Sprouts in your Kitchen

We could get a lot of benefits of sprouts specially in lentils sprouts as I mentioned there in my other blog , Pinoy Life Abroad. To grow lentil sprout, you don't to be a green thumb. Just pay attention to the following four factors: Rinse often - keep moist but not wet. Keep at room temperature (21-24C) Give them plenty of room to breath. Keep covered - no light.

Here are steps for sprout lentils :

bag of green lentils

 

 

Sprouted lentils

1. Soak a package of dry, green lentils overnight in a large covered pan or bowl ( you can use any package from the supermarket)

2. The next day discard, the water. Check the lentils, discarding any discolored ones, broken pieces, and outer skins. Tiny bugs may live under the skin, which appear as brown marks after the overnight soaking. Most broken pieces will not sprout. 

3. Place lentils in a bowl on a plate or saucer and cover with a damp towel, in a warm part of the kitchen.

4. Rinse lentils twice a day, morning and evening under cold running water. Replace bowl on its plate and cover with a damp towel. 

5. Repeat step 4 for two to four days. When you rinse, swirl the lentils with your hand to circulate air and moisture and to harvest the sprouted lentils. The lentils don't all sprout at the same time, it can take two to five days . Harvest sprouts when they are between half a centimeter and one centimeter. At this stage they are height of their enzyme activity and their sweetiest.

6. Put as much as you'll use at one time in air tight containers or sandwich bags. Twist the bag closed, squeezing all out air, and place the amount you'll use for one or two days in the refrigerator. Put the rest in the freezer. If you cook them, there is no need to thaw first.

Surprising health benifits of Spices

I have read some featured articles today in yahoo health from woman today's magazine that we can get healing benefits from some spices we are using.


And here are some of the spices we used  that we thought its only an added flavor to make our food taste delicious. But we didn't know that it gives also a specific benefits.

Cardamom

Fruit of the Elettaria cardamomum plant in the ginger family.

Health Powers: Eases belching, flatulence and indigestion; treats respiratory conditions like coughing, asthma and loss of voice; aids in the elimination of toxins through your skin.

Daily Dose: Stir a few freshly ground pinches of cardamom pods into a shot of OJ or your morning fruit salad, or mix it with white or brown rice before you boil it. 

Cayenne

Fruit of the Capsicum annuum plant in the Solanaceae family, along with chile pepper.

Health Powers: Eliminates gas from the stomach and intestines; soothes sore throat, cold and flu symptoms; increases metabolism for weight control.

Daily Dose: Stir into a cup of hot chocolate or any sweet juice drink for a contrasting flavor kick.

Cinnamon

Bark of a small evergreen tree.

Health Powers: Tames nausea and stomach ulcers; functions as a mild anti-inflammatory; increases insulin sensitivity to help focus fat burn.

Daily Dose: Stir into coffee/tea, yogurt, oatmeal or any boxed cereal.

Cloves

Flower bud found at the base of an evergreen tree.

Health Powers: Soothes digestive tract muscles and is a potent antihistamine.

Daily Dose: Mix into your nightly ice cream treat or sneak into mustard spread.

Nutmeg

Fruit of Myristica fragrans,an evergreen tree.

Health Powers: Improves digestion; eases the symptoms of menstruation; induces calm and sleep.

Daily Dose: Grate a small amount into applesauce or plain yogurt. (Note: It’s safe to grate the entire nut, which you can usually buy whole at the supermarket, but you never want to consume more than one nutmeg per day because too much of this potent spice can cause stomach pain, double vision and other uncomfortable reactions.)

 

Celery Seed

Seed of the Apium graveolens plant in the parsley family.

Health Powers: Flushes the liver of toxins; lowers blood pressure; combats water retention.

Daily Dose: Think salads—tuna, potato and egg all work—which can be tossed onto a bed of lettuce, eaten alone or spread onto bread.

Coriander

Also known as cilantro; the leaves and seeds of the Coriandrum plant in the aromatic Apiaceae family.

Health Powers: Acts as a diuretic; eases seasonal allergies.

Daily Dose: Cook into couscous and quinoa, which you can store and eat with leftovers.

Fennel

Seed of the Foeniculum plant in the aromatic Apiaceae family.

Health Powers: Calms bowel distress; supports milk production in nursing mothers; combats water retention.

Daily Dose: Add to canned minestrones and vegetable soups.

Oregano

Leaf of the Origanum plant in the mint family.

Health Powers: Loosens mucus; helps treat respiratory illnesses; and calms indigestion.

Daily Dose: Use in any tomato-based foods, like marinara sauces, pizza and soups.

Thyme

Leaf of the Thymus plant in the mint family.

Health Powers: Relaxes the muscle tissue of the gastrointestinal tract; stimulates immune system.

Daily Dose: Toss into any meat-based dishes.

Turmeric

Root of the Circuma plant in the ginger family.

Health Powers: Reduces inflammation (joints, airways); detoxifies the liver.

Daily Dose: Mix in with oil-and-vinegar-based salad dressings.

Photo by Shutterstock.