Why are sprouts important to us?

Sprouts are a source of food that represent a huge amount of vitamins and nutrients than they do in an un-sprouted form. Typically, a week after sprouting, the sprouts will have the highest concentration and bioavailability of nutrients.

They contain a significant amount of protein and dietary fiber, as well as vitamin K, folate, pantothenic acid, niacin, thiamin, vitamin C, vitamin A, and riboflavin. In terms of minerals, they contain manganese, copper, zinc, magnesium, iron, and calcium. Many of these component nutrients increase dramatically as the sprout continues to develop. Along with all of these components, sprouts are also a rich source of enzymes that are essential for health.

10 Benefits of Sprouts:

1. Improve digestion
2. Boost metabolism
3. Prevent anemia
4. Improve heart health
5. Prevent neural tube effect
6. Weight loss
7. Boost immune system
8. Prevent cancer
9. Reduce allergic reactions
10. Eye care

You wonder what is the easiest way to sprout at home?

I've tried a couple of methods already. First, I soaked the legumes overnight, then left them in the kitchen on a drainer, rinsed them twice a day, but after a while they were fully covered by little bugs , so I needed to throw them away. Then I tried to store them in a jar, I covered the top with textil and stored the jars with the whole facing down, so the water could run out, but then they became stinky.

And guess what? I found the easiest version of sprouting by mistake. Once, I wanted to make hummus, so I soaked some chickpeas in water overnight, then I rinsed them, but I had no time took and prepare them right away, so just left them in an airtight container in the fridge, and totally forgot about them. I took them out 3 days later, and what I found was a container full of chickpea sprouts :D I was super happy, you can imagine!!! Since then, this is how I sprout legumes :)

Method:

Soak the chickpeas, lentils or beans in water overnight. I usually use a big container, I fill 1/4 of it with legumes and the rest of it with water. The next day, I pour out the water, rins the legumes and put them back into the container. I cover them with the top of the container and leave them either in the kitchen or in the fridge. It takes them more time to start sprouting if you keep them in the fridge, but they can get stinky in room temperature, so that's why I leaving them in the fridge. You don't even need to rinse them during the next couple of days if you keep them in the fridge. After 3-4 days, you'll have your own homegrown sprouts :)

You can add sprouts to your daily meals very easily. Just add them into your salads and boost your immune system with them :)

Salad with lentil sprouts

Salad with broccoli and mung bean sprouts

I hope you'll try this simple way to sprout at home and you'll add these healthy living ingredients to your daily meal plans :)

This post is my entry to #fruitsandveggiesmonday this week held by @lenasveganliving. Thanks for this awesome contest, I enjoy participating in it every time.