A nutrient dense packet of hemp protein powder was the inspiration behind this blog post and these Cherry Hemp Oat Bars. Whilst browsing the health/gluten free section, my eyes were instantly drawn to this ever-so-exciting-new-product that was staring back at me from the shelves.

With hemp gaining more and more momentum, it’s was a ah-ha! moment for me as to how far we’ve come in a small amount of time, with sustainable products like this making their debut on regular supermarket shelves.

The times are a changing! More so now than ever, and I’m excited to stay on board and move through with these exciting changes.

More and more people are realising the impact of the food they feed them selves with, and the affect it has on their bodies. This in itself is amazing – that more and more people are connecting the dots with how they actually feel on a deeper level than usual, and how their diet and lifestyle habits play’s it’s role in that.

A collective awareness is slowly emerging in society and I think it’s incredible! With veganism and plant based ‘diets’ making such a huge swell in the world of nutrition and wellness, I do believe there is hope for our later generations and the planet as a whole.

It’s them that are going to have to deal with the mess earlier generations have left behind, and if they’re all fuelled on plant based nutrition – they’ll have HEAPS of energy and mental clarity to be the change!

Anyway, I digress… let’s talk more about these oat bars and healing the gut lining. 

Gut Health – Part One

” All disease begins in the gut”

Hippocrates, 460BC – 375 BC

What is the Gut Lining?

A strong mucosa barrier is critical to a healthy gut. This barrier separates our gut lining from the billions of microbes in our gut and protects it from pathogens and harmful proteins. Once this barrier has become impaired, it can lead to chronic inflammation, infection and immune activation. 

What Harms the Gut Lining?

There are many factors that can cause harm on the gut lining. These include ibuprofen, alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, inflammatory and high sugar content foods. Surprisingly grains, legumes, nut and seeds that have not been prepared appropriately can also harm the gut.

Lectins from foods that haven’t been soaked or ‘activated’, foods that have been in storage bins for long periods of time may contain moisture, mold spores or other microbial activity that can cause havoc with our mucosa barrier.

Glyphosphate ie: Roundup is another extremely harmful substance that can come into contact with many wheat and grain products, leaving harmful residues. The link between Roundup and certain cancers is becoming more and more prevalent, which is shocking! This stuff needs to go! 

Other factors having a negative effect on the gut include the consumption of wheat, which is very difficult to digest and fatigues and irritates the gut lining.

Dairy also promotes an inflammatory response from the gut, as the body naturally finds it’s very difficult to break it down due to the older we get, the reduction in the enzyme used to break down lactose.

What Helps Heal the Gut Lining?

Many herbs and other botanicals have mucus-like properties that help to soothe an irritated gut lining, like slipper elm, marshmallow root and comfrey. Aloe is also highly beneficial for an irritated gut lining. It has a cooling effect and physically coats damaged areas of the gut preventing further irritation. 

Curcumin is an extract of turmeric and has amazing anti-inflammatory benefits. It helps to improve the integrity of the gut lining and promoters detoxification. 

Source

Stay tuned for the rest of this series I’m doing on Healing the Gut Lining where we’ll learn more about the bodies actual response when the mucosa becomes impaired and how bacteria, fungi and viruses play a large role in healing the gut lining. 

Cherry Hemp Oat Bars

Research shows that amino acids supply the raw construction materials required to re-build new mucosa. Hemp seeds are a complete protein and contain all 9 essential amino acids, making it a perfect protein option to help re-build an impaired gut lining. 

The protein in hemp seeds is made up of the two globular types of proteins, edestin and albumin, with edestin also being rich in the essential amino acids. Hemp protein has a PDCAAS score of 0.61 (a method of evaluating the quality of a protein based on both the amino acid requirements of humans and their ability to digest it.). 

The total proportion of essential amino acids in hemp protein isolate, is also significantly higher than that of soy protein isolate. Source

Hence my excitement for using this product in a recipe. Granted, there are oats in this recipe, but I believe life is all about balance. I feel I’ve worked so hard in trying to heal my gut, that adding some oats into my diet is a good test to see if my body can cope with a bit of grains. 

I do have some exciting news to share too! I have completely been off all thyroid medication for my recently diagnosed Hyperthyroidism as my thyroid levels are back to normal and I am OVER THE MOON HAPPY ABOUT IT! It is just such a big sign that the changes I’ve implemented are correct and are definitely helping. Time will tell, but I’m staying positive and certain I’m on the right healing path! 

These Cherry Hemp Oat Bars are so incredibly delicious! They remind me of the oat crunchy bars my mom used to bake when we were kids, and I think that the nostalgic connection these bars have is so special.

Do you have a specific food from your childhood that will forever remain in your memory and will instantly bring back all those feelings associated with eating it back then. Isn’t the body amazing for being able to store these feelings and memories, without any input or help from us. Amazing!

These bars are sweet, slightly tart, incredibly more-ish and FULL of amazing nutrition. Sweetened only naturally and using organic ingredients where possible. Make this on a Sunday and have them ready for the week ahead – if they last that long! I do hope you enjoy.

Print

Cherry Hemp Oat Bars

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

35 mins

 

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: Healthy Fats, Plant based, Refined Sugar Free, Treat, Vegan

Servings: 9

Ingredients

• 200 g Frozen Cherries - left to thaw in bowl on countertop
• 60 g Organic Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
• 140 g Date Paste
• 4 TBS Oat Milk - Organic If Possible
• 2 Cups Rolled Oats - Organic if possible
• 1/4 Cup Hemp Seed Protein Powder - Organic If Possible
• 1/2 Cup Dessicated Coconut - Organic if possible
• 2 Tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 Tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
• 1 TBS Psyllium Husk
• 1 TBS Chia Seeds - Organic If Possible
• 2 TBS Buckwheat Flour - Organic If Possible
• 2 TBS Coconut Sugar - Organic If Possible
• Pinch Himalayan Sea Salt

Instructions

1. Weigh the frozen cherries and leave on the countertop while you prepapre the remaing ingredients.

2. Pre-Heat the oven to 160C Fan Forced

3. In a small pan, gently heat the coconut oil and date paste. Whisk together, and slowly add the chia seeds - still on a very low heat. Once the coconut oil has completely melted, remove from heat and set aside whil you mix the dry ingredients.

4. In a large mixing bowl add the rolled oats, dessicated coconut, hemp protein powder, baking powder, bicarobonate of soda, psyllium husk, buckwheat flour, Himalayan salt and coconut sugar. Mix until all combined.

5. Next, add the wet melted ingredients and stir well. Add the oat milk to help with the ingredients binding a bit easier.

6. Chop up the somewhat thawed cherries- i just used a pair of kitchen scissors for this. Add them to the mixing bowl.

7. Stir ingredients until all are fully combined.

8. In a lined baking tray, press the mixture evenly. I used a square one, but any shape will do.

9. Once all flattened evenly, pop into the oven on 160C for about 30-35 minutes. Bake unitl golden and crunchie. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Slice into desired slices and enjoy.

10. You can leave them in the oven once cut up to further dehydrate if you're wanting a crunchier bar. Store them in an airtight container up to 4 days.

Recipe Notes

• Use Organic, local and sustainable ingredients wherever possible. 
• Remember your re-usable shopping bags when getting ingredients.