Healthy Home-made CBD-infused Hummus

Tasty snacking food is especially welcome in the summer months when the heat can wreak havoc with appetite.

Garbanzos are my favorite legume, offering vitamins and minerals, protein and fiber in high quantities with many benefits for overall health. Easy to digest and rich in B6 and B9 (folate) a dish of hummus is sustaining and easy to eat with crudites, crackers or bread. Adding a therapeutic dose of CBD with either olive-oil or sesame oil based CBD tincture compliments the flavor profile of hummus as both oils are already recipe ingredients.

Ingredients

  • I cup dried Garbanzo beans (soaked overnight or 8 hrs)

  • I heaped tablespoon of Tahini paste

  • 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice

  • ¼ cup of Olive Oil

  • 20-30 drops CBD-rich olive or sesame oil.

  • 1 cup or more, filtered water

  • Salt

  • Pepper

  • Parsley Sprigs

Method

1.) First soak the garbanzo beans overnight, discard the soak water, then cover the beans generously with salted fresh water, boil until soft, then drain. You’ll see that white skins come away from the cooked beans, discard as many of them as you can, further rinsing helps separate the skins.

2.) Add the cooked garbanzos to a blender and add all the other ingredients, add the water in ¼ cup increments adding more water until you have the consistency that you prefer. Add salt and pepper to taste, garnish with parsley and serve with crudites, crackers or bread.

Can Cannabis Help You Beat the Summer Heat?

Medical Science Explains How

By Dan Reich

As summer and the high temperatures that go with it are rapidly approaching, you may take some comfort in the knowledge that ingesting your favorite cannabis can actually lower your body temperature. This happens because cannabinoids, particularly THC, interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) as it regulates a variety of body functions.

Its main function is to help the body achieve homeostasis, which Wikipedia defines this way:

Homeostasis is the state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by living systems. This is the condition of optimal functioning for the organism and includes many variables, such as body temperature and fluid balance, being kept within certain pre-set limits.

“Cannabis can alter your body temperature as many compounds act as homeostatic agents, helping the body to achieve balance,” says Emma Chasen, cannabis educator and co-founder of cannabis consulting firm Eminent Consulting. “Therefore, if your body temperature is high, cannabis can help to lower it.”

“If your body temperature is high,

Cannabis can help lower it.”

This reaction is believed to originate with a cellular receptor, called TRPA-1. This receptor has many functions in the body, but it is essential in mediating pain, inflammation and regulating temperature. THC binds with this receiver, which reacts similarly when one consumes spicy or hot food. When this receiver is activated, it causes a cooling and pain-fighting reaction.

It should be noted that most of the temperature-reducing properties are due to THC. CBD does not bind with the TRPA-1 receiver, and doesn’t have the same effect on body temperature. If the cool-off factor is not important and you aren’t a fan of THC, a high CBD:THC ratio (i.e., 20:1) should work out fine, but if you are seeking a cooling effect, you should use a product with a significant amount of THC, such as a CBD:THC ratio of 1:1. Note that the CBD will lessen the effects of THC, if that is an issue for you.

Topicals Can Make Summer More Comfortable

CBD topicals, which are available as both a salve and a roll-on, are anti-inflammatory, and can be effective in easing the discomfort of sunburn, insect bites and other minor skin irritations. We’ve heard from our community that keeping the salve in the refrigerator makes it especially soothing on sunburn. The topicals are also great for relieving sore muscles after a day of activity.

So stay cool and enjoy summer with your favorite cannabis product.

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