Happy Lamb Burgers

BBQ, beer, and skeeter season are finally here! It’s time to dust off the picnic tables, get out your plastic party ware and fire up the grill! One of my all-time favorite past times is barbecuing in the backyard with old friends and reminiscing on memories. It doesn’t matter how hot or humid it is, being with my great company and grilling as the sun goes down is what life is all about.

Sometimes we forget that BBQ’s don’t have to be loaded with unwanted greasy calories. I’ve  been working my ass off, literally, spinning, running, and yoga-ing, trying to get bikini ready! I’m ditching the chips, fries, and potato salad and opting for a big green salad with all my favorite local veggies! There are plenty of healthy alternatives to beef burgers– a la lamb, turkey or salmon that are just as (if not more) delicous! You can have fun topping it all off with homemade condiments. I love using condiments like dill mayo, wasabi mayo, or  almond dip.

Ingredients:

1/2 lb ground lamb

3 cloves garlic

1/4 cup leeks

1 tbsp ghee

2 tbsp Happy Hemp seeds, raw

Directions:

1. Sauté garlic, leeks & ghee until golden brown

2. Mash above ingredients along with Happy Hemp seeds into ground lamb

3. Hand form into two large patties or three sliders

4. Toss on the grill & cook til desired

Enjoy!!

Happy Local Love

A big highlight of each week is getting to be a part of our local farmers’ markets. It doesn’t even seem like I’m working when I’m out there with my Happy Hemp girls. We are lucky enough to meet people from all walks of life, traveling from all over the United States. I have met some of the kindest, most sincere people that truly just want to help me succeed. It’s such a incredible feeling  to have so much support from both the local community and vendors that travel in each weekend to offer their speciality item.

This week we’re super excited to become a part of TWO more local farmers’ markets: Dripping Springs and Barton Creek!

Wednesdays from 3-7pm you can find us in Dripping Springs: Hwy 290 & Ranch Road 12 “The Triangle”

Saturdays, from 9am-1pm, in addition to the Downtown SFC market, we will be at Barton Creek: 2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy Austin, Texas 78746

Supporting local business is great for so many reasons:

Happy Local: The money spent at these markets goes right back into the local economy. It’s a win, win!

Happy Jobs: Small businesses create two out of every three new jobs. 50 percent of working Americans actually either own or work for a small business. Go us!

Happy Unique: Where we shop, eat, and have fun are all factors in what makes our community home. Unique, one-of-a-kind, mom and pop stores are what differentiate us from other towns.

Happy Environment: Local businesses make local purchases which means less transportation, habitat loss and pollution.

Happy Chatter: It’s pretty awesome to walk around chatting with local business owners to get the inside scoop on what’s happening throughout the community. They know best!

Happy Customers: Local businesses often have a higher level of customer service. The employees take more time to get to know the products and build personal relationships with their customers.

… and lets be honest, it just feels good to know exactly what you’re getting and where it came from!

Happy Local. Happy Community. Happy Hemp.

Happy Break-FAST

Don’t you wish you could buy time, just like you can buy vowels on the Wheel of Fortune? I just don’t have time to cook breakfast these days. I need more than just a power bar, for the sake of my taste buds! Wish I could take credit for this freaky fast breakfast recipe, but I actually found it from a friend’s Instagram! It’s perfect for the guy or gal on-the-go. All you need is a few simple ingredients and a bowl. Bada bing, bada boom! Insta-break-FAST!

Ingredients

Dollop of greek yogurt

Dollop of almond butter

Handful of steel cut oats

A bit of honey

Pinch of cinnamon

A few banana slices

Sprinkle of happy hemp seeds, raw

**Mix all ingredients into a bowl and enjoy!!

Happy Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Mom’s are the core of families; the glue, the sticky tape and the band-aids that work overtime to make sure her children’s needs, wants and everything in between are met and exceeded.

Year after year we try and find new material things to give our mother’s, showing our unconditional love for them. This year I encourage you to start a new tradition. Choose to spend the day making memories, because those are the priceless treasures you simply cannot forge or buy. While growing up often means moving away from the ones you love, make a sincere effort to spend the day with your special lady.

Anything from a picnic at the park, planting a new garden, riding bikes to your favorite lunch café, to volunteering at a local charity to help the less fortunate. Do something that puts a smile on your mom’s face! Be creative and meaningful. This day is about her, make sure she knows that (:

Wishing all the Mother’s out there a happy happy day filled with laughter and love!

Happy Love. Happy Mom. Happy Hemp.

Happy Garlic Scapes

You might be asking yourself, what are these Suess-ical shapes known as “garlic scapes” I keep seeing at the farmers’ market? It’s a close relative to onions, shallots, leeks and chives, but has a taste that will blow your mind. The intensity of the garlic mellows after cooking into a delicious onion-like flavor I’ve never tasted before! They are great on top of cooked fish, tossed into a salad, mixed into stir fry or added to a sandwich. The possibilities are endless! Just let your tastebuds guide you.

Ingredients:

5 Garlic scapes

1 Tbsp Ghee ( or your choice of butter )

2 Tbsp Happy Hemp raw or toasted seeds

Salt & Pepper

Directions:

1. Chop end of the stem off and cut into small pieces bulb and all.

2. Sauté in ghee (or your choice of butter) until slightly brown.

3. Season with salt and garnish with Happy Hemp raw or toasted seeds.

Yep, it’s that easy! Enjoy!

Happy Black Bean Quinoa Bowl

I am a HUGE fan of Chipotle. It’s safe to say I probably eat there about once a week. I kind of consider their chicken burrito bowl comfort food, but this time I was looking for a way to keep the protein but ditch the calories. I stumbled upon this recipe on Pinterest, of course, one of my absolute favorite places to find  new recipes! For those of you who use Pinterest, you can agree that it is the worst site to browse when you are hungry!! I made the mistake of looking on Pinterest mid-afternoon when my stomach was hunnngry like the wolf–cue the Duran Duran song! The recipe is super quick and easy, plus it’s great to make for a group because you can customize the add-ins.

Ingredients: 

1 cup quinoa

1 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup minced onion

2 clove garlic, minced

2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 tsp chili powder (mild)

Pinch of cayenne pepper (spicy)

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1 cup shredded lettuce

2 tbsp Happy Hemp toasted seeds

Salt

Suggested Optionals Toppings:

Grated cheddar or jack cheese                                             Greek yogurt

Pico de gallo                                                                                Corn salsa

Diced  tomatoes                                                                         Hot sauce

Sliced avocado                                                                            Guacamole

Corn

Directions:

1. Rinse the quinoa thoroughly in a mesh strainer or sieve, drain.

2. In a saucepan, bring the quinoa in 2 cups of water to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer. Cover the pot & let simmer for about 20 minutes (until water is absorbed & grains are tender).

3. While quinoa is cooking, heat 1 tbsp of oil in another saucepan over medium heat.

4. Combine minced onion & garlic into the saucepan and saute for a few minutes till it softens and begins to turn brown.

5. Add the black beans to the pot of onions along with 1/2 cup water, cilantro, chili powder & cayenne pepper.

7. Bring the beans to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low. Let the beans simmer for 15 minutes (until liquid is mostly evaporated).

8. Stir in 2 tbsp of fresh lime juice. Season with salt to taste.

9. When the quinoa is fully cooked, remove from heat and fluff with a fork & mix in cilantro & lime juice. Season with salt to taste.

10. Assemble your  bowls with cilantro lime quinoa, black beans, shredded lettuce, corn salsa, avocado, sour cream, pico de gallo, and Happy Hemp toasted seeds. Enjoy!

Happy Peppermint Relief

You know summertime in Texas is approaching when you walk outside for two minutes and get attacked by mosquitos. In my true optimistic state of mind, no matter what the situation is I try to hone in on at least one positive thing. But I mean, is there really a silver lining to being eaten alive by mosquitos? NO! I guess they must think I’m sweet, right? We all know that peppermint is a life savor when it comes to bad breath, but you might not know it has many other beneficial elements like it’s ability to cool bites and stings?! COOL! It is one of the most versatile aromatic herbs, hands down.

Here are some other cool facts about peppermint and its oil:

1. Happy Health- it is compromised of vitamins A, C, omega-3 fatty acids, and contain minerals including potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, and copper. It is commonly used to treat several health problems.

2. Happy Inside- to help with indigestion, add a few drops  of peppermint oil into a warm glass of water and bye bye pain, hello sweet relief!

3. Happy Inhale- the menthol in peppermint oil helps to clear respiratory tract. Use it as a cold rub or inhale through a vaporizer and so long nasal congestion.

4. Happy Head- provides relief from headaches by dabbing a few drops on your wrist and inhale slowly. It also works as a stress buster.

5. Happy Relaxation- soak yourself in a bath or shower after applying some drops of peppermint oil on your body. The refreshing properties found in peppermint will leave you feeling energized.

6. Happy Beauty- massage a few drops on to scalp with warm water to help heal dry skin or apply on face to keep blemishes at bay.

7. Happy Healing- cools bites and stings by increasing blood flow to affected area.

Happy Peppermint. Happy Relief. Happy Hemp.