Smoothies, Hemp Hearts, and a Giveaway, oh my!

It is no secret I love me a smoothie. They are pretty much a  staple in my diet.

Before a run. On the way to work. After a run. Anytime!

I like to be creative and switch it up so am always on the lookout for new ingredients to try. So when I was asked to do a review of Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts, I said YES!! A few years ago I got a few samples of hemp hearts in a race package - they sat in my cupboard for a month (maybe longer...) and then I tried them...OMG! They were great. I've been a lover ever since. When I got asked by Sweat Pink to do a review - I was all over it. It would give me a change to #trynewthings and add some spice hemp to my routine.

Another reason I am a fan is that they are I really like them is the are a locally grown product (yay Canadian companies making great healthy products. they are grown and produced in Manitoba. The company only does hemp foods - and they do it well.

So what ARE hemp hearts?
Hemp Hearts have a slightly nutty taste, similar to a sunflower seed or pine nuts. Be adventurous with them. (Their website says - sprinkle them on salad, cereal,  yogurt, add to smoothies or eat them straight from the package)!
Hemp Hearts contain 10 grams of plant-based protein and 10 grams of omegas (They have more protein and omegas and less carbs than the same serving of chia or flax). It's a complete vegetarian protein and it's natural - and a lot of folks love that it is a raw food. FYI: For an “insider look” into a hemp harvest, click here.

The first week I tried the Hemp Hearts in smoothies galore.  

So...smoothie idesas anyone?

My regular base for smoothies is Almond Milk and either banadas and berries. But I added flax seed, hemp heart and Vega to jazz it up.

 

One particular FAB combo I created was cooked squash (what???) whizzed with Vega's Vanilla Chai  and Hemp Hearts and Almond Milk. Seriously a great way to use leftover sweet potato or squash is to put it in the smoothie.

 

 And then I thought...I need to try this on some other stuff

Like a nice yogurt parfait:

layer granola, hemp hearts with plain greek yogurt - honey is yummy but optional

Like my vegetarian chili, or kiwis,

or even a super salad (eggs, beets, sweet potato, lettuce, carrot, tomato, the list goes on).  

Yup tasted GREAT. In fact so good I had to go out and buy more so I could make another awesome recipe I found to make energy bites. (Look for that recipe later this week!)

 

Wanna try some Hemp Hearts?

Enter to win here!

Contest open to Canadian and American peeps - enter until Sunday!

 

Do you need some more inspiration? Manitoba Harvest has some FAB recipes here!

You can also find Manitoba Harvest on Twitter and IG under the @manitobaharvest handle

#HempLove #HempHearts #sweatpink