Sprouts – a nutritious superfood
Sprouts combine healthy eating and great taste. What if we told you they can also be available right on your windowsill?
Different types of sprouts have become very popular in the food market as nutritious superfoods. Each type of sprout has its own unique benefits.
Research on the broccoli, arugula, kale and watercress sprouts found they can contain 10 to 100 times more nutrients those of mature field-grown plants. They have even been shown to minimize injury to cells in the brain.
Mung bean sprouts have been a staple in different cultures for detox and anti-inflammatory properties. Sprouted legumes can significantly increase dietary fibre levels compared to the raw bean.
All this points to sprouts being an incredibly high-quality superfood. So what’s the problem?
The problem
These small but mighty superfoods do not come without a price tag. And not just Whole Food’s $6 markup in the produce aisle!
What makes sprouts great is their capacity to hold good bacteria and dense nutrients. Unfortunately, this also leaves room for unwanted microbial growth, and possible contamination through shipping and packing the sprouts. This is a higher risk when you compare it to fresh produce.
This is why sprouts are easily available at most grocery stores but must be encased in plastic.
We explain the health and environmental dangers of these types of plastics here. Most of these types of plastics have numerous synthetic, often petroleum-derived additives, in them, and are generally not recycled. So are our beloved sprouts available only covered in a plastic coating?
Nope, it doesn’t have to be that way…
The Solution – Grow your own!
The term “sprouting” has been coined by at-home gardeners – and anybody can do it. Unlike most gardening, you don’t need much of a green thumb! It’s also a great activity for kids to get an up close look at growing their own food.
All you need is a regular mouth mason jar, our Stainless Steel Mesh Lid, and Organic Sprouting Seeds! If you don’t have a mason jar – no problem! You can also use an empty pizza sauce jar.
This kit includes one mesh lid insert and one ring steel band made of high-quality and rust-proof stainless steel. This lid is great for making fresh sprouts but is also handy for straining or sifting.
Our lids come with step by step instructions on how to grow your seeds:
1.Wash the seeds, the jar, and the lid.
2. Place seeds in the jar (no more than a quarter of the way up the jar as they will expand quite a bit) and cover with a few inches of water.
3. Let them soak for 4-6 hours, preferably covered under a towel or tea cozy to keep the jar in the dark.
4. Water the seeds 2-3 times a day and immediately drain them.
5. Continue to rinse the seeds daily to be sure they don’t dry out, and keep them out of direct sunlight. As soon as they are big enough to harvest (generally 5-6 days) give them a final rinse and drain well in a colander.
6. Remove unsprouted seeds. Once dry, put in a bowl and use within 1 week.
This blogpost by the Zero Waste Chef has a more in-depth analysis of how to grow your own seeds. Anne-Marie loves putting sprouts on top of her (completely zero waste) Stir Fry!
Sprouting can take anywhere from 3-8 days, depending on the type of seeds. We provide you with Organic Alfalfa sprouting seeds, which are super quick and easy to grow. Plus, delicious!
You can even sprout regular seeds like broccoli or kale – instead of planting them in soil, sprout them here and harvest the sprouts.
Growing your own sprouts is a great way to have a supply of gourmet varieties and ensure access to high-quality fresh foods year round, if you live in a colder climate. It’s also a great way for you and your family to become more aware of the food that you are eating. When you grow our own food, it is completely plastic, hormone, GMO, and pesticide free. And, it’s available right at your windowsill!
Recipes with Sprouts
Now that you have successfully grown your own sprouts, how do you eat them? There are so many great recipes, including a Crunchy Apple Sprouted Salad and a Warm Avocado and Sprout Stir Fry.
Sprouts are a great, crunchy, nutty, sometimes spicy addition to any recipe. I cooked with them all week, and added them on top of my lettuce shrimp tacos!
Once you’ve done the work growing, watering, and eventually harvesting and eating your sprouts, feel free to start all over again! Our stainless steel lid can be used over and over again for fresh sprouts every week.
Simple changes make a world of a difference
With everything going on in the world, it is so interesting that tiny little sprouts are what is catching my attention. Growing these in my home is a satisfying and fun addition to my daily activities.
It’s one of these jobs as plastic-free advocates that feel small when it’s just you and your sprouting jar. But it’s the magic of these simple actions that develop bigger changes and greater opportunities.
So you can enjoy your completely plastic-free, waste-free sprouts on your morning eggs with a smile, knowing today you have done a small, but integral, part in living a healthy, plastic-free lifestyle.
– Sydney Preston, Sales and Platform Coordinator