The Nutritional Benefits of Kale and Other Types of Sprouted Grown Greens
Microgreens are small, delicious, succulent vegetables that come from the seeds of a plant. Microgreens are a type of green that unlike other greens are not closely related to any other vegetable. It grows up to two to five feet tall and is usually available in your garden in a small group of about twelve to twenty leaves. It prefers cool, sunny weather and is drought resistant. Microgreens come in a variety of colors including orange, red, yellow and purple.
Microgreens can be grown from cuttings or from seeds. They are easy to start from seeds but germination will take three weeks. You can save the seeds and sprout more seedlings in the following three weeks.
The best way to plant seeds is in trays. Plant two thirds of a bag of seeds per inch of dry soil. Keep these moist but not saturated. Microgreens do not like being over-watered so it is important not to over water them. If you have planted a large bunch of seeds, it may take up to a week for the seeds to begin to sprout. Once you have harvested your crop of growing microgreens you can put them into trays for a later, warmer, time.
Make sure that when you are planting microgreens that the container is large enough for them to have room to grow. A good sized container for microgreens is approximately one square foot. If you use larger containers, they might require that you add a support to hold them up. There are many attractive containers available that will grow your microgreens successfully and look great in any kitchen.
When you purchase microgreens, be sure to purchase them in bulk. This will ensure that they have all the nutrients that they need. Check the packages to see what variety of microgreens are included in the package. There are many different varieties of seeds available. Each has it’s own special nutrients and vitamins to help promote healthy eating.
Do not be fooled into thinking that because microgreens are low calorie vegetables they are not nutritious. They have almost twice as much fiber as an apple, which means that your pet will not have to sacrifice their regular meal. With a high-fiber vegetable you can give your dog or cat a high-nutrient snack that they will love. Your pet will be getting all the vitamins and minerals that they need with each bite. There is no better way to provide your pet with essential nutrition than by providing them with an easy to chew, high-nutrition vegetable.
Harvesting and rinsing your microgreens is very simple. You can buy sprouts in stores that sell organic products. To harvest your sprouts, simply wash them, allow them to drain and then plant them into your garden. Microsprouts do not like soil that is compacted with grass and weeds. So be sure that when you choose to purchase your microgreen seed, you choose one that is small and compact enough to fit in your gardening hole.
Once your microgreens sprout their true leaves you will notice a difference in their demeanor. They will be cleaner and a bit calmer. They will also taste better since they are now eating their natural foods. Your pets will love them and you will love the fact that you are helping them receive optimal nutrition at all times.
The next time you go grocery shopping consider stocking up on true kale microgreens. These varieties of microgreens are packed full of important nutrients such as beta carotene, iron, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin and vitamins A, C, D, E and K. All of these vital nutrients are crucial for providing optimal health to your beloved pets. And the best part about these varieties of microgreens is that they are also packed with anti-oxidants. In other words, these varieties of microgreens serve as powerful antioxidants that can eliminate free radicals from your body.
Now that you have grown your microgreens from seeds, it is time to enjoy the delicious flavor that they contain. It is easy to extract the flavors from sprouted grains by using special herbicides. However, most pet owners do not have access to these chemicals. Fortunately, there are many easy recipes available for growing microgreens with sprouted seeds. Once you have a tasty microgreen crop to snack on, you will definitely want to take advantage of its antioxidant properties!
Microgreens are ideal for anyone trying to live a healthier lifestyle. They are low in fat and high in fiber making them an excellent snack choice. Pet owners who eat organic food will find that eating sprouted grains helps their overall diet. For people who love to eat fresh salads, eating growing microgreens makes the task of cleaning up afterwards a lot easier. No matter which variety of sprouted grain you choose, you will be adding fiber, beta carotene and herbs to your diet!