Sunday 1 September 2013

Website !

Well, it took some time, but I have finally launched the website !  You can shop safely using PayPal, and see much more information about sprouts plus some new products and more recipes.

www.sproutout.com.au 


I'll be posting blogs from there from now on, and though they may not be frequent, I still hope to share with you things I discover that will help inspire you to start sprouting, stay sprouting or experiment once in a while, and maybe enjoy a few raw dishes too.


Sunday 4 August 2013

Radical Radish (sprouts)

2 posts in one night !  How lucky we are :)
Whilst madly working on my website and whilst my 4 little ones sleep, I felt excited about my other new experiment and just felt to share!
I've been using a sprout bag for bigger seeds like mung beans & chick peas and lentils, and it's so quick and easy.  Finally, though, I thought I'd try the radish seeds.  I've got some new 100% Hemp sprout bags "Sprout Pouch"  I am now selling (made in Queensland) and I am really happy with them. 
So, I placed the radish seeds (now, I can't remember how many exactly, but I think it was 2 tablespoons) in to the bag and then into a bowl of water for a few hours.  Then hung it to drip.  Dunking and hanging twice a day.
And look what happened !  (photo below).
They needed a bit of greening up when they were ready, so I placed them on my front patio for a few hours for more light, opening the bag and folding it down.
To remove the husk, I folded the bag inside out, pulled the little sprouts out and placed them in my salad spinner.  Filled it with water and all the husks floated to the top or went down into the holes of the sieve bowl.  I scooped the husks out with a spoon, drained the sprouts and now have yummy, spicy radish sprouts!
Sprouting is so addictive !

Quinoa sprouts, Radish and lovely purple and green mustard sprouts

Tiny but Tasty!

Well, I have been very busy doing a number of things (and close to having the website live very soon!).  But, always finding the time to sprout and experiment :)
This time I thought I'd  try Quinoa sprouts.  I thought I was sprouting them when they soaked for 24 hrs, as a little tail seems to appear almost within an hour, but when I kept at rinsing & draining for a few days, I was pleasantly surprised to find a real sprout!
I used the organic Tri Colour Quinoa (which will be available through the website), and they are very tasty little seeds.
The key is to rinse very well (after soaking for an hour or two) - I rinsed about 4 times, to wash away water soluble saponins which can taste bitter.  After that, just 2 rinses a day, draining them well.  I think they were ready by day 4.
(I sprouted these in the sprout jar).
I made a yummy salad with them tonight -
Soaked some brazil nuts & cashews then placed them into my food processor with fresh, local grown, organic broccoli (raw), a splash of olive oil, a dash of celtic salt and a pinch of pepper. I added some rocket (just picked from our garden), then whizzed it up for a few seconds in the processor so it was still a little chunky.
Put it in a bowl, added the quinoa sprouts, radish sprouts and a squeeze of lemon and sliced avocado.  Oh, but I didn't get to take a photo... it was too yummy!
But I did get photos of the cute little sprouts :
Enjoy your week :)


Red, Black & White litte seeds

Saturday 8 June 2013

Oodles of Noodles



It has been a while since posting, I confess.... but life has been busy with our family and I have been working on a WEBSITE at last !  Soon you will be able to purchase my products with PayPal, view more information and still read my blogs (on all sorts of topics relating to health, living foods, discovering who & what God is about and even our experiences with parenting in loving ways....)
Stay tuned - but in the mean time, here is a yummy salad I made recently using the Spiralizer (not on my Blog shop yet, but will be on the website.  Contact me for more details in the mean time!)
This handy little gadget makes delicious thin 'angel hair' noodles with carrots, beetroot, zucchini, daikon radish and pumpkin.
In my salad is a mixture of fresh home grown rocket, sprouts and carrot & beetroot noodles (Plus other greens which I can't remember what that was now:) )
People often say to me that it's too cold in winter to have salads - you can always eat your warming meal (I still like them too!) and have the salad on the side.  OR you can top your spaghetti or asian noodle dish with the raw noodles and sprouts and still get the goodness of living foods.
See you on my website.....  :)
xx









Tuesday 5 March 2013

Sprout Surprise!

I usually make a chia pudding weekly, soaking chia seeds overnight in a bowl of water then putting them into my food processor with lots of yummy things.  The chia seeds, when soaked, end up all thick and gelatinous like.
I had a little surprise this time, though, and found some of them had grown little tails - sprouted in other words!  I had always heard how sprouting Chia was hard, and well, I never bothered with them to be honest, as soaking for 12 - 24 hrs was enough for me.
But, the little tadpole-like sprouted seeds came about without me doing anything different - well, except the only thing I can think of is I placed a tea-towel over the bowl this time.
I might even try them in the jar with some Alfalfa or Clover (see my Products page)..... will keep you posted.
 Chia contains 8 essential amino acids and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B15, B17, C, D, E & K and other goodies for your body.  (Info taken from Isabell Shipard's book "How Can I Grow & Use Sprouts?").
So, if you'd like to experiment with chia or just make a yummy pudding, I've included a Chia Pudding recipe in the Recipes page..... let me know how you go!



Tuesday 8 January 2013

Sprouting Chives


I get asked every now & then about onion and chive sprouts in my mixes.  I don't sell them, because, from what I've been able to find so far, chive seeds are around $500 a kg !!  Maybe there are some way more reasonable out there......?
But, instead, what I've done is seed-saved the garlic chives seeds from my own garden.  To be honest, I actually harvested these ones a least 12 months ago, and they've been sitting in my kitchen waiting for me to attempt 'winnowing' them.
Well, finally last week (before the bubba was born) I decided to give it a go.  When you collect seed for sprouting, getting them clean from all debris is really important so they don't spoil when in your jar, bag or tiered sprouter.
I put the little black seeds in the sieve and went out side, gently blowing underneath it.  I lost a few seeds, but much of the dried debris flew out.  I'd love to learn how to do it properly, with the right equipment.... a goal for 2013.
When I soaked them  in my sprout jar I scooped out any remaining bits that floated to the surface.  Then added Alfalfa & radish seeds and sprouted as per usual.

The results :  little chive sprouts amongst my alfalfa & radish - YUM !
They didn't start sprouting as early as the alfalfa & radish, and at first I thought they weren't going to sprout at all, but about day 4, I think, they started and just kept growing.  Success !
Well, I'm ready to harvest yet more little black seeds soon, as my garlic chives all start to flower & go to seed.  Maybe you'd like to give it a try?





Our New Little Sprout....

Introducing our new little sprout .....
A baby boy born on 2nd January - healthy, peaceful and absolutely gorgeous!  6 lb 9 oz
I am passionate about starting my 2nd Blogspot for sharing with parents the art of "Nappy Free" or "Elimination Communication" - where we tune into our babies elimination needs and there is no need for the use of nappies 24 hrs a day.
Also, parenting in harmony with God's love - how we are meant to parent, with unconditional love and no expectation, demands upon our children.  Taking responsibility for our own feelings of anger, fear etc and not projecting them onto our children.  Recognition of (and feeling, releasing) our own emotional injuries & beliefs that shape the way we act towards our children.... a journey to become the most loving parent (without this idea of being perfect or getting it right all the time).  Shall keep you posted....