especially rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and Vitamin E, an important antioxidant. Sprinkle sunflower seeds on salads or eat them by the handful.

5. Organic Acai Powder

On Oprah.com, Dr. Perricone named acai his number one superfood. Acai berries have more antioxidants than almost any other fruit and contain high levels of fatty acids, amino acids, and dietary fiber. Acai powder has a slightly tart, tropical taste and is especially tasty when blended into smoothies or yogurt.

Which foods do you eat to boost your energy?

Yawwwwwwn.

Heading back to work after a holiday break is never easy, and just getting out of bed in the morning can feel like a Herculean task. Give yourself something to look forward to each day by stocking your pantry full of delicious, healthy breakfast foods that will perk up your sleepy taste buds and get you ready to tackle the day.

And it’s not just your mother who insists that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Research shows that eating a good meal at the beginning of the day gives your body the energy it needs to function, helps you maintain a healthy weight and leads to better alertness and focus throughout your daily activities.

Here are some of our favorite healthy breakfast foods:

1. Acai Blueberry Superfood Cereal

What better way to start your day than with a bowl full of superfruits? Our acai blueberry superfood cereal is hearty, nutritious and packed with antioxidant-rich blueberries, acai, elderberries, bilberries and camu camu fruit. Studies show that blueberries may have numerous health benefits, from improving memory and combating disease to lowering blood pressure and protecting heart health.

2. Organic Raw Cacao Goji Energy Squares

No time to sit down for breakfast? No worries! Our raw cacao goji energy squares are perfect on-the-go bites that fit easily into a purse or briefcase. They are gluten-free and certified organic, made from goji berry powder, dates, raisins, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, dried apricots, coconut and chunks of cacao.

3. Gluten-Free Steel-Cut Oats

A bowl of this fiber-rich hot cereal will keep you going all morning long. Heat up our pure, old-fashioned oats with water and salt on the stovetop, then sprinkle with walnut pieces and dried fruit for a well-balanced breakfast. Try our gluten-free rolled oats, as well!

What is your favorite healthy breakfast item?

The holidays are a time of many happy indulgences: creamy mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving, buttery cookies at Christmas, and free-flowing champagne at New Year’s. After a few weeks of treating ourselves, many of us feel motivated to restore balance to our bodies through healthy eating. Losing weight is a common New Year’s resolution, and fortunately there are plenty of metabolism boosting foods that also satisfy your tastebuds! Here are five of our favorites.

1. Almonds and Other Tree Nuts

Though nuts are relatively high in calories, when eaten in moderation, they can actually help you lose weight! In separate studies, researchers at Purdue University and City Hope National Medical Center found that tree nuts, such as almonds, and peanuts increased weight loss in study participants. So enjoy a handful of mixed nuts, or make a custom trail mix of your favorite tree nuts, guilt-free! Nut flour is great for baking, especially if you maintain a gluten-free diet.

2. Kale

We know what you’re thinking: that leafy green stuff? Well, this superfood is not just for rabbits anymore! Kale chips are a popular snack, because they’re good for you and absolutely delicious. They have a subtle crunch and come in a variety of flavors, such as Sea Salt & Vinegar, Spicy Miso, and Cranberry Nut.

3. Dried Fruit

Foods that are high in fiber, such as dried fruit, keep the digestive moving and boost metabolism. Dried plums (or prunes) are especially helpful because of their high iron content, which transports nutrients through the body quickly. Similarly, high potassium in dried bananas helps transfer nutrients to cells, which increases metabolism. Other fruits, such as dried apples and dried raspberries, are also great choices because they’re packed with fiber.

4. Green Tea

Japanese Zen priests were the first to use Matcha Green Tea in ceremonies aiming to achieve beauty, tranquility, and enlightenment. Studies have found that green tea helps burn fat and is high in antioxidants; 100% Matcha Green Tea offers these benefits in highly concentrated form. Mix it with hot water for a comforting beverage (sweeten it with a little honey, if you like!), or use it to make green tea yogurt or ice cream. Yum!

5. Chili Peppers

Capsaicin, the natural chemical in chili peppers that makes you sweat, is precisely what helps you burn energy and lose weight through a metabolic process called thermogenesis. Rehydrate dried chili peppers and add them to curries, soups, and stews to infuse them with flavor. This article shares how to cook with dried chili peppers.

What are your favorite metabolism boosting foods?

January 1 is an opportunity to start fresh in a brand new year. What better way to welcome in 2013 than by preparing a feast of foods that symbolize good fortune or prosperity in the new year? Traditions vary within different cultures, but here are a few of our favorites.

Legumes

Legumes, including beans, lentils and peas, are lucky foods that represent money and prosperity (watch how they grow when cooked).

Green Lentils

In Italy, it is traditional to prepare cotechino con lenticchie (pork sausages and green lentils) on New Year’s Day for abundance and wealth. Use our organic green lentils, which are rich in protein, fiber, folate and iron.

Blackeyed Peas

In the Southern United States, people eat blackeyed peas just after midnight or on New Year’s Day to represent luck and prosperity (some even eat one pea for each of the 365 days in the upcoming year!). This tradition dates back to at least the Civil War in the US, but it may have Jewish or African roots. Cook up a pot of hoppin’ john or blackeyed peas and collard greens (greens also symbolize money).

Long Noodles

In Asian cultures, eating long noodles at the start of the new year is thought to bring health and longevity. Make a bowl of sweet and spicy stir-fry noodles, but be careful not to break the noodles once they’re in your mouth (this is bad luck).

Dried Pomegranates

In Turkey and other Mediterranean countries, pomegranates symbolize good luck for the new year. Our dried pomegranates are sweet, tart and full of vitamins.

What do you traditionally eat on New Year’s Day?

You’ve hung the stockings on the mantel for Santa, put presents under the tree, and made your plans for the Christmas holiday. Now all that’s left to do is to figure out what to bake! Recipes made with nuts are perfect for the holidays (of course, if you have guests with nut allergies, let them know which items to avoid). Here are three nutty Christmas recipes that we think your loved ones will enjoy.

Glazed Nuts

Who doesn’t love the sweet and savory blend of glazed nuts, with that terrific crunch? Also called candied nuts, these treats are best enjoyed by the handful. This simple recipe combines ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground ginger with brown sugar and vanilla to create a sweetly spiced glaze. Choose your favorite kinds of nuts: walnuts, pecans, or even mixed nuts! Use raw nuts for this recipe, because you’ll toast them in the oven. And if you’re short on time, you can buy candied pecans or candied walnuts. We doubt your guests will complain!

Nutty Holiday Logs

This guilt-free recipe was created a by a registered dietitian, and it will still satisfy your sweet tooth! It combines chopped walnuts with sugar, spices, and grated orange zest, then rolls the mixture up into flaky phyllo dough. Once the logs are baked until golden and cooled, you’ll melt chocolate chips and drizzle the chocolate over the logs. Yum!

Christmas Fruitcake

Because fruitcake gets such a bad rap, it will be easy for you to wow your guests with this crowd-pleasing Christmas fruitcake recipe. It’s made from dried fruit instead of candied fruit and has a texture that’s light and cakey, less dense than you’d expect from a fruitcake. This recipe calls for dried cherries, dried mango, dried cranberries, and dried currants, though you can substitute your own favorite dried fruit in the same quantities. The chopped pecans add a nutty flavor and crunch. Top this fruitcake with a layer of almond paste, or just serve by itself! It’s delicious either way.

What are your favorite nutty Christmas recipes?

Image credits: Town and Country Gardens, Matthew Bietz 

During the holidays, it seems that everywhere you turn, there is another cookie, candy or truffle waiting to be sampled. Give into your sweet tooth on your favorite holiday treats, but keep healthy and satisfying snacks handy for when you need a boost of energy.

English Walnuts

Here is an excellent excuse to use your holiday nutcracker! Keep a big bowl of English walnuts in the shell in your house, and guests won’t be able to resist digging in. Our walnuts have a mildly sweet flavor, and they are brimming with health benefits:

• Source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (1.5 ounces of walnuts is more than enough to fulfill the FDA’s daily requirement of omega-3 fatty acids)
• Low in saturated fat and high in polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated fat
• No cholesterol (and might actually lower cholesterol)
• Source of dietary fiber and protein, as well as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, vitamin B1, B6, folate and vitamin E
• Source of phytochemicals and antioxidants which protect cells from free radical damage

Organic Turkish Figs

Sweet, tender Turkish figs are the perfect simple snack or addition to a holiday salad or side dish. Dried figs have a high antioxidant content (higher than dried apricots, cranberries, dates, raisins and plums) and rank in the top 10 whole foods for fiber content in the USDA nutrient database.

Roasted Golden Chickpeas

Chickpeas (garbanzo beans) are popular in salads, soups and hummus, but did you know they also make an excellent snack? Our natural golden chickpeas are humidified to make them soft, then roasted in an oven for a flavorful and crunchy result. Chickpeas are rich in fiber protein, folic acid, zinc and magnesium and are linked to lowering cholesterol.

What healthy snacks do you like to keep on hand during the holidays?

If you visit our warehouse in Cranford, NJ, you will be greeted by our new nutty sign.  Stop by and say hello!

For those of us who depend on that cup of joe to get going in the morning, and those who simply love the warmth and rich taste, coffee makes a welcome Christmas gift. It’s exciting to mix up your routine with new flavors of brewed coffee, and to sample sweets that combine coffee with other delicious flavors. Here are our favorite gifts for the coffee nut in your life:

Coffee Gift Ideas

The Ultimate Coffee Nut Bonanza

This is for the true coffee nut, the one whose veins course with the glorious black stuff!

• A high-quality travel mug
• A pound of Deluxe House coffee beans
• NY espresso mix
• Dark chocolate espresso beans
• Raspberry dark chocolate espresso beans
• Mocha beans

For those who feel over-caffeinated, you can order our Deluxe House coffee in decaf!

Royale Coffee Sampler

Give the gift of variety with this sampler of our three favorite coffees in half-pound bags:

• Our Deluxe House coffee blend, perfect for that first cup of coffee of the day.
• Our French Vanilla coffee pairs wonderfully with dessert. Our French Vanilla is the smoothest, best tasting available, without the unnatural taste that other French Vanilla coffees can have.
• Our Hazelnut Supreme coffee is great for weekends, or any other time you’re feeling nutty.

Flavored Coffee

Why drink the same coffee blend every morning when you can try a variety of different flavors? Let your loved ones wake up to our delicious flavored coffees. Here are a few:

• Bailey’s Irish Cream Coffee
• Whiskey Flavored Coffee
• Snickerdoodle-Type Coffee
• Chocolate Fudge Coffee

And so many more!

Coffee Candy

Coffee candies make for a rich, yummy treat:

• Mint Chocolate Espresso Beans
• Espresso Malted Milk Balls
• Coffee and Cream Almonds
• Hopjes Coffee Candy
• Assorted Colored Espresso Beans

There is nothing like waking up on a chilly December morning to discover that everything is covered in a blanket of fresh snow. But even if sledding and snow angels aren’t in your forecast, you can still enjoy decadent white chocolate treats that are perfect for a winter day at home.

White Chocolate Favorites

White Chocolate Chips

Our creamy white chocolate chips are great for baking, topping ice cream or other desserts or simply eating plain straight out of the bag. Use them instead of milk chocolate chips in your next cookie or cupcake recipe, or melt them for white chocolate fondue.

For a special everyday treat, make white hot chocolate: stir together milk (or a combination of milk, half-and-half and heavy cream), white chocolate chips and a splash of vanilla in a saucepan over low heat. Let the mixture come to a simmer (not a boil), then pour into a mug, top with marshmallows, whipped cream and a dash of ground cinnamon.

White Chocolate Toffee Cashews

Cashews are a versatile and healthy nut, full of protein, fiber, potassium, folate and Vitamin B. While they are delicious plain or in trail mix, they are a finger-licking good dessert or snack when they are covered with white chocolate and toffee!

White Chocolate-Covered Cherries

Our white chocolate-covered cherries are the ideal festive treat and a blend of sweet and subtly tart flavors.

White Chocolate Bark

Our white chocolate bark is a new spin on an old favorite. We take huge chunks of almonds and cover them in fine white chocolate.

What are your favorite white chocolate desserts?

We’re excited to announce a brand-new section of our website: one that’s especially for Health Nuts! If you’re looking for foods that will help you manage your weight, boost your heart health, or maximize your nutrition, this is the place to start.

Here are four ways to make good use of the Health Nuts section:

1. Find links to our healthiest products, all in one place.

We’ve sorted our products into the following categories, so you can quickly find what you’re looking for:

• Superfoods, such as blueberries, quinoa, and maca powder
• All-Natural Products, such as  Simply Fruit Cocktail, raw almonds, and fruit leather
• Certified Organic Products, such as organic nuts, organic sweets (like organic gummy bears!) and organic dried fruit
• Raw Products, such as cashews, mushroom popcorn kernels, and Acai Blueberry Superfood Cereal

2. See at a glance which products have specific health benefits.

3. Locate answers to your health and nutrition FAQs from our Registered Dietitian Health Nut.

Our Registered Dietitian, Molly Morgan, has compiled answers to our customers’ most frequently asked questions. Here are a few questions you’ll find in the FAQs of the Health Nuts section of our website:

• How often should I incorporate whole grains into my diet?
• I’d like to lose some weight. What are some good snacks for mixing up my routine?
• Which nuts have the highest protein content?

4. Learn healthy eating habits for special diets.

Molly Morgan not only answers general questions about healthy eating, but she also addresses questions about special diets. Here are a few that you’ll find in the FAQs:

• What are good nut choices for diabetics and others watching their diets?
• How much protein do I need as a vegetarian who eats a plant-based whole food diet?
• What is the best way for someone on a gluten-free diet to get enough fiber?

Let us know in the comments what you think of our new Health Nuts section, and what else would be helpful to you!