Much more than anything else, this blog is just a repository for things that I learn, enabling me to cement the learning process by listing and recounting the steps involved in a new process. So I make no apology for the fact that the blog hops from topic to topic and appears to have no external consistency whatsoever.
With that in mind, I am looking at growing some sprouts. My reasons for doing so are dietary rather than financial (believe it or not), and are simply done to allow me to make use of extant window space and get a few more nutrients into my family’s diet. I know, I know – this is something that most children learn to do in their first year of kindergarten. Well I was a deprived child.
The specific reason why I’m doing this exercise is because I have read that researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered that broccoli sprouts include a chemical called sulforaphane which is effective at combating heart disease and cancer (two ailments my family is prone to). When harvested in the sprout phase, these micro greens contain the maximum number of the compound relative to the size of the vegetable. So the overarching benefit is, I get to flood my immune system with high quality anti-cancer and anti-heart disease goodness, while consuming the absolute minimum quantity of broccoli. Sounds like a win/win.
So here is a step by step instruction on how to grow some sprouts, gathered from a common gardening book that I picked up in the library.
Materials Required
A large glass jar
Fabric material such as muslin or gauze
1 rubber band
Seeds to sprout
Method
– Pour approximately 1 tablespoon of seeds into the jar.
– Cut the muslin or gauze into the shape of the top of the jar, but allowing some extra margin so that the fabric can cover all of it the jar top.
– Place the fabric on the top of the jar, and then fasten with a rubber band.
– Pour some warm tap water through the fabric and over the seeds, almost filling the jar.
– Let the seeds soak in the water for six hours before you drain them out. Drain them out thoroughly so that no moisture remains.
– Rinse the germinating sprouts very well every day and drain well. Rest the jar on its side so that the seeds have enough room to germinate. The jar does not need to be in direct light in order to germinate.
– When the sprouts have developed a root and cotyledon, they are about ready to be eaten.
– Put the sprouts in a sunny spot for 4-5 hours to help them develop further. Once they have been exposed to the sun for this time, they are ready to eat.
– Sprouts can be cooled in the fridge for up to one week to stop further germination.
It’s so simple! Basically I am proposing this sprout growth thing as an adjunct to my diet, to get a larger chunk of nutrients into me.
It’s entirely possible that this simple, repeatable set of steps could have a profound impact on my long term health, if I cement it as a habit.
