impRAWvise 

There is a constant debate about the amount of protein that a vegan lifestyle is based on, whether you`re having too much or too little of it, there is still a vague understanding of this idea so why not take a look at some facts. The protein question usually pops out pretty quickly when talking with someone about a vegan lifestyle, but there might also be exceptions. Protein is mostly associated with animal products but the thing is that vegetables also have their protein champions. A few examples are nuts and seeds, leafy greens, sea vegetables such as chlorella and spirulina which are very good quality concentrated protein sources and probably the most commonly known, beans or legumes.

In a raw food lifestyle the protein sources can also be sprouts and sprouted nuts and seeds, the sprouting process making the nut or seed more easily digestible and activating its own enzyme content.

One very good example of vegetable protein source are hemp seeds. Hemp seeds can be found in many forms available on the market, we can find them at health food store, but also in the supermarkets. There are hemp seeds, hemp flour, hemp protein powder, hemp oil, a very good source of omega 3, 6, 9 in a balanced ratio, hemp fiber etc.

Hemp seeds have a very tasty, nutty flavor and can be used both for main courses, such as salads and pates, and also for raw cookies and desserts. Hemp is also a great source of healthy fats, just like coconut and coconut oil, avocados and other veggie sources of good fats and it is really easy to incorporate them in a healthy lifestyle.

A good combination is a simple cabbage salad with cold pressed olive oil, lemon juice, hemp seeds and fresh spices like basil or oregano, a great tasting recipe which is definitely fulfilling and abundant in nutrients, enzymes and good fats. Balance is always the key, so the important thing is to be able to have a harmonious intake of all the elements that your body needs in order to properly function and make you feel amazing about yourself.

A great choice for enjoying the benefits of hemp seeds can be this easy to make raw raspberry hemp cake which is so simple to do that you won`t even need any blender, food processor or other fancy kitchen equipment. This time is all about making raw foods accessible to everyone and of course fulfilling and absolutely delicious.

The ingredients for this beautiful dessert are:

1/2 cup hemp seeds

3 Tbs carob powder

3 Tbs agave syrup

1-2 Tbs coconut oil

a few delicious fresh or frozen raspberries.

After mixing all the ingredients together we use a cookie cutter to give it the shape of our choice and then depending on our preferences we can either leave it in the fridge for about 1/2 hour to allow the coconut oil to provide it a harder texture or we can enjoy it at room temperature if we wish for a more creamy consistency. Either way, the flavors are yummi and delicious and  your body will love this boost of energy and vitality that it brings. Have fun making this wonderful delight and bring on new ingredients to improve your lifestyle through conscious and lovely choices of superfoods and exotic spices.

Always remember, good food is great because it tastes amazing and most importantly because it is full of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and those things are very easy to get in a raw vegan lifestyle. Enjoy the happiness of fresh served produce, starting with a protein boost from this savory hemp cake!