Sometimes you just have to wonder if commonsense is going out of style, don't you?

Far be it for me to hemorrhage my political views on New Years Day....hope you have a happy one, by the way....new year, that is.

And now, if I may have more than a word....

Is Hemp the same as Marijuana?

No. Both have their origin in the Cannabis Sativa species. Hemp is grown for food and fiber. It contains only a smidgen of the psychoactive ingredients found in Marijuana. Hemp is legal, safe and healthy to consume. You're not going to fail a drug test on a Hemp Shake.

Some of you have gotten the nerve up to have a Food Allergy test done in recent months and years. Many of you went through an Elimination Diet of sorts which may have cut out some of your familiar protein sources - dairy and meats - common allergy triggers. Others of you are ill-motivated and well - ill. Rather than allow the silent inflammation behind your chronic aches, pains and disease escalate another year, I'd stop in my hurry-worry tracks and get to the root of what ails you. Then start healing under supervision. Let me say that another way -

If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, bacterial or viral infections, osteoporosis, arthritis, acid reflux, candidiasis or acne, then you could also have chronic, low-grade inflammation. Matter of fact, if you have any number of other diseases, it's likely you have inflammation. Eliminate foods and environmental toxins you're intolerant / allergic to.

What about my protein? Right.

I like Hemp. Hemp seeds on salads. Hemp oil to cook with. A Hemp Berry Shake to jump start my day. Hemp cream to balm myself with on a dry winter day. Yep, I like Hemp.

I like Hemp because it's one of the most protean natural proteins on earth.

• It goes head-to-head with soybeans as far as processing and flavoring goes. Bet you didn't know Hemp oil can be used to make very nutritious tofu, butter, cheese, and salad oils, among other foods. It can also be used to produce paint, varnish, ink, lubricating oils, and plastic substitutes - with practically no nutritional value.

• Hemp goes head-to-head with wood, too - as far as building materials go. Hemp happens to be stronger than wood actually... and can be manufactured cheaper than wood from trees. Think saving on building costs. Think saving more trees.

• Why beat around the proverbial bush. Marijuana.....

....has dozens of proven medicinal uses.

Marijuana is more effective, less toxic, and less expensive than alternative synthetic medicines currently used.  Pilgrims and prodigals alike - anyone - who suffers from arthritis, AIDS, rheumatism, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, cancer, glaucoma, and other ailments can benefit from marijuana as medicine. So say over 50% of polled Physicians in this country alone.  So there you have it.

• But, as I was saying....Hemp is so very protean, rather like an adroit politician......What's more unlike many other crops, hemp puts little strain on our soil and needs only modest amounts of fertilizer. Less fertilizer means less runoff into waterways and groundwater which means less water pollution. Less is good.

• And as for relying on foreign oil - Hemp has more potential as a clean and renewable energy source than any crop on earth! It's estimated that if hemp was widely grown in the U.S. for fuel/energy, it could supply 100% of all U.S. energy needs! You know of course that the industrial use of fossil fuels (petroleum) contributes to global warming by rapidly increasing the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere. Hemp fuels, derived from the plant itself, maintain the earth’s natural O2/CO2 balance.

• The Fashionable elite are sporting a wide variety of clothing made from 100% hemp now - pants, denim jeans, jackets, shoes, dresses, shorts, hats.  A note to the wise - Hemp produces twice as much fiber per acre as cotton! [Cotton requires enormous pesticide use.]

• And while we're on the fiber topic - less caustic and toxic chemicals are used to make paper from hemp than are used to make paper from trees - less pollution.

But I digress.

Hemp seeds are a complete, digestible, plant-based protein source containing all 10 essential amino acids. Unlike soy, hemp doesn't contain enzyme inhibitors and phytates. In other words, the nutrients in hemp are easily absorbed by your body.

Hemp seeds are a good source of unsaturated fats, too. It contains a balanced 1:3 ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) - the "good fats" that your body needs for healthy skin, energy production, nervous system function, brain development, heart health, and immune system support.

You can experience  improvements in hormonal balance by addiing  Hemp to your diet.  It is one of the only plants to contain GLA (Gamma Linoleic Acid) so your body doesn't have to rely on converting it.  Adding (1-2) Tablespoons of  Hemp Oil, or (3-5) Tablespoons of Hemp Seed a day, is a delicious, easy way to assist you in achieving natural hormone balance and vibrant, health.

Hemp oil reduce inflammation. If you're like most people in the Western Hemisphere you consume too many omega-6 fatty acids, so it's important to incorporate more omega-3 fatty acids. The GLA in Hemp oil also helps to  fight inflammation. Just remember to look for unrefined organic oils.

All said and done, Hemp is  free of the allergy causing components found in soy, dairy or tree0nuts, and is an ideal protein alternative.

Besides the point -

• The first Gutenberg bible was printed on hemp paper.
• Christopher Columbus’ sails and ropes were made from hemp.
• The first drafts of the Declaration of Independence were printed on hemp paper.
• Ben Franklin owned a mill that made hemp paper.
• The first American flag was made out of hemp.
• George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew it.
• Rembrandt and Van Gogh painted on hemp canvas.
• In the 1930s, Henry Ford made a car from hemp and other crops “grown from the soil”. These days, BMW is reportedly working on its own set of wheels that replaces fiberglass matte with hemp.
• The original Levi’s jeans, made for Sierra Nevada gold rushers, were made of rugged hemp sailcloth. A current vintage line includes 40 percent hemp.

From a mere commonsensical standpoint, which is where we started I think, I'd say Hemp has the clout to withstand the multi-front onslaught from competing paper, petroleum and wood lobbyists showing heightened symptoms of repressed anger and frustration.

If you're on an Elimination or Detoxification Diet and are concerned about your protein intake - try Hemp.

Here's a Recipe

Take it easy in 2010.