Brandi Evans - The Everything Sprouted Grains Book: A complete guide to the miracle of sprouted grains

The

SPROUTED GRAINS BOOK

Dear Reader,

The Everything Sprouted Grains Book is a practical guide and cookbook that I wish Id had when I first began my adventures with whole grains.

After seeing family members dealing with health issues a few years ago, I decided to really take charge of my health. The starting point for this change, for me, was food. The kitchen is such an important place in my own life and in my familys, and I knew that making any kind of change would need to start there.

I slowly began to seek out whole grains and started adding them into the regular rotation of recipes. Adding whole grains, in raw, cooked, and sprouted form, gave me much more energy, helped me get more restful sleep, and has kept my body in balance over the last few years.

Sprouting your own food doesnt have to be scary or intimidating, and I hope this book shows you just how easy and accessible it is.

Happy sprouting!

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The

SPROUTED GRAINS
BOOK

A complete guide to the miracle of sprouted grains

Brandi Evans

For Nick, my shelter in the storm. Thank you for believing in me, for supporting me, for encouraging me in everything.

Thank you to my family, above all, for always believing in me and supporting all the crazy endeavors I throw myself into. Despite the heartache over the past few years, thank you most of all for persevering and making healthier choices along the way with me.

Thank you to Lisa Laing, my editor throughout this process, who answered my endless questions and encouraged me from the very beginning.

Thank you to Susan, a friend and someone who had walked through this process already, for your tips, for always lending an ear to my nervous chatter, and for pushing me to do my best.

Thank you, God, for giving me the strength, motivation, and dedication to write my first book. I can only pray that there are many more to be written and that You will give me the words to do it.

And the biggest thanks is for my husband, Nick. Through the months of writing this book, you never questioned the time I was spending writing. Thank you for giving me the time and space to do my work while supporting me and encouraging me all the while.

EACH TIME THE NEW nutritional guidelines and updated food pyramids are released, it seems that whole grains are given a more prominent place in the diet goals set forth for the country. As more research is done on whole grains, sprouted grains, and the incredible health benefits held within those tiny seeds, its no surprise that whole grainsno matter what form theyre inneed a permanent spot on our kitchen tables. Filling and hearty, grains can be served with any meal.

They are proven to reduce the risks for heart diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks, and have also shown measurable effects helping manage diabetes, liver disease, depression, stress, anxiety, digestion issues, and weight loss. The need for grains and their effects on our health in our daily life is confirmed more and more every day as more research is done.

Whole grains have been used since ancient times as nourishment, as medicine, and as energy. Hundreds of years ago, people were eating whole grains in their daily lives, taking advantage of the protein, fiber, and other nutrients in the grains. Even in those times, there were people who were sprouting grains for consumption, but at that time they werent aware of the increase in nutrition that the sprouting process presents.

As the years passed, sprouting for consumption began to take hold. The most popular period for the rebirth of whole grains and the idea of sprouting in the Western world was in the 1970s. At this point in time, the United States was leaning into more healthful habits and began to research ways to add healthier foods to the American diet. While sprouting grew in popularity, experts emerged with books, kits, and prepared sprouted-grain foods that allowed more consumers to add sprouted grains to their diets without having to do the sprouting themselves.

Whether or not you want to use a store-bought kit or prepared foods, sprouting at home is something that anyone can do and the basic process does not require any type of special equipment. Sprouting does take time. The grains are put into an environment that encourages the plant embryo to begin building the new plant life held within the seed, and this first sprout (the tip of the plant root) triggers the grain to release more nutrients that are now available to you through those sprouts. But the time spent on waiting for those little sprouts to emerge is worth all the health benefits and fantastic flavors you end up with.

Almost every whole grain, seed, and legume can be sprouted, giving you a variety of options when it comes to adding sprouted grains to your diet. Adding sprouts will not only give you more energy, but the nutrients make your heart healthier, can lower your cholesterol, and can help you manage your weight.

The role of whole grains in the American diet is becoming more important each year. As the rate of obesity rises, and diabetes and heart disease become two of the most widespread health issues in this country, the need for healthy and balanced diets steps to the forefront of every health and medical recommendation on how to turn the situation around in this country. Eating a diet rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber is a proven way to create a balance in your body and keep all of your organs working in the way they were designed to work.