Meghan Atkinson, CN, Manitoba Harvest ~ It may come to no surprise that nourishing the body with excellent nutrition is essential for moms-to-be during pregnancy.  However, it is just as important for her to eat a healthy diet before conception occurs.  In addition, the same is true for dads-to-be. This will greatly assist in increasing fertility and laying down the foundation for a happy, healthy baby.  One of the best foods to include on the preconception menu is hemp! 

EFAs for Super Mammas:
Reproductive hormones are synthesized from healthy fats.  A balanced hormonal profile lends to healthy conception.  In addition, building up the stores of essential fatty acids before conception is critical for a mother to-be because the baby will pull from the mother's reserves during pregnancy.  Not only will this affect the health of the baby, but a mother who is lacking EFAs will often experience post-partum depression, emotional imbalances, chronic fatigue, and inflammatory conditions.
 
Men Need Them Too:
Obtaining adequate levels of EFAs is especially important for men because they affect the quality of semen.  In fact, studies show that 26% of infertility incidents are from the man.  Semen is rich in prostaglandins, which are produced from EFAs.  When the man is lacking in EFAs, his semen will have a lower sperm count and or poor motility.
 
Baby Fats:
The fetus experiences the most growth during the first 3 months of pregnancy.  This is why it is so important to have that foundation of EFAs in place before pregnancy even begins. The developing fetus needs these precious fats for every system of the body.  The brain alone is over 60% fat and is rich in both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. In addition, deficiencies in EFAs are linked with low birth rates, and learning and emotional disorders later in life.
 
Healthy Family with Hemp:
Considering that 90% of Americans are deficient in Essential Fatty Acids, and the critical role they play in the health of mom and dad to-be and baby, a good source of EFAs is critical.  The good news - Hemp contains naturally occurring EFAs in the exact ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 that the human body requires.  Taking two tablespoons of hemp oil everyday is a wonderful way for couples to get the EFAs required for prime preconception nutrition, as well as overall good health. 

The following recipe mergest the EFA Power of Hemp with folate rich spinach ...

Cool Spinach Soup 

Recipe by Chef Kristen Suzanne, appearing in the Manitoba Harvest Newsletter
 
3 C fresh spinach, packed
1 C water
3/4 C fresh orange juice
1 zucchini, chopped
1 clove garlic
1 t apple cider vinegar
1-2 t raw agave nectar
1 t onion powder
1 1/2 T miso paste
1/3 - 1/2 C Manitoba Harvest cold-pressed Hemp Seed Oil
1 T dried basil
1 1/2 t dried thyme
dash cayenne pepper
dash Himalayan crystal salt
pinch nutmeg
 
Blend everything together until creamy. For extra pizzazz, serve this delicious soup garnished with sprouts

Yields 3-4 servings

Chef Kristen Suzanne is an accomplished Raw Vegan Chef with a passion for helping people live life to the fullest with the healthiest cuisine in the world. Both self-taught and a graduate of the Living Light Arts Institute, she brings exquisite talent to all of her recipes and food production. Through her company, Kristen's Raw, Chef Kristen Suzanne offers trainings in public and private settings, consulting to help individuals live and love the Raw lifestyle, menu development and restaurant consulting, and engages with the media to further promote the Raw food cuisine and lifestyle. See more at www.kristensraw.com.

Editor's Note: The above article and recipe were provided by the e-newsletter from Manitoba Harveset, the Manitoba Messenger.  It is one of my favorites!