Want to know why we love hemp seeds?

These little hemp seeds pack a powerful punch, which is why some consider them a perfect food. Hemp seeds were first used in China over 6000 years ago as a staple food. Infact, hemp production is one of the oldest industries on the planet. Not only can we eat this incredible plant but we can also use it to make paper, clothing and fabrics, body care, plastic, building material and fuel. Wow! So what makes this seed so special?

Benefits to hemp seeds:
1. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp seeds contain all the essential fatty acids necessary for humans. Hemp seeds provide a perfect ratio of omega 3 fatty acids to omega 6 fatty acids.
2. High in protein, containing one of the highest amounts of plant protein next to algae. This protein is very easy to digest and use as energy.

3. This superfood is rich in sulfur, known as the beauty and longevity mineral.

4. Contains high levels of minerals, including iron.

5. Hempseeds contain GLA (gamma linolenic acid), a super anti-inflammatory essential fatty acid that is also known to balance hormones.

6. Unlike animal protein, hemp seeds are an alkaline protein, helping to balance the pH of your body for optimum performance.

I love sprinkling these little gems on salads, soups, oatmeal, and just about any food that needs some added nutrition. What's your favorite way to use hemp seeds??


Hemp Seed Pesto Recipe
vegan

Ingredients:
2 cups of fresh basil
1/2 cup walnuts
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 clove garlic
1/2 lemon juice
*1/2 cup Vega Antioxidant EFA Oil Blend
1/2 cup hulled hemp seeds
1/2 tsp sea salt

Directions:
place all ingredients in a food processor or high speed blender and combine until smooth. Add more oil if you like a thinner consistency. 

*You can also use olive oil. This Vega antioxidant oil combines green tea oil, pomegranate oil, hemp seed oil, coconut oil, blueberry oil, black raspberry oil, black cumin seed oil, cranberry seed oil, flax seed oil, pumpkin seed oil.

Our Gluten Free Muffins Have Gone Vegan...

You asked, we listened.  In an effort to create the best tasting gluten free goodies, we have gone Vegan!  While some argue that vegan goodies could never taste as good as their non-vegan counterpart, we are confident they are even better...not to mention healthier too(although the choice is always yours with our mixes)! Instead of adding in eggs, we suggest replacing with the following:

Gluten Free Blueberry Maple Muffin Mix: replace eggs with 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce + 1/4 cup h2o

Gluten Free Apple Spice Muffin Mix: replace eggs with 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce + 1/4 cup h2o

Gluten Free Ultimate Cacao Muffin Mix: replace eggs with 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

The result... not only are they vegan but they are also EXTRA, EXTRA moist!

I'm also excited to announce that we just applied for vegan certification, an easy-to-recognize symbol applied to foods, clothing, cosmetics and other items that contain no animal products and are not tested on animals. One of the best things about being a young, small company is that we can easily implement changes as needed to evolve.

So even if you aren't vegan, we suggest this as a superior alternative.  Be on the look out for our new labels with the above directions and vegan logo!

purely yours,
elizabeth

Healthy Gluten-Free Treats For The Holidays

I'm headed to my boyfriends parents house in Reading PA for the holiday weekend.  While I never celebrated Christmas growing up, its fun to be a part of new traditions. So this year, I opted to make some healthy gluten-free treats in place of some more traditional fare.  I made a batch of gluten-free, vegan, agave sweetened thumbprint cookies and gluten-free pumpkin spice cake (recipe in previous post but modified by putting into two round cake pans for 30 minutes) with a creamy cashew frosting to be dairy free and soy free. 

While we are in Reading, I look forward to our usual holiday traditions; a stop by the Reading Farmers Market for some great organic produce and pre-made food, lunch at Good Eatz Green Cafe on Penn Ave for gluten-free and organic menu options, and a few long runs in the woods. Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy holiday weekend!

Creamy Cashew Frosting

Ingredients:

2 cups of raw cashews (soaked overnight)

1/4 cup of agave nectar

1/4 cup of organic maple syrup

2 tsp fresh lemon juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 cup of raw coconut oil

1/2 cup almond milk

Directions: In a high speed blender, mix all ingredients until smooth.

purely yours,

elizabeth