If you’re anything us, one of your New Years’ resolutions is to get to the neighborhood Farmers Markets more often.  And why wouldn’t you want to support local farmers and vendors, especially because their products are artisanal and fresh?

We recently discovered Giddy Up Nuts—a collection of organic seasoned almonds, founded by Kristy Mangia, a current Valley resident who was raised in the neighborhood and attended Notre Dame High School. 

Kristy’s concept for Giddy Up Nuts was born out of a desire to create a healthy snack alternative using seasonal ingredients, fresh at the Farmers Market.  All flavors are produced with egg whites and spices, including the signature variety, which features notes of orange zest, chili, cayenne pepper, and a subtle hint of cinnamon.  There's pumpkin spice, and lemon zest—touched with a hint of vanilla.  The coffee chocolate balances cocoa with a kick of cinnamon, and our favorite is the salty kick of the rosemary garlic variety. 

Currently the nuts can be found at the Agoura Hills Farmers Market (Every Sunday, 9 am-2 pm, 5835 Kanan Rd.), and they will soon be available at the Calabasas Farmers Market (Every Saturday, 8 am-1 pm, 23504 Calabasas Rd.). 

Giddy Up Nuts is also making its way into other Valley marketplaces such as Jim’s Fallbrook Market in Woodland Hills, Blue Table Gourmet Deli in Calabasas, and deeper in the Santa Monica Mountains at places such as King Gillette Ranch and Cornell Winery.

As we try desperately to stick to our resolutions of having a healthier 2014—we’ve found ourselves snacking on Giddy Up instead of cheese and potato chips.  Don’t get us wrong, there’s a time and a place for that.  But sometimes, you just want to have your nuts and eat it, too.

Giddy Up Nuts, giddyupnuts.com.