Hi Everyone!

The weekend is approaching and soon it will be time to make your grocery list.  I have a “Superfood” to add to your list this weekend.  Hemp Seeds!  Check out the many nutritional benefits:
1. Contains all 20 amino acids (building blocks for your muscles)
2. Complete source of protein
3. Easy to digest
4. Excellent source of EFA’s Omega 3, 6, 9, and contains more omega 3 than any fish
5. 3 tbsp provides:
~ 14g fat
~ 2g carbohydrates
~ 11g protein
~ 0g SUGAR!
6. Excellent source of energy because of the fat and protein combination

I came across this website http://www.purehealingfoods.com/hempHeartsInfo.php.  The women who designed the website dealt with many different health conditions that doctors were not able to fix.  She started looking for alternative ways to solve her health issues through a naturopath and found great success.  Many of her issues were solved through FOOD, not medications. Hemp seeds is one of the foods she refers to a “Pure Healing Food”.  Go to her website to view the long list of benefits she experienced by adding hemp seeds to her diet.

Hemp seeds have a nut like flavor and taste most like a pine nut.  Here is how you can use the hemp seed:
1. Grind up shelled hemp seeds and keep them in your fridge.  You can add hemp seeds to soups, shakes, omelets, protein bars/balls, oatmeal and yogurt (really, anything you want to add nutritional value to)
2. Hemp oil, you can cook with it or use it in your favorite salad dressing
3. Hemp protein can be used in your shakes or baked goods 🙂

Wondering where the hemp seed comes from and how it differs from marijuana?  Nutiva, a company who provides high quality health and superfoods, has an answer for this FAQ:

“Marijuana and hemp both come from the same species of plant, Cannabis sativa L., but from different varieties. There are different varieties of Cannabis, just as Chihuahuas and St. Bernards are different breeds of dogs, Canis familiari.  Marijuana is the flowering tops and leaves of psychoactive varieties of Cannabis that are grown for their high THC content.  Hemp, also referred to as industrial hemp, are low-THC varieties of Cannabis that are grown for their seeds and fiber. Hemp is grown legally in just about every industrialized country except the USA. ”

Hemp seeds contain less than 1% THC if at all.

 

Here are three simple hemp seed recipes from www.lovingthebike.com:

Hemp Seed Power Cereal: Mix ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds, 2 tablespoons hemp seed, 2 tablespoons cacao nibs, 2 tablespoons unsweetened dried berries, ½ tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp salt, 1 tbsp raw shredded coconut.  Drizzle with 1 tsp organic raw honey and enjoy with any type of milk or yogurt.  Or, just spoon some hempseeds onto your favorite cereal for any extra healthy fat and protein boost.

Hemp Seed Bars: In a large bowl, mix ¼ cup chia or flax seeds, ¼ cup sesame seeds, ¼ cup raw shelled pumpkin seeds, ¼ cup whole hemp seeds, ¼ cup dried fruit, ½ teaspoon sea salt, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/3 cup melted organic coconut oil, 1 Tablespoon vanilla, and ½ cup organic honey.  Once well-mixed, immediately transfer to a large cutting board. Cover with oiled waxed paper (oil side down) and press flat with your hands or with a rolling pin.  Place in refrigerator until firm, then cut into squares.  Store in the refrigerator.

Hemp Seed Pesto Sauce: Since hempseeds are often described as having a pinenut-like flavor, they work well in pesto recipes.  In a food processor, mix 2 c organic hemp seeds, 1 c extra virgin olive oil, 2-4 garlic cloves, juice from 2 lemons, 1-2 cups fresh basil (to taste), salt and ground black pepper to taste.  If you’d like, you can also add ¼ cup parmesan cheese.  Process until smooth or desired consistency.

You can find hemp seeds at your local Vitamin Shop, Whole Foods or online at amazon.

Enjoy!

Yours in Health and Wellness,

Meredith Mitchell