Bob Marley (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
We’ve had two small earthquakes in the last 24 hours. That’s kind of interesting, but maybe I’ll tell you more about that later. I’m still too jumpy to share earthquake stories! I could talk about the weather? The heat my tomatoes have been waiting for all summer has finally kicked in like a blast from the oven. But then many of you have either been scorching for two months or desperately wishing the rain might stop. I could also tell you how stretched for time I feel this week. Tuesday was Annual National Night Out, a neighborhood “block party” with our neighbors, including brief home visits from the Mayor, Chief of Police as well as members of the city council. I don’t usually participate in midweek gatherings of this sort, but it seemed like I shouldn’t opt for cyber-conversation at the expense of being neighborly. I’ve just had trouble focusing this week. It happens!
So I think I’ll just share an ironic observation! On my way to work Wednesday I listened to the “morning drive team” discuss how GOP candidate Mitt Romney took a shot at California when he compared the state to financially troubled Greece. Egos are ruffled! California is a liberal state and despite the smoke and mirrors attempt to downplay the state’s shaky credit outlook, the comment miffed the Sacramento legislature.
And then earlier this week the Los Angeles City Council proclaimed Tuesday, August 7, Bob Marley Day! Yep! You heard it right! While “Rome Burns” let’s fiddle away–or play some steel drums! Marley, who died 30 years ago of cancer, will forever be identified as the man who brought Jamaican reggae music to a broader audience and Councilman Buscaino enthusiastically stated that Marley’s music “brought people together in times of trouble.” Really?
I’m not a huge reggae enthusiast, but that’s not my point. I have nothing against Bob Marley. And Los Angeles is supposedly the entertainment capitol of the world, but I simply thought the whole proclamation just emphasized our city’s inability to focus on what is important. Bankruptcy closing in? Let’s have a party, mon!
Let me keep going here! Los Angeles is home to 762 documented medical marijuana dispensaries with scores more operating under the radar, and the city council has also enacted a controversial plan for medical marijuana users to grow their own pot. Kaya, the name of one of Bob Marley’s reggae albums is a Jamaican word for cannibis, hemp, marijuana! One of Marley’s greatest hits, “I Shot the Sheriff,” describes the fate of a marijuana grower hunted by a fanatical lawman. Maybe the Los Angeles City Council has a theme going here. Maybe Bob Marley Day fits right in?
Well, the irony continues. Guess what I was eating while I listened to the midday news report and received official notification of Bob Marley Day? There are clues here, but you still may not guess!
My salad was liberally peppered with hemp seeds! Have you tried them? No, they don’t contain THC and aren’t a psychoactive drug. But I suppose I fit right in to the Los Angeles culture complete with stereotypes, don’t I? I know, I know! Last month I was talking about Chia seeds. I eat those, too. But I enjoy variety, and I’m slowly making my way through as many options from Whole Foods as I find interesting. And I found Hemp seed intriguing!
Hemp seed is an ancient food and oil source considered one of nature’s perfect foods–a Super Food. Hemp protein is available in a variety of food products ranging from hemp butter, seed cakes and protein powders. Hemp protein is more readily digestible than soy protein because it doesn’t contain enzyme inhibitors. And Hemp-derived protein powders are also high in fiber.
Shelled hemp seeds are not only cholesterol free, but contain the optimum ratio of the polyunsaturated essential fatty acids, Omega 3 and 6–and hemp oil contains linolenic acid, beneficial to heart health as well as controlling blood sugars. Adding hemp to salads and vegetables assures me that I have already consumed all the essential fats, proteins and most vitamins and other nutrients necessary for promoting good health. And it tastes good, too. Hemp seeds tastes remarkably similar to pine nuts! I’m wondering about making some kind of hemp-infused pesto. Why not?
So now when I say I’m breathing lighter, are you going to wonder about what’s in my system? Maybe you’ll just join me! And next time you hear someone take a “potshot” at California (yes, pun intended), think of me, will you? We can’t seem to help ourselves! But I’m quoting Bob Marley here, “Just can’t live that negative way…make way for the positive day.” Have fun with your food!
Related articles
- Bob Marley Day declared in Los Angeles; new documentary released (abclocal.go.com)
- What is Hemp Seed and Its Benefits? (benefitsofhempseeds.wordpress.com)
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