Oh Nuts Blog

The Four Best Hanukkah Food Traditions

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:35:43 -0500

Hanukkah is one of the most anticipated holidays of the Jewish year. People look forward to the exchanging of Hanukkah gifts, spinning the dreidel, lighting the menorah, and eating some delicious Hanukkah food. Some people host Chanukah parties, while some prefer to stay at home. No matter which group you fall into, you can’t make it through the holiday without these essential Hanukkah food dishes: Sufganiyot: Also known as jelly doughnuts. These delicious lightweight doughnuts are often topped with powdered sugar or different flavor icings. If you are not a jelly person, there are also sufganiyot available that are filled with chocolate or nothing at all. It is a great treat for the kids! Potato Latkes: There is never a need for an excuse to enjoy some crunchy potato latkes, but Hanukkah serves as a great one! These are often served with yummy homemade applesauce to balance the salty and sweet flavors. Chanukah Gelt: Who doesn’t love money? Gelt, which means money in Yiddish, are chocolate coins that often are bet in a game of dreidel. If you don’t know the rules to this game of chance, just look out for the Hebrew letter gimmel, and the whole pot becomes yours. Applesauce: This side dish complements your latkes and can double as a delicious and nutritious dessert. Applesauce can be enjoyed straight from the store bought bottle to the homemade version cooling in the pot. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday where it is encouraged to eat deep-fried and oily foods. Hanukkah only comes once a year (yes, it does last eight days), and it is okay to enjoy your favorite holiday foods while watching portion sizes and avoid going for thirds. Many people prefer the real stuff, but for those that don’t, there are many other healthy variations of your favorite Hannukah foods, such as the vegetable patty instead of the carb filled potato pancake. We would love to hear from you. What is your favorite Hanukkah Food?.

Hanukkah gift Ideas

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:37:13 -0500

What is a Good Hanukkah Gift? Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday also known as the Festival of Lights that lasts for eight days and is usually celebrated by giving gifts. So what is a good Hanukkah gift? Traditionally a menorah or Hanukkah gelt would be a wonderful first Hanukkah gift. A menorah is a nine armed candlestick and one candle is lit each night until finally all eight candles are lit by the eighth night. The extra or ninth candle are a Shamash, which is "guard" in Hebrew. This candle is lit to light the other candles with. Hanukkah gelt is the gift of some type of money for Hanukkah . This can be real money i.e., a savings bond, cash, check, or even pretend money like chocolate coins. What child do you know that doesn't like chocolate? Or better yet doesn't like money? Hanukkah gelt has been a traditional Hanukkah gift and is important to children in teaching the tradition of Hanukkah, which is to increase charity and good deeds, by giving. It may seem a little like bribery to give Hanukkah gelt, but only because it is! Giving Hanukkah gelt as a Hanukkah gift is an important component of the process of educating. Until a child has reached a sufficient age and fully appreciates the Torah, then incentives such as Hanukkah gelt are typically used to gain attention. Once the true meaning is understood other items are typically given as gifts. This is a smart approach to obtain the attention from a child. The giving of Hanukkah gifts is equally important and is typically a very well thought out an organized event. Hanukkah gifts are given each night over the eight days, and in some families, Hanukkah gelt is given each night too. However usually as Hanukkah gifts are given out on the fourth or fifth night, the monetary Hanukkah gifts are increased to larger amounts. Other traditional Hanukkah gifts such as the dreidl are well known throughout the world. A dreidl is a four sided spinning top and has a letter from the Hebrew alphabet on each side. It is used for a gambling game called Teetotum, and each letter has a different meaning. Traditionally a dreidl is given with a roll of pennies for gambling with. The letters on the dreidl form an acronym, "Nes Gadol Haya Sham" which means "A great miracle happened here. The statement refers to the miracle that occurred in Israel. Another popular gift is a gift of generosity, where children are often taught to "give" themselves by taking gifts to homeless shelter or giving gifts to their family members. As with any other holiday there are traditional and non traditional gifts, and Hanukkah gifts are no exception. Whether you give Chanukah gelt as a Hanukkah gift, or you give a sweater, there is no wrong Hanukkah gift to give, since it comes from the heart. When your gift is well thought out and given with genuine love, then the gift is always perfect.

Hanukkah 2009

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:21:10 -0500

Hanukkah 2009 starts on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, and lasts for eight days. This year, Hanukkah 2009 will coincide with the following secular dates: Hanukkah 2009 will start on the eve. of December 11 and will continue until 19 December 2009. Here at Oh Nuts we are in full swing preparing for the Hanukkah 2009 season. We have a full selection of Chanukah Gifts and Hanukkah Gift Baskets. We also have the largest selection of Hanukah Gelt and Hanukkah gifts for kids.

Hanukkah Gift Baskets

Hanukkah Gifts For Kids

Chanukah Gelt - Chocolate Coins

Hanukkah Candy

Hanukkah Dreidels

Hanukkah Menorahs & Candles

Biggest Halloween Candy Myths

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:49:37 -0500

Hare you will fined some of the Biggest Halloween Candy Myths Razor blades in apples This is probably the most famous "dangerous Halloween candy" story of them all. Most parents warn their kids not to touch fresh fruit they get trick-o-treating. Halloween razor blade stories began to replace poisoned candy stories in the mid-1960s. Jack Santino, author of "Halloween and Other Festivals of Death and Life," wrote that in 1968 the New Jersey legislature passed a law mandating prison terms for people who boobytrapped apples. That year people found 13 apples with razor blades in them. But Santino said the cases where more details are available indicate that about 75 percent were hoaxes, where the parents or the kids put the razors in themselves. And another study tracked 80 cases of sharp objects in food since 1959 and almost all were hoaxes. Only 10 caused even a minor injury and the worst was a few stitches. Needles in snickers (Judy Sloan Reich, s-s / April 13, 2004) Needles in candy In 2000 James Joseph Smith of Minneapolis allegedly put needles in Snickers bars and gave them out to kids on Halloween. A 14-year-old boy was pricked when he bit into the candy, but no one needed medical care. Smith was charged with one count of adulterating a substance with intent to cause death, harm or illness. Drugs in candy candy: cocaine poisoning (TFW / October 19, 2004) A three-year-old in New Britain, Conn., was diagnosed with cocaine poisoning after Halloween1994. The finger was pointed at his Halloween candy, but no drugs were found on the leftover piece of candy. Drugs in candy candy: herion (TFW/Iris Schneider / October 30, 2006) On Nov. 2, 1970, Kevin Toston, 5, lapsed into a coma and died of a herion overdose. Analysis of some of his Halloween candy showed it had been sprinkled with heroin. Detroit police concluded the boy had gotten into his uncle’s herion stash, and his family sprinkled the heroin on Kevin's candy afterward to protect the uncle. Fruit Snacks (TWP / October 25, 2007) Poison on candy In October 1988 the New York Times reported that traces strychnine were found in a box of Sunkist Fun Fruits Dinosaurs purchased in a New Jersey grocery store. The Food and Drug Administration tested the substance and found out it was cornstarch. But the manufacturer had already destroyed 9,400 cases of the snacks because it said its image was hurt. Snickers with drugs (handout / October 17, 2004) Handing out drugs In 2000 some kids in Hercules, Calif., came home from trick-o-treating with packets of marijuana done up to look like mini Snickers bars. The police traced the fake candy to a single house. They found the homeowner didn't know the Snickers were actually mini marijuana packs. He was a postal worker who took the candy home when it ended up in the dead letter office. Source: snopes.com

Nuts About Nutrition: The Real Deal on Almonds

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:52:43 -0500

"I can't eat almonds because they will make me fat." Chances are either you have uttered this statement or have heard someone else say this. However, this statement may not be accurate as you will see below. A more accurate statement would be "Eating an excess of any energy producing nutrient (carbohydrates, proteins, or fats) will make you fat". Our bodies can be compared to cars and the food we eat to fuel. Just as a car needs fuel to keep it running, so to, our bodies need food (energy) to function. The key here though, is to know which types of food and in what amounts are best for our bodies. Not only do we want to prevent diseases, but we want to feel and look our very best. Yes, it is true, we are what we eat. There is no greater feeling one can have than when one is in control of what he/she puts in his/her mouth. Here are a few raw facts on almonds: · Rich in antioxidants (vitamin E) · Excellent source of protein and fiber · Contains magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron · Low in carbohydrates · 1/4 c. =205 calories The fiber found in almonds helps prevent constipation. This fiber also helps those who have big appetites and are trying to either maintain or lose weight. Almonds are great for diabetics, those diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), or those on a gluten-free diet. Cardiovascular Health Eating almonds is a great way to prevent cardiovascular diseases. The antioxidant action of Vitamin E plays a major role in reducing heart disease risk. Almonds provide 25% daily value of magnesium. A deficiency of this mineral is associated with a risk of a heart attack. Almonds are also very low in sodium, making them an excellent choice for those with hypertension. In 1992, researchers working on the Adventist Health Study at Loma Linda University in California reported that those eating nuts daily had up to 60% fewer heart attacks than those who ate nuts less than once per month. Worried about your weight? Eating almonds actually lowers your risk of weight gain. So, what's the scoop on almonds? How can I eat them and enjoy their excellent health benefits without getting fat? Here are a couple of interesting studies: A study in the journal Obesity found that those who ate nuts at least twice a week were much less likely to gain weight than those who almost never ate nuts. The Nurses' Health Study found that nut consumers were actually a little thinner on average than those who almost never consumed nuts. A study published in the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders revealed that an almond enriched low calorie diet can help one shed more pounds effectively than a low calorie diet which is high in complex carbohydrates. Nuts do not seem to cause a weight gain since they appear to satisfy hunger thereby appropriately reducing the consumption of other foods. For example, substituting one ounce of almonds a day for a carbohydrate rich food would be a good choice. So don't make yourself nuts and enjoy your almonds!

The Jelly Bellies Are In!

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:27:04 -0500

Yup, we finally got them in. We are now in the process of adding the entire 49 Jelly Belly Flavor Line to our Jelly Bean section. Come browse our entire Jelly Belly Jelly Bean selection today, you'll be tempted to buy all of them! We all know, there's no bean like Jelly Belly. Assorted 49 Flavor Jelly Belly Jelly Beans

We're Going Pink for October

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:20:40 -0500

Shop our Pink Chocolate & Candy Selection and go pink! Oh! Nuts will donate 10% of our proceeds of our pink Candy & Chocolate section during the month of October, to the national cancer society; The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Rosh Hashanah Gift Baskets to Israel

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 11:36:37 -0500

New for Rosh Hashanah 2009. We have added a full line of Rosh Hashanah Gift Baskets to Israel. Take a look and enjoy. Israel Chocolate & Nut Line-Up Gift Basket

Israel Dried Fruit Antique Wooden Chest

Israel Rosh Hashanah Gift Basket

Israel Amber Glass Gift Tray

Israel Ceramic Rosh Hashanah Gift Baskets

Dried Fruit & Apple Footed Gift Tray

Israel Shana Tova Basket

Cute Shana Tova Video Clips

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:02:39 -0500

Enjoy these amusing Rosh Hashanah Shana Tova songs and clips!

Rosh Hashanah 2009

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:41:30 -0500

Rosh Hashanah 2009 (Jewish New Year) will begin at sundown on Friday September 18 and ends at nightfall on Sunday September 20. As per the Jewish traditional custom of dipping apple in honey, it became a customary to send Honey Bottles and Honey Gift Baskets as a gift to family and friends. We at Oh! Nuts, always strive our best in bringing you an expanded selection of Honey Jar Gifts for this year's Rosh Hashanah. We at Oh! Nuts are proud to feature the largest selection of Rosh Hashanah Gifts on the Web. You can browse our vast variety of Rosh Hashanah Honey Gifts and Rosh Hashanah Gift Baskets today! Take a look at our Rosh Hashanah 2009 Gift lineup

Rosh Hashanah Honey Gifts

Rosh Hashanah Gift Baskets

Rosh Hashanah Traditional Foods

Rosh Hashanah Favors

Rosh Hashanah Judaica Gifts

Rosh Hashanah Gift Baskets in Israel

Chocolate Helps Your Heart

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:53:32 -0500

A new study finds that men and women who had one heart attack, but ate chocolate were three times less likely to die from second heart attack. News media reported the study suggesting that eating chocolate may cut the risk of dying from heart attack. But the study results could be misleading. The study was conducted by Janszky from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden and colleagues and published in the journal of Internal Medicine. The researchers wanted to know if chocolate consumption may affect the risk for heart disease. Previous research already suggested that antioxidants like flavanol in cocoa could help lower blood pressure and improved the flow of the blood in the body. Janszky and colleagues followed up 1,169 men and women aged 45 to 70 who had had at least one heart attack for eight years. At the beginning of the study, participants were questioned about their dietary habits. They found a link between fatal heart attacks and the amount of chocolate eaten. That is, those who ate more chocolate were less likely to die from heart attack. The association was still significant even after other factors such as obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption were considered, according to the study. Readers need to be aware that the study is not a trial, that is, a causal relation between chocolate consumption and risk of death from heart attack was not established, meaning that eating chocolate does not necessarily lead to a lower risk. A couple of factors may have affected the results. First, we do not know what the participants ate during the 8-year follow-up. And second, those who had more serious cardiovascular conditions might have quit eating chocolate prior to enrollment in the study due to the concern about their health status. In any case, no one should jump eating lots of chocolate as a measure to reduce their risk for heart disease or heart attack. Chocolate should be used as a food largely for pleasure and it should not even be used as a major energy source because of high levels of saturated fat in the food. As a matter of fact, an Australian trial has demonstrated that eating dark chocolate, which contains large amounts of flavanol, did not lower high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Ried K, Frank O. R. and Stocks N. P. from the University of Adelaide in Australia published the trial results in the July 2009 issue of BMC Complement Alternative Medicine. Here is how they conducted the trial cited in verbatim from the study Abstract: Our trial consisted of two phases: a randomised controlled three-group-parallel trial over 12 weeks (phase 1) followed by a crossover of the two active treatment arms over an additional 12-week period (phase 2). Group 1 received a 50 g daily dose of dark chocolate with 70% cocoa containing 750 mg polyphenols, group 2 were allocated one tomato extract capsule containing 15 mg lycopene per day, and group 3 received one placebo capsule daily over 8 weeks followed by a 4-week washout period. In phase 2 the active treatment groups were crossed over to receive the alternative treatment. Median blood pressure, weight, and abdominal circumference were measured 4-weekly, and other characteristics including physical activity, general health, energy, mood, and acceptability of treatment were assessed by questionnaire at 0, 8 and 20 weeks. We analysed changes over time using a linear mixed model, and one time point differences using Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher's-Exact, or t-tests. Below is what they found cited in verbatim from the study Abstract: Thirty-six prehypertensive healthy adult volunteers completed the 6-month trial. Blood pressure changes over time within groups and between groups were not significant and independent of treatment. Weight and other characteristics did not change significantly during the trial. However, a marked difference in acceptability between the two treatment forms (chocolate or capsule) was revealed (p < 0.0001). Half of the participants allocated to the chocolate treatment found it hard to eat 50 g of dark chocolate every day and 20% considered it an unacceptable long-term treatment option, whereas all participants found it easy and acceptable to take a capsule each day for blood pressure. The authors concluded that “Our study did not find a blood pressure lowering effect of dark chocolate or tomato extract in a prehypertensive population. Practicability of chocolate as a long-term treatment option may be limited.” Source http://www.foodconsumer.org

Jordan Almond Flowers

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:00:12 -0500

What could be more ideal to serve your wedding guests more than these White Jordan Almond Flowers? This beautiful Jordan Almond Flower is also known as in its Italian name - Confetti Margherita Flowers. Each flower contains five White Italian Jordan Almonds, which makes it appropriate for the ultimate Wedding Favor. We also have available a variety of Jordan Almond Flowers on Stem. White Jordan Almond Flower

Come Play at Chocolate Ball Land

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:22:40 -0500

Kids and adults alike would love to be at this place. Wouldn't it be fun and fantastic to watch these chocolate ball people march along the road and wait for the green chocolate ball signal on the traffic light made of chocolate? Sounds like a dream, doesn't it? Well it's not far away. Stock yourself up with some milk chocolate balls and start building your own chocolate ball city. When you're done playing you'll have a delicious snack to enjoy! Chocolate Ball Land

Send a Gift to Your Child in Camp

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:28:55 -0500

We have just added our new section Summer Camp Gifts with freshly made candy gifts to send to your child while enjoying his summer in camp. We have a beautiful selection of summer and sport themed nut gifts. Is your child homesick? Send him the 'I Miss Home' Gift. He will feel the warmth of home sweet home right there in his bunk. Want to make your child happy with a surprise gift? Try our Smile Candy Gift. Whatever you choose, your child will be most grateful to you! Red Wagon Camp Gift

Play the Oh! Nuts Way

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:37:59 -0500

Now you can play any sport game the Oh! Nuts way by presenting our new Sport Ball Nut Gifts to your friends and whoever you want to treat. Our selection includes Soccer Ball, Golf Ball, Football & Basketball Nut Gifts.