Love your heart this Valentine's Day and make your Sweetie, Chocolate Hemp Pudding

Hempseeds are among the world’s most nutritious seeds. Containing calcium, vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, iron, and omega 3 & 6, the essential fatty acids we need to maintain a healthy body.

Hempseed contains no cholesterol, fat and are gluten-free. They can be eaten raw, ground into meal, milk and even oil, which can be used to make salad dressings. Hempseeds are a great source of plant protein so put them on your cereal, yogurts or make your own tasty dessert.

Hempseed Facts

Hempseed is an excellent protein product for everyone

Its ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 is the best in nature- Omega 3 & 6 help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, inflammation and heart disease

Hempseed contains more Omega 3 than fish            

Hempseed contains plant sterols which reduce the risk of certain cancers

Hempseed can be eaten by those unable to tolerate nuts

Hemp is a protein easier to digest than eggs, cheese, milk or beef

Hemp has more available proteins than soybeans

With 78% essential fats, hemp oil greatly exceeds soy oil at 40%, canola oil at 30%, olive oil at 10% and other oils.

Chocolate Hemp Pudding

¾ cup shelled hemp seeds

3 bananas

2 tbsp maple syrup

¾ cup coconut milk

Mix all ingredients together in food processor for at least 10 minutes to break up the hemp seeds.

Dish small amounts into pudding cups or a pretty dish and refrigerate or freeze. Garnish with a few strawberries if you like and enjoy!

Yields 3 cups

Shirley Plant is a nutritionist and the author of Finally... Food I Can Eat, a dietary guide and cookbook for people with food allergies, and those looking for healthy, tasty recipes.

Shirley offers dietary counseling and menu planning through Delicious Alternatives

For more information you may visit www.deliciousalternatives.com

Twitter @sherrecipes