Sprouts!!

Mmmmmmm.

I wonder if most people don't care for sprouts, or find them tasteless or what not. I love them! My mom makes fresh sprouts every so often and they are so yummy to put on a sandwhich with or in place of lettuce and top salads with.

I'm a firm believer in eating things straight from the ground, the tree, or the animal - no processing involved. And of course, organic is better because you don't want to ingest harmful chemicals from pesticides and fertilizers that you absorb into your body. Sprouts are fun to grow because you can do it inside of your own house!

Why Sprouts can be so good for you:

"In the life of a plant, sprouting is a moment of great vitality and energy. The seed, after having remained quiet for an often long period of time, becomes more and more active and begins its journey up through the topsoil and into the open air. When it sprouts, a healthy seed activates many different metabolic systems. It converts some of its sugar content into vitamin C, to act as an antioxidant in the new open air environment. It also begins to synthesize a variety of new enzymes, many of them necessary to handle oxygen metabolism in the world above the soil. On a gram for gram basis, sprouts are richer in vitamin C than the older, more mature plants they eventually become, because this moment in their lifecyle calls for a high level of vitality." http://www.whfoods.com/

They carry plenty of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and enzymes, all necessary for the body to function optimally. In addition to providing the greatest amount of these nutrients, sprouts deliver them in a form that is easily digested and assimilated. In fact, they improve the efficiency of digestion. Sprouts are also deliciously fresh and colourful!

Mung bean sprouts and alfalfa sprouts are probably the most common commercially available sprouts but other easy and healthy sprouts are red clover, radish mustard, lentil, adzuki, garbanzo, pumpkin, and sunflower.

So how do you grow your own yummy sprouts??

• You need a glass jar, preferably quite a large one because depending on how many seeds you use, these babies will GROW!!
• Mesh screen or fabric such as cheesecloth or nylon tulle
• Rubber band
• Fresh water - preferably pure and clean!
• Seeds of your choice, preferably organic! You can buy in bulk because seeds typically last for a year or more if stored in a cool dry place.

1. Soak! Put 1 to 4 tablespoons seed in a wide mouth jar. Cover with mesh and secure with rubber band. Add water, swirl, and drain. Add 1 cup cool water and soak for 4 - 8 hrs.
2. Rinse! Twice a day, refill jar with cool water, swirl, and drain. Invert jar and prop at angle in sink or bowl.
3. Enjoy! It won't take long before they start to sprout! In a few days when sprouts are about 2" long or so, eat them! We transfer ours to a covered container or ziploc baggies and refrigerate to store.