Friday, October 14, 2011

Sprouted Seeds Add Lots of Crunch and Flavor

According to NutritionData.com, sprouts are a fantastic anti-inflammatory food. They are a living, enzyme-rich food, low in calories, fat and cholesterol.  They'll give you plenty of Protein, Vitamin A, Niacin and Calcium. They are packed full of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Zinc, Copper and Manganese. There are all kinds of sprouts available in markets OR you can make your own!


          

Have you ever tried to sprout your own seeds? My son is far better at this than I could ever be. He buys specialty seeds over the internet and grows multiple flats to share with friends. I've tried my hand at sprouting alfalfa seeds in a glass jar. My success rate has been moderate with tiny seeds. I enjoy sprouting raw sunflower seeds in their shells probably because they are fool proof. I get a shallow tray (cardboard or plastic) and spread 2" of potting soil in the bottom of the tray. Push the sunflower seeds into the soil to a depth of 1/2". Cover with a little more soil. Sprinkle lightly with water daily (don't let seeds sit in water).  Pinch off the tops of the sprouts when they reach a couple of inches high. I love to eat them raw, toss in salads or add to stir-fried dishes. 


You can try your hand at sprouting garbanzos, mung beans, soy beans, radish or onion seeds or just about any other type of raw bean or seed you can think of or find.  For sprouting techniques check out the web for great information. I came across this site to help me learn more about sprouting: http://www.growyouthful.com/recipes/sprouts.php  


I recommend putting together a gift bag or two of seeds and directions as an excellent present for family members. I have found sprouting lids (to go onto mason jars) at a local nursery. Of course you can always purchase sprouting gift packs, but why not save a little money and have fun at the same time. What could be better than a healthy gift for your loved ones this holiday season?


Thanks for stopping by today! Wishing you all the best each and every day.  

5 comments:

  1. What a great idea! Can you bake with sprouts? I am working on a new bread recipe.
    Pam.

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  2. Thanks for the interesting article. Yes, indeed you can fashion a very good container for sprouting seeds if you can find a brown glass jar or wide mouth bottle. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. I am a Naturopathic Physician and often counsel patients on smart food choices for their health concerns. A common denominator in many diseases is inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet will often stop the assault on the body and help bring people back into balance. I have used Dr. Black's book for patients dealing with: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohns Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Arthritis, Cardiovascular disease, Liver/Gallbladder dysfunction, Interstitial cystitis, Obesity, PMS and more. I even suggest it to people just looking for a healthy cook book- since everyone can benefit from eating fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts and fish regularly. The first section in this book clearly educates the reader on how to take charge of their health through sound food choices. The recipes are easy to follow, delicious and written with a personal voice. I really appreciate Dr. Black's book because it makes my job as a physician easier when I can recommend this book and know my patients are in good hands.

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  4. Many experts now see inflammation as arising from an immune system response that’s out of control. When you catch a cold or sprain your ankle, your immune system switches into gear. Infection or injury trigger a chain of events called the inflammatory cascade. The familiar signs of normal inflammation — heat, pain, redness, and swelling — are the first signals that your immune system is being called into action.

    Inflammation symptoms

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  5. I agree completely. I have told the doctors, that my sympathetic nervous system just goes wack-o.
    Thanks so much for sharing.
    Anna

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