The Nut Blog

Is Organic Food Really Better for You?

Organic Orchard

There once was a time when organic food was the same as “food.” Nowadays, the label “organic” is a special one. It requires USDA certification and strict adherence to not only sustainable organic farming practices but also regulates how a product is produced and stored. Products labeled “100% Organic” cannot be made or allowed to […]

Posted on August 9th, 2018

Frozen Almond Butter and Gingersnap Crust Pie

Frozen Almond Butter Pie

Did you know that Maisie Jane’s sells the best homemade pies in town? Yes! Auntie’s Almond Butter Pie, Chocolate Hazelnut Creme Pie, Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake and three different kinds of ice cream pie. (My favorite is the Java Crunch.) If you live near Chico, CA come on by our sweet little country store at 1324 Dayton […]

Posted on August 7th, 2018

Is Almond Butter REALLY Healthy for You?

Crunchy Almond Butter

The other night I made myself a TINY dessert of yummy Greek yogurt with berries and a sprinkling of cocoa nibs. I decided to stir in a tablespoon of almond butter and caught myself wondering “Is this really as healthy as I’ve been telling myself it is?” Oh, silly me! Almonds in moderation are certainly […]

Posted on August 2nd, 2018

Why We’re Proud to Dry Roast Our Nuts at Maisie Jane’s

Dry Roasted Almonds

Well, the first thing I can’t seem to help myself from saying is that it is far better to dry roast nuts than human beings! I’m roasting in my house as I’m writing this blog post tonight! It’s 8:30 pm and still 96ºF! Of course, that’s an improvement over the 106º we hit earlier in […]

Posted on July 31st, 2018

Indian Dal with Almond Butter (Recipe)

Indian Dal with Almond Butter

Last night I rediscovered my love for Dal, an Indian staple food made from lentils or other legumes. It’s kind of like a soup although I often just ladle it over some rice and dig in! What I like about it is the comforting nutritious quality of the dish. You can make it as spicy […]

Posted on July 26th, 2018

Need Some Energy for Summertime Fun?

Girl with Backpack in the Summertime

Summertime means lots of outdoor adventures, road trips, and long-awaited vacation time. But it’s also HOT! And as soon as I go outside in the Chico 100º and up heat, I just want a nap! But I’ve come up with a few schemes for getting past that. First step is address my mindset. I tell […]

Posted on July 24th, 2018

A Few Odd Facts about the Pistachio

Chocolate Toffee Pistachios

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? I have too many favorites to really choose just one but pistachio is always close to the top of my list! When I was young pistachios were considered a special treat. Because it takes several years for a pistachio tree to bear fruit, they produce well only every other […]

Posted on July 19th, 2018

New Foodie Gift Baskets at Maisie Jane’s

White Elegance Salad Bowl Gift BaAsket

Going to a summertime gathering or looking for a nice gift to give to a food-loving friend? We have a wide assortment of curated gift baskets featuring wonderful locally made taste sensations paired with a selection of yummy treats from Maisie Jane’s. They’re beautifully decorated with season-appropriate bows and ribbons and nicely cello-wrapped for easy […]

Posted on July 17th, 2018

Almond Popsicle Treats for Summertime Fun!

Nutty Fudge Bars

The temperatures have soared into the triple digits here in Chico, as it does every summer. That means it’s homemade popsicle time! I discovered how easy it is to make homemade popsicles last year when I came across some popsicle molds at the local Dollar store. Puree your favorite fruits, add yogurt, coconut milk or […]

Posted on July 12th, 2018

Summertime in the Almond Orchards

Almonds Cracking Open in July and August

One of the nice things about living in Chico, CA is how closely connected almost the entire community is to the lifecycles of our local produce. Nuts, of course, are a big deal in this area and the almond orchards draw people out to the countryside throughout the year. One of my favorite times is […]

Posted on July 10th, 2018