Overhauling Life - Sprouts for Better Health

You know what fascinates me? Life! Life as an individual’s journey on this planet, that begins with birth and ends with death. Hinduism talks about cycle of life and death and says that there is one more life, its life after death!
But think about it, all these beans and lentils usually go though two transformations. First one is when they are young and fresh. All those bouncy and fresh ones jumping and running around with high energy. That’s their first life as child, adolescent and grown-up. And then there is a dried bean, all hard and tough skinned, as if it is dead and can’t feel anything that happens to it. When you soak this same bean in water, it re-hydrates and as a result it’s all round and plumps up. Take these same beans and sprout them and what you see is another life formation! Plant these sprouts in soil and with in few days you will see small plants sprouting and growing and producing new batch of crops. Isn’t it a fascinating process? Give it a thought sometimes and you will know why I said life fascinates me. Now, do you see the connection between my theory and the theory of Life-Death-Life after Death? Sometimes, I could be too philosophical with some random thoughts surfacing on idle days. I don’t want to go too philosophical today.
Why to Sprout
Sprouting boasts off the nutrition values contained within the seeds. On sprouting the seeds undergo a series of changes transforming hard to digest matter (aka enzyme inhibitors) into protein rich easily digestible food. The nutrient content difference between Sprouted and non-sprouted seeds is known to be atleast 3-4 fold.
The protein available in the sprouts is off the purest and most easily digestable form as its converted to pre-digested Amino acids, while fats and Carbs are broken done to simple sugars.
Water-soluble vitamins such as B complex and vitamin C are created. Through the miracle of germination, thiamin increases five-fold and niacin content doubles. Vitamin C, E and carotene increase. In fact, the vitamin C content becomes as rich as tomatoes. Sprouting is accompanied by an intense enzymatic hydrolysis of protein.
How to Consume
Best when consumed Raw, unboiled and without seasoning is the best combination.
For beginners semi-boiled (destroys minerals and micro nutrients) can be prepared. Can seasoned with lemon juice to taste.
How to Sprout Lentils, Seeds & Legumes .
Sprouts provide super nutrition for all, harvest quickly, and can be grown anywhere. Sprouting jars and lids are available at many places and can be made without help of these too.

Sprouting Instructions

• Place whole, untreated, lentils or beans in a clean, wide-mouthed jar and Soak them in purified water overnight.
• Cover the top of the jar with a screen, cheese cloth, or sprouting jar lid.
• Next morning drain the water from the jar. (Note this water is toxic for humans but nutritious for plants; hence can be doubled as fertiliser for plants).
• Distribute the seeds or beans around the walls of the jar evenly. Lay the jar on its site or tilted at an angle to allow the water to drain. Place the sprouting jar in a warm, dark place.
• Once a day Rinse sprouts, draining excess water.
• After the sprouts have grown to their maturation length, put the jar in the sunlight for the sprouts to develop chlorophyll.
• When the sprouts turn green, rinse, Drain and refrigerate.

Good for Sprouting

• Alfalfa Seeds (Lucerne /hindi-razka) - 4 to 5 Days - Rich source of minerals, protein, vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, E and K
• Black-eyed Peas (Lobi/Alsandalu) - 3 to 4 Days - Rich source proteins, minerals, and vitamins A and C
• Chick Peas (Kabuli Channa) - 4 to 5 Days - Rich source of proteins and also contain many minerals.
• Lentils (Red or Yellow) - 3 to 4 Days - Rich source of proteins and also contain many minerals
• Moong Beans - 3 to 4 Days - Rich source of protein, vitamins A and C, along with calcium, phosphorus and iron.
• Soybeans - 3 to 5 days. - Rich source of protein, vitamins A, B - Complex, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
• Peas (White, Green, Black) - 3-4 days - Rich source of Proteins, minerals
• Sunflower Seeds (hulled) - 5-6 days - Rich source of Proteins, minerals, unsaturated fatty acids, and vitamins D and E.
• Wheat - 2 to 3 Days - Rich source of Proteins, Vitamins B, C and E. Alternatively grown for 4 to 7 days to produce wheat grass can be juiced or eaten for its high chlorophyll content. Wheat Grass juice is rich in antioxidants.
• Others - Barley, Corn, Lentils

Precautions on Sprouts

• Remember to dispose of water that has been used for sprouting.
• Indigestion problems/ gastric activity might be high and common due to high fibre content. Consume lots of water and ideally avoid masala's for the remainder of the day.
• Sprouts are more easily assimilated and less gas-forming than dried beans. Digestibility is vastly improved compared to regular beans.
• Ideal time for Sprouts - Morning, Afternoons - Never consume in night as dinner.
• Ideally don't mix Sprouts with cooked food/fruits. Have a gap of minimum of 1 hr if required.
• Soybeans sprouts should be only consumed after semi-boiling. Soya is believed to cause irritants and allergens if consumed directly due to toxicity.