Sprouts Raw and Tasty

Just like the vegetables they become if they grew to full size, sprouts are packed with nutrients your body needs.  The bonus to eating them early on in their growing phase is that your digestive system doesn't have to work as hard, which is imperative for those struggling with chronic illness and autoimmune conditions.  Poor gut health is one of the leading causes to health difficulties. Help your gut work smarter not harder.

Sprouts are high in mineral salts, imperative for neurotransmitter chemical production.  This means with every bite you are supporting your brain with the amino acids and enzymes it needs. They also help to pull heavy metals from the brain and help to rejuvenate and strengthen neurons for the ultimate in brain health support.  Great choices for those with brain fog, ADHD, Austim, Dementia, or Alzheimer's disease..  

Sprouts are also rich in more then 60 trace minerals, including iron, iodine, selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, sulfur, magnesium, chromium, and molybdenum. And when you grow them at home they are the best possible source of elevating biotics critical to your body's production of vitamin B12.

Let's face it.  Sprouts from the grocery store are sprayed with chemicals to help keep them alive longer.  This process kills the nutrients and destroys your gut.  If you are are lucky enough to find organic, they are expensive and get soggy quickly.  There is nothing better then growing your own food.  Not only is it rewarding, it saves money, and it's something to be proud of.  ALL things good for YOU and your healing journey.

HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN SPROUTS

Ingredients
  •  Choose your kit to get started. There are loads of expensive kits out there, but there is no need! I started with this mason jar kit which I loved and was easy peasy and  have since upgraded to this kit for more growing capability.
  • Choose the sprouts you want to grow.  Use only certified organic.  
  • Filtered water 

Instructions
  1. Soak seeds in water for 8 - 10 hours, I fine it best to leave them overnight.
  2. Then spread evenly in sprouting container (hard to do in a mason jar.)
  3. Rinse seeds 2-3 times a day by pouring water over the sprouts and allowing them to drain for 3 days. Use filtered water only. 
  4. Then rinse sprouts daily until they are ready to harvest.
  5. Most sprouts are ready to eat after 6-7 days, but check your individual seed varieties for additional instructions. 
  6. Store sprouts in the fridge, in an airtight container. Most sprouts will keep for up to 5 days, but keep an eye on them and throw them out if they change color, become mushy, or develop an unpleasant smell.

WHICH SPROUTS ARE THE BEST?

It’s impossible to answer this question because all sprouts are highly nutritious and will be a good addition to your diet. If you want to discover the full extent of their benefits. Try all of them to discover which you personally like most, because their flavors are quite different.

ALFALFA SPROUTS

Alfalfa sprouts are one of the best plant-based sources of bone-building minerals, calcium, and magnesium. They also contain a large dose of potassium, which is an essential element for muscle health. Alfalfa sprouts are also great for hormone support.

BEAN SPROUTS

Bean sprouts are the easiest. If you struggle with growing things, I promise that even on your first try you will have lots of yummy sprouts to enjoy! After dried beans undergo this change, the amount of folate, vitamin C, and proteins in them increases exponentially. Vitamin C is one of the most potent and effective antioxidants known to us and folate affects the synthesis, repair, and maintenance of DNA cells. Therefore, this nutrient is essential for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

BROcCOLI Sprouts

According to information from Johns Hopkins University, broccoli sprouts contain huge amounts of glucoraphanin which is a precursor compound to sulforaphane, an element that has been proven to increase the body’s resistance to cancer-causing agents.

Broccoli contains these elements as well but in much smaller doses. Researchers claim that in order to reduce the risk of cancer with some measure of success, one would need to consume no less than two pounds of broccoli per day. However, sprouts have such a huge concentration of these elements that you’ll only need to eat between 0.5 and 3.5 ounces of them everyday to achieve the same results.

LENTIL SPROUTS

All types of sprouts contain large amounts of proteins, but lentils have the highest amounts. They are low on calories and if you are a vegan, incorporating them into your meal plan is a must, because you won’t be able to get these essential nutrients from animal-based sources.

Radish sprouts

Radish sprouts, in general, help improve liver and gallbladder function and may be able to help with the removal of excess bilirubin. They also reduce the risk of developing gallstones. Women should consume them regularly during menopause as this food assists with relieving its unpleasant symptoms.

So you can see with so many great choices, it's hard to choose.  I love them all, but I find it easy to grow a mix of them to receive more nutrient diversity..  My favorites are the 3 salad mix or 5 Salad mix

WHats the best way to eat sprouts?

  • Raw is always best.  In a salad, on sandwich and wraps, in smoothies, or on top of a protein at dinner or breakfast.  They also make great additions to slaws.
  • Mung sprouts can be blanched and cooked and make great additions to stir fry's.  Add them at the end of the recipe so they maintain their crispness.  *Please note that most other sprouts get wilted and become a blob of unappetizing sprouts when cooked.
  • One of the easiest ways to consume sprouted foods is to incorporate them into a smoothie. Adding a serving size of broccoli sprouts into your smoothie can add great health benefits whilst making them tasty to eat too!  Here is a great recipe to try: Add 1 banana, 2-3 large handfuls of baby kale or spinach, 1 handful of sprouts, 1 mango, 1 cup filtered water and blend and enjoy!
For more great recipes and health tips sign up for my blog here.

Struggling with chronic illness and seeking ways to improve your health and relieve your symptoms?  Join me today.  


0 Comments

Leave a Comment