Most people have had a sandwich with alfalfa sprouts on it at one time or another, or mung sprouts in a plate of Chinese chow mien. However, more and more individuals are starting to become aware of the power of these superfoods not just as an addition to something else, but as an amazing meal in and of themselves. Growing sprouts yourself takes this to a whole other level, for the convenience (if you grow them the right way), low cost and having access to the freshest food grown right in your kitchen.
Sprouts (seeds or grains that have been germinated and have started to grow) are considered by many to be “superfoods,” containing high amounts of digestive enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids not present in the unsprouted seeds. The list of health benefits can go on for pages, but perhaps the most simple and important feature of these living superfoods is that the process itself gives you total control over their cultivation. No hidden pesticides, chemical fertilizers or anything else but the water from your own sink. In a time when we can never really be sure what has happened to the food we eat before reaching our table, the importance of such a method cannot be overstated.
Additionally, growing sprouts can be done in a lot of places where vegetables cannot be either grown or transported to, while in a fresh enough state to deliver 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. And also, unlike most vegetables, even if you live in a place where they are available, sprouts are never out of season.
The health benefits cannot be overlooked. The human body needs oxygen rich vegetables and living foods to thrive. 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 travel 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 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 unsustainable. Even in areas that are perfect for growing large amounts of fresh vegetables, year round growing is not possible.
The answer to all these questions is growing sprouts. You use a jar or similar device to create a greenhouse (or several greenhouses) that fit on your kitchen counter, supplying you and your family with fresh, oxygen and enzyme rich foods, any time of year. There is also the innovative 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 health benefits of sprouts.
