Nutty Steph's Vermont Granola Blog

Welcome to Nutty Steph's

2010-04-23T05:45:00.001-07:00

Home of the original fresh, handmade, maple-toasted cereal called Vermont Granola.

As well as the very same, fresh, maple-toasted Vermont Granola drenched in Belgian dark chocolate, MAGIC CHUNKS

and other exceptionally unique and tasty chocolate creations, such as:

COCONUT JOHNS & FRESH CANDIED ORANGE PEELS

NEW, as of April, 2010, thanks to our friends at the former Green River Chocolates, we offer a divine selection of pure dark, milk and white chocolate chips, buttons, blocks and 11-lb giant chocolate bars.

1-Lb 85% cacao Bar 1-Lb cacao 58% Buttons 1-Lb White Buttons

Nutty Steph's Candied Orange Peels

2010-03-28T19:16:00.000-07:00

Our orange peels are separated from their fruit, boiled and drained, and rolled in sugar to dry.

I dip them in our finest bittersweet (77% cacao) chocolate and:

VOILA!

We candied peels on Saturday, March 27. They will be dipped and ready to ship on Wednesday.

Nutty Steph's Granola Outlet & Chocolate Bar: UPDATE

2010-03-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

Nutty Steph's chocolate shop is growing into a charmed place of public gathering, revealing to me in waves its own cosmic existence. I have populated the walls with my favorite paintings and installed an old favorite: 1980's Ms. Pac Man "cocktail style" arcade machine. She is closely guarded by our beloved (-by many children, and feared by some-) inflatable giraffe.

The products grow continuously more delicious.

Thank you Josie for your careful chocolate artistry.

Pictured below is our Coconut Haystack: dark chocolate truffle ganache, loaded with Vietnamese toasted coconut, dipped in a thin layer of our house blend 70% cacao chocolate.

Pictured above,the door to the left of the chocolate case currently serves as our entrance. It connects to a hallway, which connects to the lobby, which leads to the front entrance of this Camp Meade complex. We are so tucked away that locals often say they have never known we were in the building. It is nice, in a way. We are a well kept secret. But alas, it is Spring, I am Jaquelyn, and change is inevitable:

Coming next month, we will have a new main entrance, directly off the side of the building. This new Nutty Steph's exposure will have outdoor seating, directly facing the North side of the property, and (view from the picture above) lead into the shop at a bright and spacious angle. Look out for the new entrance being built as you head South on Route 2 through Middlesex.

like Bunnies

2010-03-21T17:25:00.000-07:00

The bunnies Terrify.

2010-03-21T17:16:00.000-07:00

chocolate bunnies,

marching rampant.

i am afriad.

careful what you wish for

2010-02-05T14:05:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day 2010 - We LOVE our community.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Free Chocolate Shot! V-Day 12-3pm

Nutty Steph's will give back to this awesome community for all the love they show us throughout the year. Free “shot” of drinking chocolate on Valentine’s Day at Nutty Steph’s Chocolate Shop. All are welcome on Sunday, Feb. 14 from 12-3pm. It will be hot and spicy and thick and delicious. Come, enjoy. We live to serve.

Our strawberries are an annual event. Today marks the arrival of the first flat of giant strawberries destined for dipping. First, I wash them, and very, VERY carefully lay them out to dry for about 3 hours or as long as it takes for all moisture to evaporate. Then, I temper our finest dark chocolate, hang a string across the chocolate room and begin to dip. In order to create the delicate, pointy tip of our strawberries, I hang each one from the string with a clothespin. The chocolate cools and dries upon the strawberries after a short couple minutes, strung by their stems across the room. I then lay each berry on a sheet-pan and drizzle the rest of the chocolate overtop of these nourishing, well-loved culinary masterpieces.

Nutty Steph's strawberries are available ONLY at our Chocolate Shop, located at "Camp Meade" in Middlesex, VT, right off exit 9, Route 89. To pre-order a $39 dozen (for pickup only), call (802) 229-2090.

ValenTime Of Year

2010-01-29T16:25:00.000-08:00

It's COLD in Vermont tonight. Coldest night of the winter so far. As the chill blows in through cracks in our doors, I am feeling warmed by the enthusiasm of our community. Right now, we seem to be at the center of an involuntary attention vortex. More about that below, but for now, check out these photos:

(left) Me, in the chocolate shop: a unicorn with a icicle horn

(below) "Lover's Bars" arranged in a heart formation for our Valentine's display. These peppermint white chocolate bars are packed with pure raspberries. Their pungent peppermintness tempts people to buy and eat them, even though white chocolate is (snivel, snivel) passé.

Now, more about why we're feeling so hugged and kissed by this central Vermont community these days. In the past 3 weeks, I have been approached by the following establishments asking to feature Nutty Steph's to their listeners/readers/customers. This is how we manage to spend very little money on any kind of advertising whatsoever, and spend it all instead on excellent ingredients and people. Thank you to all of these local establishments for taking the time to check us out and broadcast the good news of Nutty:

- The Stowe Reporter emailed last week to alert me that they will be featuring Nutty Steph's in their "Edibles" photo section for March.

- VPR emailed, asking us to serve our goodies to their pledge-drive volunteers in exchange for a little bit o' Nutty "woot, woot" on the air.

- The Chittenden Bank in Montpelier called yesterday to ask us to set up our goods and information on a table in their branch as their featured commercial customer for February.

- Plainfield Coop, one of our relatively new wholesale customers, is a heroic, tiny-teeny little community-owned village food store. They let us know on the phone today that we are featured on their website homepage, (which I could not later find?...) letting their customers know that our granola and candy bars are a new part of their tremendous selection of natural and local products. Based on the sales they have generated for us so far, I'd say their customers are already well aware!

- Mark Johnson, beloved D.J. on WDEV of Waterbury, VT is spreading the news of our special offers and Valentine's events on his radio show.

- Our new neighbor's "Montpelier Mud" pottery studio, agreed last week to put our chocolate bars in their kitchen, with a can for money. I checked-up this week on the makeshift candy shop: half the bars were gone and all the money was accounted for in the tin can. I promptly re-stocked them!

- MIDDLEBURY CO-OP made us their featured product of the month for February. I'll be down there passing out free samples of granola on February 17 and 23. They have sales happening on our products all month, an advertisement in the Middlebury newspaper, and a story in their Coop Newsletter.

- On top of it all, we recently started selling our line of over 25 varieties of Nutty, fruity, chunky, delicious chocolate bars at NINE new rockin' locales: Marty's in Danville, Middlebury Co-op, Healthy Living Market, Mountain Greens in Bristol, Rutland Food Co-op, Joe's Pond Store in West Danville, Jamba's Junktiques in Burlington, Plainfield Co-op and Delish candy shop in Montpelier.

I'm feeling grateful, and connected.

Many thanks to "all my relations"**,

Jaquelyn "Nutty Steph" Rieke

**"Mitakuye Oyasin" is a Lakota prayer that translates approximately to "All My Relations," or: we are all related.

Maple Sugar

2010-01-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

Young Emily was a visitor in our shop yesterday and flashed those beautiful wide eyes at our chocolate-dipped maple candies. It inspired me to take her photo and write a bit about our maple herstory.

We've always sweetened Nutty Steph's Vermont Granola with only pure maple syrup. Maple syrup metabolizes more slowly in the body than more refined forms of sugar. This means that even though kids WILL eat our granola because it is so mapley delicious, they will NOT bounce off the walls, crash, or get hungry for another bowl. No sugar spike! That's one reason that Nutty Steph's is a great alternative to conventional cereals and breakfasts available to children.

We acquired our maple syrup from the Herb, Molly and John Neill Family at "End o' Road Maple" Farm starting at our beginnings in 2003 until 2006, when we needed more than they could tap. We are thrilled to return to our relationship with the Neills through the new addition to our chocolate case that Emily is modeling. These are pure maple, leaf-shaped candies, tapped, boiled and formed at "End o' Road Maple" and dipped in our house blend of fine European dark chocolates.

Bless The Frenzied Masses

2009-12-20T09:56:00.000-08:00

Shoppers are giddy, almost nervous, choosing from our wide selection of fresh truffles;

pure, delicious, hand-crafted treats for their loved ones.

We are packaging up plenty of all our favorites:

peppermint truffles (above),

peppermint bark (left),

And MOUNDS and MOUNDS

of Magic Chunks (left).

Donna has been nuts about Chunks lately.

She's making them by the hundred-pound. And packaging 3-lb. bags for sale at the shop.

The holiday consumer momentum is building and churning and growing before our eyes in our glistening shop. People have the frenzy. Reaching for a gift selection, a chocolate bar, a bag of Chunks, a box of truffles, anything they can give, to ease their relationship guilt, reaching for connection and brightness as the wilderness outside closes in on the darkest day of the year.

We carry on behind our counter, ready and still. The shop is a woman in climax,

ready for action, yet having seen it all unfold already before her.

And then, on December 25, for 7 days we rest.

New York Holiday

2009-12-12T13:14:00.000-08:00

Here's me in the great city of Manhattan on Thanksgiving hoiday.

I spent most of my time at Central Park's Wyman Rink and Bryant Park (FREE skating rink!), gliding away woes and replacing them with WOAHs! Hours and hours on NYC ice, right in the middle of all the action, spectators abound, (a phenomenon I'm known to relish), and Sinatra bellowing through the wintery night air. I even bought a corny photographs of myself from Bryant Park, which I was so looking forward to posting but alas: my scanner is a doozie.

It wouldn't be a trip to New York without a visit to my favorite purchaser in all the world: Manuel at Zabar's. What a sweetheart! Thanks Manuel.

Even if Vermonters DO talk smack about our shrewd and stylish neighbors to the South...

Cheers to the New Yorkers,

Jaquelyn "Nutty Steph" Rieke

Halloween Treats

2009-10-27T10:06:00.001-07:00

Nutty's are getting gooey, goopy, slimy and spooky with our Halloween treats. Pictured above are Steph's special handmade milk, dark and white chocolate skulls to scare deliciousness right into your bones! Since our treats are handmade and our creed is to create less waste, we do not offer individually wrapped little tidbits. But, trick or treaters -- please don't forget to knock on our door, the light is always on for you! We have plenty of goodies in the all hallows spirit.

Did you know that our magic chunks were originally dedicated to the wrongfully accused women lost in witch trials in New England in the late 1600's?

We are fortunate to live in an age where pleasure is realized as necessary to the well-being of the human spirit. Let's not take that for granted (simple pleasures in moderation, right?). And what more?! Adornment, dancing, ritual, celebration, intrigue and festivity is equally as integral. Adults: stop tricking yourself into thinking that treats are bad for you... and don't trick your kid by sneaking into their overstuffed, candy-filled pillow case stashed under the bed for months. Instead, let Melissa Pasanen show you where to get candy for grown-ups.

Waaaa-haaaa-haaaa!!!

Nutty Steph's wins Best of Vermont!

2009-10-07T09:01:00.000-07:00

We are the proud winner of the Best of Vermont Competition at the Champlain Valley Fair

The Champlain Valley Expo is located in Essex Junction, Vermont and has a rich cultural history. It was established as a fairground and exposition site in 1922 and continues to host an important agricultural tradition each year: The Champlain Valley Fair. This year a new tradition began-- sponsored by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, the Best of Vermont Competition held family-fun events and demonstrations with a focus on Vermont products and agriculture. Nutty Steph's was proud to be voted Vermont's most beloved granola!!! The runner up in our category, Red Door Bakery (based in Marshfield, VT), was Steph's ultimate inspiration to start Nutty Steph's. Thanks Red Door!

Results of the Best of Vermont Competition:

Strawberry Jam
First Place: Side Hill Farm
Second Place: Summer in Vermont Jam
Third Place: Elmore Roots

Chevre
First Place: Does’ Leap
Second Place: Fat Toad Farm
Third Place: Blue Ledge Farm

Granola
First Place: Nutty Steph’s
Second Place: Red Door Bakery
Third Place: Woodstock Cookie Co.

Maple Mustard
First Place: Northeast Kingdom’s Spicy Maple Mustard
Second Place: Northeast Kingdom’s Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce
Third Place: Butternut Mountain Maple Horseradish Mustard

Exotic Jam
First Place: Summer in Vermont Jam’s Blackberry Currant
Second Place: Side Hill Farm’s Habanero Mango
Third Place: Elmore Roots’ Red Currant Kiwi

One Year Cheddar
First Place: Grafton Village Cheese
Second Place: Cabot Creamery Cooperative
Third Place: Shelburne Farms

Salsa
First Place: Mariah’s Specialty Vermont Maple
Second Place: Gringo Jack’s Harvest
Third Place: Granny Blossom’s Hot Apple

Camp Meade Community Arts Circus 9/9/09

2009-08-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

In honor of Red Hen Bakery’s decade of breadbaking the artists of Camp Meade are hosting a circus-themed event that is fun for the whole family!

On Wednesday 9/9/09 at 5 pm a smorgasbord of spectacular events will unfold. From 5-7 pm the Bread and Puppet Band will blast their brass while attendees delight in live circus acts, fortune and story-telling, horse-drawn carriage rides, a 50/50 raffle and free local hot dogs and sauerkraut on Red Hen buns.

Then, in true old time Vermonter spirit, a fast-talkin’, wheelin’, dealin’ Auctioneer offers local goods ranging from fine oil paintings to a cord of wood at 7 pm sharp. The proceeds will benefit the Camp Meade Artist Fund, in hopes that the former Civilian Conservation Corp camp will continue to host working artists in the 17 cabin studios.

To end the night, musical luminaries Mad Dub bring the dance party, and for those who wish to take it easy, a bonfire isn’t a bonfire without a crowd.

The artistic community at Camp Meade is in in infancy. Spearheaded by Jaquelyn Rieke in the ‘Nite Office’ you can find local talent such as painters Maggie Neal, Cheryl Daye Dick and up and coming Danny Hendershot. Also, stain glass sculptor Margaret Blanchard and object theatre performer Trish Denton, just to name a few.

Be certain you’ll see the property owners Don and Lise Wexler happy to see the camp brought to life by creative energy and the support of the community. The inspiration of the community is fed by tenants Red Hen Bakery, Ann’s Weavery, Angio’s Artisan Ice Cream and Nutty Steph’s Vermont Granola and Chocolate Shop. Celebration attendees can be certain to eat chocolate treats and much more.

Fair Trade Make-Over

2009-08-18T10:08:00.001-07:00

We are in the Fair Trade spirit!

Last month, renowned artisan baker, Nessa Rabin visited us. She was thoroughly impressed with the old-time confectionery fashion of our humble little shop. The one critique that she offered was a need for better signage in our showcase.

Jaquelyn suggested that I find a new means for framing and displaying our signs. For inspiration on moving towards our goal to offer a Fair Trade, Organic Chocolate Bar, I was compelled to find some handcrafted Fair Trade frames to help with the beautification process.

Fair Trade is an internationally-recognized approach to trading which aims to ensure that producers in poor countries get a fair deal. A fair deal includes a fair price for goods and services, decent working conditions, and a commitment from buyers so that there is reasonable security for the producers.

After much convoluted Internet searching I was led to the World of Good shop (www.worldofgoodinc.com). What a relief! World of Good, Inc. was founded in 2004 to create sustainable, market-based solutions to global poverty alleviation. They offer an array of gorgeous goods that you can feel good about hashing out some capital for.

Thanks to Amelia Smith and Juli Bittner I was able to purchase a large sum of fabulous petite frames made by The Happy Friendly Movement in India. They are dazzling: skillfully made with durable, all-natural materials and of the highest quality. Just what we were looking for.

We LOVE to support fellow artisans working towards equitable trade, and hope to further support each other to actualize a just and creative economy.

2009-03-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

Easter is just around the bend... Hop on down to Nutty Steph's Chocolate Shop for your very special basket-worthy treats!

We've got Chocolate Bunnies galore -- and with bunnies on our minds, we have partnered with local cookie baker WENDY KNAPP to donate $1.00 per every bunny sold to the Central Vermont Human Society.

Whether its chocolate covered cookie bunnies, white, milk, dark, funny bunnies, classic bunnies, giant chocolate eggs, truffles, dipped pretzels, organic fruits and nuts, we can help you customize a beautiful gift for your loves.

Carpooling Granola - opp. for FREE product

2009-02-24T08:05:00.000-08:00

We are somewhat forlorn about the state of transportation of goods and people in our society. Gasoline, emissions, concrete over forest, field and wetland... it's too much!

However, this is the reality of travel and transport, so we'd like to work within that system to create positive alternatives.

We are seeking a carpool situation for our granola deliveries! If you are headed somewhat regularly to BRATTLEBORO, WHITE RIVER JCT., ESSEX, BURLINGTON or SMUGGLER'S NOTCH, we have an opportunity for you.

If you would willing to drop off a box of wholesale Nutty Steph's to an address in these towns, we will offer you $12.00 of granola or chocolate products from our shop.

It's simple if you're already headed that way -- When we have a delivery that needs to go to these towns, I will call you and let you know. Then you just swing by our shop at Camp Meade, come in the side door, and your box and whatever treats you request will be waiting for you.

Interested? Email sales@nuttystephs.com with your name, phone and email address and I'll put you on the list.

Nutty Steph's at the Inauguration!

2009-02-24T07:05:00.000-08:00

Linda Purdy can't leave home without her Nutty Steph's. Pictured here you can see her devices for channeling the warmth of Vermont's homemade goodies and woodstove comfort to stay warm in the chilly crowd of 1.8 million happy people on the mall in DC.

She enthusiastically wrote to us, "Thanks for the granola. Happy 44th Presidency!"

Nutty Steph's wishes you HOPE, everyone...

WCAX Fun in the Morning

2009-01-21T09:42:00.001-08:00

Andrew, Greg, Donna, Steph and I had an exciting morning working it for the camera.

Andy the Camera Man got some great shots of the young and dashing Jack Thurston as he asked gently-probing, genuine questions to make interesting conversation with Steph about small business in Vermont.

See us on the air for Made In Vermont on Channel 3 WCAX News this Friday at 6:00!

Also, the news piece will soon be streaming online! Until that link is at your disposal, here are some exciting shots of a fun morning at Nutty Steph's Chocolate Shop.

The TEAM

2009-01-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since we had a co. family picture. Ladies and Gentleman, introducing (from left to right) Astounding Andrew, Donna The Do-er, Greg Get-Er-Done, Madame Jaquelyn (the artist formerly known as Steph) and Tenacious Trish.

We are cooperating, communicating, laughing, learning and pushing the envelope to bring you exciting, honest and wholesome local treats.

From our family to yours...

Hosting the Bake Shop Field Trip

2009-01-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

We were so tickled today to fill the shop with young energy.

The Harwood Union High School Bake Shop earned their end of the semester class field trip by baking and selling 76 pies. After a tour of the Red Hen Bakery next door, Nutty Steph showed them around our place and had a laugh-a-riot talking about her early failures and triumphs as a young business person.

Thanks for coming out bakers!

Another Community Work Party!

2009-01-14T07:40:00.000-08:00

This is an ivitation to build community while cultivating your chocolatier skill base...

Community Work Day at Nutty Steph's!!!

When: February 1st from 11 am to 5 pm

Who: 8 lucky volunteers (first come, first serve)

What: In exchange for making truffles and various other shop tasks, you will receive 3 pounds of chocolate, lunch prepared by Jaquelyn and the drink of your choice from Red Hen Cafe.

Please call 802/229/2090 or email granola@nuttystephs.com to RSVP

Monkton Scouts Spread Nutty Cheer

2009-01-08T07:21:00.000-08:00

We were more than delighted to make a yummy donation of bulk granola to the 2008 Monkton Community Caroling Event as well as the Monkton School Holiday Bazaar.

We hear the Monkton Community Caroling was a huge success! Over 50 Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, 4-H Members, and their parents packaged 24 baskets with homemade treats and locally-based goodies! They then split into four groups to deliver the 24 baskets to the tune of A SONG to elderly and shut-in community members.

They also used our granola at the Monkton School Holiday Bazaar. They were able to raise $1800.00 for enrichment programs such as Vermont Council of the Art Residencies and the Flynn Theatre. Glad we could give a little smile to elderly and shut-in folks in Monkton, as well as the K-6 children that attend Monkton Central School.

It was our pleasure, thank you for asking us to participate Sylvia and Janet!

Stocking Stuffers

2008-12-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

Between the amazing array of local products next door at Red Hen and our sizably perfect packages here at the shop... we've got your socks stuffed! I've seen folks leaving with armloads of tiny goodies feeling stoked about their stockings.

Come by and grab a bar or two, some trail mix snack packs or chunks before that special morning...

Holiday Decor

2008-12-19T09:34:00.001-08:00

I arrived at work one blustery winter morning to be warmed by the cheer of our impressive new window display!

Steph was siezed by inspiration and went nuts stringing up little bags of granola and magic chunks and delicious chocolates with bulbs and ribbon and tinsel and a brilliance like none other!

It has brought alot of spirit to Camp Meade, I'm sure we all agree...

Community Work Party

2008-12-19T09:13:00.000-08:00

Steph had the magnificent idea of putting out a call for 6 volunteers to work for chocolate for community building and support.

The party proved to be a magnificent idea, with a day full of productivity and delight. We were joined by the tireless Banjo Bob and Allen the Chocolatier, 8 year old Anna (who ran the show!) and her adoring mother Lynn, Justine and Amy who ditched their scrapbooking group to be with us and Ruth and Hannah, the elusive artists from up the road.

The highlight of the afternoon was sitting around Steph's swiss woodstove and enjoying one another over a lunch of local brussel sprouts, leeks and grass-fed beef franks.

Let us know if you want to do it again sometime!