Why Sprouts?

Sprouting grains & seeds…

• breaks down phytic acid to increase availability of nutrients
• is highly nutritious even when compared to full grown (broccoli sprout vs. head of broccoli)
• breaks down starches to ease digestion
• makes a delicious addition to almost any dish
• is a good way to incorporate fresh greens into your diet year-round
• is easy & fun to do at home!

I was reluctant to take on yet another kitchen experiment, but I eat sprouts pretty regularly and the small containers from the store cost about $5-6 each. With a little investigating, I realized that it requires few supplies & very little maintenance. So I decided to try it out & now I’m sharing so you can do it, too!

Supplies

• You can order something like this, to get started or DIY: use cheese cloth and a rubber band and rest the jar upside down in a bowl to allow draining (find what works for you & your budget!)
• Seeds for Sprouting (I went for this variety pack)
• Glass jar

Directions

1. Take 1-4 tbsp of desired sprouting seed and place in sprouting jar. I use 1 tbsp at a time because they expand so much!
2. Fill the jar with water to cover all seeds. Allow that to sit for 8-10 hours.
3. Drain water from the jar. Place that jar upside down on a stand or in bowl to allow for draining.
4. Rinse and return to draining position twice daily, once in the AM & once at night. Just cover the sprouts with water to wet them, pour it out, & place back in draining position.
5. Sprouts should be ready in 4-7 days depending on seed type & size.
6. You will be able to see your sprouts growing in front of your eyes! When they are ready, I recommend moving them to a new container and giving them a little more space. *Make sure you store the sprouts after they’ve been draining & are dry, not immediately after a rinse*
7. Enjoy within 7 days!

Serving Suggestions

Now that I have access to affordable sprouts whenever I please, I put them on just about everything. My current favorite way to enjoy sprouts is on top of my cream cheese & avocado toast with chia seeds. You can also use them to top your eggs in the morning, or as a crunchy addition to soups and salads. The possibilities are endless! As I prepare for my move from Oregon to Alaska, I’m super excited to have sprouts in my tool belt to make up for the higher cost & lower availability of farm fresh produce during much of the year.