CREAMY LEMON GARLIC HEMP SAUCE

I have to admit, this Creamy Lemon Garlic Hemp Sauce was a beautiful accident one day while experimenting in the kitchen. An accident that I now make weekly, eat daily and work into a variety of dishes including salads, noodles, and veggie-grain bowls. It's a great sauce to have handy to add to meals, and can also be used as a dip for snacking! 

Hemp seeds, once blended, add a creamy, smooth texture to things like smoothies, dressings and sauces. Which is just one of the reasons this superfood is so well loved by vegans and health nuts. So although "buttery" in texture, this sauce is packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, essential fatty acids and really couldn't be any better for you. So go ahead, make up a batch of this sauce and indulge with pleasure and without guilt.

CREAMY LEMON GARLIC HEMP SAUCE: a healthy, detoxifying, versatile sauce. 

INGREDIENTS: 

  • 1/2 cup lemon, juice 
  • 3/4 cup olive oil 
  • 1/3 cup hemp seeds 
  • 2 tbsp water 
  • 1.5 tbsp tamari 
  • 1 tbsp raw honey 
  • 1 tbsp ginger, grated 
  • 1 garlic glove, minced 

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until thick and smooth. Store in a jar or glass container in the fridge. 

HEALTH BENEFITS: 

LEMON: a natural detoxifier, rich source of vitamin C, and contains limonene that promotes immunity and helps fight infection. 

GINGER: anti-inflammatory, contains antioxidants, and clears microcirculatory channels of the body which include the sinuses and throat. Also, ginger is a warming agent and promotes sweating, which is healthy when sick. 

RAW HONEY: contains antioxidants, and a rich source of minerals and B vitamins that help support the function of the heart, muscles and nervous system. 

OLIVE OIL: anti-inflammatory, contains antioxidants, lowers cholesterol and promotes heart health, rich source of vitamin E which is good for the skins and has an anti-aging effect. 

HEMP SEEDS: anti-inflammatory, contains antioxidants, packed with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, rich source of vitamin B complex and vitamin E and high in minerals, promotes heart health and circulation, high in fibre, and contains tryptophan which helps regulate sleep and improve mood. 

I will be sharing a variety of recipes that include this sauce, so make sure to tune back in for those soon! 

MATCHA GREEN SMOOTHIE

I recently started adding matcha green tea powder to my morning smoothies. Not only is matcha packed full of nutritional benefits, it also contains caffeine and other properties that boost energy. So on mornings when I'm tight for time, adding a little bit of matcha to my breakfast feels like I'm killing two birds with one stone.

So what is "matcha" anyway?  Matcha is green tea leaves finely milled to form a fine powder. For centuries the Japanese have used matcha in part of a traditional tea ceremony that includes the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha. Buddhist monks have also relied on this powder to keep them awake and focused during long days of meditation.  

A few benefits of matcha: 

  • high in antioxidants 
  • detoxifies the body by removing heavy metals and toxins 
  • increases metabolism and helps the body burn calories 
  • improves cognitive abilities and concentration 
  • contains cancer fighting properties 
  • increases energy levels 
  • boosts immunity 
  • helps relieve stress 

MATCHA GREEN SMOOTHIE: a healthy and energizing breakfast or snack on the go. 


INGREDIENTS: (yields 1 serving) 

  • 1 cup of spinach 
  • 1 banana 
  • 1 cup of water 
  • ½ granny smith apple (core removed, chopped) 
  • ½ kiwi (skin removed) 
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds  (I added these in at the last minute so they didn't make the ingredients picture above) 
  • 1 tbsp raw honey 
  • ½ tsp matcha green tea powder
  • 2-3 ice cubes 

Wash and prep fruits and vegetables and add to your blender. Add water, chia seeds, matcha green tea powder, and ice cubes. Blend until smooth, pour and enjoy. 



POMEGRANATE SEED YOGURT PARFAIT

The yogurt parfait is a regular on my roster of breakfast combinations, packed full of fibre, protein and enough fuel to keep me energized until lunchtime. However, every couple of weeks it becomes monotonous, and requires some new flair in the fruit department. With a regular rotation of banana, apple, pear, and grapefruit, inevitably one fruit becomes boring. Thankfully pomegranates are in season! These lovely little seeds are crunchy and tart, packed full of antioxidants and vitamins, and scream of holiday cheer this time of year, making them a delightful addition to the yogurt parfait. 

2.jpg

POMEGRANATE SEED YOGURT PARFAIT: aids digestion, promotes health and increases energy 

INGREDIENTS: (yields 1 serving)

  • 3/4 cup goat yogurt 
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds 
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 2 tbsp hemp seeds 
  • 2 tbsp raw pumpkin seeds 
  • 1 tbsp raw walnuts 
  • pinch of cinnamon 

Place yogurt in a bowl and top with the remaining ingredients. Mix and enjoy. 

HEALTH BENEFITS

GOAT YOGURT: rich in calcium, high in fatty acids, immune booster, contains agents that help metabolize iron and copper. 

POMEGRANATE: anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, promotes heart health, rich source of vitamins A, C, E and folic acid. 

CHIA SEEDS, HEMP SEEDS, WALNUTS & PUMPKIN SEEDS (combined): anti-inflammatory, contains antioxidants, packed with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, rich source of vitamin B complex and vitamin E and high in minerals, promotes heart health and circulation, high in fibre, and contains tryptophan which helps regulate sleep and improve mood. 

CINNAMON: contains antioxidants, high levels of manganese, controls blood sugar, aids in cancer prevention, and reduces LDL cholesterol levels.

GINGER LEMON & TURMERIC TEA

We all feel run down from time to time. Generally, we'll ignore the first weary signs of exhaustion and just push on through until we are suffering from illness and in need of repair. Knowing this, when I woke this morning and was feeling less than awesome, I asked myself, "what does my body need?". The answer was a Ginger, Lemon & Turmeric Tea. Made up of natural detoxifiers, anti-inflammatories and super foods, this concoction is jam packed with immune system boosting agents.  

1414693395.259552.IMG_1307.jpg

GINGER LEMON & TURMERIC TEA: a daily detox, stress reliever and/or cold remedy. 

INGREDIENTS: (yields 1 serving)

  • 1 ½ cup hot water 
  • ½ lemon, juiced 
  • ½ tsp grated ginger 
  • ½  tsp turmeric powder (or grated fresh turmeric root) 
  • a pinch of cayenne pepper 
  • raw honey, to taste 

While water is boiling, grate the ginger, and place in a small tea basket to keep the ginger from getting in the way while sipping the tea. Then add lemon, turmeric, cayenne, honey and ginger to mug and pour hot water in. Stir and enoy. 

Turmeric will settle to the bottom, so ensure to continuously stir the tea to reap the full benefits of the turmeric.  

HEALTH BENEFITS: 

LEMON: a natural detoxifier, rich source of vitamin C, and contains limonene that promotes immunity and helps fight infection. 

GINGER: antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and clears microcirculatory channels of the body which include the sinuses and throat. Also, ginger is a warming agent and promotes sweating, which is healthy when sick. 

HEALTH BENEFITS: 

TURMERIC: antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and considered to be highly cleansing of the body especially in the liver.

CAYENNE: anti-irritant helping ease sore throats and coughs, and circulatory stimulant which aids in the detoxification process.

RAW HONEY: antioxidants, and a rich source of minerals and B vitamins that help support the function of the heart, muscles and nervous system.

Today was a refreshing reminder that a simple morning routine could help promote feeling better on the daily, not just from time to time, and after it's too late.