growing sprouts

Most people have had some sprouts at one point or another, whether it be some bean shoots on a sandwhich or mung bean sprouts in a plate of Chinese Chow Mien. However, an increasing number of people are coming to realize the amazing power of these 'superfoods', not just as an addition to something else but as a nutritious meal in themselves. Growing sprouts yourself elevates this to a whole other level, for the convenience (if you grow them the right way), low cost and availability of the freshest food grown right in your home.

Once a grain or seed starts to germinate, they are known as 'Sprouts' and they are often classified as 'Superfoods'. They contain high amounts of vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes and amino acids that are not found in the unsprouted seed. There is a long list of health benefits, but perhaps the most simple and important feature of these living superfoods is that the growing process itself gives you full control over their cultivation. No added pesticides, chemical fertilizers or anything else but the water from your own sink. Usually we never really know what has happened to our food before it reaches our table, so the significance of a method allowing you to be in full control cannot be overstated.

On top of this, growing sprouts is possible in many places where it can be hard to grow vegetables or deliver them to places while still fresh enough to capitalize on the health benefits. Even if you lived on a boat, or in a climate that was either too hot or too cold to have a garden, you can still have access to fresh, live, sprouted vegetables when you learn the basics of sprouting. Even if you live in a place where vegetables are accessible, sprouts are never out of season.

Sprouts offer health benefits that are too good to be dismissed. The human body thrives on living foods, particularly those that are rich in oxygen. As wonderful as these foods are, there are climates where it is unrealistic to expect people to be able to cultivate them. In extremely cold or hot climates, the only option to have fresh food that does not have to be transported hundreds (or thousands) of miles to its destination is to create an indoor greenhouse. Extremely cold environments would require an indoor heated greenhouse that is extremely expensive and complicated to establish and maintain. On the other end of the spectrum, high desert environments are usually low on water, and to use hundreds of gallons of water over a growing season when most of it evaporates is not an option. Even in areas that are perfect for growing large amounts of fresh vegetables, growing a good variety of foods all year is not possible.

To combat all of these hurdles, the answer may lie in growing sprouts. You can create a mini greenhouse (or multiple greehouses), using a jar or a similar sprouter, right on your kitchen counter or other convenient location. This basic set-up provides you and your family with an abundance of fresh, oxygen and enzyme rich foods all year round. There is also the progressive new way of growing sprouts called the Marche Method. It uses far less water, time and effort than jars and requires no daily rinsing, which is perfect for people with busy lifestyles who still want to enjoy the convenience and health benefits of sprouts.