My kids think sprouting is fun. When I first started sprouting, I was sprouting wheat berries in order to dry them and grind them into a flour that I could use to make bread. I eventually gave up making the bread, mostly out of laziness. If properly preparing grains was so much work, was it really worth all the effort? Maybe yes, maybe no. If it were up to me, I probably wouldn’t bother with grains at all. But, I have kids. They still like their sandwiches. So, I do buy a couple of loaves of sprouted grain bread from the grocery store per month.
Then I started exploring all the other kinds of sprouts: sprouts for gardening, sprouts for salads, sprouts for stir fries. They’re a cheap vegetable, easily grown all year indoors and with limited space, and surprisingly nutritious.
Today, I’m pleased to announce a giveaway from one of my sponsors, Julie at Cultures for Health. Julie has graciously decided to give one of my lucky readers a 3-Tray Stackable Sprout Garden!
But First, Why Sprout?
You may be surprised at how many things you can sprout: grains, legumes, seeds, and even some vegetables. Sprouting neutralizes many of the anti-nutrients in grains, legumes, and seeds — essentially turning these tiny seeds into more easily digested vegetables. It also dramatically increases the nutrient-density of the food. For example, when comparing sprouted wheat to unsprouted wheat on a calorie-per-calorie basis, the sprouted wheat contains:
1. four times the amount of niacin
2. nearly twice the amount of vitamin B6 and folate
3. five times the amount of vitamin C
4. significantly more protein and fewer starches and sugars
If you’re a regular reader at this site, you’re familiar with my stance on grains. (In short, don’t eat them unless they’re sprouted, soaked, or fermented. And, of course, sprouting is best.)
Sprouting also greatly increases the digestibility of grains, legumes, and seeds. I’m sure you’ve all had the experience of intestinal gas or bloating after eating beans or other legumes. You’ll be happy to know that sprouting the legumes before cooking them helps break down the complex sugars responsible for creating the gas, making them easier to digest.
Second, What to Sprout?
You can sprout just about any raw seed, but some are more traditionally eaten as food than others. That’s because some sprouts are actually toxic! The tiny little plants have some stiff defenses, designed to make them unappealing to natural predators. In most cases, you can simply cook the sprout and take care of any potential toxins or anti-nutrients that way. Or, if you still want to eat the sprout raw, you just have to let it sprout for longer. The more mature the tiny plant becomes, the less these potential toxins are present.
For example, did you know that alfalfa sprouts (the beloved food of the raw health food community) are actually high in the toxin canavanine when compared to most sprouts? In Nourishing Traditions (p.113), author Sally Fallon elaborates:
Tests have shown that alfalfa sprouts inhibit the immune system and contribute to inflammatory arthritis and lupus. Alfalfa seeds contain an amino acid called canavanine that can be toxic to man and animals when taken in quantity (Canavanine is not found in mature alfalfa plants; it is apparently metabolized during growth).
Based on my limited research into canavanine, I’m not as quick to judge alfalfa sprouts. A 150-pound human would have to consume 14,000 milligrams of canavanine all at once for it to be toxic at the same level it is toxic in mice. (source) Even in the most generous portions of alfalfa sprouts, you’re likely only going to consume a few milligrams of canavanine at most.
That said, alfalfa sprouts aren’t traditionally eaten as food. Traditionally, they’re grown into fully mature alfalfa plants and subsequently fed to animals. In my book, traditional wisdom always beats out modern nutritional science. So, while I think alfalfa sprouts are probably okay as an occasional indulgence (particularly when allowed to sprout for longer or when cooked), I wouldn’t take that risk if I were suffering from arthritis, lupus, or other inflammatory diseases.
Other sprouts make great additions to salads when eaten raw. My favorites are broccoli, radish, and mustard. I love sprouting lentils before adding them to soups or stews, and my favorite sprout for stir fry meals are mung beans (the Chinese have sprouted mung beans for thousands of years.)
Now, For That Giveaway!
This week, I am giving away a 3 Tray Stackable Sprout Garden worth $29.95. With it, you can sprout in much larger quantities than just using jars with sprouting lids. And, you’ll take up less valuable counter space doing it! The kit comes with a sprouter, drainboard, covers, 3 sprouting trays, 2 oz. certified organic alfalfa sprout seeds, sprouting instruction booklet, and a manufacturer lifetime replacement warranty.
It’s a great way to make sprouting easy and convenient, whether you’re sprouting grains, legumes, or yummy salad veggies!
This contest is now over. The winner will be announced Monday, February 21st. In the meantime, you can click on the link below to get 15% off all sprouting supplies at Cultures For Health!
(photo by ksbuehler)
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I follow your RSS and I just tweeted about the giveaway on twitter. I already follow you on twitter as well.
Reading @foodrenegade Giveaway: Stackable Sprout Garden http://tinyurl.com/ybqsllp
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I follow you on Twitter.
I signed up for email updates. =)
.-= Julie Lynn´s last blog post …And The Winner Is… =-.
Reading @foodrenegade Giveaway: Stackable Sprout Garden http://tinyurl.com/ybqsllp
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I tweeted, and signed up for your updates. Thanks for doing this contest- I would love to be a winner!
Reading @FoodRenegade ’s Giveaway: Stackable Sprout Garden http://tinyurl.com/ybqsllp #giveaway #realfood #WAPF
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Ooooh, I’ve been eating broccoli sprouts as my primary vegetable for lunch lately, since they’re cheap and local, but it would be fun to grow my own. And also sprout some mung beans and maybe wheat again. Dehydrated sprouted wheatberries make an excellent substitution for crunchy cereal or granola if you’re missing it but not ready to brave the world of rancid oils!
.-= Jenn´s last blog post …Real Food Challenge: Week 2 Recap =-.
I already subscribe to your blog. Thanks!
I follow you on reader 🙂
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Reading @foodrenegade Giveaway: Stackable Sprout Garden http://tinyurl.com/ybqsllp
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I follow you & tweeted this.
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I already follow you through a reader. Love your blog!
.-= Becky@BoysRuleMyLife´s last blog post …Homemade (Avocado) Chocolate Pudding =-.
Now following you on twitter & tweeted! http://twitter.com/BoysRuleMyLife/status/9157158903
.-= Becky@BoysRuleMyLife´s last blog post …Homemade (Avocado) Chocolate Pudding =-.
I subscribe and I need to learn to sprout!
LOL–i started sprouting years ago because of my parrots of all things–in an effort to feed them healthy foods i have been led to this wonderful world of really healthy food!!!
Great contest Kristin! I really want a sprouter!!!
I follow you, I emailed friends, I stumbled it, and of course I went to Cultures for Health and entered. 🙂
I follow your RSS feed, stumbled upon this and went to Cultures for Health to enter 🙂 How fun to have a chance to win! 🙂
Oh I just looking at a sprouter the other day.
I am never sure if I am supposed to leave individual comments for these things, but I follow your blog through my rss reader, I tweeted and follow you, and I stumbled it.
.-= Heidi´s last blog post …Work!?!?!? =-.
I already own a stackable sprout thing just like this, but I have a question–is there going to perhaps be a tutorial on how to successfully use the sprouting trays?
This is funny (and sad) considering I have no problems starting seeds and growing a wonderful garden, but for some reason I am sprout challenged. Both times I’ve tried the sprouting trays my sprouts have sprouted but also molded almost at the same time. Help! What could I be doing wrong?
Amy — This giveaway comes with a sprouting instruction booklet. Question: do you rinse your sprouts several times a day while waiting for them to sprout? That’s the easiest way to prevent mold. Also, you need to have decent air circulation. While that can be a drawback for may stackable sprouting trays, this particular Sprout Garden is specifically designed with good drainage and air circulation in mind.
That must be the problem–I didn’t rinse them enough! I’m not sure how great the air circulation in my stackable trays happens to be. It’s the type that Frontier sells. I’m going to try sprouting again soon and this time I’ll be sure to rinse them a couple times a day. Hopefully that will do the trick!
.-= Amy´s last blog post …Rosie-isms. =-.
I subscribe by email! Thanks for the opportunity:)
I recently subscribed to your blog via email. Thank you!
I am signed up for your email updates!
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I stumbled this post!
.-= Brie´s last blog post …Chocolate Bark =-.
I subscribe by email and just registered to win. Thanks for the info!!
I already subscribe!
I’m already signed up for your email updates
Reading @foodrenegade Giveaway: Stackable Sprout Garden http://tinyurl.com/ybqsllp
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
follow you on twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/matt4melis/status/9169674301
Stumbled this post
I already subscribe to your blog and I just posted your entry on my facebook page. Thanks for all the tips :).
Peggy
I already subscribe to your blog. Thanks!
I subscribe to your blog, and sprouting sounds like fun!
I already subscribe to your site via google reader. I also stumbled this post and emailed friends about it.
Thanks!
I subscribe to your blog, it’s awesome!
I follow you through RSS!
I signed up for email updates!
I am subscribed to your blog. Thanks for all the great info and recipes!
I already subscribe to your blog! Thanks for the updates, Jenni
“Win a 3-Tray Stackable Sprout Garden from Cultures for Health! https://www.foodrenegade.com/giveaway-stackable-sprout-garden
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Okay, now I’m following Food Renegade on twitter and I tweeted this contest.
I have subscribed to you in my reader!
I am signed up for your email updates!
Giveaway: Stackable Sprout Garden, perfect for winter salads, starting gardens, and good eating! http://su.pr/2tlELi
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I entered the contest thru the link. Follow u on twitter—maynekitty
@foodrenegade Giveaway: Stackable Sprout Garden http://tinyurl.com/ybqsllp
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Well, I already follow you on Twitter.
I also tweeted the giveaway.
Also passed the link to five other people via e-mail.
And I just signed up for the RSS feed.
I get email updates.
I follow you on twitter.
I tweeted the giveaway.
Reading @foodrenegade Giveaway: Stackable Sprout Garden http://tinyurl.com/ybqsllp
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I get email updates.
I emailed 5 friends about the giveaway.
I signed up for the Cultures for Health newsletter.
Thanks so much!
.-= Lisa Huguenin´s last blog post …Womanly Dominion book giveaway =-.
I blogged about this here .
.-= Bethany´s last blog post …Food Renegade – win a sprout tray! =-.
I also emailed 5 friends with a link to your site.
.-= Bethany´s last blog post …Food Renegade – win a sprout tray! =-.
I just subscribed to your feed through bloglines….
Win a 3-Tray Stackable Sprout Garden from Cultures for Health! http://tinyurl.com/ybqsllp
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I’m now following you on Twitter – @CentimentalOne and I tweeted the giveaway!
I follow you on Twitter and subscrine to this blog. I would absolutely love to win this. thanks for all the great advice.
Tara
Reading @foodrenegade Giveaway: Stackable Sprout Garden http://tinyurl.com/ybqsllp
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I already subscribe to your blog in Google reader.
.-= Beth @ The Nurturing Mama´s last blog post …On Cutting Back Computer Time =-.
I’m a subscriber via Bloglines!
.-= Leanne´s last blog post …How I Would Write Birth In A Movie =-.
#giveaway @FoodRenegade win stackable sprouting system from @CulturesForHealth https://www.foodrenegade.com/giveaway-stackable-sprout-garden
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I follow you (and Cultures for Health, btw) on Twitter and I tweeted your giveaway! http://twitter.com/HamiltonDoula/status/9200889748
.-= Leanne´s last blog post …How I Would Write Birth In A Movie =-.
Ooh I’d love to win this! I subscribe to your RSS feed— thx!
Okay, now I’ve blogged about it, and I’m very glad to introduce you to My Brilliant Butt Weight Loss Blog, Food Renegade, where the most recent post is mostly about you.
http://brilliantbutt.blogspot.com/2010/02/food-renegade-sprouter-give-away.html
Later, Jenni
I subscribe.
Reading @foodrenegade Giveaway: Stackable Sprout Garden http://tinyurl.com/ybqsllp
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I tweeted, entered my info on the site and am a newsletter subscriber. [not sure if these are all supposed to be in separate comments]
I like your site and all the great info I’ve found here. I even added your badge to my blog. Thanks for including this giveaway. 🙂
.-= Lindsay´s last blog post …Endocrine System Overload =-.
I just signed up for email updates! Thanks.
Win a 3-Tray Stackable Sprout Garden from Cultures for Health! @foodrenegade http://tinyurl.com/ybqsllp
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I’m following you on twitter (emilyisland) and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/emilyisland/status/9248532564
.-= Emily B´s last blog post …Little things =-.
Hi I already am a subscriber.
Thank you
Not related to this giveaway but just because I love your blog, I nominated you for the beautiful blogger award, I hope you don’t mind.
http://www.flickerslair.ca/blog/index.php/2010/02/my-first-award/
.-= Heidi´s last blog post …Work!?!?!? =-.
http://tinyurl.com/ybqsllp Win a 3-Tray Stackable Sprout Garden from Cultures for Health
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
i tweeted and follow you. would love to win this so my boys can watch tails grow on beans and legumes.
.-= jenna of food with kid appeal´s last blog post …Flourless Nutty Fruity Chocolate Cookies =-.
I signed up for email updates! Thank you for blogging!
Don’t forget to enter this week’s GIVEAWAY for a Stackable Sprout Garden! (Worth $29.95) http://bit.ly/aAVHAz
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Reading @foodrenegade Giveaway: Stackable Sprout Garden http://tinyurl.com/ybqsllp
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Hello! I follow you on Twitter already – I love your blog! I entered to win at Cultures for Health, and tweeted the giveaway.
I’m subcribe to RSS feed, I emailed friends and I went to Cultures for Health to enter. GREAT blog!
Giveaway: Stackable Sprout Garden | Food Renegade https://www.foodrenegade.com/giveaway-stackable-sprout-garden/
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I already follow you on RSS.
.-= April in Autumn´s last blog post …Adventures in Kale =-.
I follow you and sent a tweet on the twitter.
http://twitter.com/april_in_autumn/status/9304212083
When I blogged about your website and promotion, I sent it in an e-mail to ten friends and shared it on facebook.com, google reader, and twitter. That was after I twittered your post. Jenni
I already subscribe to your blog.
I need to get back in the habit of sprouting. For me it works best if I can get a routine going. But it’s a great way to add interest and nutrition to meals.
I did the re-tweet as well as following you in Twitter, subscribed to your e-mail updates & RSS feed:)
Love your blog!!
I follow you on twitter & subscribe to you rss!
I love sprouting! I did not realise alfalfa sprouts were potentially toxic though – that’s good to be aware of 🙂