Sprouting for everyday nutrition and survival

[Kathy]

Since we're all seeing the disasterous effects weather & drought can have on our plans to be self sufficient; sprouting might need to get a second look as a viable alternative/back up.
This is a really interesting article, I recommend it to anyone thinking about self reliance in hard times.

Sprouts to the rescue!

"Sprouts grow practically anywhere; flourish in any climate, during any season of the year; need neither soil nor sunshine; are ready for harvest in 2-5 days; taste delicious raw or cooked; have no waste; and are so nutritious that they are one of the most complete foods known to man, rivaling meat in protein and citrus fruits in vitamin C at a fraction of the cost." (Northrup King Co., Consumer Products Division)

Growing a "garden" of sprouts requires much less effort than traditional outdoor or window gardens. Rinsing and draining several different kinds of sprouts takes only about 15 minutes a day and can provide a large variety of fresh vegetables not available in markets...and all for just pennies a day. So, stock up now and get ready for a deliciously unique experience.



www.stretcher.com/stories/00/000612d.cfm

[bbird]

I haven' t looked at the website yet, but thanks for reminding me about sprouting. I have one of those trays where you put seeds on and set it in the kitchen window. When I bought it, I think it was at Walmart...they were also selling pouches of alfalfa seeds, beans, ect. so I was using the pouches. I am out now, and haven't used the thing since. I'll have to find out what kind of seeds work in there and give it a go again. I loved having fresh sprouts for sandwiches and salads.

Okay...along the same route, but a little different. I was watching a gardening show the other night and they were selling this grow container for your kitchen. It came with a light but they were showing how you could grow lettuce year round in your kitchen, plus tomatos, strawberries. This would be ideal since we don't have a long growing season and lets face it...I am not the best gardener! I have no idea how much it cost, and I have misgivings about it because it looked small on tv and I doubt it would feed six people. The idea was very cool though, and makes me wonder about dh rigging something up for me.

[kyosa]

Thanks for the post, Kathy. I've read about sprouting before, but it was a long while back and it sort of got lost in my mind (lotsa empty space in there). I bookmarked the link you included and intend to pursue it further. Thanks again!

[Kathy]

I bet your hubby could rig up a grow light hung over a set of glass shelves-that way you could grow more than one layer of veggies.

If you see the ad again, get the 'As seen on TV name of the unit', I love finding ways to make what I see on those infomercials. ;D

I can get bulk sprouting seeds from my buying club but also the Bulk Foods store sells about 5 different mixes. They're kind of expensive by the # but I guess it takes very little per sprouting session.

[Deleted]

Sprouting seeds work great in winter for extra greens. We have used mung beans,alfalfa, and radish. The radish ones are hot ! Works nice in pita bread sandwiches. You can just use a glass canning jar and put cheesecloth over the top, then put the ring on the jar. Moisten and let the seeds sprout. Rinse them daily till you want to use them.

www.primalseeds.org/sprouting.htm

[momo]

Mung beans are my favorite. They are so much cheaper and healthier to grow your own.

[Kathy]

Momo, do you blanch or cook your sprouted mung beans before eating them. I read that mung bean sprouts have some sort of unhealthy natural chemical that is present until they're cooked.

[momo]

I use most of them in a chow mein type of dish and I eat some raw on top of salads. I buy organic ones because I have heard of some non-organic not being good for you. I haven't ever heard about a natural coating that was harmful though. I am scared to eat the fresh ones the grocery store sells.

[Kathy]

I found organic sprouting seeds of all kinds on Amazon and there's free shipping if your order total is over $25!! I'm going to place an order for mung, radish, broccoli and their salad mix. ;D

Sprouting Seeds

[Deleted]

I love sprouts, yummy! I have a mix I get at my food coop. It has all sorts of wonderful things in it. Kathy I don't think it is necessary to have a grow light for growing sprouts. I have a plastic think (sprouter) I found years ago at an auction. I need to find a replacement this is cracked. I would love to get a bamboo sprouter. I also have those sprouting lids that just fit on any qt size jar. You can also just use fine screening cut to size with a canning ring or a piece of cheese cloth.

I generally soak my seeds over night and then in the morning dump them and leave the jar on it's side. If it is hot outside I'll rinse them twice a day, only once if it is cooler. They seem to do well on the window sill with whatever natural light is available.

Thanks for the links I'm off to check them out.

[Kathy]

Susan,I agree you don't need much light for sprouting which is one of the pluses- no matter where you live or what season-you can have green eats!!

:-*I was suggesting the DIY grow light mini garden for Bbird instead of the TV version she saw for sale and mentioned in this post:

mljjranch said:

Okay...along the same route, but a little different. I was watching a gardening show the other night and they were selling this grow container for your kitchen. It came with a light but they were showing how you could grow lettuce year round in your kitchen, plus tomatos, strawberries. This would be ideal since we don't have a long growing season and lets face it...I am not the best gardener! .

[bbird]

Found the website for the Aerogarden I saw on tv.
www.aerogrow.com/

What I don't like now that I can see what it is about. It takes seed pods that you have to buy. I'm famous for buying something, but if I have to keep buying supplies for it....well, it ends up in the barn never getting used again. If you could just plunk in your own seeds, I could see this being a neat thing. I haven't checked the website out all the way so maybe there is a way to get around buying the pods.