Lets start with the HUGE news, I have been working with Vitacost to kick off a new campaign dedicated to our Service men and Women! I am Proud that I was able to Nominate not only a hero, but an dear friend to kick it off in style! Congratulations Ben!

Go to Vitacost.com or their Facebook and nominate a service man or woman you know! I am VERY excited about this!!!!!

Here is an interesting look at Hemp Seeds from Rebecca Chopin at Vitacost.com

Hemp Seeds: Why the Hype?

By: +Rebecca Chopin writer for Vitacost.com

By now, just about everyone knows hemp isn’t “wacky tobacky.” It won’t trigger fits of giggles, bring on the munchies or stop you from safely operating heavy machinery. What this cousin of cannabis (minus the psychoactive compound THC) can do, however, has vaulted it to the top of today’s superfoods list.

Throughout history, hemp has been used to make rope, nets, baskets, bags and paper—due to the remarkably durable quality of its fibers. Hemp seeds (really the fruit of the plant) were eaten, usually ground and mixed with water for a popular porridge Middle Agers called “gruel.”

Today, these tiny, nutty-tasting treasures have made a comeback, appearing in everything from cereal and granola to breads, muffins and even waffles. Why? For starters, they’ve got a lot of protein, especially for a plant food, with a whopping 5.5 grams packed into every spoonful. They’re also a great source of healthy fats, providing both omega-3s and omega-6s, in an optimal ratio you don’t find in many other foods.

Add to these nutritional highlights a healthy dose of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and you’ve got more than enough reason to start sprinkling hemp seeds on everything you eat. Here are some popular ways to enjoy them:

Straight from the bag. Lightly toasted, with or without salt—unshelled hemp seeds make a great snack, munched right on their own. They taste like sunflower seeds, but provide a lot more protein.

Sprinkled on everything. Shelled hemp seeds, which are smaller (like sesame seeds) and less coarse than the unshelled variety, add a slightly nutty taste and a subtle crunch to yogurt, pudding, smoothies, oatmeal, cereal, salads, soups and more.

Baked into goodies. When a recipe calls for nuts or seeds, fold in (shelled) hemp seeds instead. They’re great in breads, muffins and cookies.

Made into hemp milk. It’s easier than you think! Soak seeds overnight. Combine ¼ cup of seeds with 3/4 cup of water (or less, for a creamier milk) and blend on high for 3 minutes. Sweeten with agave nectar, honey or stevia—or add cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla to jazz it up.

Drizzled as oil. Pressed hemp seeds yield a nutritious oil that can be drizzled on steamed veggies, used in place of other oils in salad dressings, blended into smoothies or used for cooking. It would be hard to make on your own—but, luckily, hemp oil is widely available at natural foods stores or online from healthy living product retailers such as http://www.vitacost.com.

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. Offering more than just vitamins and supplements, Vitacost.com has a wide selection of over 35,000 organic, natural products for your healthy lifestyle such as healthy diet and weight management products. From organic foods and bath & beauty items to sports nutrition favorites and pet essentials. Vitacost.com has your needs covered – for less! Take your shopping list to Vitacost.com and take the cost out of healthy living. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

And the WINNER is………….. Danielle Porter!!!!!! Vitacost will be sending you an email! Congratulations!!!!!! Hope you all have a fabulously fit day! It is a rest day for me, 60 degrees outside (gotta love Missouri weather), and it is family fun day, so I am gonna go enjoy!!!!