Friday, August 20, 2010

Innovative Ways To Increase Omega-3s!

Recently I was sent some coupons for Tempt Living Harvest Hempmilk. I was also sent a coupon for a free container of hemp ice cream, but even Whole Foods doesn't carry it. So my question is.....who the heck does?!



Here is a little background about the company and their products.



To read more about hemp, visit this page on their website. I love the first line, "It isn't marijuana!". haha

Hemp milk contains two types of fatty acids of which you may have never heard before. GLA is gamma linolenic acid. Is is produced in the body from linoleic acid, which is an essential fatty acid. GLA has been shown to help reduce inflammation. It's sold in supplemental form, but as I always say, I prefer to get my fats, vitamins, and minerals from food.


SDA (Stearodonic Acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid, which efficiently converts to EPA (the omega-3 found in fish oil) more so than ALA (alpha linolenic acid)
. In fact, some studies have shown that SDA converts to EPA 2.5 times more efficiently than ALA alone! The great thing about SDA is that it's typically found in vegetable oils, not animal sources, therefore it's a great vegetarian source of EPA. The only downside is that there is no conversion of SDA to DHA, which is another important omega-3 found in fish, and which may play a major role in heart health.


Sometimes you have to be careful when you buy different types of milk, such as almond, soy, hemp, or rice, because they are not always fortified with vitamin D, and some aren't even fortified with calcium! This hemp milk didn't disappoint; 30% DV calcium, and 25% DV vitamin D. Did I mention it also tasted fantastic?!


Are you someone who hates swallowing pills? We sell this (below) at Giant Eagle, and it seems to be really popular.



I added it to one of Nick's smoothies and he didn't even notice. In fact, when I asked him how his smoothie was (when I do this he always gets suspicious) he said, "It's great! Very citrusy". HA! I did taste his smoothie and I could sort of taste the lemon, but I think that was because I knew it was in there. I figure it could also be added to yogurt, or if you're daring you could eat it (drink it) alone. One Giant Eagle customer said she likes it in her strawberry milk. That sounded strange to me at first, but strawberry and lemon may actually be tasty!


Supplement Facts

~720 mg EPA/DHA (perfect!)

Sweetened with the sugar alcohol, xylitol

NOT vegetarian




How about some omega-3 in your burgers?!


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Adding flaxseed to this very lean ground beef was the perfect way to increase the moisture without increasing the saturated fat (and with the flaxseed you get some essential omega-3 fats).

You can eat the beef as a burger, or add it to rice and veggies for a nice healthy dinner (this is Nick's poker dinner, which I pack for him on Tuesday nights when he plays poker).



So, we've got liquid fish oil, hemp milk, and flaxseed in burgers, which are all innovative ways to get some essential fats in your diet.

QUESTION: What are some innovative ways you have increased your omega-3 intake?







28 comments :

  1. I take a fish oil supplement every day, more religiously now since getting pregnant. I also eat a lot of wild salmon! I also really like Joseph's breads....they have a line of lavash breads, pitas, and tortillas that are fortified with omegas...and really good too :)

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  2. I've never tried hemp milk but have seen it around. Maybe I'll have to give it a taste test sometime soon.

    Omega Swirl sounds like a good idea, but me + xylitol = no good. I think the pills will work just fine for me!

    Have a great weekend!

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  3. I will have to try hemp milk! Is is shelf stable? I like to keep something in the pantry for when I'm out of milk, or to change things up!

    I love adding flax to just about everything! And fish...swoon :) I think omega 3's are really easy for me!

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  4. I tried hemp milk but hated it. It was another brand though so maybe I will give this one a shot! I try to take fish oil every day but forget a lot so that powder would be useful. I also eat lots of salmon and add flax to oats.

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  5. My mom gets Barlean's Lemon Omega Swirl...It's so good. I could seriously put this stuff on my ice cream. I haven't tried that yet, but I will!

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  6. I'm going to have to say my most innovative way that I increased my Omega 3s was to move to an island! I am glad I like fish so much because it is abundant here. Yes, I am spoiled, and I know one day I will have to come back to the real world.

    Those travel flax packets looks cool. Very certainly don't get those around here at the commissary, but we do get the big box of flax seeds, so I have those. Thanks for the info in the hemp milk. I wonder if they will have that to try at FNCE.

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  7. i like using flax all the time!

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  8. i reallllly like the idea of those flaxseed packets! i think i should get some for my oatmeal in the morning or yogurt! although i'm pretty sure with my fish intake (which is like 5 days of the week) i'm getting plentyyyyy omeg 3s haha

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  9. I've also been experiment (haha) with hemp products. I ran across Hemp Oil at Whole Foods this week and just baked with it the first time this morning (Zucchini Bran Muffins), and it turned out great!

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  10. I take fish oil supplements for my omega-3's. I've tried hemp milk before and really liked it but it is kinda pricey so I stick with regular skim milk.

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  11. I've been included hemp seeds and ground flax in my green shakes! That's how I get my omega-3's. Thanks for the ideas; burgers are such a fun way to sneak things like that in.

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  12. Hm. I think I probably don't get enough omega 3 fats. I should buy more salmon, except they can get expensive. I don't have any creative ways to get omega-3...except salmon cakes. Yum.

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  13. I've been eating a lot of sushi lately. I hope that's helped...probably not though.

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  14. I'm doing a lot of flaxmeal lately... topping in fruits/yogurts... I really like its texture and I know it's really good source of healthy fat. But I love your way to add them to burgers so Nick can eat too. :) I'll save the tip for Star when he comes.
    and I have a coupon for the TEmp Milk too... I can't wait to try it.

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  15. I have never heard of hemp milk, but I take fish oil supplements, daily. Hope all is going well and keep up the good work.
    ~Anthony :)

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  16. I've been wanting to try hemp milk for some time now. I try to add hemp seeds to my oatmeal and salads. Hemp is one of my favorite sources of omega 3s!

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  17. Wow, I didn't know about all the benefits of hemp milk, might have to try that at some point.

    I don't make a huge effort to eat more omega 3s because I eat a lot of fish. However, Eric has been eating peanut butter with omega 3s!

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  18. I have never tried hemp milk. I think I did see hemp milk icecream at Kroger!

    i think I don't supplement my diet with enough omega-3. I should!

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  19. Love the info on hemp milk! I've never tried it.

    I get most of my omega-3s from flax, fish a couple of times a week, and my new favorite - chia seeds!!

    Have a great weekend, Gina!

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  21. I need to work on getting in more Omega 3s. I love hemp milk, but it's usually twice the price of almond milk. I only buy it if it's on sale.

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  22. I look for eggs rich in Omega 3's and make sure I take fish oil (for oh so many reasons!)

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  23. I am not too creative. I usually just take a omega 3 supplement. I like the idea of adding flax seed to the burgers.
    I had a patient ask me about hemp milk the other day and I didn't know all that much. Thanks for sharing!

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  24. I just bought some salba, and it is very high in omega 3s!

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  25. I got that Hemp milk from Kroger this weekend, per your recommendation :)

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  26. Hi, it's Jennifer from Living Harvest. Thanks for the great review! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Sorry you couldn't find the frozen desserts-- many Whole Foods do carry it but it depends on the location :-)

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  27. Hi, it's Jennifer from Living Harvest again... one quick question: Which Whole Foods didn't carry the frozen dessert? Thanks in advance for the info!

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