One of the fun parts of moving to a new city has been navigating the wellness scene, especially finding local health food companies, farmers and other small businesses. I was completely intrigued to learn about the local production of hemp and what a great benefit it is to both the economy and environment. I have always incorporated hemp seeds into my breakfast bowls (oats, smoothies, etc.) for an extra pop of protein, but never considered them as a nutritious addition to heartier meals.

Meeting Chad Rosen from Victory Hemp Foods lead to an entirely new discovery of hemp's uses and benefits. According to Rosen, founder of VHF, "Hemp foods are nutritious and delicious; with the ideal ratio of Omedga-6 to Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and a protein profile with all 9 essential amino acids including L-Arginine as well as Magnesium. It's a superfood that our bodies can thrive on." He introduced me to hemp oil, which he recommended as a perfect oil for dressings.

In this recipe, hemp oil helps create a creamy tahini dressing both used to massage the kale and drizzle on top. I also recreated by basil avocado cream using hemp oil, then added texture to the avocado by topping it with hemp seeds. Other components of the bowl are: spiced roasted sweet potatoes, red onion, quinoa, cucumbers, chickpeas and kale. Love this hearty bowl as a post workout protein refuel.

Ingredients:

1 Can chickpeas
Kale
1/4 Cup Tahini
Cumin
Coriander
Salt/pepper
1 Cucumber
1 Red onion
Victory Hemp Foods Hemp Hearts
Victory Hemp Foods Hemp Oil
2 large or 4 small garlic cloves
1 large sweet potato
1/2 cup quinoa (dry)
1 cup Vegetable broth (low sodium)
Fresh Basil
2 Lemons

Method:

Tahini Dressing: Add tahini, juice of 1 lemon, 1 large or 2 small garlic cloves, 2 Tbsp hemp oil, salt and pepper to food processor. Pulse until combined. Add 1tbsp of water at a time and pulse until dressing is your desired consistency (should be thin enough to drizzle but thick enough that it's still creamy)
Avocado Cream: Follow this recipe, but use hemp oil
Sweet Potatoes: Cube sweet potatoes and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, cumin and coriander. Roast at 400 degrees for around 35 minutes or until tender when poked with a fork. Use a spatula to toss them around the pan halfway through.
Quinoa: Add quinoa and vegetable broth to a small pot. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer for 30 minutes or until broth has been absorbed.
Massage kale with a generous amount of tahini dressing using your hands until it's more tender. Add chopped red onion and cucumber, rinsed and drained chickpeas, and sweet potatoes to kale. Drizzle bowl with remaining tahini dressing. Put a dollop of avocado cream in the middle and top with hemp hearts.

Creamy tahini dressing is perfect for breaking down and massaging the kale

Strawberry and avocado is one of my favorite summer combos. What pops into my mind right away when I think of this duo is a great big spinach salad with some sort of nut and balsamic situation. Berries and avocado are both such great breakfast components though! Berries are a great low sugar fruit that sweetens the smoothie up. Avocado and almond butter make it creamy and thick, and are the perfect healthy fats to start the day with. Vanilla gives it that final pop of flavor to make it a perfect dessert for breakfast kinda morning.

Ingredients:

4 or 5 strawberries
1/2 of a ripe avocado
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond butter
1 tsp chia seeds
1 cup of almond milk (give or take depending on your desired consistency)
Extras: protein powder or collagen peptides, adaptogens such as reishi, maca for energy and your favorite toppings (mine are cacao nibs, hemp seeds and crushed walnuts)

Method:

Cut tops off of berries and half the avocado. Add all ingredients except for the toppings to the blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice to make it colder and more almond milk if it is too thick. Blend until smooth.
Pour into a bowl and add your favorite toppings

Sometimes it comes out green, sometimes pink! Here I simply topped with extra chia seeds.