Summertime Raw Food Ideas

I've been doing a lot of yoga over the past week. I have started teaching in a beautiful local yoga studio, and I also teach two of my own classes per week as well. I love doing yoga outside when the weather is warm like this, it's like doing a hot yoga class but you don't have to pay to heat up a room, plus you get a nice breeze as well!

Max was practicing with me today, his downward dog is coming along really well!

I have felt really drawn to hemp seeds recently. They are by far my favourite seed, and I really feel like they have the power to save the world! They are a complete protein and with a huge 9g per 30g serving, they are the worlds most complete and bio available protein source, and take so much less water and energy to produce than the same amount of animal protein. Hemp seeds are also high in Omega oils 3 and 6. They contain 2.3g Omega 3 per serving which takes care of your daily needs, and they contain 400mg Gamma Linolenic Acid (Omega 6 GLA) per serving as well. The hemp plant is one of the most eco friendly and sustainable crops on planet earth. It is one of the fastest growing crops, ready for harvest after just four months, and the whole of plant can be used, seeds and fibre. The seeds form the most nourishing, satisfying and health giving food known to man. The fibre or straw has many uses, including sustainable building materials, paper and fabric. Did you know that one acre of hemp can produce as much fibre as 4 acres of trees! Another amazing use of this wonder plant is that it can actually be turned into clean burning eco- fuel. Hemp fuel does not contribute to global warming like petroleum does.

Some really great reasons to start adding hemp into your diet today! Here are a couple of recipes we have been eating recently that use hemp seeds:

We started our day today with banana hemp smoothie. Creamy, sweet and satisfying. As it has hemp seeds and protein powder, it makes a satisfying and filling breakfast, but would be great to have after a workout too!

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2 frozen ripe bananas
2 tbsp. shelled hemp seeds
2 tbsp. Sunwarrior vanilla protein powder
1 tbsp. agave
2-3 cups pure water

Put everything in a blender with 2 cups of the water and blitz until smooth. Add more water depending on how thick you like your smoothies, (the consistency also depends on the size of the bananas). You can also use non frozen bananas and a handful of ice cubes. The riper the bananas the sweeter and more flavourful the end result.


This is my super refreshing cucumber and avocado soup. It is light, tasty and toddler and husband approved!

Chilled cucumber and avocado soup:
1 large cucumber, peeled
1 ripe avocado
2 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. shelled hemp seeds
1 small garlic clove, crushed
Pinch Himalayan salt
6 ice cubes
Garnish:
1/2 red pepper, finely diced
1 spring onion, finely sliced

Chop the cucumber into chunks and put in the blender. Slice the avocado open, remove the stone and scoop the flesh into the blender. Add in the lemon juice, hemp seeds and garlic, salt and ice and blend until smooth. You can add a couple of tablespoons of pure water and blend again if it is too think, it all depends on the size of the cucumber! Pour into bowls and sprinkle with the garnish ingredients, and drizzle over some extra virgin olive oil.


I hope you get a chance to try these recipes as they're delicious and nutritious!

Wishing you raw health and happiness,

Natalie. x

www.rawlifestylecoach.co.uk