Children's Eco Programs

It’s that time of year, things are a bit dark and dreary and thoughts of spring gardens are popping into everyone’s minds. Most of the locally grown fruits and veggies we eat now are roots, squash, carrots and cabbage. These are the veggies that store well through the winter months and while they keep you full and warm, it’s nice to have something a little fresher to liven up your meals. There is something fun and tasty you and your kids can do to revive your taste buds and even add a little zing to your meals 😉

How many folks have hit the farmers market and eaten half a bag of sprouts on the way home? I know I can’t be the only one! Sprouts are a great way to enjoy fresh local food in a short period of time. Children love to help grow them and many will eat them straight from the sprouter (which can be as simple as an old spaghetti sauce jar!), the larger seeds and beans make a great snack. Most folks know the two most famous sprouts found in oriental dishes and salad bars around the world. Tiny little alfalfa sprouts can be added to salads, sandwiches and top many a casserole. Good old mung bean sprouts are the ones found in chow mien and egg rolls and a variety of stir fries.

While the traditional stuff is all fun and tasty there are hundreds of seeds out there you can sprout. Radish and mustard can add a little heat to your salad or sandwich. Sprouted chick peas can make a great hummus (check out the chocolate avocado mousse while you’re there!). Barely sprouted raw nuts like almonds taste heavenly and are even more nutritious than their dormant cousins. Sprouting beans before cooking can make them tasty and easier to digest.

Sprouting is pretty simple and requires just a few minutes a day to produce a great little harvest.

1. Soak your seeds overnight in your jar – Make sure your jar or other sprouting container is squeaky clean 
2. Drain and let sit on the counter. You can use cheesecloth (best for bigger seeds) or a fine plastic mesh to cover your jar (also squeaky clean!) . They need air but can use a little humidity too so just leave the mesh on the jar (secure with an elastic band). Makes rinsing quick and easy … You can tip them upside down in your dish rack to keep them from sitting in any standing water.
3. Give them their first rinse after work/school, then rinse again the next morning. If you’re going with some really fancy sprouts you may have to rinse again before bed too. Make sure you rinse thoroughly every time!
4. Repeat until your sprout is the desired length or size.

There’s also a slightly fancier method of growing small lettuce, chard, and mustard to a size that’s called Microgreens. These microgreens are also easy grow and a fun project for your windowsill. It doesn’t require much light and gives you a little extra boost of taste and nutrition to your meal.

Sprouting seeds is tasty and fun. It’s also a great, inexpensive way to get some seriously nutrient rich veggies into little tummies. Things always taste better when you grow them yourself!

Fun little fact – Sunflower seed sprouts … still taste like sunflower seeds but are even better for you.