Sprouting organic seeds at home is an easy, economical and FUN way to obtain FRESH, NUTRIENT-DENSE goodness on a regular basis (especially during the thick of winter)!

And...who doesn't love conducting a new science experiment in their kitchen?! ;)

Sprouts are a gorgeous, hearty addition to your soups, stews, salads, wraps and rolls...even smoothies!

Sprouting requires just a few basic items for my method of choice:

• A fine-mesh, nut mylk/straining/sprouting bag
• One package (organic) seeds of choice
• Filtered water

*I found my mesh bag and seeds at my local health food store here in Calgary - Community Natural Foods!

Broccoli, a cruciferous vegetable, is rich in sulforaphane - a potent, plant-based phytochemical (a biologically-active compound in plants). Research shows that cruciferous veggies containing sulforaphane (e.g. broccoli sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale) possess cancer-protective compounds.[i] The sulforaphane compound supports Phase 2 liver detoxification - protecting against carcinogens and DNA-damaging activity to cells and tissues.[ii]

How do I sprout, once I have my supplies?

I typically start this process on an evening (Day 0), so that the initial soaking may occur overnight. This allows me to start counting the days of sprouting on the morning of the next day (Day 1)!

DAY 0: Measure 1 tbsp. of seeds and place them in the sprouting bag; start with 1 tbsp. the first time so you may discover the yield and increase seed volume from there (if desired). Then, place the bag in a mason jar and submerge the seeds with room-temperature, filtered water (as shown in the image above).

DAY 1 (the next morning): Remove the bag from the mason jar and rinse out the jar.

Keeping the seeds in the bag, gently and thoroughly rinse the seeds with warm water. What I have found works well, is placing the bag in a smaller soup bowl or mixing bowl, and stretching the elastic of the fine mesh bag over the rim of the bowl to hold the bag open. I find that this technique allows you to more effectively rinse the seeds.

The consistent rinsing that will occur each day will assist in preventing any mould from developing.

Gently squeeze the bag to wring out any excess water, once rinsing is complete. Place the mesh bag back in the mason jar. The mason jar will no longer be filled with any water for the sprouting days to come!

*Rinse the seeds, in the same manner, later this same day in the evening. If I am home during the day, I also tend to rinse the seeds mid-afternoon. Morning and evening are just fine, though!

By the end of today (if not earlier) you should notice small tails sprouting. Exciting!

*The photo below illustrates the start of Day 2!