The Big Six - Sprouting Comes Alive!

So I went to a local grocer here in town called Winco. In general, their vegetable prices are the lowest in town so when it comes to stocking up on my raw vegetables for my raw vegetable blending (VitaMix), I go there.

Well, they have a number of the bulk bins with a wide assortment of nuts, candies, baking and spice supplies... and seeds! So before I soaked the seeds over night, I took a photograph of the seeds as I get them by placing them on the empty preserving jars.

As you can see, I use the store-supplied tie-wraps to store the seeds and beans in the little plastic bags. It's amazing that so much good nutritional botanical food can be had from this small amount of seeds.

After soaking them overnight, as usual, they swelled to at least twice their size as the water infusion (perhaps it's nothing more than a room-temperature tincture), hydrates them and they expand. This is one good sign the seeds are raw as many cooked or pasteurized seeds do not allow very much water beyond their epidermis.

As you can see here, the increase in size is very apparent. Here is another photograph that is very revealing.

These garbanzo beans have really swelled and have even contorted a bit and the small flax seeds are larger. And even more exciting is how they are taking to the water! As you can clearly see, a few have begun already to shed their hulls while others have begun to sprout already! This is an amazing close-up view to how a seed becomes a plant!

Interestingly, the ambitious flax seeds have taken to the unbleached cheesecloth for a home rather than the usual bottom of the jar. This has made draining a little more time-consuming but I am sure they will be worth it!

Now a little observation of what is happening to the sunflower kernels. Some of them have shed their external epidermis and others are soon to follow. Again, my only question is whether these have been treated to heat at all prior to the store selling them "raw".

For some reason, these wheat berries look the most inviting with their golden brown color after swelling up as they take on water. I also wonder what Ann Wigmore thought when she first began growing her wheat grass and wheat berry sprouts.

RINSING

I have been rinsing the 'pre-sprouters' about three or four times a day after first draining them of the water they released chemicals in.

This who process, by necessity, keeps you right there and up close during this springing forth of life. It is for this reason alone that excitement and enhanced interest is achieved almost immediately after one begins sprouting.

Although they are the ones taking on and expressing life, you are their caretaker, their nurturer and their watchful eye. It is you that ensures they don't dry out and then turn dark. It is you that prepares a special place for them and it is you that will eventually eat them and partake in their botanical bonanza of nutrition.

So we will see how the Big Six develop. I will keep you posted.

Now it's your turn. Take the time and begin sprouting yourself. It just may be the one thing that makes your days filled with joy!