If you have begun to incorporate sprouted foods into your diet, alfalfa may be one of the first foods you start sprouting at home. Alfalfa is a natural choice for sprouting because the fully grown alfalfa plant is too rough and bitter to eat. However, the tender sprouts of alfalfa seeds offer a multitude of nutritional benefits, along with a pleasing earthy flavor, and they can be grown right at home.
Why people sprout alfalfa:
In eastern cultures, the health benefits of sprouted foods have been recognized for centuries, but it was not until the WWII era that Americans started to realize the goodness of sprouting. During this time, sprouted foods like soybeans and alfalfa emerged as a cheap, wholesome, and easy-to-grow food source that could nourish troops located in even the roughest conditions. Soon, sprouts became more common to western cuisines, particularly alfalfa sprouts. These are among the most commercially available sprouts found in grocery stores, but many people prefer to sprout them at home so that there is minimal risk of foodborne illness or contamination. Call the OHI Store at (888) 643-7867 and inquire about our full line of seeds for sprouting, sprouting equipment and sprouting books.
Why alfalfa sprouts are so beneficial:
Sprouts are a critical component of a raw food diet, because they supplement vitamins and protein that many people consume through animal sources. Alfalfa sprouts in particular offer lots of protein, vitamin B, and vitamin K. Plus, these tasty sprouts have virtually no sugar or fat, so they are filling and satisfying enough to support cleansing and weight loss. Another added benefit of alfalfa sprouts is their effect on cholesterol, as they have been shown to help clean the arteries of bad cholesterol that can lead to heart disease.
How to include alfalfa sprouts in your diet:
Most people enjoy alfalfa sprouts in simple applications like salads. They can be easily added to almost any recipe; because they are palatable with no strong flavors, they blend well into raw dishes. Alfalfa sprouts can be cooked, but their full nutrition is better preserved in the raw state.
Find out more about how sprouting can transform your diet with Optimum Health Institute . The holistic healing program at Optimum Health Institute consists of three-week-long sessions that can be taken consecutively or independently. The sessions interlock classes and activities drawn from 24 ancient spiritual disciplines that promote healing of your body, mind, and spirit. Along with learning how to cleanse and nourish the body with diet, fasting, and exercise, guests learn how to quiet and focus the mind with journaling and meditation, plus renew and awaken their spirits with study, prayer, and celebration. To learn more about the OHI program, call (800) 993-4325 or visit www.optimumhealth.org.