Tag Archives: Food

Thoughtful Thursday Easy Homegrown Sprouts

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Last week I talked about the Benefits of Growing your own Sprouts and today I’m excited to guide you through the simple process of growing them indoors. You’ll be amazed at how effortless it is! All you need are a few basic supplies all of which are available on Amazon or possibly in your local health food or grocery stores. I’ve included some links in the supply list below but there are many options.

Supplies:

Instructions:

  1. Fill your mason jar with 2 cups of water and add 1-1.5 tablespoons of seeds. Gently mix the seeds in the water (sometimes they clump together). Place the sprouting lid on and let them soak overnight for 8-12 hours. Follow the recommendation on the seed packet.
  2. Rinse the seeds 2-3 times until the water is mostly clear.
  3. Invert the jar and let it slant slightly inside a bowl allowing the remaining water to drain from the seeds (see pictures below).
  4. Rinse the seeds 2-3 times per day, and put them back into the bowl inverted. Florida is very humid so I only rinse 2 times per day. If you use too much water, you may grow mold so adjust this based on your environment.
  5. Depending on the seeds you have it will take about 4-5 days to get sprouts. At that point they may be yellow so place them on a sunny windowsill to help turn them green.
  6. Give them a final rinse and remove any of the seed hulls. Put the sprouts back into the jar and store in the fridge. Now they’re ready for you to enjoy!

Through my experimentation, I’ve observed that alfalfa tends to sprout faster than broccoli. However, in the photos you see here, I’ve opted for a salad mix variety, which not only sprouts delightfully but also boasts a delicious blend of organic radish, broccoli, and alfalfa. These sprouts aren’t just nutritious; they’re versatile too! I enjoy incorporating them into salads, blending them into smoothies, and using them as a flavorful garnish on a variety of vegan dishes. They truly elevate any meal!

Growing your own sprouts at home is not only easy and rewarding but also adds a fresh and nutritious touch to your culinary adventures. Whether you’re a salad enthusiast, or a smoothie aficionado these vibrant sprouts are sure to delight your taste buds and nourish your body. So why wait? Start sprouting today and embark on a journey of delicious and wholesome eating!

Thanks for stopping by!

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“Good nutrition creates health in all areas of our existence. All parts are interconnected.” ~T. Collin Campbell

  • Day 1 – Overnight Soak
  • Day 2 – Sprouts
  • Day 2 – Sprouts
  • Day 3 – Sprouts
  • Day 3 – Sprouts
  • Day 4 – Sprouts
  • Day 4 – Sprouts ready to enjoy!

Thoughtful Thursday Benefits of Sprouts

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Growing your own sprouts isn’t just about adding a fresh touch to your salads or sandwiches – it’s also a gateway to a treasure trove of health benefits. Here’s why cultivating these tiny powerhouses at home might just be one of the best things you can do for your well-being.

  1. Nutrient Powerhouse: Sprouts are bursting with essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants. As they germinate, their nutritional content skyrockets, making them a concentrated source of goodness for your body.
  2. Digestive Health: Sprouts are packed with dietary fiber, which is crucial for digestive health. Fiber promotes regular bowel movements, helps prevent constipation, and supports a healthy gut microbiome, which is linked to overall well-being.
  3. Boosted Immunity: Rich in vitamins C and A, sprouts can give your immune system a much-needed boost. These vitamins are known for their immune-boosting properties, helping your body fend off infections and illnesses.
  4. Antioxidant Support: Sprouts contain an abundance of antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. By neutralizing free radicals, antioxidants may reduce the risk of chronic diseases and support longevity.
  5. Weight Management: With their low-calorie content and high nutritional value, sprouts can be a valuable addition to a weight management plan. They provide satiety without adding excess calories, making them a smart choice for those looking to maintain a healthy weight.
  6. Heart Health: Sprouts are a good source of heart-healthy nutrients like potassium and magnesium, which help regulate blood pressure and support cardiovascular health. Additionally, their fiber content can help lower cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.
  7. Convenience and Cost-Effectiveness: Growing your own sprouts at home is not only easy and fun but also cost-effective. With just a few simple tools and minimal space, you can enjoy a constant supply of fresh, nutritious sprouts without breaking the bank.

Growing your own sprouts is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your health and well-being. Whether you’re looking to boost your immunity, support digestive health, or simply add more nutrient-rich foods to your diet, sprouts are a delicious and versatile option that can be enjoyed in countless ways. So why not start sprouting today and reap the countless benefits for yourself? Your body will thank you!

Stay tuned… next week I’ll show you how easy it is to grow your own sprouts at home. Thanks for stopping by!!!

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“Your diet is your bank account. Good food choices are a good investment.” ~Bethanny Frankel

Thoughtful Thursday Guilty Pleasures

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Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels.com

With Thanksgiving only a week away most of us will be indulging in all the delicious holiday delights. Sadly, our waistlines will be bulging as a result 😂 But have no fear, I have a few tips to help get you through the holidays. What you want to do is limit your calorie intake the week before Thanksgiving so when you go over on that one day, it’s not detrimental to your waistline and you won’t miss out on any of the delectable food. So here are the tips:

  • Plan your meals for this coming week. Eat clean and lean. Load up on salads, veggies, juices and all things healthy. You can do it! It’s only for a few days😅
  • Eat well portioned meals and don’t over eat.
  • Avoid refined sugars like desserts and candies. There’ll be plenty on Thanksgiving!
  • Steer away from carbs like breads, potatoes and pastas.
  • Add more fiber to your diet so you’ll feel satisfied and full.
  • Schedule workouts to burn some extra calories and keep your stress levels to a minimum.
  • Drink plenty of water.

Planning is key to losing or maintaining your weight. After your grand Thanksgiving meal, go for a nice walk and enjoy the great outdoors. It will make you feel good and help burn some calories so you’ll have room for pie!

If you do put on a little weight, follow these tips for the week after to help bring you back down. Stressing over what to eat and not to eat doesn’t make the holiday enjoyable. So eat in moderation and savor every bite. Then get yourself back on track!!

Hope this helps get you through the holidays, thanks for stopping by!!

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Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

Thoughtful Thursday – Earth Day

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Earth Day is being celebrated this Saturday, April 22, 2023. It’s origins began in 1970 as a way to change the public’s outlook and bring awareness to environmental issues plaguing our beautiful planet.

Almost 7 billion people share this amazing planet with 10 million animal species and 300,000 plant species. That’s a lot of inhabitants when you think about it. Plus the entire surface of the earth is a series of connected ecosystems that provide precious resources that sustain all life here on Earth. So it’s imperative that we take care of our planet.

We live a world of plastic and although it was a great invention because it made so many things possible, it may also be our undoing. Stats show that in 2021 there was 363,762,732,605 pounds of plastic polluting the world’s oceans. Plus microplastics which are tiny pieces of plastic can be found in almost all water systems around the world including rivers, lakes, streams and oceans. It is said that there is more microplastic in the ocean than there are stars in the Milky Way. These are very scary stats because where does that leave us in 10, 20 and even 50 years from now? Will this planet be able to sustain life at all?

We all need to pitch in and do our part to reduce, reuse and recycle. We need to work together to come up with better ideas and solutions to reducing our footprint on this planet. So that life will continue to thrive.

What are some of the things you do to help make a better tomorrow?

Thanks for stopping by!

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“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” ~Unknown

Source: Earth Day Fact Sheet

All photos in the slide presentation above were taken by Maria Vidaurre

Thoughtful Thursday – Earth Day

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Photo taken by Maria Vidaurre, Marco Island, FL

Earth Day started April 22, 1970, as a way to bring awareness to environmental issues and changing the public’s outlook. We are all interconnected on this planet. Every action causes an equal reaction whether it be good or bad.

Everyone chooses their battles to fight. Some battle to reduce air pollution while others battle for the forests. My battle is for the oceans because they are one of the biggest sources of life on this planet. It’s heartbreaking to see the islands of plastic that have formed as a result of dumping garbage into the oceans. Some of the plastic breaks down, pollutes the waters and eventually settles on the ocean floors. Marine animals mistake plastics for food causing them to get sick or even die.

As humans we consume tons of fish, crabs, lobsters and shrimp from the oceans every year. With the amount of plastics, garbage and toxins that have been dumped into the oceans the marine life has become toxic for humans to eat. Yet it still is a very large food source for us, so what does that say about the state of our health?

This is just one small part of a much larger problem in the oceans and I could go on and on about the issues at hand, but I think you get the gist of it. Everyday we wake up we need to be mindful of the role we play on this planet and be proactive in taking care of Mother Earth so we will have a beautiful tomorrow.

What are some of the things you do to help make a better tomorrow?

Thanks for stopping by!

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” ~Unknown

All photos above in the slide presentation were taken by Maria Vidaurre, Bahamas.