How am I supposed to eat these raw..

[supersonic_528]

I have never eaten hemp seeds before. If I go buy hemp seeds now from say, Whole Foods, how am I supposed to eat it.. I mean do I need to soak it first or can I just put it in smoothies (or in salads) without soaking?

Same question for almonds. Do I need to soak it? I read soaking it needed for making almond milk, but what about the other cases.

Same question for chia seeds. Also, what are the benefits of chia seeds and where can I use it?

Lastly, do you guys peel off the skin of an avocado before eating it or using it in smoothies?

Pretty naive questions, I know, but please help. Thanks.

[snoops]

Lastly, do you guys peel off the skin of an avocado before eating it or using it in smoothies?



Oh yes to that - the skin would be nasty I imagine!!:)

[RAWmen-Noodles]

I have never eaten hemp seeds before. If I go buy hemp seeds now from say, Whole Foods, how am I supposed to eat it.. I mean do I need to soak it first or can I just put it in smoothies (or in salads) without soaking?

Same question for almonds. Do I need to soak it? I read soaking it needed for making almond milk, but what about the other cases.

Same question for chia seeds. Also, what are the benefits of chia seeds and where can I use it?

Lastly, do you guys peel off the skin of an avocado before eating it or using it in smoothies?

Pretty naive questions, I know, but please help. Thanks.


Hi. Those are good questions. I am new like you but here is my understanding. If I am wrong, I hope someone else on the site will correct me. Sometimes soaking is called sprouting even though no sprouts actually come up on some of the seeds and nuts. When you soak almonds, it makes it easier for some people to digest and makes blending easier. Also, soaking sparks the insides of the nut/seed to create enzymes which gives it a power boost of nutrients. As for almonds, I have seen recipes for milk that requires soaking and some that do not. I do not know about the hemp and chia because I have not eaten them yet. The only time I soak my almonds is if a recipe calls for it.

Please do peel the avocado or scrap out its buttery insides. That skin I am sure would be like eating shoe leather! I hope that helps.

Keep asking your questions, someone will be able to help you!

[sport]

The Benefits of Soaking Nuts and Seeds
Enzyme inhibitors get neutralized.
The amount of vitamins your body can absorb increases.
Gluten breaks down so digestion is much easier.
Phytic acid, which inhibits the absorption of vital minerals, is reduced.

Taken from this site
http://www.raw-food-living.com/soaking-nuts.html

It will not do you harm to eat seeds and nuts that have not been soaked but it will do you hundreds of times more good if they are soaked.

[sport]

Regarding Chia Seeds. This is a small bit of all of the praise for chia that is available if you google it. There is much more.

Another unique quality if the Chia seed is its high oil content, and the richest vegetables source for the essential omega-3 fatty acid. It has approximately three to ten times the oil concentrations of most grains and one and a half to two times the protein concentrations of other grains. These oils, unsaturated fatty acids, are the essential oils your body needs to help emulsify and absorb the fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, & K. Chia seeds are rich in the unsaturated fatty acid, linoleic, which the body cannot manufacture. When there are rich amounts of linoleic acid sufficiently supplied to the body trough diet, linoleic and arachidonic acids can be synthesized from linoleic acid.

[Veronica01]

i buy raw shelled hemp seed, and throw a little bit in smoothies, you don't need a lot as its rich in protein and omega's.

acocados i wait til ripe and slice down the middle with a knife around the pit and pull them apart that way

[supersonic_528]

The Benefits of Soaking Nuts and Seeds
Enzyme inhibitors get neutralized.
The amount of vitamins your body can absorb increases.
Gluten breaks down so digestion is much easier.
Phytic acid, which inhibits the absorption of vital minerals, is reduced.

Taken from this site
http://www.raw-food-living.com/soaking-nuts.html

It will not do you harm to eat seeds and nuts that have not been soaked but it will do you hundreds of times more good if they are soaked.

Is there a rule of thumb as to how long I need to soak the seeds and nuts? Is it almost the same for the different varieties?

[sport]

There is a chart towards the end of that page that I linked to. If the info is not there let me know as I have a good one posted on my fridge door and can give you the info.

[Veganforlife]

Is there a rule of thumb as to how long I need to soak the seeds and nuts? Is it almost the same for the different varieties?

Alissa has a chart in her book...;)

[Veganforlife]

Same question for chia seeds. Also, what are the benefits of chia seeds and where can I use it?

check this out:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=25490&highlight=heck+chia+seeds