Showing posts with label sprouts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sprouts. Show all posts

The Fasting Feast

⊆ Tuesday, February 10, 2009 by Donia | , , , , . | ˜ 0 comments »

I took some extended time with fasting from interrupting. It was a practice that really challenged me observe myself and my communications more closely. Towards the end of the first week my mother let me know in no uncertain terms that she thought i needed to listen more and interrupt her less. That was when i decided to continue my fast for another week. (i intend to still be mindful about interruptions, btw.)

And as for last times positive growing exercise... the sprouts are still in their seed form.

All that being said, here is what isn't happening this week...

PAPER TOWELS

Cloth is so much better. And actually, we do use cloth much of the time. But occasionally, weakness overcomes me and the convenience of the paper towel wins out. (This is usually when i am about to be pawed by a toddler who has been excavating an avocado.) But not this week! (and hopefully, not beyond this week!) Here is some info on the polluting effects of bleached paper products, how much energy and resources are saved by using recycled goods, and how much more are saved by using cloth.

So what about the feast? What positive practice is to be embraced?

We are having ANOTHER GO AT SPROUTING!!!

Why the heck not, right?


Lil' Sprout

⊆ Wednesday, January 28, 2009 by Donia | , , . | ˜ 0 comments »

Here is how we are growing these next few days:

There will be a whole lot of sprouting going on (at least that's what i hope).

I am a great lover of the sprouted persuasion. Alfalfa, clover, broccoli, sunflower, fenugreek, radish, lentil, you name 'um, i dig 'um (admittedly, i pass on onion sprouts).

There has been great luck at our house in consuming them and much less luck at...well...sprouting them.

That is all going to change in the next few days.

The Sprout People have been consulted, as well as some new friends. We have got our equipment, and most importantly, our sprouts of tomorrow...let me introduce you to them.

(Clockwise from top, Panda, Chickpea, Aduki, Alfalfa, and Lentil. It is unlikely that Panda will be sprouted.)

And here is what the pay-off of all the new growing will look like:

Health Benefits of Sprouts
by Steve Meyerowitz
Sprouts have long been famous as "health food" but recent research shows that in addition to being a superb source of nutrients, they also have important curative ability. Sprouts like alfalfa, radish, broccoli, clover and soybean contain concentrated amounts of phytochemicals (plant compounds) that can protect us against disease.
Studies on canavanine, an amino acid analog in alfalfa, has demonstrated
benefit for pancreatic, colon and leukemia cancers. Plant estrogens are also
abundant in sprouts. They increase bone formation and density and prevent bone
breakdown or osteoporosis. They are also helpful in controlling hot flashes,
menopause, PMS and fibrocystic breasts tumors.
Alfalfa sprouts are one of our finest food sources of another compound, saponins. Saponins lower the bad cholesterol and fat but not the good HDL fats. Animal studies prove their benefit in arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Saponins also stimulate the immune system by increasing the activity of natural killer cells such as T-lymphocytes and interferon. The saponin content of alfalfa sprouts multiplies
450% over that of the unsprouted seed.
Sprouts also contain an abundance of highly active antioxidants that prevent DNA destruction and protect us from the ongoing effects of aging. It wouldn't be inconceivable to find a fountain of youth here, after all, sprouts represent the miracle of birth.


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