Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts Review, Recipe and Giveaway

When I hear the word "hemp", the first thing that comes to mind are those rope like necklaces I used to wear in middle school when I was going through my "skater" stage.  You can imagine my reaction when I was invited to taste and review Manitoba Harvest's hemp hearts which are raw, shelled hemp seed.  I'll be honest I didn't even know you could eat hemp, let alone what it was.

For those of you, like me, who aren't familiar with this plant, hemp has many uses, including but not limited to food, paper, clothing, and fuel.  Hemp plants that are used for food are grown primarily in Western Canada.  On the top of the hemp plant a small, hard seed can be found.  Manitoba Harvest has used that seed to produce yummy items like hemp hearts, hemp protein and hemp oil.

Come to find out after some research and review of these nutritionally stacked seeds, I've been missing the boat!

Hemp hearts are high in protein, omega 3 and 6, fiber, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, thiamin and phosphorus.  Plus, they're ridiculously easy to use.  You can sprinkle them on salads, yogurts, smoothies, and cereal.

But what do they taste like?  Watch the video to catch my honest, first reaction.

I even threw a couple tablespoons of hemp hearts into my homemade granola bar recipe!  Amazingly delicious and kid approved.  I love sneaking in nutritious ingredients without my kids knowing.

Homemade Granola Bars

4 cups oats

2 tbs hemp hearts

1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1/2 cup chocolate pieces

1/2 cup chopped dried cherries

1/4 cup whole wheat flour 

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup coconut oil (original recipe called for canola oil the switch worked well)

1/2 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix dry ingredients together and wet ingredients together then combine until all is covered. 

Line 13x9 pan with parchment paper and press mixture into pan. 

Bake at 325 for 40-ish minutes

Now, you know I wouldn't tell you how good something is and then not share the love right?  Mantiboa Harvest has been so kind to not only offer a discount of 20% on your online orders but they also want to give one lucky reader a 2oz package of their own hemp hearts to try!  Simply use the rafflecopter below to check off your entries! *

Can't wait to see if you've won?  Head over to Manitoba Harvest's website and use code HHSweatPink14 for 20% off your order.  Offer good until November 30th.  

*USA and Canada residents only.  Please no PO Boxes.  Manitoba Harvest did supply me with the product but all opinion are my own.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway