Hemp milk recipe

My cousin has actually sparked this post.  When she told me that she has decided to try gluten free for her son and that she is avoiding some dairy, I shared my hemp milk recipe with her.  I realized than that I never shared this on my blog!!  Shame on me!  It's such an easy recipe and by using this in place of commercial hemp milk or all other commercial substitute milks, you are bypassing the yuck factor...what is the yuck factor you ask?  Preservatives, thickeners, refined sugars and cross contamination!  You pay an arm and a leg for this junk and you are using something that has been created to have a shelf life in a box, unrefrigerated....can you say yuck?!  Not to mention, it tastes nasty compared to the good old QUICK home made recipe I am about to share with you.  But before I do that, let me just share some information about the benefits of hemp, versus those other high carb, sicky sweet milk subs like rice milk and soy milk....

For starters, hemp has the perfect blend of omegas 3 and 6, and aren't we all looking for healthier ways to add omegas to our diets??  I know I am! Hemp milk is bursting with varied range of amino acids, important nutrients and trace minerals that make it the complete protein package. Hence, the best option for growing children.  Hemp seed is one of the plant kingdom's most concentrated, complete and balanced sources of essential amino acids (EAA's) and essential fatty acids (EFA's). Hemp seeds are high in essential nutrients including chlorophyll, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, phytosterols, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, calcium, fiber, histidine, iron, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin, niacin and thiamin.  It contains linoleic acid which is inflammation reducing, therefor it is great for those with arthritis, eczema and allergies.  Hemp also helps maintain an ideal blood sugar balance, reducing hypoglycemic symptoms.

Then there is the added benefit for those who are eco-minded, it uses less water in the growing process and NO pesticides, because hemp is naturally pest-free!  Hemp nut is the most nutritious and easily digestible food on the planet, the only complete source of all the following: protein, essential amino acids and essential fatty acids. Hemp is the only food which supplies all of our dietary needs in one source -- the only food which can sustain human life without any other source of nutrition.  Now, would I be willing to try living off of hemp alone, most definitely not, but it sure makes using it as our "milk" source an easier decision!  Check out this fabulous amino acid profile...

Hemp seed contains all 10 essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Hemp seeds contain 33% pure digestible protein, providing readily available amino acids for building and repairing tissue. Hemp seed protein is comprised of 65% high-quality edestin protein, the most potent protein of any plant source, 35% albumin protein and glutamic acid. The globulin edestin in hemp seed closely resembles the globulin in blood plasma, and is compatible with the human digestive system. It is vital to the maintance of a healthy immune system and is also used to manufacture antibodies. Albumin is a protein manufactured by the liver that is supportive of liver and kidney health.  

For those using soy as their alternative milk, check out these facts.  Soy protein contains high levels of enzyme inhibitors blocking the uptake of trypsin and other enzymes the body uses for protein digestion. Eating a diet high in enzyme inhibitors, such as those contained in soy, can result in chronic amino acid and protein deficiencies.

So with that said, here is my easy, no frills hemp milk recipe!  Tweak it to your particular taste buds.

- 1 tablespoon of organic shelled hemp seeds
- 8 ounces of filtered water
- I like to add about 1.5 teaspoons of xylitol to sweeten it up, this is entirely up to you

Blend, strain and enjoy!   Feel free to also add some variety with a teaspoon of vanilla, a sprinkle of cinnamon, some cocoa for chocolate milk, fresh strawberries for strawberry milk, go on....get creative!