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Go nuts!

Organics - You may think an almond is just an almond, but you'd be wrong.

For instance, there are more than 30 varieties of almonds grown in California, which produces almost 80 per cent of the world's crop. Of those, the best in terms of quality is the nonpareil. When it comes to almond snacks, though, most companies use the lower, less expensive grades.

Not Maisie Jane Hurtado. She uses only nonpareil almonds, most of them organically grown, for her dozen or so delicious Maisie Jane California Sunshine Products.

Not only that, but she really oven-roasts the almonds -- most snack producers fry the almonds that are labelled "roasted."

Hurtado and her husband Isidro grow the almonds themselves for deliciously nutritious snacks, such as Cinnamon-Glazed Almonds, Dark Chocolate Almonds and Honey-Glazed Almonds. Although almonds are fairly high in calories, 150 calories for 1/4 cup (50 mL), they are also loaded with nutrients, including protein, fibre, minerals and vitamin E.

Maisie Jane California Sunshine products are available at Community Natural Foods and Planet Organic Market.

For more information, go to www.maisiejanes.com

How to get cooking

Book - Don't know how to boil an egg? Then Calgary author Julie Van Rosendaal has written the cookbook for you.

Starting Out (Whitecap Books, $24.95) is a lively, recipe-packed cookbook for the culinary neophyte. It's designed for young adults who haven't spent much time in the kitchen, but the recipes -- Grilled Portobello Burgers, Eggplant Parmigiana, Sour Cream Pound Cake -- look so delicious, more experienced cooks might want to try them too.

The book includes lots of basic information about ingredients, as well as tips, methods, how-tos and clever suggestions for leftovers. It's a great graduation gift if you know someone who's just making their way in the world.

If you want to meet the author, Van Rosendaal will be signing copies of Starting Out from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, at Coles in TD Square, and again on Friday, May 12, from noon to

1 p.m. at McNally Robinson Booksellers.

Cherry on top

New product - Just in time for playoff season, Coca-Cola has launched a new flavour -- Coca-Cola Black Cherry Vanilla -- in both regular and diet versions. It's sweet (of course), but smooth and subtle. Well, for soda.

To promote the new flavour, Coca-Cola is launching a contest where you can win a trip for two to a NHL Stanley Cup playoff game. Go to www.icoke.ca for details.