What does spring represent to you? A new energy, a fresh start, feeling lighter, more fun, increased motivation?

Perhaps spring could mean the gift of sprouting your seeds, grains and beans…

A sprout (and not a Brussels!) possesses all of the energy, vitamins and nutrients and power that enable it to be transformed from a small seed into a strong plant.

At this stage its nutritional value is at its highest for instance, sprouted seeds can contain 400% more protein than lettuce and over 3900% more beta-carotine.

Because we eat lots of sprouted seeds, beans or grains at once we are eating the equivalent of hundreds of fully grown plants all at once!

Why I include sprouts into my daily menu (especially in msoothies!):

Sprouts are the only ‘living’ food

Given the right conditions sprouts will continue to grow after being harvested. Compared to every other ‘dead’ food we buy from the supermarket this is very attractive (and cheap) way of getting raw and alkalising food into your diet.

Sprouts nutritious value is off the scale!

Sprouts containing a greater concentration of vitamins, minerals, proteins, enzymes, phytochemicals, anti-oxidants, nitrosmines, trace minerals, bioflavinoids and chemo-protectants (such as sulphoraphane and isoflavone) which work against toxins, resist cell mutation and invigorate the body’s immune system than at any other point in the plant’s life – even when the plant is fully matured.

You can sprout almost any seed, grain or bean and the ones I love are

Lentils

Mung beans

Alfalfa

Sprouting is very easy

It is best to buy a sprouter http://www.energiseforlife.com/cat–Sprouters–SPROUTERS.html but it can be done very easily without. When I have been away (and without my sprouter) and wanted to sprout my food for extra enzymes I do the following:

Soak overnight to start the process of enzyme activity

Strain and place in small dish

Cover the dish with tea towel (so it is dark)

Check back on the sprouts to rinse them twice a day

In 4-6 days voila!

How to eat sprouts:

Sprinkled over a salad

Blended in your morning smoothie (very neutral taste)

Blended in a hummus

In a wrap

On their own (no really?!)

My personal favourite is avocado hummus and sprouted Mung beans on an oatcake.

I hope you enjoy your sprouting.

I would love to hear how you get on

Fran

How to Grow Bean Sprouts