Supplement Facts

The birth of Living Harvest is the story of a father and son in British Columbia, Canada, and how their quest for healthful living through whole foods led them to discover the nutritional benefits of nature's miracle plant - hemp. By launching Living Harvest, this entrepreneurial team has created not only a product, but a platform for educating people about the complete, balanced nutritional profile found in hemp seed.*

Search for a Foundation Food
In 1999, as a vegetarian working to improve his health with whole food nutrition, Charles Holmes sought the help of nutritional mentor and biochemist Dr. Michael O'Brien. O'Brien's tests revealed that, although Charles was relatively healthy, his body was still nutritionally imbalanced, protein deficient and lacking essential enzymes and amino acids that the body doesn't naturally produce.

Charles added rice protein to his diet in an effort to balance his body's systems, but it was not a nutritionally ideal solution. He was looking for a complete food that could supply the essential fatty acids and protein many vegetarians lack.

In 2001, Charles' father, Ken, was harvesting wild rice with a group of Native Americans near Flin Flon, Manitoba. Knowing Charles' interest in finding a foundational protein source, he became intrigued with the possibilities wild rice offered. Teaming up with Charles, Ken obtained a grant from the University of Saskatchewan Food Science Center to study improvements to the hulling processes for wild rice.

They Discovered Hemp Seed Protein
The Center's scientists encouraged Charles and Ken to also consider hemp as a possible high protein food source. At the time, no other company was using hemp seed protein for consumer products. It was considered a waste product and was used only as animal feed.

Ken and Charles learned that the hemp seed's balanced composition of essential fatty acids, essential amino acids and high protein gave them the ideal foundation food source they were seeking. The problem was, how to mill it. Hemp seeds were difficult to process without damaging their sensitive essential fatty acids. "We knew the protein could be made into a viable food product, we just had to figure out how", says Ken.

Ken, working with a fellow millwright from Saskatchewan, Canada, dedicated the next 18 months to engineering a specialized, proprietary milling machine. Their new vacuum friction mill processed the hemp seed at the low temperatures necessary to produce a whole, live food with enzymes and protein intact.

Establishing a Company
In 2002, Ken and Charles established Living Harvest Conscious Nutrition, Inc., with the goal of creating hemp seed products that maintain the seed's essential nutrients. With the application of their new technology, Living Harvest yielded the world's first organic, live, protein powder made from 100% Certified Organic Hemp Seed. The result was a protein powder with an unusually high protein concentration, over 46%. This proprietary process is still considered unique in the industry.

Today, we employ technologies such as Ken's proprietary vacuum friction mill, vacuum food dryers, and cold mechanical presses in the creation of a full line of organic hemp food products. We work in close partnership with the most respected organic farmers and farmer co-ops across Canada. Living Harvest has been committed to organic hemp foods from day one, offering a full organic food line since 2002.

We are, and will continue to be, committed to the Holmes family founding mission - to be purveyors of the finest quality, highest-nutritive, best-tasting organic hemp seed foods available.

Hemp, Cannabis sativa, is one of nature's most nutritionally balanced and economically viable food sources on the planet. Hemp has been used for thousands of years by many cultures as a source of sustenance and livelihood. Since ancient times hemp has been globally used as food, medicine, and as a raw material in the production of rope, paper and canvas.

Hemp plants grow 6 to 16 ft tall in 70 to 110 days. They shade out weeds and thus eliminate the use of costly herbicides. Hemp yields 3 to 8 tons of dry stalks per acre, depending on climate and variety. Once harvested, the field is left virtually weed-free for the next crop. Hemp, in the growing process, pulls carbon out of the air (carbon sequestering), which enhances the quality of the air we breathe. Hemp grows deep roots, and when harvested, the roots and leaves replenish the soil, making it possible to cultivate the same land year after year. Hemp is resistant to pests, making it unnecessary to use pesticides or fungicides. Every part of the plant is used: fiber, leaf and seed. One acre of hemp produces as much raw usable material as 4 acres of pulpwood trees.

Hemp has never been genetically altered. In fact, hemp seed food plant strains are governed by Health Canada and have been hybridized since the 1930's to adapt to the Canadian climate and to produce low amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. The hemp seed has no THC. However, when the seed is harvested, the THC resin from the flower and leaves may come into contact with the seed, thus leaving trace amounts of residue.

Living Harvest GUARANTEES 0.00% THC in all their products!

Our Food Philosophy is based upon the simple assumption that a strong foundation provides longevity, whether it is a house or your health. At Living Harvest we believe that no matter what diet, nutrition plan or food philosophy you subscribe to, everyone should eat Foundation Foods everyday. Foundation Foods are those perfectly simple foods that build health and wellness from the ground up. Foundation Foods are:

• ESSENTIAL – chock-full of nutrients that your body needs every day to be healthy
• BALANCED – not super charged, just what nature intended in moderation so that your body can use every ounce
• WHOLE – raw and live with minimal processing, full of beneficial living enzymes

Taste is Everything, Too
This leads to our second, and equally important, belief – health food should taste great and meet today’s standards for culinary excellence. That is why we keep our ingredients whole, simple, real and without additives, preservatives or fillers. We work with respected chefs to develop foods that are delicious, with the depth of flavor that satisfies our need to have foods which comfort and nurture us. It is our goal to make Living Harvest Hemp Seed Foods a staple in your kitchen and the foundation for your meals as well as your health.

Hemp Seeds are also the highest vegan source of edestin, a simple protein responsible for the natural and acquired immune system. Hemp is high in magnesium, with natural antioxidants like vitamin E and chlorophyll. Since hemps seeds are nutrient rich in a balanced way, you will not tire of the flavor – making this potent health food something you can eat daily.

To attain optimum health we must eat foods that contain live enzymes, active phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, and essential fatty acids. These elements are termed "essential" because the human body does not produce them. They must come from the food we eat. Hemp seed is one of the plant kingdom's most concentrated, complete and balanced sources of essential amino acids (EAA's) and essential fatty acids (EFA's). Hemp seeds are high in essential nutrients, including chlorophyll, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, phytosterols, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, calcium, fiber, histidine, iron, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin, niacin and thiamin.

Hemp Seed Protein Profile
Hemp seed contains all 10 essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Hemp seeds contain 33% pure digestible protein, providing readily available amino acids for building and repairing tissue. Hemp seed protein is comprised of 65% high-quality edestin protein, the most potent protein of any plant source, 35% albumin protein and glutamic acid. The globulin edestin in hemp seed closely resembles the globulin in blood plasma, and is compatible with the human digestive system. It is vital to the maintance of a healthy immune system and is also used to manufacture antibodies. Albumin is a protein manufactured by the liver that is supportive of liver and kidney health.

Hemp Seed vs. Soy Protein
Hemp seed protein has many advantages when compared to soy, the most commonly used form of supplemental plant protein. Soy protein contains high levels of enzyme inhibitors blocking the uptake of trypsin and other enzymes the body uses for protein digestion. Eating a diet high in enzyme inhibitors, such as those contained in soy, can result in chronic amino acid and protein deficiencies.

Hemp Seed Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) Profile
Hemp seed is rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids and is also one of the few plant sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). EFAs are utilized by many of the body's systems to maintain proper tissue function. EFAs are required for energy production, proper functioning of the nervous system, brain development and function, skin health and elasticity, digestive efficiency, normal cardiovascular function, hormone production, and efficient immune response. Studies have shown that GLA improves memory, and overall mental health. It also reduces symptoms of skin ailments like eczema and even fibrocystic disease.*

 Due to the popular misconception that fat is "bad" for the body, many people have adopted a low or no fat diet. Low and no fat coupled with the widespread consumption of processed and genetically modified foods have created EFA deficiencies. Leading researchers are finding significant links between EFA deficiencies and disease. Supplementation with EFA's is an integral part of a healthy nutritional program.

Omega 3 to Omega 6 Ratio
A variety of studies have documented the importance of the ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 consumption. Hemp seed oil is the closest to this optimum ratio of any naturally occurring oil. Hemp seed oil has a ratio of at least one-to-three, Omega 3 to Omega 6. Oils with unbalanced ratios have been shown to have detrimental physiological effects.

USDA Organic/Pro-Cert
Our hemp seed growers are certified organic by Pro-Cert approved certification boards, which meet all United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards. Our growers need to comply with stringent crop and soil testing regulations outlined by the certification boards, to ensure the delivery of the highest quality hemp seed for Living Harvest's products.

Test Pledge
Canadian hemp seed has been grown to produce low amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. We are a proud member of Test Pledge. We guarantee 0.00% THC in our products. Using Living Harvest hemp products will not create a positive test result.

Kosher
We carry the Pareve symbol on our Hemp Protein-Original, Hemp Nuts and Hemp Oil products. This symbol guarantees our products are free from animal products or by-products, as well as meeting rigorous kosher standards for processing.

Canadian Hemp Trade Association
Living Harvest is a member of the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance, a national coalition of farmers, processors, marketers and researchers.

Hemp Industries Association
Living Harvest is a member of the The Hemp Industries Association (HIA), a non-profit trade group representing hemp companies, researchers and supporters. The HIA continues to be at the forefront of the drive for fair and equal treatment of industrial hemp.

Co-op America
Living Harvest is a member of the Co-op America, whose mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.

Saskatchewan Food Processors Association
Living Harvest is a member of the Saskatchewan Food Processors Association, which supports the food processing industry within Saskatchewan, where hemp farming is prevalent.

1. What are Hemp Seeds?
Hemp seeds are the edible part of the cannabis sativa L plant. They are a tiny fruit-like nut covered by a hard shell and part of the "achene" family (similar to sunflower seeds). Hemp seeds can be pressed for oil, milled into a protein powder, roasted or shelled and made into Hempmilk. Hemp seeds have been cultivated as a food for centuries, from China to Europe to Africa.

2. Is Hemp the same as marijuana?
No. While Hemp and marijuana are both varieties of cannabis sativa L, hemp is grown for food and fiber, and contains only trace amounts of THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the psycho-active component of marijuana.

Hemp foods are legal and safe to consume. Hemp has been grown in Canada since 1998.

3. Will I flunk a drug test if I consume Hemp food products?
No. You will not flunk a drug test using Living Harvest hemp food products. We guarantee that there is 0.00% THC in our hemp foods. All hemp seeds harvested for Living Harvest food products is bred with low THC content and is monitored by the Government of Canada.

4. Why should I eat hemp foods?
Hemp seeds are one of the plant kingdom's most concentrated, complete and balanced sources of all 10 Essential Amino Acids (EAA's) and Omega-3 and Omega-6 Essential FattyAcids (EFA's). That's why we call them a Foundation Food. Our bodies need these essentials for life. Hemp seeds contain important nutrients, including chlorophyll, magnesium, phytosterols, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, calcium, fiber, histidine, iron, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, and live enzymes.

5. What do hemp seeds taste like? How can you use hemp seeds?
Hemp seeds have a delicious, rich, nutty sunflower flavor that can easily be incorporated into your daily meals. Indulge in a glass of Living Harvest Hempmilk, or it pour over cereal. It's delicious in coffee, or added to soups, casseroles and in your baking. Sprinkle Living Harvest Hemp Nuts on salads or yogurt or eat them straight from the can. Drizzle Living Harvest Hemp Oil on steamed vegetables, make a dressing with it, use it in a marinade or as a dipping oil with bread, or add it to a smoothie. Start your morning with a Living Harvest Hemp Protein powder smoothie with Living Harvest Hempmilk. Stir our Hemp Protein into soups or use as a flour substitute in low temperature baking.

6. What does Living Harvest Hempmilk taste like? How is it made?
Living Harvest Hempmilk tastes rich and creamy with a slight nutty flavor. It's unlike anything you have tried before. Tasting is believing! We make our Hempmilk from shelled hemp seeds grown in the Canadian prairies, using only the whole Hemp Nut inside. We sweeten our Hempmilk with brown rice syrup. No cane sugar is added. Feel good about sharing it with your whole family! Available in Original, Vanilla and Chocolate.

7. How does Tetra Pak packaging and the Asceptic process keep Living Harvest Hempmilk fresh and shelf stable?
The process of Asceptic, whereby the Hempmilk is briefly heated to a high temperature, kills any micro-organisms while maintaining the nutritional profile of the product. The Hempmilk is then filled in a sterile environment. Tetra Pak packaging is recyclable in many provinces and states. You can learn more about Tetra Pak packaging at: www.tetrapak.com.

8. Can you freeze Living Harvest Hempmilk? What happens if you do? Does freezing destroy any of the nutrients?
It is not recommended to freeze Living Harvest Hempmilk. Freezing can denature the proteins affecting the taste, look and nutritional profile of the product. If the protein characteristics of the product change, it may also affect how stable the product is.

9. What are Essential Amino Acids (EAAs)?
Amino Acids are the building blocks of proteins. Dietary protein is needed in order to supply amino acids for our body's growth and maintenance. Ten of the twenty amino acids the human body requires are considered essential, meaning the body does not make them. We need to get these Essential Amino Acids from food. Hemp Seeds contain all 10 Essential Amino Acids and high levels of branched-chain amino acids, important for the development of lean body mass, as well as muscular repair. Hemp seeds have significant levels of arginine, histidine, methionine and cysteine, all of which are needed for enzyme production. Arginine and histidine are also necessary for children's growth.

10. Tell me about the type and quality of the protein in hemp seeds?
Hemp seeds contain 33% pure digestible protein, providing readily available amino acids for building and repairing tissue. Hemp seed protein is comprised of 65% high-quality edestin protein, the most potent protein of any plant source, 35% albumin protein, and glutamic acid. The globulin edestin in hemp seed closely resembles the globulin in blood plasma and is compatible with the human digestive system. It is vital to the maintenance of a healthy immune system and is also used to manufacture antibodies. Albumin is a protein manufactured by the liver and it makes up a large portion of blood plasma protein. Albumin is essential for regulating body fluid in body tissues. Glutamic Acid is an amino acid that plays a key role in cellular metabolism. It is also the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system.*

11. How does Hemp Protein compare to Soy Protein?
* Hemp protein is highly digestible due to its protein structure and low levels of antinutrients (enzyme inhibitors).
* Hemp Protein does not have phytates: Soy protein contains phytates which can interfere with the proper assimilation of essential minerals.
* Hemp Seed allergies are fairly uncommon: Soy allergies are almost as common as cow's milk.
* Living Harvest's Hemp Protein is certified organic, raw and cold-processed without chemicals or solvents. Soy protein powders are heavily processed, usually with hexane or other chemical washes. Isolated soy protein is a source of protein but it is highly refined, denatured and a "non-living" material. There are also valid concerns about GMO contaminated soy crops.
* Hemp Protein is highly digestible, unlike soy protein that contains oligosaccharides, which cause flatulence and stomach distress.

12. How does Living Harvest's Hemp Protein compare to other brands?
Living Harvest was the originator of the world's first raw hemp protein in 2002. We understand how to make a raw hemp protein that keeps hemp seeds' vital nutrients intact and bio-available. Our Hemp Protein is the highest quality available on the market. Our Hemp Protein is certified organic, cold-processed, vegan, kosher, and manufactured from hemp seeds grown in Canada. We also have 46-50% protein content per serving while other brands offer only 37% protein content. Our Hemp Protein is sweet and easy to consume in a variety of ways.

14. What are Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)?
The major component of fats is long-chain molecules known as fatty acids. The two fatty acids that the body does not make are called Omega-3 Linolenic Acid and Omega-6 Linoleic Acid. We need to get these fats from food, which is why they are termed Essential. EFAs are utilized by many of the body's systems to maintain proper tissue function. EFAs are required for energy production, proper functioning of the nervous system, brain development and function, skin health and elasticity, digestive efficiency, normal cardiovascular function, hormone production, and efficient immune response. Due to the popular misconception that fat is "bad" for the body, many people have adopted a low or no fat diet. Coupled with the widespread consumption of processed and genetically modified foods, many people are showing signs of EFA deficiency. Leading researchers are finding a significant link between diseases affecting the nervous system and EFA deficiency. Supplementation of EFAs is becoming an integral part of complementary medical protocols.*

15. Tell me about the kind and quality of the fats in hemp seeds?
Compared with most nuts and seeds, the 46.5% fat content of shelled Hemp seed is relatively low and is a good source of the natural phytosterols that help manage cholesterol levels. Hemp seed oil has, on average, the highest polyunsaturated fat content of any plant oil and a highly favorable unsaturated-to-saturated fat ratio. Hemp seeds offer a well-balanced ratio of 1:3.75 of Omega-3 to Omega-6 EFAs, and are one of the few plant sources of Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA). See above for more on EFAs. GLA is an Omega-6 isomer. Studies have shown that GLA improves memory and overall mental health. As well, it reduces symptoms of skin ailments like eczema, heart health, and even fibrocystic disease.

16. Don't we need more Omega-3's than Omega-6's in our diet?
Hemp is higher in Omega-6's. The typical modern diet, heavy in soy and corn oils, is often lacking in EFAs, particularly Omega-3's. However, the debate revolves around what is the correct amount of Omega-3's our bodies need. Experts in the field suggest that the EFA ratio found in Hemp seeds and Hemp Oil are in proportions most suitable for long term use (almost a 1:4 ratio of Omega-3's to Omega-6's). Hemp Seed oil can be used over the long term to maintain a healthy EFA balance without leading to either EFA deficiencies or imbalances. This is because it contains almost 2% GLA, the Omega-6 derivative that is a key active ingredient in evening primrose and borage oils." (Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill, Udo Erasmus c 1993 Hemp Seed:Nature's Superfood)

17. How does Hemp Oil compare with Flax Oil as an EFA source?
Hemp Oil is a better balanced oil for long term use according to leading experts in the field such as Udo Erasmus (Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill, Udo Erasmus c 1993 Hemp Seed:Nature's Superfood). Hemp Oil also contains GLA, phytosterols, and antioxidants like vitamin E complex, protein and trace minerals not found in flax. Hemp Oil is considered to be a more stable oil and a tastier oil than flax that can be used in a variety of recipes from salad dressings to baked goods.

18. How does Living Harvest's Hemp Oil compare to other brands?
Living Harvest's Hemp Oil is certified organic, raw, vegan, non-GMO, kosher, and cold pressed from hemp seeds grown in Canada. We nitrogen flush our oil prior to capping the bottles in order to better preserve taste and freshness. Our Hemp Oil has a nutty flavor that is delicious.

19. How does Living Harvest make its Hemp Oil?
After cleaning, the seed is transported to our processing facility where it is pressed for oil using a cold expeller (less than 40C). During the pressing, Living Harvest takes care to protect the oil from light, heat, and oxygen. During the packaging, Living Harvest uses nitrogen gas to reduce the fresh oil's exposure to oxygen. Living Harvest Hemp Oil retains its rich green color due to an abundant level of the antioxidant chlorophyll.

20. Are Living Harvest's products raw?
Living Harvest's Hemp Oil, Hemp Nuts, and Hemp Protein are cold-processed (40 degrees C) from non-sterilized, raw, "live" hemp seeds. Living Harvest is committed to bringing enzyme-rich hemp foods to your table.

21. How does Living Harvest's Hemp Protein whole food blends compare to other flavored protein powders on the market?
Our Hemp Protein blends only contain Foundation Foods - certified organic whole food ingredients like ground vanilla beans and cinnamon, combined with our raw Hemp Protein powder. You need to try them to believe how simple and delicious they are. Blended with our Hempmilk, they are a real winner.

22. How does Living Harvest keep their products fresh?
Living Harvest procures only the freshest, certified organic hemp seed from Canadian growers. We process our hemp seeds in our own facilities, close to the farmer's fields in Spalding, Saskatchewan. We nitrogen flush our Hemp Nuts as well as our Hemp Oil to help reduce oxidation. Our Hemp Oil then gets packaged in glass to preserve freshness. We produce frequent, short runs to keep all of our products fresh.

23. How should I store Living Harvest hemp food products?
Living Harvest Hempmilk has a 12 month shelf life. Once opened, it must be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 7-10 days. Living Harvest Hemp Protein, Hemp Oil, and Hemp Nuts also have a 12 month shelf life and once opened should be stored in the fridge and consumed within 3-4 months.

24. What is Hempmilk?
Hempmilk is a non-dairy beverage made from shelled hemp seeds. Similar to soy or dairy, hempmilk can be used as a milk substitute by the glass, on cereal, in baking or steamed into hot drinks like coffee or chai, or blended cool and frosty into iced drinks.

25. What are the benefits of Living Harvest Hempmilk?
Living Harvest hempmilk is a delicious soy-free and dairy-free beverage made from whole Hemp Nuts. Hempmilk contains Omega-3 & 6 Essential Fatty Acids, all 10 Essential Amino Acids, protein and naturally occurring nutrients like magnesium, and iron.

26. How does Hempmilk steam?
Hempmilk steams very well, much like a good quality whole milk. When steamed properly, it can maintain a smooth, silky texture and retain its natural sweetness. The optimal steaming temperature for Hempmilk is between 140-150 degrees F. Similar to soy, but slightly lower than dairy. Hempmilk, however, can be steamed to 150-160 degrees F but it may lose some flavor.