How and Why to Make Your Own Hemp Milk and a Giveaway!

For someone who writes recipes, maybe surprisingly, I use a fair amount of convenience foods. Even though I like to make my own pasta sauce, I almost always have a jar or two of sauce in my pantry. The same goes for refried beans. Life with busy schedules and juggling jobs, means sometimes (often) I need a little help wherever I can find it.

Even though I buy packaged non-dairy milk (and there is an ever-increasing variety available!), I am thrilled that I can always make some healthy, protein-rich hemp milk whenever I need it for a recipe or for my coffee or tea or to add to cereal or oatmeal.

Shelled hemp seeds and water combine to make do-it-yourself hemp milk.

Making your own hemp milk could not be easier! All you need are shelled hemp seeds (or hemp hearts, as they are sometimes called) and water. Then you blend them together. That's it. You can add some sweetener like agave or maple syrup and a pinch of salt for taste. You can filter it through a nut bag or coffee-filter-lined strainer for texture. For basic hemp milk, though, all you need is hemp seeds and water. I used hemp milk all the time while I was writing the recipes for Super Seeds. It's packed with nutrition from the hemp seeds -- fiber, protein, iron, magnesium and zinc -- and it's creamy, easy-to-use and delicious. 

Check back for a recipe for Strawberry Hemp Milk (or Pink Milk) in a few days. 

Basic Hemp Milk
Makes approximately 6 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shelled hemp seeds
• 5 to 6 cups water 
• Optional: agave, maple syrup, coconut nectar, pinch of salt

Preparation:

1. Blend all ingredients.
2. Strain if desired.
   

If your water has a distinctive taste, though, you are going to want to use filtered water. The folks from ClearlyFiltered sent me a water filter pitcher to try. I really like this pitcher. According to the company, the filter will last for up to 200 gallons, unlike the 26 or 40 gallons that other brands can filter. Their literature also states that ClearlyFiltered can eliminate almost all chlorine, fluoride, lead, mercury, & chromium 6.

I love that you don't have to remember to change the filter all the time. I also love that I can offer one of these pitchers to one lucky reader! The folks at ClearlyFiltered sent me two pitchers. One to try and one to giveaway. This giveaway is only for readers from the United States or Canada, sorry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
I received two ClearlyFiltered water pitchers from the company; one for my consideration and one I am giving away. Any opinions are my own.  

Happy Cooking!
Kim

My new book,  Super Seeds, is available now! You can also find tasty recipes in Welcoming Kitchen: 200 Delicious Allergen & Gluten-Free Vegan Recipes.