Power Up Your Diet with Microgreens!
Here's an easy way to improve your diet in 2010 – add microgreens.
Ounce for ounce, microgreens provide more nutrients than any other natural food known. Microgreens are seedlings (young plants) between seven and ten days old that have sprouted from seed, but don't yet have true leaves.
These super-food seedlings are naturally high in quality protein, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, and anti-oxidants, and have few calories and no cholesterol.
We are fortunate to have New Natives Organic Farm at the Aptos Farmers Market year-round, selling different varieties of organic microgreens – a true living food.
Unlike processed or cooked foods, microgreens contain living cells. The nutritional value of the concentrated nutrients stored in the seed increase dramatically during germination. Studies have shown that nutrients can increase up to 400%! Microgreens are easy to digest because they are almost “pre-digested” by the sprouting process, which deactivates enzyme inhibitors, changing carbohydrates into simple sugars and proteins into free amino acids and peptones. These pre-digested foods rich in activated enzymes enhance the body's own internal enzyme activity. By converting the starches and proteins, a higher quality protein source develops. Microgreens are a rich source of chlorophyll, amino acids, and proteins, all of which help regenerate cells and boost immunity.
Not Just for Salads
Give microgreens a try – they are easy to use; simply add to salads and sandwiches, eat as a snack, or use them in tasty recipes (link to recipes) from New Natives. In addition to nutrition, they will add marvelous flavors, textures and colors to your diet this year.
Sprouting Workshop, January 16
Learn how to grow fresh, nutritious, microgreens in your own kitchen! New Natives offers classes, organic seeds and all sprouting supplies necessary for growing your own microgreens.
The next workshop will take place at New Native’s farm in Aptos/Corralitos on Saturday, January 16, from 10 am until 1 pm. You will receive in-depth written materials as well as learn special growing techniques and “tips of the trade.” You’ll also be able to sample many sprouted foods and a delicious lunch is included in the workshop fee of $60.
To reserve your space, you can mail your check to New Natives, PO Box 1413, Freedom, CA 95019 or stop by their booth at the farmers market. Discounts for seniors, starving students, returning workshop participants, and group rates apply with 6 or more. Contact Sandra Ward at sandraward@charterinternet.com for more information.
No time to attend workshop? Order sprouting kits at http://newnatives.com/order1.html and organic seeds directly from New Natives! All kits come with detailed instructions and all the supplies you need to grow healthy microgreens.