If you read much about emergency preparation, sooner or later you’ll come across suggestions that you incorporate sprouting into your preparations (or your lifestyle!).
What is sprouting?
Sprouting is the process of beginning to grow seeds. Typically, you begin by soaking the seeds, you drain them, and then you rinse them regularly as they grow.
There are several different methods of sprouting—you can sprout seeds in a jar, inside a special tray, in a drawstring bag, or even on paper towels. Some methods work for most seeds, and some methods work best for particular seeds.
No matter which method you use, your seeds will need to be moist, but not too wet. All seeds will need to be warm. Many seeds do not need any light, but sprouts that grow leaves will need a little bit of light at the end.
Why bother?
If you’re not much of a gardener, you may be wondering why anyone would want to sprout seeds when they can buy MREs and eat pretty well. There are so many reasons to sprout!
1. Sprouts are better for you than grain. By sprouting grains you release vitamins and they become easier for your body to access. Sprouting also activates enzymes in the grain.
2. Sprouts are easier to digest. Sprouting decreases the amount of phytic acid in the grain, which makes it easier for your body to digest it. Some people with Celiac disease are able to tolerate grains that have been soaked or sprouted, and it is possible to make flour (and bread!) from sprouted (or soaked) grains.
3. Sprouting provides fresh food. In an emergency situation (but also in everyday life), it feels good to eat fresh foods. If you sprout, you can add fresh food into things you’re already having.
4. Sprouting is cheap! Sprouts are an extremely inexpensive way to get a lot of nutrients.
5. Sprouting is a form of micro-gardening. Even if you don’t have a yard, you can grow some of your own food by sprouting. It feels really good to know that you’re growing nutrients to sustain yourself (or your family.) You can have some of the benefits of gardening or farming with no yard at all.
6. You will feel fantastic and prepared for knowing how to sprout!
There really are a lot of compelling reasons to incorporate sprouting into your emergency plans and also into your lifestyle! It’s worth trying now, because if you needed to sprout later, you would know how—but I’ll just warn you: you may also find that you enjoy adding your crisp, home-grown sprouts to sandwiches, stir-fry, salad, or other things you’re already eating.
This is so easy, you can definitely do this! Are you ready to get started? Read the article on choosing seeds to sprout.
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