Get your Wheaties!

If there was one thing I took away from the Sprouting Bootcamp a few weeks ago, it was the power of wheat. Unfortunately, when most people think "wheat" they probably think bread, bread that has most likely been overproccessed and contains little to none of the nutritional value of the original wheat kernel. Bread remains to be one of my "comfort foods" but now I have found a way to enjoy it guilt free, nutrients intact, along with wheat it its other various forms. Once again, I can do it all out of my own kitchen and feel good knowing exactly what process the wheat goes through, from a hard wheat kernel, to food in my stomach. Just a quick rundown on why wheat is so awesome: its the most nutritious sprout, and also the most versitle. Very high in fiber (fills you up), protein, amino acids, vitamin A, C, B complex, E, niacin, and pantothenic acid.

You can buy red spring wheat anywhere (usually) that sells in bulk. Soak the kernels overnight, rinse in the morning, and keep in a dark, damp area. (I usually keep mine in the strainer, as I will rinse the kernels 2-3x a day to keep them moist and then put a towel over the top.) In 2-3 days, they will sprout!
Once they are sprouted you can put 1 c of wheat in your blender with 5-6 cups of water and put on high.  Pour the drink into jars and stir 2x/day for 2-3 days for a fermented, probiotic drink called Rejuvelac. Michael won't touch this stuff because it looks funky (admittingly, the cloudy-ness doesn't do much for the drink aesthetically) but I know this stuff works! It can easily replace a soda habit and makes drinking water less boring, and its so cheap and easy to make! My first time having it, I was a bit repulsed by the fermentation. I gulped down a few more sips, and gradually I actually started liking it! I put some lemon juice in it for flavor, but now I can enjoy it plain. Give it a try, if you hate it, you hate it. Sometimes it takes some getting used to, but its great for digestion. (Toss the wheat "scraps" down at the bottom of the  jar once its made.)

I haven't started doing this...yet, but I intend to start once I have the resources. Taking sprouted wheat (shown above) to growing wheatgrass is not hard, simply take the sprouts and put them in soil on trays, water, cover, and grow! Wheatgrass drinks are known as the most nutritious drinks available, and aren't cheap to buy straight from the store (jamba juice sells wheatgrass shots for $3.50/ounce!). They also have a bad rep for being gross. I actually kind of like them, they aren't disgusting, but mostly I enjoy them for the health benefits. There is a lot of information out there about wheatgrass, if you are interested I would reference "Wheatgrass" the book by Ann Wigmore. 

Onto breads! I love the texture that this bread offers, although it lacks in the familiar "fluffyness" of enriched wheat flour that I was all too used to, it makes up for it when I add other ingredients to supplement it. For example, one of my favorite breads is made with sprouted wheat, apple, cinnamon, and raisins. Simply process and dehydrate! It is definately worth watching in the dehydrator, making sure it doesn't over dry to keep it moist and pliable.

Just a quick shout out to my hubby: Michael is a real sport when it comes to my obsession with raw foods. We do not, and never have had the same tastes. I knew he was probably going to propose to me the night that he did because he offered to take me to an upscale sushi restaraunt, my favorite, his least favorite. He's all-american, burgers, pizza etc. and I'm all about the spices and exotic flavors. I'm always trying to assimilate our tastes and make things that we both can enjoy, and it's not easy. I usually become a slave to my dehydrator for a few hours each weekend, trying to fill all nine trays desperately while he sits back and watches (our kitchen is WAY too small to fit two people in it.) I savor everything I make, and offer him the final result that he accepts, looks at skeptically, and swallows. Granted, he loves being healthier and eating more fruits and vegetables, but not because he necessarily loves them, like me. The other day, I made him a guacamole dip which I left innocently in the fridge for him to discover while at home.  A few hours later, he texted me, "the guacamole is EXCELLENT." That really made my day. We will find common ground on some things; on most things we differ, but that's ok. I am learning to bridge the gap more and more everyday.