Here’s a brief blast of BOOYAH that will hopefully enliven your winter fare.
Ever wondered how to add more life into your diet? What if you could increase the food value of things you were eating? Sprouting, in simple terms, turns seeds into living multi vitamins. It couldn’t be simpler and no green thumb required! For a couple of minutes a day and a few cents you too could enjoy the numerous benefits of vibrant living food in your daily diet.
Sprouting begins with seeds and water, and actually increases the nutrient density of food.
All raw seeds, nuts and grains will benefit from soaking in water, even if they are eventually cooked. As an energy store for the next generation, the seed locks up all the goodness for a future growth season. The water activates the stored life force and awakens growth and development, unleashing a burst of vitamin and enzymes. This is the process we take advantage of when sprouting, using that process to create nutrient dense, delicious living food to feed you living body!
Sprouting 101
- Get some high quality seeds (fresh, raw and organic). I’d suggest starting with simple and tasty ones like clover, lentils or sunflower seeds. Acquire a jar with screened lid or sprouter (like this one ).
- Soak the seeds in non-chlorinated water. Take a moment to give thanks for the little gems of life.
- Let stand for the appropriate time (see chart)
- Drain off the water and place in a warm place.
- Rinse once or twice a day and watch the magic of life unfold.
- For seeds like clover, once the baby leaves (cotyledon) have emerged, exposing them to light will “green” the sprouts, by allowing the seeds to produce chlorophyll (the good stuff that oxygenates your body).
- A quick dunk in cold water to skim of seed coats can be helpful. (stay tuned for future episodes).
- NOM NOM NOM, eat your living goodies (on wraps, in salads, atop soup, in smoothies).
During the early stages the seeds will wake up and start to send out a radicle (young rootlet) while breaking out of their shell to unfold their baby leaves (cotyledon). During this time, minerals bind to proteins (chelation) and make them accessible for your body.
Vitamin content can increase up to 6 times (vitamin C in lentils) and enzyme activity is off the charts.
This is important because enzymes are needed to digest food, but production in your body taxes the system. Along with abundant antioxidants (preventing cellular damage), sprouting essential gives your body a supercharged boost of awesome.
VOILA! You have just grown vibrant living food in just a few days. Enjoy the bounty and keep sprouting. Your body will thank you. If you want more in depth information, detailed info on a variety of methods and seeds and plenty of recipes (from snacks, to soups to deserts), check out my book.
I’ll also be going through more detailed techniques and recipes in future posts, so stay tuned.
What are you favorite ways to eat sprouts?
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HOW TO ENTER THE FREE GIVEAWAY:
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Directions:
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