A few weeks ago I talked about chia seeds and their nutritional benefits.

When I say "hemp", you probably think about the recent marijuana-related news (this and this and this). But hemp is appearing everywhere now as hemp seeds, hemp milk, etc. So, I'm going to try to break it down.

So what is it?

Hemp seeds are a dry fruit with a hard shell (like sunflower or flax seeds). They have a nutty and almost sweet taste. And can be added to a variety of dishes - recipes coming soon!

Benefits:

Hemp seeds are packed with nutritional value and benefits! Hemp seeds contain all 20 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids our bodies can't product. It also has high amounts of protein, fatty acid, fiber and vitamin E. And it has a balanced ratio of omega 3 to 6 fats (around a 3:1 ratio).

This article lists many of the benefits of hemp I just explain and more.

Can it make you high?

In short, no. Hemp seeds come form the plant Cannabis sativa L. Sounds familiar, right? That's because the hemp plant and the marijuana plant come from the same family (Cannabis).

The psychoactive ingredient in marijuana responsible for getting people "high" is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. According to the hemp growers industry, hemp grown for food, fuel and natural fibers contains virtually no THC. While "virtually no THC" can mean there is still a tiny bit of THC left, this is further reduced when hemp is processed into hemp seed oil and milk. Also, keep in mind: poppy seeds contain trace opiates and fruit juice contains trace alcohol.

In 2003, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) attempted to pass a law banning the sale of hemp products in the US. As a result, health food stores like Whole Foods, had to pull hemp products off their shelves. But after additional research, it was found that drug test don't confuse hemp and marijuana, and hemp products don't create a "high". And by 2004, hemp products found their way back onto the shelves of health food stores.

This article talks about the myths and confusion associated with hemp.

Summary

I think hemp seeds great and safe. However please keep in mind, I'm not giving medical advice or making any health claims, just my opinion.


Enjoy and thanks for reading!

Don't throw away your pumpkin and squash seeds! Roasted seeds make a delicious, and healthy, fall treat!! Squash seeds are packed with protein and iron, and fulfill that craving for something crunchy without all the calories. While most people are familiar with pumpkin seeds, I recently discovered that seeds from many other winter squash can also be roasted (just make sure the seeds are plump and not too small).

Roasted Squash Seeds

Prep time: 10 minutes | Total time: 40 minutes

Directions:

1. Scoop seeds from the inner cavity of the squash
2. Clean off the chunks of squash flesh and strings
3. Place into a colander under cool running water to remove any additional squash flesh
4. Dump the seeds on a towel and pat to dry
5. While the seeds are drying, preheat oven to 300°F
6. Place seeds into a bowl and drizzle with a small amount of oil and seasoning/salt (my favorite is garlic powder and salt but feel free to get creative!)
7. Toss the seeds until they are evenly coated with oil and seasoning. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet
8. Place baking sheet in the oven and roast seeds until they are just beginning to brown, about 20-25 minutes
9. Remove seeds from oven and let cool on the baking sheet
10. Enjoy right away or keep seeds in an airtight container for a few days