Tip of the Month: The NationalCenter
for Complementary and Alternative medicine is a government site with some (very
conservative) information about herbs and other so-called alternative medical
approaches, as well as grant and training information. However conservative,
it's encouraging that the site even exists! http://nccam.nih.gov/
Food Focus: Sprouts
In
the spring seeds realize their potential by sprouting. What happens? The seed
releases enzymes to convert stored food into available food -- for the plant, and
thus for us, in the form of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and simple sugars.
In their early growth state, sprouts are very easy to digest.In sum, the advantages to eating
sprouts are:
They provide protein, minerals,
enzymes, and vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, as well as essential fatty
acids and antioxidants;
They are pesticide-free, if you
buy organic seeds and beans;
They are easy to digest;
You can have these fresh greens
at any time, including all winter long;
They are quick and easy to
produce in your own kitchen;
They are economical, as they
produce five times their original weight;
They are versatile, being useful
in salads, soups, breads, etc.
What can you sprout?Perhaps the easiest and therefore best to start with are lentils.See below for directions.Other possibilities are endless.Some popular ones are alfalfa, clover, chick
peas, mung beans, radish, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and even almonds.
Recipe of the Month:
Sprouting Lentils
--Measure 1/4
cup of lentils into a quart jar.
--Fill it with
filtered or boiled room temperature water.
--Cover with a
porous cloth secured with a rubber band.
--Let stand
overnight or for 8-10 hours.
--Throw away
that water and let the lentils sit in their covered jar for four days.
--Morning and
evening, fill the jar with similar water for a couple of minutes and then
discard the water.
--When they
look ready, rinse off the hulls (if you want).
--Store them
in the fridge to inhibit further sprouting.
Use them in
any dish you like -- raw, stir fried, baked....
Here are three
websites where you can read about sprouts and sprouting and, if you want, order
seeds and nuts.Many are, however, available
in your local supermarket.
