Everyone knows it is important to eat your vegetables. According to the food guide pyramid from ages ago, the daily requirement was only 3-5 servings, of approximately 1/2 cup of fresh or steamed vegetables. Now, researches are professing that a diet RICH in plant life is not only beneficial to your health, it is NECESSARY for proper cellular functioning.
Vegetables, all of them, have micronutrients. Micronutrients are the minerals and vitamins that your body needs for cellular growth, repair and metabolism. Without micronutrients, our bodies begin to breakdown, cell by cell, and start to decompose, causing more possibilities for cancer and disease to thrive.
My favorite new way to sneak in my vegetables is through SPROUTS!
Sprouts are the shoots and roots formed from germinating seeds and nuts. Not only do you get the benefit of eating the seed or nut, but you also get all of the wonderful benefits of the green plant life that's just emerging from their tiny seed coats.
This week I started making my own sprouts, because there are so many benefits.
1. I buy organic seeds and nuts, so I know my sprouts are 100% organic. Hard to say it they are store bought.
2. Cheap, cheap cheap! I bought the sprouting jar for 4$, and my starter seeds (18oz) for 6$, both at a health food store. The amount of sprouts you get for on Tbsp of seeds is equal to one cup of full grown sprouts. You do the math...
3. It brings a refreshing dose of newly generated oxygen to the kitchen, a place where I spend a lot of time.
4. I can have several jars going, to have a constant supply of fresh sprouts for salads, sandwiches, stirfrys, and MORE.
I already know that my investment in fresh, organic produce is important, but growing my own makes me feel like my footprint on earth is diminishing a little bit.
How to start sprouting:
1. Buy a glass sprouter jar, with a mesh lid, or make your own with a large mason canning jar. Replace the flat metal seal with a mesh piece.
2. Buy organic seeds (any will do!)
3. Rinse seeds, pick out broken ones, and then soak over night.
4. Drain seeds, add to jar.
5. Place jar in dark, warm area. Avoid excess heat and moisture. > 80* is too high.
6. Rinse 2x/day.
7. Once shoots appear, put in semi light.
8. Grow until 4in tall. Transfer to open container. Add water occasionally.
9. Cut, and use immediately, or allow to continue to grown until ready to use.
I am starting a new batch, so I thought I would blog about the process. This picture is the seeds soaking overnight.
Do you eat sprouts? Do you grow your own? If so, let me know! I would love to hear from you!
