There growing amidst the rocks and dirt were some actual plants we did not intentionally plant! We have been throwing our plant based food scraps in it all winter as a way of composting. Something sprouted. It's a little early to tell what it is, exactly, but we are guessing some type of squash or potato.
Sprouts of all varieties contain the building blocks of life in the form of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and simple sugars. In their early growth state, sprouts are very easy to digest, allowing our bodies to access many wonderful nutrients. Recent research by the American Cancer Society has backed what holistic nutrition has known for years: that sprouts contain anti-cancer properties, high levels of active antioxidants, concentrated amounts of phytochemicals and significant amounts of vitamins A, C and D.
In their raw form, sprouts have a cooling effect on the body, and therefore are best consumed in warm weather or by robust, warm body types. Those who tend to feel cool can try steaming spouts or adding them to warm dishes such as stir-fries and soups, to reduce the cooling effect. There is a wide variety of edible and delicious sprouts, each with a different texture and flavor: alfalfa, mung bean, lentil, radish, clover, sunflower, broccoli, garbanzo and adzuki.
You can serve up sprouts by:
· Adding them to salads.
· Combining with other vegetables in wraps, roll-ups or stir-fries.
· Using as garnish on top of soups, stews, omelets or scrambled eggs.
· Adding them to rice or whole-grain dishes.
· Using in sandwiches instead of lettuce.
I'm reminded of the natural order of life and how what seems inconsequential, really does have a ripple affect. Nature knows what to do with scraps of food thrown in the dirt. God has designed all of this perfectly. It's fascinating to see how we've become a part of the food chain, the natural circle of life - all right here in suburbia!
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