Got Hemp?

Got Hemp?  It does a body good.

Cultivation of hemp dates back over 10,000 years!  It was first used as food in ancient China and India.  For nearly 3000 years it was the planet's largest agricultural crop and most important industry producing fiber, paper, clothing, lighting fuel and medicine used by much of humanity.  

In the 17th century, American farmers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Virginia were ordered by law to grow Indian Hemp.  By the early 18th century, a person could be sentenced to jail if they weren't growing hemp.   Hemp can be farmed without herbicides/pesticides, without field rotation, and in a variety of soils and climates.  Modern technologies have made possible over 20,000 products from hemp.  We should be growing more.   

It is and always has been Earths' most sustainable resource. 

Hemp seeds are a "Super Food", a gift of nature.  They are one of the most nutritious foods in the world. Containing a complete protein, They have the most concentrated balance of proteins, essential fats, vitamins and enzymes then any other food.

Here are a few benefits;

*Promotes heart health: with a perfect 3:1 balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.

*High in fiber: has both indigestible and digestible fibers.

*Contains 20 amino acids: but also the 9 essential amino acids our bodies cannot produce, which makes it the perfect protein.

*Rich in GLA: which helps in inflammation reduction, balancing hormones, fighting cancer and MS.

*High in Vitamin E: also potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc.

For more information on hemp see here: Pure Healing Foods, History of Hemp

An easy way to get a daily dose of hemp seeds is to top your morning oatmeal.

You can get an 8 oz bag from Trader Joe's for under $5.

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd

The Power of Seeds

It's amazing how much nutritional power a tiny seed can contain.  Seeds are some of the most powerful foods you can consume.  If you think about it, a seed contains all the nutrients it needs to grow into a mature plant.  Therefore, we get a tiny power punch of nutrients to boost muscle growth and provide us with a lt of clean energy.  Seeds are full of amino acids(protein), magnesium, B vitamins, iron, fiber, healthy fats and many more minerals.  

Some of the more common seeds are:

*Chia Seeds- they provide much more omega 3 fats than omega 6 keeping that ratio balanced to fight inflammation. For more info see Chia

*Flax Seeds- Known for their high fiber content, they assist in lowering blood sugar. You MUST use ground flax seeds, as our bodies cannot digest whole seeds. You can add them to just about everything like salads, smoothies, oatmeal, baked veggies and even substitute in gel form for egg replacement in baking.

*Hemp Seeds- hemp seeds have mega dose of magnesium which regulates muscle/nerve functions, blood sugar and blood pressure. They provide a mild nutty flavor to just about everything. For more info see this: Benefits of Hemp Seeds

*Sunflower Seeds- everyone loves sunflower seeds. They promote healthy cardiovascular systems, full of magnesium,, healthy cholesterol levels, promotes healthy mental health and "Selenium" maintains healthy thyroid and hormone levels. For more info see this: Benefits of Sunflower Seeds.

Pumpkin Seeds- with Halloween this week, it's a great time for pumpkin seeds. When cleaning and carving your pumpkin don't throw away the seeds! Roast them!  They are full of potassium, protein and vitamin E.

*Sesame Seeds- sesame seeds have long been a favorite, topping buns, making tahini paste, in stir fries and curries. They are high in iron and calcium and provides fiber to lower cholesterol and protect the heart.  Tahini makes the greatest hummus.   

*Quinoa- a replacement for dishes using rice, Quinoa is a high protein packing seed. High in manganese, magnesium, copper, fiber, and folate. Also, it's gluten-free! For more info see: Quinoa

For those quick, easy and nutritious snacks throughout the day, just a carry a pack of mixed nuts and seeds. You can never go wrong with that option.

Correction from last week's post:
I found out that almonds and walnuts are actually seeds, not nuts😏
Have a great week.
Be kind.
Judd