Hemp Seeds.. another super food

Another item that I like to keep on hand is hemp seeds. I often use hemp seeds and bee pollen on top of salads or in my salad dressings. It’s another “super food” and I love them. Hemp seeds can be eaten raw, ground into a meal, sprouted, made into hemp milk (kinda like soy milk),  prepared as tea, and used in baking. The fresh leaves can also be eaten in salads. My suggestion is to eat them raw in order to receive all the awesome health benefits. Did I mention that they taste really great and nutty?!

 

 

•  Hemp seeds are one of the most nutritionally complete foods on earth
• They contain all 9 essential amino acids
• They contain all the essential fatty acids  (omega 3 and omega 6) and are heavily mineralized
• Shelled hemp seeds contain 36.6% protein, making them by weight the highest protein food on earth, with the exception of algae
• Hemp seeds contain an amazing quantity of raw protein that includes sulfur bearing amino acids utilized to build strong hair, nails, muscles, skin, and connective tissue
• Many people have protein allergies(milk, soy, peanuts) but no reported cases of hemp allergies have been reported so it’s a wonderful protein substitute.
• Hemp seeds are the only known food that contains the exact ratio of  essential fatty acids (one part omega 3 to three parts omega6)
• Hemp seeds are the highest natural source for GLA (gamma linolenic acid); a type of super omega 6 fatty acid that has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps maintain hormonal balance.
• The seeds also contain a significant amount of lecithin, a nutrient that is excellent for building internal organs.
• Hemp seeds are one of the most mineral-rich foods on earth.

So.. here you go.. I buy mine from Mountain Rose online.. they are excellent.. you can also add them to your granola mixes.. smoothies.. and yogurt. Give them a try !!

Bee Pollen: Nature’s Superfood

So.. I figured I would go over some info about some of the herbs.. what they do and why I use them. I am starting off with Bee Pollen. No, it’s not an herb.. but I wish that everyone would keep a supply of bee pollen on hand. The health benefits are amazing.. it’s called nature’s superfood for a reason!

So, what is bee pollen? Bee Pollen is one of the richest and purest natural foods ever discovered, and the incredible nutritional and medicinal value of pollen has been known for centuries. Pollen grains contain male germ cells that are produced from all plants and flowers. This is essential in order to ensure that plant life throughout the world continues by a process involving fertilization and plant embryo formation. One teaspoonful of pollen contains approximately 1,200 pellets or 2.5 billion grains, each of which has the capacity to supply those factors that are necessary in order to fertilize and reproduce the particular species that it represents. Pollen gathered by bees is superior to that obtained directly from flowering plants. The bees are extremely discriminate about selecting the best pollen from the millions of grains that are present. Of these, only two types are found, namely, anemophile pollen grains (which are not collected by bees, and produce allergic reactions) and entomophile pollen grains (which are collected by bees, and possess greater nutrient content).

Here are some facts about bee pollen:

• Pollen contains the richest known source of vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids, hormones, enzymes, and fats, as well as significant amount of natural antibiotics .
• Most of the known vitamins in pollen exist in perfect proportion, which further enhances their value.
• All forms of bee pollen contain higher amounts of vitamins B1, B2 and E than found in fruits, berries and green vegetables.
• One gram of fresh raw pollen contains from 7 to 15 mg. of vitamin C, along with traces of vitamin E (tocopherol).
• Bee pollen contains up to 59 different trace minerals, and all minerals found in pollen are present in a highly digestible form
• The protein content of pollen ranges from 10 to 35 percent with a mean average of 20 percent. Forty to fifty percent of this may be in the form of free amino acids. All pollens contain the exact same number of 22 amino acids, yet different species produce varying amounts. The amino acids found in whole dry pollen fluctuate between 10 and 13 percent (26.88% protein or albuminous substances). This equals from 5 to 7 times the amino acids found in equal weights of beef, milk, eggs or cheese.
• Approximately 35 grams of pollen each day will supply all the body’s protein requirements. The body will more effectively utilize the protein in food if there is a larger selection of amino acids available.
• The heating of pollen will destroy the valuable enzymes and vitamin C content.
• Bee pollen also contains active antibiotic substances that immediately destroy harmful pathogenic bacteria upon contact.
• The ingestion of pollen on a regular basis for a healthy person will usually accomplish the following:

1. Protect against any insufficiencies in vitamins, minerals and amino acids — especially during pregnancy, lactation, and intensive physical or mental work.
2. Permit achievement of optimal physical and intellectual output.
3. Forestall any internal metabolic disorders that eventually generate various disease-conditions.

•  Bee Pollen is extremely valuable as an adaptogen by assisting in both weight gain or loss, as well as in the reduction of hypertension or increasing the overall metabolic functions. Bee Pollen both regulates and stimulates the metabolism in the human organism by supplying the missing factors (or catalysts) that other foods do not provide while neutralizing the catabolic effects of various toxins, environmental pollutants, synthetic drugs or food additives, thereby producing healthier cells, improved health and well-being and a longer life-span.
• During many years of testing, pollen has been notable for its lack of harmful side-effects. Few medications rank with bee pollen in terms of its lack of toxicity. It is a completely natural product that is well tolerated by the body and compatible with all other forms of therapy. In addition, it is easy to digest and suitable for all ages. Furthermore, it provides increased protection and greater resistance against any invasive or harmful pathogenic bacteria, and provides increased and sustainable energy-levels throughout the entire organism.
• Allergy attacks brought on by pollen are normally produced by wind-carried pollens, and not by bee-collected pollens. Wind-generated pollens usually stimulate a cleansing process throughout the entire respiratory tract, especially among those who consume excessive quantities of mucus-producing foods during the winter months.
• Bee pollen may be safely administered by everyone, even those persons who are prone to allergies such as hayfever, as they will usually suffer no ill-effects. Allergenic properties are always neutralized by the nectar and enzymes secreted by the bees.
•  Raw honey has been specifically recommended by many professional allergists as having an immunizing effect upon the majority of pollen-stimulated allergies. This is usually a direct result of the pollen and related substances that are found in both unfiltered and uncooked honey which, when ingested, form a natural oral immunization against allergies.
• Do not begin using bee pollen with a dose larger than 1 tablespoonful, twice a day. After one week, gradually increase the dosage from 1 tablespoonful up to 4 tablespoonfuls. One ounce of bee pollen (4 tablespoonfuls) is equivalent to three cooked meals in terms of nutrient content.
• Pollen should be kept refrigerated or stored in a cool, dry place at all times in order to protect its vital qualities. Cooking is not advisable, due to the destruction of essential enzymes caused by excessive heat.

So.. Go out and pick up some bee pollen. I take it daily and it helps tremendously for my allergies. The closer to home that you obtain your pollen, the better. The reason for this is that local pollen will build your immunity to the local flora and fauna that the bees are eating.

Bee Pollen is an acquired taste at first. You probably won’t want to eat it straight at first. Suggested methods are as follows. You can grind it raw and add it to peanut butter, jelly, and regular butter (just make sure you won’t be warming said butter). You can also add it to a smoothie, or a juice, or to yogurt.  I am happy to say that B&G honey at 912-852-5124. OR pick some up from his booth at the Statesboro Farmers Market every Saturday.