What was to be tried first? I simply couldn't resist the "Hempseed: Original Organic Bar" from Nutiva-company extraordinaire that creates "deliciously healthy hemp and flax foods." This bar was no exception to their company claims. The bar can be best described as a symphony of seeds, nuts, flavors and textures. Hemp seeds are combined with just the right amount of honey, sunflower, pumpkin and flax seeds, to produce a product that won't stick to your teeth (and we know how annoying that can be…) with a slightly-sweet, nutty and healthy taste. This flavor is guilt free-it feels good to eat, because you are aware of the goodness you are feeding your body: healthy fats, mega-protein and vitamin E. Perfect for a snack on the go, it leaves you feeling nourished and energized.

Creating this same feeling can be accomplished when you bite into a "Cool Hemp Energy Cookie." The new product line, baked by Little Stream Bakery (an earth-friendly, family-led business), is definitely among my hemp favorites. At the outset, I was disappointed by the label of "chocolate chip" flavor. But fellow vegans, fear not! "Cool Hemp Energy Cookies" are 100 percent vegan-and 100 percent delicious. One cookie packs a powerhouse of energy-approximately 266 calories, with an abundance of healthy fats and protein. This is one nutritious and filling biscuit. But beware; they can leave you craving more!

It was also my privilege to sample Nutiva's "Organic Hemp Protein Powder." Don't allow the green appearance to deter you from this nutritional wonder. This powder won the Best New Product Award of the New Products Showcase Award in the supplements category-and rightly so. It is a highly versatile product (100 percent raw, organic hemp protein) with a subtle flavor that can be added to enhance nutritional value and flavor of baked goods and shakes. I decided to try Nutiva's "Hemp Goddess Supreme" recipe, which contained such ingredients as two scoops of hemp protein, one yummy banana, a handful of strawberries, a dash of vanilla, and a divine blessing. The result? One appetizing shake, which can ideally serve as an excellent breakfast choice. The hemp powder does not carry a strong flavor and is an amazing source of digestible protein, with about 11g per two scoops utilized.

Moving down the line of hemp stars, both Manitoba Harvest and (once again) Nutiva have developed a delicious and versatile hemp oil. As aforementioned, hemp oil by far surpasses its "oil relatives" in its EFA components and is most definitely a cinch to include in common, everyday meals (as I found upon clicking my mouse over to www.manitobaharvest.com). I found that my favorite place to include hemp oil was in salad dressings, such as the "Maple Vinaigrette." This dressing quickly became the family favorite at the dinner table, adding excitement to those regular old garden salads, and kicking Italian and Thousand Island to the curb. I currently cannot eat a salad without it! With 1/4 cup Hemp Seed Oil, 1/8 cup Balsamic Vinegar, two tablespoons of maple syrup, and one teaspoon of dried oregano, you too can create this lovely delicacy. The hemp lends an original nutty flavor, while the maple gives it just the right touch of sweetness. Once again, hemp is providing you with a generous amount of healthy fats that your body will get down on its knees and thank you for-for it is these fats which are essential to our body's daily actions, growth, brain function and healthy emotion.

The smallest along the line, hemp seeds are among the most versatile petite seeds I have come across. I used them tossed in salads, shaken atop cereal, blended in shakes, sprinkled over pasta (to lend a mock-parmesan flavor)… They can even be used in baked goods: cakes, cookies, muffins, nut loaves, breads-you name it, they make the taste meter rise from good to great. Personally, I have purchased a brand of hemp seeds in the past, which were improperly shelled and occasionally caused me to nearly chip a tooth. However, Manitoba Harvest and Nutiva succeed again, by doing hemp seeds right. I found no annoying shells, and nothing but wonderful aroma and flavor.

So what are you waiting for? Aren't you ready to taste the wonder of hemp, too? No, I am not a hemp saleswoman in disguise. But if you give hemp a try, it will most likely soon become a common food essential. Hemp products everywhere are waiting to prove their applicable versatility and splendor, and have been shown to be usable in just about every recipe-- from Grandma's old faves to new and up-to-date cooking fare. Wherever it is included, hemp will infuse your food with a rich amount of what your body loves and craves- components to a healthy, youthful and energized self, with a wonderful taste to boot. Additionally, not solely does hemp boast human health benefits, hemp is beneficial for the environment, too-it is grown easily without pesticides. With these factors kept in mind, absolutely and without a doubt, you must give hemp a try, for it is truly the revolutionary seed and kitchen essential of our time and for healthy generations to come. I promise you, this little seed won't let you down.

Recipes and further information can be found at the following web sites:

www.manitobaharvest.com www.nutiva.com www.coolhemp.com

Many thank-yous to the generosity of the above companies and to VegetarianTeen.com for making this review possible.