What is a fresh, living, whole food that can be produced any time of year, in any place in the world, and is organic, inexpensive and easy to digest and to grow.  If you guessed Sprouts you are right!

Sprouting has been around for ages; however, it has been getting more popular in the last several years.  The biggest reason for spouting’s popularity is the health benefits associated with fresh sprouts. Fresh sprouts have a multitude of vitamins, enzymes, proteins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals.  Many of these nutrients are in more abundant quantities than the mature version of the plant.  For example, “Three-day-old broccoli sprouts consistently contain 20 to 50 times the amount of chemoprotective compounds found in mature broccoli heads, and may offer a simple, dietary means of chemically reducing cancer risk, says Paul Talalay, M.D., J.J. Abel Distinguished Service Professor of Pharmacology.”  (http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/press/1997/SEPT/970903.HTM)

Sprouting is easy to do.  All you need is a quart jar, some mesh or screen and a rubber band, or you can use a home sprouting kit.    Measure out 1-4 TBSP* seed in the jar.  Fill the jar with fresh water, cover with the screen and secure it with a rubber band.  Let the seeds soak for approximately 8 hours*.  Drain off the soak water.  Place the jar mouth end down at a 45 degree angle for drainage and ventilation between rinsing.  Rinse the seeds and drain twice a day in fresh cool water.   In 3-6 days* the sprouts will be ready for you to enjoy!