Thursday 15 November 2012

Living food: Sprouted seeds, legumes, grains and nuts


Sprouts are living food full of health benefits. Sprouting seeds or grains at home can be creative, cheap, healthy and fun! Due to their high water content, sprouts contain absorbable protein, calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and C. They make a nutritious addition to salads, wraps, breads, smoothies, juices and crunchy topping on noodles.


Why sprout?


Sprouting seeds are consumed very early in its growth cycle. In approximately 2-5 days, your sprouts will be ready to consume. In its early stage of the cycle, sprouts accumulate massive amounts of energy which will soon power a rapid growth spurt. It is this energy that is captured in the sprouts as protein and enzymes. It is this energy which provides its amazing nutritional benefits.

Other health benefits of eating sprouts:


1. Sprouts are called living food because Living sprouts are quality food of high biophotons (bio meaning 'life'; photon meaning 'electromagnetic') and Bio-genic nutrition, which provide a high bio-energetic  value, to energise our body and help the entire organism function, and prevent and repair defects. Sprouted seeds and baby greens are the most beneficial foods, and are called as life-generating Bio-genic Foods, and it is recommended that they comprise 25% of our daily food as it offer the strongest support for the regeneration of cells.

2. Sprouts are a powerful source of antioxidants in the form of vitamins, minerals and enzymes, which assist in protecting the body from free radical damage.

3. Sprouts are alkaline and have an alkalising affect in the body. If we desire health, the body needs to be alkaline. The immune system is made strong by high alkaline and alkalising foods.

4. Sprouts provide us with whole foods, full of living enzymes, a vital life-force. Eating fresh sprouts provides essential nutrients in an easily assimilable form. Living enzymes, in sprouts, go to work to predigest the protein into their constituent amino acids: this makes them easily digested and absorbed by the body. We can digest sprouts in less than half the time of cooked foods.

5. The formula for multi-vitamin B and C is hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, together with the life-force and elements in the seeds, this creates a complex carbohydrate, and nutrients are formed. These are the magical substances that provide the miracle of life and increased nutrients in sprouts.

6. Sprouts have an excellent array of minerals that the body requires. During sprouting, the minerals are enriched and develop in a chelated form (which are more easily utilised by the body).

7. Sprouts have a generous supply of vitamins . In fact the vitamin content of some seeds can increase from 100% to 2000% in several days of sprouting. Even soaking seeds, overnight, produces massive amounts of vitamin B complex and also of vitamin C.

How to sprout your grains and seeds :


1. Soak half a cup of organic seeds (mung beans, sunflowers etc.) overnight in a bowl of fresh filtered water.

2. The next morning, drain water and rinse well.

3. Place in a damp sprouting bag (cheese cloth or muslin bag) or a sprouting glass jar with a cheese cloth cover or mesh.

4. Every morning and night rinse the sprouts to keep them wet and mould-free.

5. Continue the process for desired length of days, usually 2-5 days.

6. Rinse well with fresh water and serve immediately. Yields approximately 2-3 cups.

What you can sprout?


Soaking and Sprouting chart:





Things to note when sprouting:


1. Always make sure that the soaking, sprouting or seed trays are in a well ventilated environment. If there is not good air circulation you will find that you will get fungus growing around the growing roots where it is wettest.

2. Always make sure that the seeds are able to drain freely and are not sitting in stagnant water except during the first 12 to 24 hours where the seeds are initially soaking.

3. Always wash seeds or seedlings at least twice each day, depending on heat of the day.

Simple sprouted salad recipe:


Things you need (to make sprout salad for 4 people)




*Sprouted Mung beans - 1 cup
*Sprouted brown chick peas (Garbanzo Beans)- 1 cup
*Sprouted sesame seeds - Half a cup
*Soaked raw almonds - Half a cup
*Fresh coconut shavings - Two tablespoons
*Juice from half a  lemon or lime
*Pinch of Himalayan salt
*Cilantro or mint leaves for garnishing

How to make it:


1. Mix the sprouts and soaked raw almonds in a bowl.

2. Add shavings of fresh coconut.

3. Add juice of lemon or lime. Sprinkle Himalayan salt and mix well.

4. Garnish with cilantro or mint leaves.



CAUTION FOR PREGNANT LADIES:


It is better to eat cooked sprouts during pregnancy. Raw sprouts should be avoided completely as pregnant women have weaker immune systems and are more at risk of developing the food borne diseases spread by these sprouts.


Happy Sprouting!

Bye for now. With love from PetalDew - Nature's Nurture.

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