SUNDAY SUNNY SMOOTHIE
If you desire sunflower sprouts, purchase organic hulled seeds and grow them in a glass jar like any other sprout not requiring soil.
When growing the sunflower greens you must first soak your black seeds overnight in a glass jar fitted with a lid that allows for drainage, in the morning rinse well, tilt your glass jar on a 45 degree angle (I put mine in a small bowl) and rinse once daily until you see a tiny shoot emerge from the shell. I am still looking for a metal dish drying rack to use instead but I can only find wooden ones. I am afraid the wooden ones would mold.
Now the sprouted seeds are ready to be sprinkled onto some good potting soil. Keep the soil lightly moist and watch your greens grow. You should be able to harvest them in about 3-5 days. During the last two days of growing put them in a sunny window to "green them up" with chlorophyll. Once cut, mine keep fresh in the refrig for 4-5 days after harvest. I put them in a covered dish on top of a piece of paper towel. Here is my previous post on this method. No fancy equipment is needed as you can see here. Also check out their root system; this goes into the compost pile.
Check out their nutritional content.
Nutritional info:
Vitamins A, B, C and E
Calcium, Chlorophyll, Iron, Magnesium, Niacin, Phosphorus, Potassium
Amino Acids
Protein: 20-25%
Here is a very short but good article on sprouted sunflower seeds:
Nutritional Value of Sprouted Sunflower Seeds
By Melody Horner, C.N., eHow Contributor
Sprouted sunflower seeds contain the protein, fat and carbohydrate combination that defines basic nutrition, along with minerals and vitamins. The nutrients intensify during the sprouting process.
Significance
Eating 1/2-cup of sprouted sunflower seeds four times a week may improve health because of the nutritious elements. The sprouts are gluten-free, useful for individuals who are allergic to grains such as wheat and rye that contain gluten protein.
Features
During sprouting, plant enzymes split the seeds' high protein value into easily digested amino acids, according to living-foods.com. Seed fats are converted to essential fatty acids, mainly linoleic acid. Carbohydrates convert to sugars, and vitamin levels increase. The sprouts retain the mineral content of the seeds.
Functions
The amino acid arginine in the sprouts promotes blood vessel flexibility, which may reduce high blood pressure, according to "SuperFoods RX" authors Dr. Steven G. Pratt and Kathy Matthews.
The magnesium mineral content may help heart arrhythmia. The copper and zinc aid in collagen production and wound healing.
The sprouts' high vitamin E level aids arteries and nerves. The A and D vitamins decrease risk for cancers.
Considerations
Eat fresh sprouts raw. Cooking sprouts will lower the vitamin values.
Uses
Add chopped raw sunflower seed sprouts to scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, soups, salads or fluffy brown rice, or eat as a snack with a dollop of dressing or sauce.
Read more: Nutritional Value of Sprouted Sunflower Seeds
eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5529776_nutritional-value-sprouted-sunflower-seeds.html#ixzz1FB41xJdH
My next post will feature another recipe utilizing these amazing sprouted greens but for now let me share my recipe
by Elizabeth @ RAW Living and Learning
serves 6-8
2 C spring water
5 kale leaves, remove stems
3 large ripe bananas
2 C frozen pineapple
2 T chia seeds
1 1/2 C loosely packed sunflower greens
handful of ice
Blend into creamy, green, sunny goodness! Drink in the living energy these greens provide. Enjoy the fruits of your labor--ok, sprouting doesn't require much labor. :) But you get the point. Get excited about raw living foods, I do!
+JMJ+ Today I am grateful for a good nights sleep. Haven't been sleeping well the last few night but last night was the exception--I slept like a rock!
Comments
I de-stem the kale for "cheap blender" reasons. I juice them or compost them.
Thanks for stopping by!
Peace,
E