I just have to write about hemp. I won't get into how absurd it is that it is illegal, giving all the benefits that this world could reap from it. I wonder how many people know, or understand the history of hemp, cannabis sativa, in this country? Hemp, not to be confused with marijuana. It's past has been virtually forgotten. It was once the foundation of our civilization's economy, only to be outlawed in the 20th century. To quote some great presidents:
"Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth and protection of the country."- Thomas Jeffereson
"Make the most you can of the hemp seed, and sow it everywhere."- George Washington
Some fun facts about hemp, taken from The Great Book of Hemp, by Rowan Robinson-
* Columbus's discovery of th New World was powered by hemp sails and rigging.
* The original drafts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written on hemp paper.
* Hemp was used for money in the Americas until the early 1800's.
* Hemp fiber was discovered in tombs dating from 8000 B.C.E.
* The United States government encouraged farmers to grow hemp to help win WWII.
* Hemp seed is nature's perfect food, packed with protein and essentail fatty acids.
* Over 100 medicines are made with hemp.
* Henry Ford built and powered a car with hemp.
Besides the nutritional benefits of this plant, contemporary studies have shown it has potential to solve environmental problems like soil erosion, soil contamination, and deforestation.
I may be optimistic, but with our current environmental crisis I feel that it will once again become the source of enlightenment, and sustainer of human life. Everything happens for a reason, and I notice how being green is becoming mainstream (companies want to cash in no doubt). With new technology it is now possible to make anything from hemp that we now make from petroleum- including plastics, paint, and biomass energy. And isn't that exactly what we need right now? It is almost cool now to be environmentally conscious, and this is a good thing! There are some great people fighting to make it legal, Jack Herer being one of them, check his site out- http://www.jackherer.com/
I am so thankful that I can at least buy shelled hemp seeds to eat, even if they have to come from Canada. Being a vegetarian it is very important to have a source of protein, and the hemp seed is the most complete source of protein, or amino acids from a plant. More than milk, meat or eggs! It also contains several times more omega 3 essential fat than any fish. It is more digestible than soy, and contains about 47% oil, 86% of which is omega 3, 6 and 9.
So how do I eat shelled hemp seeds?
I eat them mostly for breakfast, when I really need energy. I put in on my english muffin over butter or cream cheese, or on my bagel, in my cereal, or in my yogurt. I also use them in my grilled cheese & tomato, in soup, in mashed potatoes, on top of salads, or just by the spoonful. They are small, and have a nutty flavor, sort of like a sunflower seed. I cannot rave enough about these little seeds! I was ordering Hemp Hearts (brand name), but I found another company where I can buy in bulk called Manitoba Harvest http://www.manitobaharvest.com/ They seem like a great company. I ordered 25 lbs of hemp seeds, and I also ordered some hemp flour which I haven't used before, and some hemp milk which I love.
Stacie
"Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth and protection of the country."- Thomas Jeffereson
"Make the most you can of the hemp seed, and sow it everywhere."- George Washington
Some fun facts about hemp, taken from The Great Book of Hemp, by Rowan Robinson-
* Columbus's discovery of th New World was powered by hemp sails and rigging.
* The original drafts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written on hemp paper.
* Hemp was used for money in the Americas until the early 1800's.
* Hemp fiber was discovered in tombs dating from 8000 B.C.E.
* The United States government encouraged farmers to grow hemp to help win WWII.
* Hemp seed is nature's perfect food, packed with protein and essentail fatty acids.
* Over 100 medicines are made with hemp.
* Henry Ford built and powered a car with hemp.
Besides the nutritional benefits of this plant, contemporary studies have shown it has potential to solve environmental problems like soil erosion, soil contamination, and deforestation.
I may be optimistic, but with our current environmental crisis I feel that it will once again become the source of enlightenment, and sustainer of human life. Everything happens for a reason, and I notice how being green is becoming mainstream (companies want to cash in no doubt). With new technology it is now possible to make anything from hemp that we now make from petroleum- including plastics, paint, and biomass energy. And isn't that exactly what we need right now? It is almost cool now to be environmentally conscious, and this is a good thing! There are some great people fighting to make it legal, Jack Herer being one of them, check his site out- http://www.jackherer.com/
I am so thankful that I can at least buy shelled hemp seeds to eat, even if they have to come from Canada. Being a vegetarian it is very important to have a source of protein, and the hemp seed is the most complete source of protein, or amino acids from a plant. More than milk, meat or eggs! It also contains several times more omega 3 essential fat than any fish. It is more digestible than soy, and contains about 47% oil, 86% of which is omega 3, 6 and 9.
So how do I eat shelled hemp seeds?
I eat them mostly for breakfast, when I really need energy. I put in on my english muffin over butter or cream cheese, or on my bagel, in my cereal, or in my yogurt. I also use them in my grilled cheese & tomato, in soup, in mashed potatoes, on top of salads, or just by the spoonful. They are small, and have a nutty flavor, sort of like a sunflower seed. I cannot rave enough about these little seeds! I was ordering Hemp Hearts (brand name), but I found another company where I can buy in bulk called Manitoba Harvest http://www.manitobaharvest.com/ They seem like a great company. I ordered 25 lbs of hemp seeds, and I also ordered some hemp flour which I haven't used before, and some hemp milk which I love.
Stacie
