Happy Fenugreek Strawberry Salad

Today I headed over to my little local farmers market to see what was sprouting? I came across fenugreek, a new plant I had never heard of. Feeling up for a challenge I bought a bag full, not knowing what in the world to do with it?! When in doubt I call my mom. As I thought… she knew exactly what todo. Fenugreek I learned is used mainly in Indian cuisine. It is thought to help prevent arthritis. Love that! It has a very strong taste almost bitter, but I assure you mixed with the sweetness of the strawberries and the nuttiness of the hemp it makes for a great salad. Love learning something new…Thanks Mom!

Happy Fenugreek. Happy Farmers Market. Happy Hemp.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Strawberries
• 1 Cup Fenugreek
• 1/2 Happy Hemp
• 2 Cups Spinach
• 1/4 Cup Balsamic

Directions:

1. Place washed spinach in large bowl.
2. Add strawberries, fenugreek and happy hemp to the spinach.
3. Toss with balsamic.
4. Enjoy!

Happy Avocado

Whew the past couple of weeks have been hectic and the weather is hot. I end up running all day and then…grrrrr! Oh S*@T! I forgot to eat. My tummy is crying out asking for food love. Eating becomes secondary to running around like a chicken with my head cut-off. I start looking for the quickest thing to eat. Here is how to avoid grabbing the chips and having a quick, easy, yummy, healthy and filling nibbler. No plate required. Viola homemade take out!

Happy Avocado. Happy Snack. Happy Hemp.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Avacado
• Lemon
• 1 Tbsp happy hemp

Directions:

1. Cut an avocado in half and remove pit.
2. squeeze lemon on to avocado.
3. Sprinkle happy hemp on avocado.
4. Enjoy!

Happy Guilt Free Chocolate Brownies

Here is a little twist on an ole’ faithful recipe. These brownies are as healthy as you can get. Yes….You heard me! With one of my favorite trick ingredients…Yogurt!!  These are little guiltless squares of yumminess. I am notorious for serving them without so much as a whisper on the word healthy. I love getting my guest reaction after they have licked their plates clean. A little tip getting them out of the pan. Dip a knife in hot water after each cut. Enjoy!

Happy Brownie. Happy Waist. Happy Hemp.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Sugar
• 3/4 Cup Flour
• 1/2 Cup Cocoa
• 2 Teaspoons Cornstarch
• 3/4 Happy Hemp
• 1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 2/3 Cup Non-Fat Yogurt
• Nonstick Cooking Spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix all dry ingredients and yogurt. Mix well.
3.  Batter will be very thick.
4. Spray an 8 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.
5. Spread batter evenly and bake for 30-35 minutes.
6. Remove and cool.
7. Enjoy!

Happy Eating

Growing up we always sat down and ate dinner together as a family. Whether we were eating take-out or a prepared meal, the table was always set. Each meal was plated and we did not start until everyone was in their place.

What I did not know is sitting down to eat is actually better for you. Healthy is no longer just about what you eat, but how you eat. I got into a bad habit of standing in the kitchen eating my food mindlessly. Not enjoying the meal or being conscious about the food I was taking into my body.  I decided to make a change. Now I eat sitting down with a everything plated as if I am in a gourmet restaurant. I enjoy my food in every sense of the word.

I have actually read the sitting down helps in digestion. The food in take is less stress and thus processed in the body differently. Your brain and stomach have a chance to get on the same page and your less likely to over eat. What I know is life is sweeter when you slow down and take the time to digest life’s little pleasures. So I invite you to take the extra 10 minutes, your body will thank you! Bon Appetite!

Happy Food. Happy Mind. Happy Hemp.

Happy Veggie Stir-fry

I am a huge fan of Stir-Fry. In know time at all you can have a healthy meal whipped up. If you are newbie into cooking, this is a great place to start. If you can cut ,you can cook this dish. They key is to leave the veggies a little crunchy. Plus makes a great left over to take to work the next day. We love saving mula!  Whether you are on the go or need to feed a family of four, stir-fry dishes are simple, healthy and satisfying.

Happy Stir. Happy Fry. Happy Hemp.

Ingredients:

• 3 Stalks Celery Chopped
• 1 Cup Carrots Chopped
• 8 Ounces Water-chestnuts Quartered
• 1 Cup Sweet Peas
• 5 Slices Ginger
• 1/2 Cup Happy Hemp
• 1/2 Cup Mong Beans (you can leave this out if not in season)
• 2 Cups Brown Rice
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
• 1 Tbsp chili oil (this can be omitted if you don’t like hot food)

Directions:

1. Steam brown rice according to package directions and set aside.
2. Heat up in wok olive oil, soy sauce and chili oil.
3. Add carrots to wok and saute for 10 min.
4. Add to mix celery, sweet peas, water-chestnuts and ginger saute for 15 min or until carrots are soft.
5. Remove Ginger from stir-fry
6.  Plate brown rice on to plate and add stir-fry on top
7.  Sprinkle mong beans and happy hemp on top.
8. Enjoy!

Happy Summer Salad

I love  simple easy salads in the summer. They are easy to make and the combinations are endless. This is great to enjoy alone or would make a great addition to the main course.

Happy Side. Happy Dinner. Happy Hemp.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Green Beans
• 1 Cup Baby Potatoes halved
• 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
• 1/4 Cup Happy Hemp
• Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper

Directions:

1. Snap ends off  and Steam Green Beans for 10 min or until brilliant green. Cool in an ice bath.
2. Place in a bowl tomatoes, potatoes and happy hemp.
3. Drain green beans and cut into 1 inch pieces. Add to mixture.
4. Lightly drizzle olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Mix and Serve.
5. Enjoy!

Happy Strawberries with Honey

I love to have an evening sweet treat. Kind of my reward for getting through the day. Keeping it sweet and healthy takes a little creativity on my part. This satisfied my craving and it was super easy!

Happy Strawberry. Happy Honey. Happy Hemp.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Strawberries Sliced
• 2 Tbsp Honey
• 2 Tbsp Happy Hemp

Directions:

1. Put strawberries in a bowl.
2. Drizzle honey over the Strawberries.
3. Sprinkle happy hemp on top.
4. Enjoy!

Happy Dogs Happy Diet

This year as much as I have been re-examing my diet, I am also taking a close look at what I feed my four-legged loved ones. As Oliver moves in to his golden years, our routine has drastically changed. Daily we used to get up and hike Griffith Park. The routine was as good for him as it was for me. Now my handsome old man, prefers a veeeerrrryyyy leisurely walk around the neighborhood. We smell more than walk.

I started to educate myself on dog food options… dry, wet, organic, raw. Well dog food is much like human food. It falls all over the scale…from fast food to organic options. Unfortunately the cheaper the food, the worse the ingredients. Thankfully most pet stores are now offering a wide variety of really great options. Whatever options you choose, adding supplements is an absolute must. Just like humans, dogs also need omega’s, minerals and vitamins to keep them in tip top shape. I sprinkle Happy Hemp on his food daily, which helps me with my own routine of taking HH daily.

First I started him with 3 to 4 Tbsp a day for the first month to get him back on track and then moved to 2 Tbsp a day. One of the main things I notice is his coat looks amazing! There is nothing I would not do to make sure he is happy and healthy, as the gift he gives me everyday is priceless. Happy Diet. Happy Dogs. Happy Hemp.

Happy Omega 3

Happy Hemp is full of Omega 3, but what does that mean? What exactly is an Omega 3? Well let’s find out…

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered an essential fatty acids. Yes I said fat. There is bad fat and good fat… this is the good kind. They are necessary for human health but the body can’ t make them — you have to get them through food we eat, like Happy Hemp. Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. They have also become popular because they may reduce the risk of heart disease. Happy Heart!

Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. Now that’s great news!  Omega-3 fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be important for cognitive (brain memory and performance) and behavioral function. Now that is impressive!

Happy Omega 3. Happy Body. Happy Hemp.

Happy Buckwheat Noodles

Growing up my Obachan (grandma) and I would enjoy our  buckwheat noodles with real bitter green tea. She would tell me rich tails of her childhood in Japan, while showing me how to properly hold my chopsticks. After lunch we would try on Kimono’s and she would show me how to dance traditional dances. Itadakimasu!

Happy Noodles. Happy Memories. Happy Hemp.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz buckwheat noodles
• 1 1/2 cup dashi (you can buy at any Asian grocery store) or vegetable stock.
• 2 scallions cut thinly
• 1/4 happy hemp

Directions:

1. Bring water to a boil and add buckwheat noodles.
2.  Cook for 7 to 8 min and drain. Save a cup of noodle water.
3. Wash noodles gently with cold water.
4. Plate noodles into little bundles.
5. Sprinkle happy hemp on to the bundles of buckwheat.
6. Place dashi in a dipping bowl with scallions.
7. Add cup of noodle water to dipping bowl after finish as a delicious soup.
8. Enjoy!