Hemp refers to a variety of Cannabis plant
and its products. Hemp is a tall, slender, fibrous plant that has been
cultivated worldwide for over 10,000 years. Industrial
Hemp is remarkably beneficial and used in food, fiber, oil, seeds, soaps, lotions, and balms.
Hemp is an easily digestible vegan protein which is gluten free and has no
known allergens. Hemp contains all 20
amino acids and all 9 of the essential amino acids that our bodies cannot
produce. Hemp seed oil provides the highest plant source of Omega essential
fatty acids with almost no saturated fat. It has a perfect 3:1 ratio of Omega-6
Linoleic Acid and Omega-3 Linolenic Acid which is helpful for cardiovascular
health and immunity. Hemp is rich in fiber, vitamin E, trace minerals, and
phytonutrients. Phytonutrients help protect
your immunity, bloodstream, tissues, cells, skin, organs and mitochondria. Hemp seed doesn’t contain phytic acid which is an
anti-nutrient that prevents us from absorbing minerals.
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| Photo courtesy of en.wikipedia.org |
One handful of hemp seed per
day will supply adequate protein and essential oils for an adult. The light, nutty flavor of hemp seeds make them a perfect raw ingredient
for breads, cereals, waffles, nut butters, protein powders, nutritional oils,
non-dairy milk, and ice cream.
Hemp is cost effective, earth
friendly, and grows well almost everywhere.
Hemp can be grown organic, without
pesticides or fertilizer chemicals. Hemp is an environmentally sustainable
solution because it has deep roots, which is good for the soil, and when the
leaves drop off the plant, minerals and nitrogen are returned to the soil and
it requires less water that other crops.
Therefore, it has been grown on the same soil for twenty years in a row
without any noticeable depletion of the soil, making it a preferred rotation
crop.
Agricultural considerations
may make hemp the food crop of the future because it resists UV-B light, which
is a kind of sunlight blocked by the ozone layer. Soy beans do not take UV-B
light very well. If the ozone layer were to deplete by the predicted 16%, soy
production would fall by 25-30%, while hemp would not. Hemp has been
used to provide food in many instances of famine.
Hemp is grown legally in just about every industrialized
country except the USA .
Hemp seeds do not contain any marijuana and they
do not get you “high”. To grow marijuana you have to have special seed that
grows a plant high in THC, the property responsible for the drug response.
Commercial hemp seed contains very low amounts of THC, plus they contain a
substance that counteracts THC.
Hemp Seeds and Oils blend into smoothies well. You can stir into
juices, add to cereal, yogurt, and batter mixes.
Mark your
calendars for the 5th Annual Hemp History Week – June 2-8, 2014 . It's Time to get involved and
celebrate. Every day,
more and more Americans discover the benefits of hemp. Here’s a healthy recipe to get
you started.
Hemp Banana Smoothie
Ingredients:
2 tbsp Hempseeds
2 tbsp Nutiva Protein Shake
1 banana
A dash of vanilla
1 cup water or almond milk
Directions: Blend the hemp seeds and 1-2 oz water into a
thick cream and pour into the blender.
Add the cream, ice, and remaining ingredients into the blender. Mix
well.
