Sprouting at Home!

I know how often I have to kick down the name Anna when I am talking about my fun adventures, but can't help it, I learn a ton from her. Anna is such a great lady, mother, friend, and citizen to mother nature, so credit is given where due!! 

About 3 years ago, I had learned about sprouting but had not tried it.  My pal Anna came to stay with me for a week and we changed that!!!  She taught me what I needed to know and set me on my way.  I probably have something sprouting on my counter or in my fridge at all times.  I eat them as a salad, in my soups, in sandwiches, wraps …wherever I can. 

There are many reasons sprouting beans and nuts can be so rewarding...

Great for the Body:

The main benefit of sprouting is that it takes a seed or nut in the dormant state and brings it to life. During the sprouting process new and higher quality proteins and other nutrients are produced. Tests have shown that the nutrients in seeds and nuts are anywhere from 50% to 400% greater after sprouting or soaking.

In addition to the significantly higher nutritional value in sprouts, sprouts are highly digestible. Because sprouts are living, growing food sources, they have a rich supply of enzymes. This quality makes sprouts easily assimilated and metabolized by the body. Sprouts are a powerhouse of nutrition and are in a form that your body can easily utilize.

 Research shows that, in sprouts, one finds one of the foods highest in vitamin and mineral content. Sprouts should, occupy a prominent place in the diet. Among their other virtues is the fact that the seeds are low in cost, can be stored indefinitely, and are easy to grow, and, when sprouted, increase their nutritional value many times. 
-Rosicrucian Fellowship - International Headquarters

So here is the good word!! 

You literally get the dried garbanzo bean or mung and soak them in water over night. Drain the water, and rinse the guys twice daily -  draining and watching them grow.  Once they start really sprouting, I like to move them into fridge.  I still rinse them daily!  It is really that simple friend. You can use a mason jar with cheesecloth on top and a rubber band or get a little more high end and purchase a sprouting jar with a metal mesh top.  I upgraded to a sprouting jar recently because were on sale for $4.99.  You know I am going to have to buy it if it's on sale ;).

I promise that trying this crazy science experiment is not only easy but fun for the kiddos and cute nerdy husbands that usually make fun ;)

Here is the lists of items to sprout, how much to use, and how long they take to sprout!!!  A quick resource that I found:

Easy Sprouting Instructions and Chart

1. Select the type of seed from the sprouting chart.

2. Place recommended amount of seeds in a half gallon glass jar and cover jar with mesh screen and a rubber band.

3. Fill jar with water

4. Soak seeds for suggested time.

5. Drain seeds then fill with water and drain again.

6. Now set the jar at a 45º angle with good air flow.

7. Continue to rinse and drain for correct number of days.

8. Soon your sprouts will be ready.

9. Expose to some sunlight for 15 minutes. 10. Your sprouts are now ready for consumption.

11. Enjoy! 

Type of seed	amt of seed	soak time	sprouting time	amt harvested
Aduki	1 cup	12 hrs	3 days	half gallon jar
alfalfa	3 tsp	110 hrs	3 days	half gallon jar
almond	1 cup	8 hrs	2 days	2 cups
buckwheat	2 cup	10 hrs	2 days	half gallon jar
cabbage	3 tsp	8 hrs	3 days	half gallon jar
clover	2 tsp	8 hrs	3 days	half gallon jar
fenugreek	4 tsp	10 hrs	4 days	half gallon jar
flax	1 cup	8 hrs	2 days	2 cups
garbanzo	1 cup	12 hrs	2 days	half gallon jar
lentil	1 cup	10 hrs	2 days	half gallon jar
millet	1 cup	10 hrs	2 days	half gallon jar

Buying from the bulk section at your natural food store or wherever you can get your hands on dried beans, nuts, seeds.  Keep  the seeds and nuts in an air tight container in your pantry.

To aid in your sprouting adventure, here are a few of my favorite gadgets: 

Sprouting Jar

This is the Sprouting Jar I have and I love it!!  I got mine at a natural foods store, but found it here for you!!

http://www.amazon.com/Now-Foods-Sprouting-Jar/dp/B002DZ585C/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1336448179&sr=8-15

Mason Jar Lids

If you want to just use a mason jar you already have you can get these cool lids that really help in the daily rinsing and draining...

http://www.amazon.com/Handy-Pantry-Quart-Sprouting-Jar/dp/B000PBXKFG/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1336448179&sr=8-16

Garden Trays

Fun for if you want to have a few kinds of sprouts going at once:

http://www.amazon.com/Sprout-Garden-Tray-Family-Sprouting/dp/B000N8ESHU/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1336448422&sr=8-25

Another Great Resource

Another great resource is this site:  

http://www.sprouting.com/homesprouting.html#directions

I seriously have felt the benefits of eating raw sprouts daily and I promise you that you will too!!  Please consider trying growing your own sprouts instead of buying those nasty containers of sprouts from the store that are sometimes pricey and are usually knocking on the expiration date door. 

If you have more ideas or tricks to the sprouting trade please leave a comment, we love to learn more. And if you have any questions message me at www.earthyconsumer@yahoo.com.Tread lightly!!!