Wake and Bake Waffle Cakes

Recipe: Wake and Bake Waffle Cakes

Wake and bake with these waffle cakes! This batter recipe can be used for pancakes, too! With a little more sugar and some cinnamon and nutmeg, these would also work fantastically as donuts. If you have a fancy donut pan, or even just a mini-muffin tin, go ahead and try it!

Recipe makes roughly six 4″ x 4 1/2″ waffles. I do not have a round waffle maker! So bake according to manufacturer’s instructions, if you have one. Two waffles per person ought to give a sweet buzz.

INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 cup millet flour (or GF flour blend)
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 or 3 tbs ground flax seed
1/8 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tbs of sugar (if you want them sweeter)

1 cup almond or soy milk
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
3 tbs maple syrup
1/3 cup melted cannabutter
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

optional: cinnamon, nutmeg, bananas, blueberries, walnuts, peanut butter

waffle iron
frying pan (for pancakes)
non-stick cooking spray
two bowls
whisk

DIRECTIONS

1. Measure out the almond milk, then add the tsp of ACV. Let it sit and curdle for a few minutes–this creates “butter”milk! Which makes the waffles nice and fluffy.

2. In one of the mixing bowls, combine all dry ingredients. When I first tried these waffles, I didn’t use any extra/added sugar (though technically, I guess maple syrup counts as sugar). For breakfast, I go with hearty, but not heavy! Whatever floats your boat, though. Try coconut sugar, or brown sugar for a richer flavor.

3. To the dry mixture, add all of the wet ingredients. Whisk together until thoroughly combined. Now’s the time to throw in any other spices, nuts, or fruit. If you decide to turn the batter into pancakes, then I highly recommend tossing in some fresh or frozen blueberries, chopped bananas, or mini chocolate chips. Set that bowl aside to let the flaxseed thicken up the batter.

4. Preheat your waffle iron according to the machine’s instructions (I’m guessing most come with a dial for time/crispiness, and a red and green light to indicate completion. Try setting it to a 3 or 4, for golden brown waffles), and coat both sides with non-stick cooking spray. Or, before it’s hot, grease the waffle iron with a paper towel dabbed in melted canna butter.

5. When it’s ready, start spooning batter onto the iron. I used about 1/2 of a cup of batter per waffle, but go by your own device and measure. Basically, the batter should fill the entire waffle indent without spilling over,  and you should be able to close the iron with little overflow. While your first batch cooks, do some clean up, or prep toppings by chopping nuts or fruit.

6. Let waffles bake to the desired level of doneness. I like them golden and crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, but I always struggle to keep them that way while the second batch bakes.  Preheat your oven to 200F and lay the first batch of waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet. Slide that sucker into the oven to fix any issues of lukewarm waffles (just don’t forget they’re in there!), then get started on the second batch. Keep going until all batter is used.

7. Serve waffles warm and immediately, with fruit, maple syrup, whipped cream, and loads and loads of vegan butter. When they’re hot, I suggest melting even more canna butter on top, just to be sure you’re getting the most out of this wake-and-bake breakfast.

IF YOU DECIDE PANCAKES or DONUTS:

Perform steps 1-3. For pancakes, grease a griddle or frying pan and keep on medium-high heat. Non-stick pans and spatulas will work best for this. Spoon a reasonable amount of batter per pancake onto the griddle, then flip when edges pull towards the middle and the batter on top bubbles evenly. I am terrible at making uniform pancakes, so forget being fancy. Make whatever you’re happy with!

For donuts, grease a donut pan or mini-muffin pan (or a regular muffin pan, whatever you want, man), fill each indent about half-way, then slide in an oven set to 350F. Bake until donuts or muffins rise and turn golden brown. Top with canna butter, vegan cream cheese, cinnamon & sugar, or sprinkles.

image credit: eatyourcannabis

New Study Shows Women May Not Receive The Same Analgesic Effects From Cannabis As Men

New Study Shows Women May Not Receive the Same Analgesic Effects from Cannabis as Men

A new study performed by the Columbia University Medical Center shows that cannabis may be more effective at relieving pain for males than females. Most cannabis-based studies so far have been performed on animals rather than humans thus the information that we have can only be taken with a grain of salt until more studies are done including human-based trials.
The recent study performed by researchers at the Columbia University Medical Canter was conducted on 42 human subjects who classified as regular consumers of cannabis. The study was focused on observing the difference in potential pain-relieving effects of cannabis on male vs female patients. 21 men and 21 women participated in the study. The placebo-based trial required the participants to smoke marijuana (some smoked marijuana with THC while others were given a placebo form without THC) and then they immediately participated in a pain response test. The study showed that the pain felt by males was significantly lower than the pain felt by females despite the fact that women have a much higher overall tolerance to pain.
According to the researchers who performed the study, “These results indicate that in cannabis smokers, men exhibit greater cannabis induced analgesia relative to women.” They also feel that this study warrants the need for more in-depth research regarding gender-specific benefits that cannabis may offer. Luckily a recent decision by the federal government is going to allow for more research to be performed. Hopefully, over the course of the next few months and years, we will start to see a seen an influx in the amount of human based cannabis trials being performed.
While the study performed by researchers at the Columbia University Medical Center may have been human based it can also only be taken with a grain of salt as there are several different factors that could have influenced the results on this very small group of participants. Some of the factors that play a big part in the results of a study such as this include the participant’s tolerance to cannabis, the potency of the cannabis being utilized, the balance of cannabinoids within the cannabis being consumed and even factors such as the consumption method itself can all have effects on the outcome. What we can take from the results of this study is there is definitely a significant need for further research to be performed to allow us to truly understand the best ways to utilize cannabis for the medical benefits that it provides.
image: BigStock

Responsible Use Denver Submits Signatures to Put Initiative on Novembers Ballot

Responsible Use Denver Submits Signatures to Put Initiative on November's Ballot

You can go into just about any town in America and locate a bar. Every day around 5 o’clock you can watch as people flock to these taverns to go in and enjoy a few cocktails to unwind from their day. You can also open up the news almost every day and find a story about how a drunk driver caused an accident which ended up taking the life of an innocent person. In states such as Colorado, Washington, and Oregon where cannabis consumers can purchase marijuana you will not find cannabis clubs where people can partake in a toke from a joint with friends to unwind from their day and that is a sad fact.
Science has shown that alcohol is significantly more dangerous than cannabis and it has also proven that alcohol drastically impairs your ability to drive whereas cannabis has little to no effect on an individual’s driving capabilities. One group in Denver Colorado is looking to change this and recently submitted over 8,000 signatures to be approved in hopes of putting their initiative on this November’s ballot.
Responsible Use Denver had the language of their initiative approved earlier this year and the team of 20 activists have been tirelessly working to obtain enough qualifying signatures to allow the residents in the city to vote on their initiative this fall. The initiative introduced by Responsible Use Denver aims to legalize the inception of private cannabis clubs where adults over the age of 21 can become a member and have a place to socialize with like-minded people while enjoying a toke.
The initiative put forth by Responsible Use Denver would allow for individuals over the age of 21 to apply for licensing to open a Private Cannabis Club. The stipulations include but are not limited to the following;

  • Applicants must be over the age of 21.
  • Private Cannabis Clubs can’t exist on the same premises as a bar or restaurant.
  • Private Cannabis Clubs can only be accessed by members that are 21 years of age or older.
  • Private Cannabis Clubs will not sell, distribute, or manufacture cannabis or marijuana-based products on their premises.
  • All consumption must take place in an enclosed area that is ventilated separately from any other existing areas.
  • Premises must be clearly marked with signage that notes the area can only be accessed by adults over the age of 21 and that the business is a Private Cannabis Club where cannabis may be consumed.

image credit: facebook.com/responsibleusedenver

Snoop Dogg and NFL

Snoop Dogg Isn't Playing Around When it Comes to the NFL

Snoop Dogg is one who is always known for speaking his mind when it’s needed most. There has been an ongoing debate over the last several years regarding whether or not NFL players should be able to utilize marijuana. Despite the NFL’s lack of policy change for players regarding cannabis, one of their recent decisions has Snoop blazingly pissed off. After hearing that the NFL made a decision to allow NFL players to own guns and even went as far as to add gun responsibility to their player conduct training, he went to Instagram to let the NFL know just what he thought about it. 
Anyone who has common knowledge regarding cannabis knows that NFL players could benefit substantially from being able to utilize marijuana for medicinal purposes. For some reason, the NFL thinks that players owning guns is more important than them being able to utilize a natural plant for medical applications. Snoop Dogg was also quick to point out that NFL players are already a little wired up and how cannabis can help ease their agitation.
In the past few years, there have been several NFL players including  Eugene Monroe and Ricky Williams that have come out of the cannabis closet and started to speak up for the players in the league regarding just how beneficial marijuana can be.
Eugene Monroe is reportedly the first active NFL player to have ever openly campaigned for legalizing the consumption of medical marijuana. Unfortunately after spending an off-season advocating for medical marijuana and spreading knowledge about how NFL players could benefit from cannabis, he was released from his position as an offensive tackle with The Ravens. Despite being released from the team, Eugene has no plans of stopping and has vowed to continue advocating until the league accepts “medical cannabis as a viable option for pain management.”
Leonard Marshall is former NFL player that is also speaking up about the benefits that players both in the league and retired can gain from cannabis. Being a former linesman for the NY Giants, Leonard knows firsthand the injuries that can come along with being a part of the league. Unfortunately, he also knows about just how quick an injury can turn into an addiction to opiates. This is why the former linesman is now advocating for the NFL to remove cannabis from their list of banned substances. He is also urging the league to invest money into research surrounding how cannabis can help combat traumatic brain injuries which are suffered by many players throughout the NFL.
If you would like to check out the original NSFW video posted on Instagram by Snoop, you can find it here.

Thousands of Californians are Being Arrested for Cannabis Each Year

Despite the fact that Californians voted to legalize medical marijuana in 1996 and reduced the consequences of possessing small amounts of marijuana to be a minor nonarrestable infraction back in 2011, there have still been thousands of cannabis-related arrests made in the state in the past 10 years. According to a report released by the Drug Policy Alliance, there were almost a half million marijuana arrests made in the state in the past decade. In 2015 alone there were almost 9,000 felony arrests for cannabis.
In between 2006 and 2015, there were 465,873 cannabis-related arrests in the state including felony and misdemeanor charges. During this period of time, there were roughly 14,000 marijuana felony arrests made each year. Misdemeanor charges related to cannabis averaged at around 70,000 per year between 2006 and 2011 when a joint could land you a charge rather than a ticket. After the changes in 2011, cannabis related misdemeanor arrests dropped significantly to just over 20,000 and in 2015, this number dropped again to just over 17,000 which is something worth celebrating.
Unfortunately, when looking at the statistics surrounding who accounts for the majority of these arrests it is disheartening to see that minorities still make up the majority of the arrests despite the fact that individuals in the Caucasian, African-American, and Latino communities use and sell cannabis at about the same rates. According to the statistics in the report released by the DPA, African Americans are twice as likely to be arrested for a marijuana misdemeanor and 5 times more likely to be arrested for a felony charge than Caucasians. The report also showed that Latinos are 26% more likely to be arrested for a cannabis related felony charge than Caucasians.
Another statistic that is equally disheartening is the fact that as of 2015 individuals under the age of 18 accounted for two-thirds of the misdemeanor marijuana related arrests in the states. This is a substantial increase from 2011 when this demographic only accounted for one-third of misdemeanor marijuana arrests.
Californians are set to vote on retail cannabis legalization this November. If Proposition 64 passes, you can expect to see the number of misdemeanors and felony charges drop significantly as it would legalize many of the activities that individuals are still being arrested for today such as possessing cannabis concentrates, giving ganja to others, and cultivating a few plants for personal use.
Will it fix the racial disparities that are so widely evident throughout California as well as prohibition and legal states? Probably not unfortunately and this is why the war on drugs needs to be ended immediately. Until that happens cannabis will be just one more way they are trying to divide us all.
Image Credit Stock Photo/pow420

398sed

Seattle Hempfest is Set to be a Hempsational Event

Coming up this weekend in Seattle Washington one of the biggest festivals surrounding cannabis in the world is going on. That’s right it’s none other than Seattle Hempfest 2016. People everywhere are excited to attend this incredible event full of hempsational activities. It is being said this could be the biggest Seattle Hempfest in history!
It’s estimated that more than 100,000 festival-goers will participate in the Seattle Hempfest and the festivities being offered. Attendees can partake in 6 musical stages,  400 arts and crafts exhibits or indulge in the food vendors that come from all over Seattle. Meet advocacy groups and cannabis companies, speakers, activists, and even pro-cannabis lawmakers at this year’s event.
While you are there visit the Clear Choice cannabis booth and meet Sir-Mix-Alot. Chief Greenbud will also be on hand performing at this incredible festival. Enjoy the arts combined with education and activism surrounding everything cannabis from hemp to marijuana and everything in between.
The Seattle Hempfest begins August 19th and runs through August 21st. By all means, this incredible event is free to the public however you are encouraged to contribute $10 to help the cause. So get ready this weekend and head over to the Seattle Hempfest in Seattle Washington for one hempsational incredible event.
image credit: everfest.com

Strain Review Bubba Kush

Strain Review: Bubba Kush

The true origins of Bubba Kush are unknown, but most recognizable is its DNA in OG Kush. Bubba Kush is a hybrid with OG and supposedly Northern Lights, but its mother has not been determined for certain. BK, regardless, is a contender to be a favorite for people who like a heavy and powerful relaxation with their high. Described as the “poor man’s GDP [Granddaddy Purple]”, you can probably expect great and long lasting pain relief, and similar effects to GDP. (But let’s be real, most all cannabis is great cannabis.)
The flavors and physical structure of Bubba Kush buds are reminiscent of Afghani breeds, strongly hashish and subtly chocolate, roast coffee, and rich earth. It provides head to toe tingling and muscle relaxation like no other. Light up some BK on a day off, where you can wake up and ease into the morning without feeling groggy, or like you need that extra cup of coffee. Bubba Kush could be perfect for easing any stomach tension or helping to forget anxieties. Why not use it to make the biggest, best-tasting breakfast for yourself and getting all the benefit with none of the worries? It might even make doing the dishes afterward more bearable.
Nuggets of BK tend to be quite dense, dry, and bulky. It breaks apart in these little leafy pearls, with deep burnt-orange hairs, occasionally dark purple to light brown leaves, and a dusting of resiny crystal. The taste of the smoke inhaled is often sweet and hash like, very rich and clean, with the exhale giving hints of cocoa and spice. Pair together with your favorite morning beverage, or try Bubba Kush alongside a few pieces of chocolate or a cappuccino.
The THC content in most batches of Bubba Kush are on the lower side, ranging from 15% to 22%. Definitely look out for higher-range strains and batches of BK if you love the taste but want more of a psychoactive effect. Has a rich terpene profile high in limonene and pinene. Both are accounted for in the sweetness and tangy pine scent you sometimes get in batches of BK. Look for higher CBD content wherever you get your bud from, and you’ll be more likely to feel strong pain relief and ease from insomnia or nausea.
Chemical makeup
THC: 14-22%
CBD: 0.06-0.1%
CBN: 0-0.05%
CBG: 0.01-1.0%
THCV: 0-0.3%
CBC: 0-0.1%
CBL: 0-0.03%
β-Linalool: 0.01-0.2%
β-Myrcene: 0-0.2%
a-Pinene: 0-0.3%
D-Limonene: 0.07-0.4%
β-Caryophyllene: 0-0.4%
image: theweedblog

weedreader Recipe No Churn Avocado Lime Ice Cream

Recipe: No-Churn Avocado Lime Ice Cream

I cannot get over how simple and delicious this recipe is. Dairy-free, nut free, and soy-free, this ice cream is perfect for a bright, refreshing dessert that satisfies all allergen worries.

Recipe makes enough to evenly stone/serve 4 people. Goes fantastically with the Raw 4th of July Pie.

 

INGREDIENTS

3 medium or 2 large avocados
1 can sweetened condensed coconut milk
or the cream from 1 can full-fat coconut milk, boiled down with 1 1/2 cups sugar + canna butter

3 tbs cannabutter, softened
zest and juice from 4 limes
maple syrup
pinch of sea salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Remove pits from avocados and scoop meat into a mixing bowl. Juice and zest the limes, then add to the avocados. Add the canna butter. Begin mashing them together, gradually adding more juice/zest and salt to taste. (It will soon taste weird, like sweet guacamole, but trust me.)

2. If you can find sweetened condensed coconut milk, this recipe will shorten considerably. If you got it, open the can + dump it into the bowl. Beat together with a whisk or a hand-held blender.

2a. If you have just the coconut milk, flip it upside down and open it. Drain and save the separated water, then scoop out the cream into a pan. A double boiler would ensure it from burning while you cook. Either way, add sugar and canna butter to the cream. Keep on medium heat; do not allow the mixture to boil. Once liquid is reduced but thickened (when the oil cooks into the cream), remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Add to step 1’s mix of stuff and combine thoroughly.

3. Pour or scoop entire mixture into freezer-safe container.

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Because the base is avocados, this ice cream will (or shouldn’t) freeze completely. A few minutes to soften and it’s the consistency of frozen yogurt, super creamy, and irresistibly sweet and tart. And bright lime-green!

Seriously, start freezing your produce and see what happens. Avocados and bananas, sliced, then frozen, then blended in a food processor, will create a texture remarkably similar to dairy ice cream–especially the bananas. Experiment with adding in different toppings, fruits, syrups, and create your very own flavors!
image credit: littlebigh.com

WR pot brownies

Recipe: Fudge You Up Pot Brownies

Dense, chocolatey, chewy, and fudgey as… well, fudge. A vegan and gluten-free spin on the classic pot brownie. Top with nuts or chocolate chips for variety!

The recipe makes roughly 12 brownies, though slice them how you please! One 2 x 3 inch slice is surely enough to stone somebody solid.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups oat flour (or a blend of oat + almond, coconut, or rice flour)
    + more as needed
1/4 cup whole flaxseed
3 tbs milled flaxseed + 6 tbs non-dairy milk
1/4 tsp baking soda
4 tbs raw cacao or cocoa powder
AVB (already vaped bud, for extra buzz)
4 tbs powdered coconut sugar (blitz regular coconut sugar in a coffee or spice grinder)
3 tbs maple syrup
1/3 cup cannabutter, softened
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 banana
2 tbs vanilla extract
3 pinches of salt

Optional additions:
chocolate chips, nuts, coconut flakes

coconut oil for greasing
or parchment paper for lining
spatula
hand or stand mixer & bowl
baking dish, 9 x 9 for thicker + denser brownies or 9 x 13 for thinner

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. I tend to do 375F when I’m impatient, though it’s your call. If you need to, do the prep steps first; make powdered sugar or oat flour if you need to. Do this by pulsing oats several times in a food processor until a flour forms. Creating powdered sugar is virtually the same, though a coffee or spice grinder will be easiest to use.

2. Prepare flax ‘eggs’ by combining the ground flaxseed with the non-dairy milk, in a small bowl. Then, set aside and wait for it to congeal. Chia seeds + water would work as well!

3a. If using a hand mixer: in a large mixing bowl, combine oat flour, whole flax seeds, baking soda, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt, and AVB (already vaped bud) if desired. Next, stir in applesauce, vanilla extract, maple syrup, flax eggs, and the cannabutter with a spatula. Then, blend in the banana with the hand mixer until a dough forms.

3b. If using a food processor: Add all above ingredients including ‘optionals’ if using, and blend. The ending texture should be somewhere between a batter and a dough–not too gooey, not too stiff. If it’s too stiff, add sips of water or milk until the mix is slightly sticky. If it’s too wet, add pinches of flour until sticky.

4. Transfer dough to a greased baking dish. (note: Using parchment paper will be the easiest clean-up overall, but the brownies come out a little crispier/chewier at the edges when baked in a greased pan).  Then, press it down with the spatula to remove any air bubbles, and smooth over the top. Bake uncovered for 25-30 mins, or until a crackle top forms, and it achieves a cake-like texture when a toothpick is inserted. When cool, top, slice, and serve.

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It is very, very important that you allow these brownies to cool to at least room temperature before slicing. They will hold together much better, and you won’t run the risk of burning your mouth before you can taste anything good! With any edible, start slowly. Eat 1 brownie and wait 20 minutes before deciding whether you need to eat another. And remember, there are consequences to everything! You might get high, but too much sugar at once could cause a crash rather than a blissful, relaxing experience. So, munch wisely!

image credit: theweedscene

hot chocolate marijuana

Creamy Dreamy Hot Chocolate

Drink this rich, creamy hot cocoa, and in no time you’ll feel as toasted as a roasted chestnut.

Main recipe serves 2 or 3 people, roughly 8oz each, but can easily be doubled or tripled for larger batches.

INGREDIENTS:

1 can of coconut milk
water or soy/plant milk
maple syrup
cacao or cocoa powder, as much as desired
2-3 tbs  coconut or date sugar, more to taste (raw sugars are best, but whatever is on hand is fine)
1/8 tsp of cinnamon
pinch of salt
3 tbs cannabutter

optional:
chipotle or cayenne pepper, marshmallows, coconut oil, whipped cream, coffee

stovetop
whisk or spatula
double boiler

DIRECTIONS:

1. Shake up the can of coconut milk, and open with a can opener. Into the top portion of a double boiler, pour the coconut milk, a dash of soy milk, and the 3 tbs of canna butter. Turn the burner on slightly lower than medium and let the liquid heat.

2. As it heats, whisk in small amounts of cacao or cocoa powder. The difference between the two: cacao powder tends to be raw, made directly from crushed cacao beans, where as cocoa is usually processed with sugar or other additives. If you’re using cocoa powder, be careful you don’t end up with a drink that’s so sweet you feel sick– modify the added sugar as you wish. Cacao powder will be a richer and more pure chocolate flavor, but more bitter than cocoa. If using cacao powder, add small amounts of maple syrup to taste.

3. Throw in the cinnamon and salt, with a pinch of chipotle or cayenne pepper for a Mexican-inspired hot chocolate. Keep whisking the mixture, so that no clumps of powder form and the sugar dissolves. A helpful hint, dry ingredients are easier to dissolve in cold liquid than in hot. Try to have most of your dry ingredients incorporated before the milk is too hot, and it should never boil. If you can’t resist, or find you need to add more cacao/cocoa, make a little slurry to the side by stirring in 1 part cacao/cocoa to 2 parts water or soy milk, then add that to the heated mixture. Like with all cooking, I encourage you taste as you go! It doesn’t have to be a surprise at the end, of whether or not your dish came out well.

4. Stir frequently, allowing the canna butter to cook with the fat of the coconut milk. The oil does begin to cook the whole mixture, after a little while, so if you like a thick hot chocolate, leave it as is and take the mix off heat when you’re ready. If you want a drink less creamy, add small amounts of water or other milk until desired consistency is reached. Set aside to cool a little.

5. Pour carefully into mugs or ladle it out with a spoon, like it’s the olden days and you’re about to settle down in front of a fire during a raging snowstorm. If you’re not into that sort of imagery, just serve up your hot cocoa, top with marshmallows, whipped cream, or other delights, and enjoy.

While I know summer is fast approaching and not many people are into hot drinks, nothing hits the spot like a cup of hot cocoa. If you’d like a more refreshing treat, make the same brew as above (so that the THC molecules still bind to the fat properly), then let it cool completely and serve in a glass over ice cubes. Same principle as iced coffee, which I’m sure would also be a delicious substitute for cocoa, if you aren’t a fan of chocolate (but why wouldn’t you be).