A Sprouting Summer- Mint Chip "Ice Cream"

 Since it is summer, many Paleo and allergy-free people alike dread the hot days without the comfort of ice cream, frozen yogurt, berry pies, and such. For us, we resolve to our frozen mangoes and cool cucumbers for a summer treat. But no longer do we have to watch in disdain as our friends eat that frozen temptation, for here is one of the most spectacular things I have ever made: ALLERGY- FRIENDLY MINT CHIP ICE CREAM!! With the main ingredient as hemp seed, you may be thinking, Ha! this isn't ice cream. How do you get creamy deliciousness from a small hippie delicacy? Yes, it sounds strange, but the taste and texture are enough to knock the socks off of any skeptics' feet.


This is seriously the best ice cream EVER! Even better than the sugar-filled, dairy, real-deal stuff. I'm not exaggerating. It is so addicting! I had some after dinner last night. An added bonus to this recipe- its SUPER DUPER easy!!! Literally, just blend hemp seeds, add coconut milk, honey, peppermint extract, chocolate chips, blend some more, and stick it in an ice cream maker. It's that simple!

With enough allergies and sensitivities to cause someone a headache, I often have a hard time finding staples, such as chocolate. However, Enjoy Life produces some amazing chocolate chips, along with chocolate bars. With a slogan that boasts that their products are "free of the top 8 allergens," these Enjoy Life products are enough to make someone like me jump for joy. And might I add, the chocolate chips are delicious. Since this ice cream recipe only requires 1/4 cup of the chocolate chips, use the rest to make cookies, top the ice cream, or better yet, eat by themselves! :) 

Hemp seeds, since they are usually associated with clothing material for hippies and hipsters alike, can be an odd thing to eat with that in mind. However, despite their tattered past, these seeds are health bombshells, packed with essential fatty acids, including healthful omega-6. With a nutrient- packed seed like this in your frozen treat, you can now have your ice cream and eat it too!

{The Most Wonderful Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream}

Ingredients:
1/2 cup hemp seeds
1 can or 13 ounces of coconut milk
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 Tablespoon allergy freindly vanilla extract*
1/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Blend hemp seeds for 30 seconds in a blender. Add coconut milk, honey, and extract(s), and chocolate chips until the chips are broken into pieces. Add the liquid to the ice cream maker and follow manufacturer instructions. 

ENJOY!

* A note on vanilla extract: I've yet to find a vanilla that either doesn't derive its "vanilla" from corn or chooses to outline all of its ingredients. Though vanilla extract seems harmless, its mysteries could prove to be devestating to the unsuspecting eater. Therefore, your best bet, if you are trying to stay away from allergens, is to either make your own extract, or omit it all together (I often choose the latter).