Today we’re going to show you how to make DIY hemp milk at home.

Not only is it super fast and easy, but you can add ingredients to suit your personal taste preferences. Homemade hemp milk is a more economical option to store bought hemp milk, and you know exactly what is in it. Let’s make some hemp milk!

DIY HEMP MILK RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds)
• 3-4 cups of water (use less water for thicker, creamier milk!)
• Pinch of salt
• Optional ingredients: agave, pitted dates, maple syrup, or honey to sweeten. Use as little or as much as you want, based on how you want your hemp milk to taste.

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients into the blender and blend for 1-2 min.
2. If you prefer smoother milk, you can strain through a nut bag or cheesecloth, otherwise just stir or shake before serving.
3. Want flavored hemp milk? Try adding some cacao powder, vanilla, or a handful of your favorite berries!

If you’re doing the ketogenic diet, and you haven’t tried hemp for keto, you’re missing out.

The ketogenic diet became a hit by flipping the popular notion of fat being detrimental to health on its head. So, how does hemp protein play into all of this?

Understanding the food that you eat and learning how it affects your body is important. Food directly affects your mood, energy levels, and most importantly, your health. Many modern health issues can be traced back to an incorrect food source and unhealthy eating habits. And with the emergence of processed foods, eating healthy has never been harder.

That’s why something like the keto diet has become so popular. Keto is an eating pattern that focuses on the omission of carbohydrates and the increased consumption of fats through oils and nuts. It’s a diet that questions our typical food source, and challenges us to try a different energy source for our bodies. Hemp is a perfect way to support this low-carb diet. Below are foods & recipes to incorporate more hemp into your diet, and get you those all-important fats while minimizing the caloric and carbohydrate cost.

Read more below on how hemp for keto is a match made in heaven.

HEMP FOR KETO: HEMP IS YOUR NEW FAVORITE SUPERFOOD

Hemp seeds are a great option to take advantage of hemp’s unique nutritional profile for your keto diet. The seeds have the same advantages as hemp oil, as the oil is derived from the pressing of the seeds.

Hemp seeds/oil are rich in Gamma-Linolenic acid (GLA) that help create prostaglandins, which are chemicals that help smooth muscles, control inflammation and body temperature. Foods that contain GLA help people with blood pressure, obesity, heart disease and more.

The Ketogenic diet requires a low-carbs, so all foods derived from grain are out of the question. Which means no bread or pasta. This is a problem because most meals use grains as filler. Hemp seeds are an easy fix to this problem. Aside from adding cauliflower and broccoli to your diet, you can use hemp for keto because hemp seeds are especially satiating due to their high fiber content.

Hemp is great in achieving heart health. A healthy heart requires less sugar, plant-based proteins, and good natural fats. Hemp seeds contain all these things. The regular consumption of hemp seeds, along with whole foods that are nutrient-dense and have good fats will make your heart very happy!

The best part about hemp is its nutritional profile. One ounce of hemp seeds contains nine grams of protein, twelve grams of fat, and two grams of fiber. It also contains all twenty amino acids and all nine of the essential amino acids that our bodies can’t produce.

Hemp is a superfood. Not only is it high in protein and natural fats, but it’s low in calories and carbohydrates. It can help you feel fuller and taste delicious, all while coming from a completely natural source.

HEMP RECIPES FOR THE KETO DIET

Hemp is not just a nutrient dense super-food, it can also be a tasty addition to your favorite recipes. A chewy and nutty tasting seed, it provides a great texture and taste to your dishes. Aside from the seed and oil additives, hemp is also made into milk and cheese substitutes. Listed below are some examples of delicious hemp for keto recipes!

• Morning Parfait

There’s nothing better than starting your day off with a delicious breakfast. This recipe is not only tasty, but extremely easy to make! Perfect for when you’re still half-asleep and just need a little something to get you kickstarted for the day. An awesome mix of chia, flax, and hemp seed (a trio you need to be using), paired with creamy yogurt, crunchy granola and fresh blueberries then topped off with all-natural agave syrup.

If you’re on the keto diet be sure to substitute the granola with avocado or more hemp seeds and use plain yogurt (not that fat-free stuff).

• Raw Tabouli Hemp Seed Salad

Almost everyone loves Mediterranean food, so this hemp seed tabouli recipe will hit the spot. Parsley is chock-full of folic acid, vitamins A & C, and antioxidants. The recipe calls for a heaping dose of hemp-seeds, and the dressing is a mixture of lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and salt.

Packed with 5 tablespoons of hemp seeds, or about 60 grams of fat, this is already a perfect hemp for keto recipe with no changes.

• CBD-Infused Blueberry and Oatmeal Smoothie

If you’re lazy like me, nutrient-dense smoothies are your go-to when you don’t feel like cooking. This recipe contains classic smoothie ingredients such as blueberry, bananas, and oatmeal. Then packs a nutrient-heavy punch with it’s hemp oil additive. Add another banana to thicken the smoothie which makes it more filling.

For Keto, I suggest replacing the water in the recipe with coconut milk or hemp milk and omitting granola.

For even more recipes, check out this list of recipes that highlight hemp use!

More and more people are asking themselves, “should I grow hemp?”

Across America, we’re witnessing an ever-growing market for industrial hemp. Only two years ago, there were less than 10,000 acres growing across the country. Today, this new cash crop has reached an astounding 27,000 acres. And that number continues to rise.

This comes as no surprise considering hemp’s wide variety of uses. Even beyond the industry, many small farmers are finding ways in which hemp benefits their lives.

The simple answer, you get more out of it than you put in and the crop can grow in some inhospitable conditions. However, as you’ll find out from reading, the real reasons go deeper than that.

WHY GROW HEMP? HEMP IS SUSTAINABLE AND HAS MANY, MANY USES

The secret truth to hemp’s growing popularity is it’s one of the easiest and most sustainable crops you can grow. Unlike major cash crops such as corn or wheat, hemp grows in dense clusters that require very little pesticide or herbicides and a minimal amount of fertilizer. It  requires less water than some cash crops like cotton, though it isn’t considered a low water crop.

You can grow hemp almost anywhere in the country, excluding very dry deserts and high mountaintops. Preferably, hemp prospers in well-drained soil that has a high quality of organic matter. This guide from HempTechGlobal offers more detail on the logistics of growing and harvesting hemp. One potential complication is decortication, in which the parts of the hemp plant are separated. Decortication can require access to specialized equipment.

Research has discovered growing hemp holds potential to heal polluted soil. With the possibility to replace fossil fuels and be a new source of paper, hemp is considered one of the most eco-friendly crops around.

In fact, there are over 25,000 known uses for hemp. Whether you’re looking for something as complex as a form of concrete (hempcrete) or something as simple as some pet bedding, hemp has you covered.

People’s health also benefits from access to hemp. Hemp is a superfood that provides a great source of nutrients and fibers. But even better, it’s the key ingredient in CBD oil, an amazingly beneficial nutritional supplement.

When it comes to why people grow hemp, whether it be for personal or industrial use, there are a wide variety of reasons to consider. Many farmers report it’s an incredibly rewarding crop to grow.

IS IT LEGAL TO GROW HEMP?

One of the biggest questions people have when deciding to grow hemp is about legality. In most people’s minds, it’s still very much attached to its still federally illegal cousin, psychoactive cannabis (‘marijuana‘), making many farmers all the more cautious.

In 2013, Colorado farmer Ryan Loflin revolutionized the country by being the first to harvest hemp in America since 1957. Since then, the 2014 Farm Bill allowed states to pursue hemp farming for the sake of research practices. Since then, 38 states have legalized hemp cultivation.

Because each state operates differently under the bill, it’ll be necessary you do some research before planting any hemp crops.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW HEMP

There are some legal factors you’ll need to keep in mind before starting your hemp garden.

The first and most important is you’ll be required to have a license. One which requires a fee and lots of paperwork. In some cases, you may face a criminal background check.

Furthermore, after harvest, your plants must be tested for their THC levels. If they test higher than .3 percent, your crop will most likely be destroyed.

Some hemp farmers, such as Kim Phillips from Montana, run into unexpected difficulties. Her water source is federally regulated by the Bureau of Reclamation, so she had to request access to their assets for hemp irrigation. Since they didn’t approve her request in time, her plants withered the first time she tried to grow hemp.

Because hemp plants are required to have such a low amount of THC, many farmers find the most difficult task is finding the proper seed. Since hemp legality is so recent, the seed industry can’t always keep up with the ever-growing demand for seeds.

There have also been reported difficulties shipping seeds through states where hemp production is still illegal.

DESPITE COMPLICATIONS, SMALL FARMERS STILL GROW HEMP

Even with everything that’s been mentioned, the demand for this eco-friendly crop is enormous. Many farmers are jumping on the hemp bandwagon.

If considering an industrial hemp operation, you might want to take precautions to inform the community. Many hemp farmers post signs explaining that their crop is not marijuana. Tom Hewson, a Colorado hemp farmer, gathered his neighborhood together for a community meeting to inform them about the crop he had planned, and why he chose hemp. In his words, “educational efforts are critical.”

You may still wonder if it’s beneficial for you to grow it for personal reasons. The truth of the matter is, the legal standpoint on hemp may turn some growers off. But, if you can look past those obligations, hemp can be of great use to you.

As already mentioned, there’s such a wide variety of ways in which hemp can be used for your personal benefit. Even more so, though, by deciding to grow hemp, you can be a part of creating a more sustainable way of life.

Sampling Carla Boyd’s cooking, including her hemp pesto aioli, was one of the highlights of our recent visit to Denver.

Boyd is the founder of Hemp Way Foods, a Colorado company. People lined up to sample her hemp burgers, vegan hemp nachos, and hemp tacos at the NoCo Hemp Expo last month. After we tried her food, we knew we wanted to find out more and get a few recipes for our readers.

We spoke with Boyd by phone to learn how she discovered hemp. She also shared two of her recipes, which you’ll find below: her famous hemp pesto aioli and hemp tacos.

HEMP WAY FOODS CREATED AFTER HEMP HEALED ILLNESS

Boyd began investigating hemp as a food source because of severe digestive problems. Her quality of life suffered, and nothing else seemed to help.

“I was a walking skeleton at the time,” she described. “I wasn’t absorbing any nutrients.”

Boyd was already involved with hemp advocacy, “but I had never really focused on the food side.”

Further research into hemp’s nutritional benefits led to the creation of her first product, a hemp burger.

“People started asking for it and wanted to buy it,” she recalled. “I never planned to have a food company; it’s almost like the company chose me.”

Hemp seeds are rich in antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory substances. Hemp protein is also one of the most easily available and digestible proteins in the plant world. Boyd believes all of this contributed to making hemp easier for her body to process and use.

As Boyd’s health improved, the company grew with her. Four years later, Hemp Way Foods offers both the burger and hemp crumbles, which come in both original and sriracha pepper flavors. Both the hemp burger and hemp crumbles are vegan and free from common allergens like gluten, corn and soy. Hemp Way products are found in about a dozen restaurants and retail locations in Colorado, with plans to go national in the works.

Along the way, Boyd received the enthusiastic support of other hemp industry advocates and entrepreneurs.

“In the hemp world, there’s definitely a camaraderie,” she said.

HEMP PESTO AIOLI RECIPE

Recipes by Carla Boyd, Hemp Way Foods

Ingredients:

• 1 12 oz. jar mayonnaise
• 1 bunch fresh basil
• 1-2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup hemp hearts (any brand)
• 1 tsp. sriracha for added kick
• 1 tsp. lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

Directions: De-stem basil leaves. Blend all ingredients together and refrigerate. Hemp pesto aioli can be used as a sauce or spread in almost any dish.

HEMP TACOS WITH HEMP WAY FOODS’ CRUMBLES

Ingredients:

• 1 8oz package of Hemp Way Foods hemp burger crumbles
• 1 tsp. Cumin powder
• 1 tsp. Coriander
• 1 tsp. Fennel seeds
• 2 cloves garlic chopped

Directions: Defrost crumbles in a skillet with small amount of oil to crisp (1 tsp.). Stir all ingredients together and toast in the pan. Toast crumbles to desired crispness (about 8-10 minutes). Serve in corn tortillas with hemp pesto aioli on top.

 

Healthy seeds like flax, hemp, and sesame are an incredibly rich source of nutrients.

Seeds are especially rich in trace minerals like folate, iron, zinc, and healthy fats. But we don’t always get seeds in our diet. For many of us, nuts are the main type of seed in our food, and we rarely expand our diet to take advantage of the wide variety of healthy seeds available in nature – which means we’re missing out on many health benefits.

EATING SEEDS FOR A BETTER DIET

Seeds contain minerals, monounsaturated fats, fiber, and vitamin E; and these nutrients help keep your heart healthy and your body disease-free. Our ancestors relied on seeds to stay strong and healthy, and you can do the same by making minor adjustments to your diet. Let’s take a look at some healthy seeds to add to your diet, and reasons why you should be eating them.

FLAX SEEDS

They contain antioxidant properties and essential omega-3 fatty acids including alpha-linolenic acid, which enhances cardiovascular health. According to a paper published by Biochimie, a journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, alpha-linolenic acid reduces the risk of stroke significantly.

Flax seeds contain lignans, which are plant compounds that are reported to have antioxidant properties and to reduce the risk of cancer. The concentration of lignans found in flax seeds is 800 times higher than any other plant food. One Canadian study found that women who eat flax seeds are 18% less likely to develop breast cancer.

One way to eat flax seeds is to bake them into cookies or muffins, but you can also sprinkle them into your salads to get all the nutrients.

HEMP SEEDS

Hemp seeds contain over 30% healthy fat, and are rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. They also contain phytosterols, a compound that is known to reduce cholesterol, and gamma-linoleninc, another compound that has great health benefits. The balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids affects immune responses in the body; and hemp seeds provide a good supply of polyunsaturated fats.

One study showed that giving hemp seeds to people with eczema can increase the levels of essential fatty acids in the blood. To get the most out of hemp seeds, grind them or buy them hulled as “hemp hearts” and add a spoonful to your morning yogurt or sprinkle them over fresh fruit.

CHIA SEEDS

They are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, and they contain calcium, fiber and iron. Omega-3 acids help to raise HDL cholesterol in your body (don’t worry this is “good” cholesterol), and they also protect you against strokes and heart problems. Chia seeds can help you reach your fitness goals by curbing your appetite, which is essential in managing body weight.

The best way to eat chia seeds is to add them into smoothies, salads, and granolas. You can also add one or two tablespoons into a beverage drinks – make sure to stir for at least 3 minutes. If you add the seeds to a drink or a “wet” dish, they swell up slightly as you eat, and they’re also a bit crunchy.

SESAME SEEDS

Sesame seeds are known for having a high nutritional content that include vitamins, minerals, natural oils, and trace minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and copper. In addition to all that, they also contain fiber, vitamin B6, folate, thiamin, and proteins.

The high fiber content helps with digestion and zinc is useful in production of collagen, which gives your skin elasticity and helps to repair damaged tissues. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in 2016, sesame seeds enhance antioxidant properties and minimize oxidative stress.

SUNFLOWER SEEDS

These small healthy seeds contain at least two nutrients that are good for your heart; Vitamin E, and folate. Just one quarter cup serving will give you 60% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin E – and from a nutritional standpoint, this is important in a number of ways. Vitamin E assists the body in neutralizing free radicals and this protects cell membranes against swelling and redness.

Both Vitamin E and folate have been shown to promote cardiovascular health, and magnesium, another ingredient found in sunflower seeds, enables muscles and the skeletal system to function properly. Magnesium also assists in respiratory function, heart health, and healthy PMS.

Magnesium also promotes a healthy mood. Over a century ago magnesium sulphate was given to people suffering from depression, and its success made it a valuable nutrient. Today magnesium is used in homeopathic therapies for mental health.

MAKE HEALTHY SEEDS AN EVERYDAY PART OF YOUR DIET

In order to see the long-term effects of these nutrients you have to make seeds a part of your daily diet. Find creative ways to include seeds in your snacks, drinks, and whole meals. Keep a bag of mixed seeds in your fridge to sprinkle on soups, salads, casseroles, and any other food you like. Remember, cooking is also a option when eating seeds, so find new ways to cook with seeds for a healthier diet.

We think you’ll quickly find that these healthy seeds become an essential, even craveable part of your meals.