Guest guest Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 Could Sally be " wrong " ? Sally has her reasons......... She's not necessarily made her position clear because, I believe, it depends on which aspect of the topic is being discussed. There is enough information to warrant concerns about a diet using consistent, steady amounts of alfalfa and I'll give ideas, issues for you to cnosider.... For starters, I've been " sprouting " and germinating seeds/grains/legumes for 20 years, feeding my flock of parrots. When I " sprout " (greening them up) I use an EasyGreen sprouter and have never had mold.....this things works fabulously: http://www.2-life.com/site/easygreen_sprouter.html. Mold is a huge, often overlooked issue for home-sprouters, and most people, imo, do NOT properly sanitize their sprouts. No matter what you are sprouting/germinating, you must, must, must use food-grade hydrogen peroxide (not the brown-bottle drugstore H202 which is loaded with stabilizers, heavy metals, etc.) in the initial soaking water to neutralize bacteria and aflatoxins. One of the most trustworthy sources of sprouting/germinating information is a professional organization that does extensive research for businesses that provide already sprouted/germinated seeds to grocery stores, HFS, etc., and over the years, they've demonstrated that many seeds/grains/legumes, used in sprouting/germinating contain bacteria and aflatoxins which must be neutralized. If Will doesn't carry H202 in the store (great for so many uses - food sanitizing, laundry, cleaner, etc.) it can be ordered here: http://www.dfwx.com/h2o2.htm Alfalfa, in particular, harbors salmonella and E coli, more than other sprouting material. You should ONLY use it if you are buying from a source that is testing their batches, ensuring the safety. And yes, at this point, someone will usually pop up claiming " I've sprouted alfalfa for 350 years and have never had a problem... " . My view is that alfalfa is like playing Russian Roulette, so it isn't a topic I debate or want to debate, having decided that sanitizing with H202, and knowing my supplier, must be foundational, before I'd even consider sprouting alfalfa seeds. Bacteria is harbored in the DRY SEED, by the way. We've all heard about containers of sprouted alfalfa pulled from grocery store shelves, contaminated with salmonella, etc., but the salmonella didn't develop in the packaging, or enter the alfalfa sprouts via contaminated production equipment, but was, instead, latent, within the seed, made manifest, if you will, during soaking and sprouting, growing right along with the sprout. Here are some articles about the controversy: http://www.examiner.com/x-1429-Miami-Food-and-Drink-Examiner~y2009m4d27-Alfalfa-\ sprouts-grown-in-South-Florida-are-safe " The CDC received reports of 31 cases of *Salmonella* Saintpaul, a particular strain of the bacteria, in Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia. " The International Sprout Growers Association, an organization I've followed and watched develop over many years, takes a leadership position, teaching sprouting techniques, and ensuring the quality of seeds are safe: http://www.isga-sprouts.org/ Screened seeds can be purchased here: http://www.sproutnet.com/sprouting_seed_and_supplies.htm Both the ISGA and Sproutnet have a great archive of research posts emphasizing the importance of knowing your supplier, as well as properly sanitizing. If you want to learn how to sanitize with H202, let me know and I'll walk you through it. It's simple once you get the basics down. Other reasons Sally could possibly be anti-alfala? Goitrogenic! Thyroid issues are often undiagnosed, and eating alfalfa, without proper levels of iodine, can result in a dysfunctional thyroid, thyroid cancer, or goiters. Moderns tend to overdue, eating above and beyond " traditional " levels, and WAPF addresses that issue regarding isoflavones in this article: http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/dangersisoflavones.html HTH! Sharon, NH > > > I just started sprouting yesterday with raw pumpkin seeds and alfalfa > sprouting seeds. I was reading in NT about sprouting and Sally Fallon says > NEVER to sprout alfalfa. This goes against everything else I have ever read > about alfalfa. Could Sally be wrong?! Gasp! Anyone want to weigh in with > their opinion on alfalfa? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 Donna Gates/Body Ecology says the same about not using alfalfa, but I don't know why. Something toxic about it, I assume. I sprout clover instead and like it a lot. Clover seems to be a bit sturdier and holds up better under frequent rinsing during sprouting in a jar, i.e., the tender leaves don't break off as much as with alfalfa. R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 While clover doesn't have the salmonella issue like the alfalfa, it has other issues which Fallon discusses here: http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/dangersisoflavones.html<http://www.westonaprice.\ org/soy/dangersisoflavones.html>Sharon, NH On Mon, Aug 17, 2009 at 2:04 PM, Carr wrote: > > > Donna Gates/Body Ecology says the same about not using alfalfa, but I don't > know why. Something toxic about it, I assume. I sprout clover instead and > like it a lot. Clover seems to be a bit sturdier and holds up better under > frequent rinsing during sprouting in a jar, i.e., the tender leaves don't > break off as much as with alfalfa. R. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 Ok, does the warehouse carry the food grade H2O2 or where does everybody get theirs and how much does one use in the soaking water? > While clover doesn't have the salmonella issue like the alfalfa, it has > other issues which Fallon discusses here: > http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/dangersisoflavones.html<http://www.westonaprice.\ org/soy/dangersisoflavones.html>Sharon, > NH > > On Mon, Aug 17, 2009 at 2:04 PM, Carr > wrote: > >> >> >> Donna Gates/Body Ecology says the same about not using alfalfa, but I >> don't >> know why. Something toxic about it, I assume. I sprout clover instead and >> like it a lot. Clover seems to be a bit sturdier and holds up better under >> frequent rinsing during sprouting in a jar, i.e., the tender leaves don't >> break off as much as with alfalfa. R. >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 Ideal is to buy 35% food grade and reduce it to 3% with a 11:1 ratio water:h202. From THAT mix, use 1 oz for every 1 cup of soaking solution. Treat the 35% with respect. It is called liquid fire for good reason. But don't fear it so much that you don't use it. It is well worth the extra precaution and care. I use it for everything. Europeans are much more advanced in their use of H202 over bleach. H202 breaks down after 20-minutes into pure water. You can use H202 with ACV for a perfect blend that kills a wide array of fungus, mold, yeast, mildew, bacteria, but make sure you NEVER mix them together in the same bottle. Put them both in spray bottles - store separately, spray them both onto the area you're sanitizing. Leave on a full 20-minutes and then wipe clean. Don't buy 17% food grade H202. Too often, it is too dluted with water. You know you have good quality H202 when you place it in the freezer and it WILL NOT freeze. If it freezes, you've bought yourself a container of water and dealt with an unscrupulous dealer. Sharon > > > Ok, does the warehouse carry the food grade H2O2 or where does > everybody get theirs and how much does one use in the soaking water? > > > On 8/17/09, Sharon son <sharon@... <sharon%40ericsons.net>> > wrote: > > While clover doesn't have the salmonella issue like the alfalfa, it has > > other issues which Fallon discusses here: > > http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/dangersisoflavones.html< > http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/dangersisoflavones.html>Sharon, > > NH > > > > On Mon, Aug 17, 2009 at 2:04 PM, Carr > > <moxie77@... <moxie77%40frontiernet.net>>wrote: > > > >> > >> > >> Donna Gates/Body Ecology says the same about not using alfalfa, but I > >> don't > >> know why. Something toxic about it, I assume. I sprout clover instead > and > >> like it a lot. Clover seems to be a bit sturdier and holds up better > under > >> frequent rinsing during sprouting in a jar, i.e., the tender leaves > don't > >> break off as much as with alfalfa. R. > >> > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 You seem to know so much on this issue. I've always sprouted with plain water and never had problems, but am very interested in what you have to say. Would you mind explaining your soaking methods? Do you use the sanitizing mixture for the overnight soaking before putting them in the sprouter? Or another method? Again, very interesting. Would you say this is necessary for any kind of sprouts inlcuding wheat and bean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 For any parrot owner, it is vital information that can save thousands of dollars in vet bills, so yes, I'm well read on the topic. I'm in the middle of dehydrating, fermenting, making butter and ricotta, so if we could do this in stages, I'd be glad to help as much as possible. Start by reading about mycotoxins in grains. Here's someone who wrote a good piece that is NT/WAPF-friendly: http://thehealthadvantage.com/grainsandmycotoxins.html <http://thehealthadvantage.com/grainsandmycotoxins.html> Are you familiar with aflatoxin infestation of peanuts? We don't eat any peanuts not grown in New Mexico, for example, because NM is the only state that doesn't have aflatoxins - specifically, the Valencia peanut. Legumes, beans, grains - it is all the same. It all has to be sanitized and germinated - whether you are going to only consume the germinated products, (never with " big " beans, by the way - you want to cook those and never eat those raw), or give them to your animals (farmers feed sprouted grains/seeds/legumes to livestock..have a dairy farmer here in NH who does that. The U of Minnesota calls germinated seeds/grains/legumes the " equivalent " of fruits/vegetables/grass. Germinating makes nutrients available anywhere from 3 to 300%, again U of M study - the leaders in studying germinated/sprouted material. I always sanitize...cannot emphasize that enough - whether it is going to just germinate in a tray, a sieve or the Easy Green machine...... Many diseases that result from aflatoxin/mycotoxin are not going to be a quick allergy or tummy ache. It's going to be auto-immune, cancers, etc. It is a huge health problem, imo.......... http://www.fao.org/Wairdocs/X5008E/X5008e01.htm It is yet another reason to NEVER eat ANY meat that has been primarily fed grains: http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/ohiofieldcropdisease/Mycotoxins/mycopagedefault.\ htm Not trying to be alarmist, but it truly is something to take very, very seriously. Sharon, NH On Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 1:43 PM, naturalhealthinwi < naturalhealthinwi@...> wrote: > > > You seem to know so much on this issue. I've always sprouted with plain > water and never had problems, but am very interested in what you have to > say. Would you mind explaining your soaking methods? Do you use the > sanitizing mixture for the overnight soaking before putting them in the > sprouter? Or another method? Again, very interesting. Would you say this is > necessary for any kind of sprouts inlcuding wheat and bean? > > > -- I just happen to think that in life we need to be a little like the farmer, who puts back into the soil what he takes out " ~ Newman Deut 11:15 He will put grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will have plenty to eat. Check out my blog - www.ericsons.net - Food for the Body and Soul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Hello Jefferio (Jeff? Jeffer? lol) -- Welcome. I believe vermicompost can be too 'hot' to use by itself on microgreens. I'm gonna ask EW or one of our soil-sprouter experts to step in and comment further, please. I'm intrigued by your RV challenge. Sprouts will grow anywhere, fortunately (I grew some hanging off a towel rack in a hotel bathroom once as a challenge lol). The Food Pantrie is a hanging screened rack that can be used for sprouting or dehydrating. If I were to use it in an RV I would place a hanging hook in a corner or non-traffic area (is there one? lol), and maybe a couple of cuphooks on sidewalls for guywires to prevent sway; plus I'd place a towel in bottom rack and staple/tape a plastic bag around the bottom (would replace frequently to avoid mold). http://www.discountjuicers.com/pantrie.html Simpler/cheaper version of this would be a 3-tier wire hanging basket, like you might use at home to store fruit. Find one with flatter bottoms; find/make sprouting trays to fit; hook on ceiling and guywires/hooks on side as above; small towels in each layer and plastic on bottom basket to prevent splash. Do let us know how you choose to organize! Molly > > Hi gang! > I've had the worm bin composting the fiber from my juicing and my wheatgrass sod for about six months now, so I should presumably have enough worm tea and castings to fertilize the micro greens for the first time. Any tips? > > Also, does anyone have ideas on how to organize sprouting space in an RV? I'm thinking of dedicating the entertainment center corner nook to sprouting. Isn't sprouting more entertaining than TV these days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Thanks, . What is an aerogarden? Is that the handie pantrie? What do you use for hydroponics in the RV? Is that the micro farm? Do you prefer jars to easy sprouters, stacking trays and hemp bags? Thanks, Jeff > > > > Hi gang! > > > > I'm starting with one of each discounted sprout sampler and one of each kind of sprouter. > > > > I've already sprouted everything successfully except the microgreens and the cruciferous seeds, which I haven't tried yet. I'll be trying these next. > > > > I've had the worm bin composting the fiber from my juicing and my wheatgrass sod for about six months now, so I should presumably have enough worm tea and castings to fertilize the micro greens for the first time. Any tips? > > > > Also, does anyone have ideas on how to organize sprouting space in an RV? I'm thinking of dedicating the entertainment center corner nook to sprouting. Isn't sprouting more entertaining than TV these days? > > > > Any ideas for sprouting proof shelving to use in an RV? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Thanks Molly. I wonder whether the handie pantrie would hanging in the shower. Jeff > > > > Hi gang! > > > I've had the worm bin composting the fiber from my juicing and my wheatgrass sod for about six months now, so I should presumably have enough worm tea and castings to fertilize the micro greens for the first time. Any tips? > > > > Also, does anyone have ideas on how to organize sprouting space in an RV? I'm thinking of dedicating the entertainment center corner nook to sprouting. Isn't sprouting more entertaining than TV these days? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Thanks ew. I needed to know how to make worm tea. Jeff > > Vermicompost is not too hot, but too strong. Soak one cup or vermicompost in a gal. of water over night to make worm 'tea'. Strain the tea. Then dilute that tea with equal parts of water to feed your microgreens that you have in any soil. Not necessary to ad this to any of your sprouters. The sprouts don't need it to grow. > You can also use this mix for house plants, except any cactus or succulents. > PS: toss the compost that you strained out in you garden. > ew > > Re: new to sprouting > > Hello Jefferio (Jeff? Jeffer? lol) -- > > Welcome. > > I believe vermicompost can be too 'hot' to use by itself on microgreens. I'm gonna ask EW or one of our soil-sprouter experts to step in and comment further, please. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 What about sunflower micro greens? Jeff > > should say: soak one cup of > > PS: I never add and fertilizer to any microgreens. They really don't need it. The only time I would is if gowing pea shoots. I might add something after the fourth cutting. > ew > > Re: new to sprouting > > Hello Jefferio (Jeff? Jeffer? lol) -- > > Welcome. > > I believe vermicompost can be too 'hot' to use by itself on microgreens. I'm gonna ask EW or one of our soil-sprouter experts to step in and comment further, please. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Hi . You referred to the Micro farm. I have one and another unopened. Do you grow wheatgrass in it, and if so-any tips on avoiding mold while growing. I use some ocean solution and a touch of peroxide and even in cold weather I notice a bit of mold. I'm thinking of taking them out after about 5 days to get more air and prevent any mold and just water as needed. Re: new to sprouting An aerogarden is a self contained total garden system-you can google it to find tons of info, and there are plenty of videos of them on youtube. I buy mine used off of craigslist or have even gotten some free off of freecycle. I have a ton of them-they are wonderful. The Handie (Food) pantrie is a solar dehydrator/sprouter/wheatgrass grower-totally different set up. I make my own hydroponic gardens from various methods, pond pumps, etc. I do prefer jars, for the most part, since they don't require much attention. I do use some hemp bags (I make them myself-MUCH cheaper) that I hang from hooks over my kitchen sink, but the mikro (micro) farm is THE BOMB!! I even grow many " baby " or mini veggies in mine-love it. > > > > > > Hi gang! > > > > > > I'm starting with one of each discounted sprout sampler and one of each kind of sprouter. > > > > > > I've already sprouted everything successfully except the microgreens and the cruciferous seeds, which I haven't tried yet. I'll be trying these next. > > > > > > I've had the worm bin composting the fiber from my juicing and my wheatgrass sod for about six months now, so I should presumably have enough worm tea and castings to fertilize the micro greens for the first time. Any tips? > > > > > > Also, does anyone have ideas on how to organize sprouting space in an RV? I'm thinking of dedicating the entertainment center corner nook to sprouting. Isn't sprouting more entertaining than TV these days? > > > > > > Any ideas for sprouting proof shelving to use in an RV? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 I am allergic to wheat, so I don't grow it, but have in the past...just not in the micro farm. Are you sure it IS mold? Many grasses will get some fine, hairlike appendages at the base of the root, often thought to be mold, but usually not. If you KNOW it is mold, it sounds like your temperature is too warm or too cold, or you are over watering? > > > > > > > > Hi gang! > > > > > > > > I'm starting with one of each discounted sprout sampler and one of each kind of sprouter. > > > > > > > > I've already sprouted everything successfully except the microgreens and the cruciferous seeds, which I haven't tried yet. I'll be trying these next. > > > > > > > > I've had the worm bin composting the fiber from my juicing and my wheatgrass sod for about six months now, so I should presumably have enough worm tea and castings to fertilize the micro greens for the first time. Any tips? > > > > > > > > Also, does anyone have ideas on how to organize sprouting space in an RV? I'm thinking of dedicating the entertainment center corner nook to sprouting. Isn't sprouting more entertaining than TV these days? > > > > > > > > Any ideas for sprouting proof shelving to use in an RV? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 It's probably r/t too much moisture. As an aside, most folks w/ wheat issues have no trouble w/ the juice of the green seedling/ grass. Re: new to sprouting I am allergic to wheat, so I don't grow it, but have in the past...just not in the micro farm. Are you sure it IS mold? Many grasses will get some fine, hairlike appendages at the base of the root, often thought to be mold, but usually not. If you KNOW it is mold, it sounds like your temperature is too warm or too cold, or you are over watering? > > > > > > > > Hi gang! > > > > > > > > I'm starting with one of each discounted sprout sampler and one of each kind of sprouter. > > > > > > > > I've already sprouted everything successfully except the microgreens and the cruciferous seeds, which I haven't tried yet. I'll be trying these next. > > > > > > > > I've had the worm bin composting the fiber from my juicing and my wheatgrass sod for about six months now, so I should presumably have enough worm tea and castings to fertilize the micro greens for the first time. Any tips? > > > > > > > > Also, does anyone have ideas on how to organize sprouting space in an RV? I'm thinking of dedicating the entertainment center corner nook to sprouting. Isn't sprouting more entertaining than TV these days? > > > > > > > > Any ideas for sprouting proof shelving to use in an RV? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Since you can only harvest the sunflower shoots once it is unnecessary to give them any fertilizer. Just toss the roots into the compost pile or to the chickens or worms (if your lucky enough to have some). Then just start your next batch. Lee > What about sunflower micro greens? > > Jeff > > > > > > should say: soak one cup of > > > > PS: I never add and fertilizer to any microgreens. They really don't need it. The only time I would is if gowing pea shoots. I might add something after the fourth cutting. > > ew > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 I tip my container of harvested microgreens out in my yard-the squirrels and birds go crazy for them! > > > > > > should say: soak one cup of > > > > > > PS: I never add and fertilizer to any microgreens. They really don't need it. The only time I would is if gowing pea shoots. I might add something after the fourth cutting. > > > ew > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Jeff, I have sunflower sprouts growing in my kitchen window all of the time. The medium is 1/2 perlite and 1/2 coir. There is no nutrition in that mix. I do not fertilize or feed them. Depending on the warmth of your house, they should be ready to eat in one week. All of the nutrition that the plant needs is in the seed itself. ew Re: new to sprouting What about sunflower micro greens? Jeff - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2012 Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 Thanks...I did buy them in the grocery store, just recently, in the ethnic aisle. I am in Michigan but it has been warm here lately. They do have a small smell to them, but I have tasted them and they taste ok. Hmmm, I will have to see if I can find organic somewhere. Are they still ok to eat, even if they don't sprout? I figured tomorrow, I would just put them in the fridge. Thanks Kathy > > > HI, > > > I am trying to sprout some chick peas and not having very good luck. I started soaking on Thursday. Since Friday morning, I have rinsed and drained morning and night. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2012 Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 If they were in the ethnic aisle, chances are even greater that they were imported, and thus treated with something (probably antimicrobials and/or growth inhibetors, designed to KEEP them from sprouting in long transit and storage. If they have an off smell, they may be rancid. I wouldn't eat them personally. > > > > HI, > > > > I am trying to sprout some chick peas and not having very good luck. I started soaking on Thursday. Since Friday morning, I have rinsed and drained morning and night. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 Ok, thanks for the info. They only sell them in the ethnic aisle in our grocery store. So I will have to find somewhere where they sell organic ones. I appreciate everyones help. Kathy > > > > > HI, > > > > > I am trying to sprout some chick peas and not having very good luck. I started soaking on Thursday. Since Friday morning, I have rinsed and drained morning and night. > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.