Ever wonder which nutrients are still alive and well in the foods you eat by the time they have travelled across the ocean and ended up in your grocery store?
It has been proven time and time again that the more time that passes from being picked from the Earth, the less nutrient dense our foods are for us. Say our food only contains ½ the amounts of nutrients that it should (if you bought it local and fresh), it is no wonder that our bodies will then require twice as much in order to meet our daily needs. Sure, Organic vegetables and fruits are a bit more expensive, but when your body only requires half as much, isn’t it the same cost wise? Not to mention that organic produce is void of harmful chemicals and farming practices.
Ok, so back to the live food. Did you know that the most nutritionally dense and live food is something you can grow at home, right in your kitchen, all year long, with only a few simple ingredients/materials? Pretty exciting right?
Dirt, seeds, water and a jar… that’s it. They are a rich source of Calcium & Magnesium (for strong bones), Vitamin C (for immune system support), B vitamins (important source for vegetarians), Vitamin A (for healthy skin & healing), and Vitamin K (food for your good gut bacteria- very important and hard to find in foods). They also happen to be powerhouses when it comes to the bio-availability (absorption capability) of protein, vitamins, minerals, enzymes & antioxidants. OK, OK, you must have guessed it by now….
I’m talking about those little curly green and white SPROUTS that you find topping your salad at fancy restaurants.
I wish someone had told me long ago how easy and cheap it was to grow sprouts at home! Now I am addicted, and you will be too.
Did you know there are hundreds of grains/seeds that you can sprout?
Alfalfa is not the only type- who knew!?? They are all delicious and have unique flavors & nutritional benefits.
What are sprouts?
I’m glad you asked! Sprouts are living and growing plants (seeds) that are packed with energy & nutrients. They contain all of the basic requirements for a plant to grow and are therefore easily digestible and packed with nutrition. They are delicious in salads, sandwiches, and wraps.
My life changed when I found out how easy they were to grow at home, and even better, that it was cheaper too!
What you need to grow your own:
- A glass jar with a wide mouth (I use a quart mason jar)
- A secure lid with small holes for airflow and water rinsing ( I made my own with a mason jar lid and a cut piece of thick plastic needlepoint sheets that you can buy at any craft store)
- Sprouting seeds. These are specifically made for sprouting and can be purchased at any health food store and online. I buy a 250g bag of Alfalfa seeds for $10 and it will make me around 10-12 big batches of sprouts ($1/batch)… at the store $4 for a smaller amount. It’s a no brainer!
The easy steps to get you going:
- Measure 1-2 Tbsp of seed into your glass jar
- Fill the jar with clean water and let sit for about 8 hours to soak (different seeds require different times so please check the back of your package)
- Secure the mesh lid
- After your initial soak is complete, drain the water from the jar and leave it sitting inverted in your dish rack. The seeds need air flow and dampness so be sure NOT to put them upside down. They need to drain and breathe.
- Rinse the seeds twice a day. I do mine in the morning when I wake and right before I go to bed.
- Watch them grow. In about 2 days you will see them start to sprout and grow new life (its so exciting!). Continue rinsing for another 1-2 days until your jar has filled with wonderful sprouts
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to a week.
- ENJOY in soups, salads, sandwiches, crackers, or anything else you can dream of.
It’s just so ridiculously easy that anyone can do it! Extremely hands- OFF and nutritional. If you want to make one change for your health this week- try making sprouts.
Click here to see the specific nutritional breakdown if different types of sprouts.
Getting healthy just takes one step at a time. This week, make that step trying this out and see how it can change your life too!
If you give it a try, I would LOVE to know your thoughts and questions. Please comment below and share your thoughts!