The wonderful world of sprouts!

Something that we have started doing in the last few months is growing our own sprouts.  When sprouted, seeds give off more energy in the form of enzymes, vitamins and minerals.  Also, during sprouting, the starch is changed to simple sugars which makes them very easily digested.  Sprouting increases vitamin content many times over and also develops chlorophyll.  All these are great reasons to incorporate sprouts into our diet but one of my favorite reasons for sprouting my own seeds instead of just buying them at the store is COST.  

For the same price, you can buy one plastic container of alfalfa sprouts OR you can sprout 40-50 cups yourself!  Another benefit to doing it yourself is the variety of seeds that you're able to sprout.  We've tried alfalfa, buckwheat, lentil, clover, radish, mung beans, chick peas, sunflower and a great "sandwich booster" mix which is a combination of canola, clover and a couple of others.  
If you're wondering how to sprout, wonder no more!  All you need is:

A large mouth mason jar

 

A sprouting screen (available from www.rawnutrition.ca or your local health food store)

OR you can use an old nylon stocking or cheesecloth.

The Method:

1. Soak seeds for 10-12 hours, changing the water once.  
2. Drain water from jar through the sprouter (or nylon/cheesecloth) top
3. Fill the car with cold tap water and "rinse" seeds.  
4. Drain water through the screen.
5. Turn jar angled downward in a shallow container or on a dish draining rack.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 at least twice per day, more if the weather is hot.
7. Depending on the seeds, sprouting time will vary from 1-7 days.  Alfalfa, for example is 5-7 days and lentils are 1-2 days. 

I add these delicious sprouts to everything - salads, sandwiches, stir fries - whatever you can think of!  And if you are really interested in sprouting, you can get all kinds of special sprouting equipment and accessories.  Check out www.rawnutrition.ca for an amazing supply of seeds, sprouters and many more things! 

Let me know if you try sprouting and how you like it :)

Childhood is such a short season

I have been trying to think of what I should write for my first "official" blog post :)  I read something today on my Facebook news feed that I really loved and it inspired me to write more:

"Isn't it strange how opposite our culture is to the example Christ set? He said "let the children come to me" and yet our society continually looks for ways to get the children out of our way. Set the tone by enjoying every child that crosses your path today and in this way you will also be following Christ's example"

 As a parent in my early 30's who homeschools, I often run into this kind of attitude in many parents.  The conversation usually goes like this:

"You homeschool your kids?  Wow....I couldn't do that.  I think I'd go crazy if I had to be around my kids ALL DAY."

I'm sorry....what??  Is it really that big of an undertaking to WANT to be around the children that God has blessed me with and actually enjoy it?  It shouldn't be - but apparently it is.  

Don't get me wrong - there are definitely some days that are trying and most days usually have an element of frustration that comes along with it.  But I would never trade it for a quiet house, "me time" that so many mothers feel is necessary to their sanity (that's a whole other post! lol), or anything else in the world.  I'm so saddened when I hear parents speak so negatively about their kids - about how they can't wait for "this phase" or "that phase" to be over.  They're always going to be going through something - why waste those precious moments wishing it would be over?  Why not spend your time enjoying the benefits of those stages - because there are many.  You just have to look for them - or maybe more accurately, WANT to look for them.   It's so much easier to see the negative, isn't it?  How many times has someone pointed out to us the one thing that we forgot to do instead of seeing the 10 things that we ALWAYS do?  How did that make you feel?  Now imagine how that makes our children feel.  And they hear us talking about them - even the littlest of ones know when they're being talked about.

"Troubles may invade [the home], but these are the lot of humanity. Let patience, gratitude, and love keep sunshine in the heart though the day may be ever so cloudy.  The home may be plain, but it can always be a place where cheerful words are spoken and kindly deeds are done, where courtesy and love are abiding guests.  Administer the rules of the home in wisdom and love, not with a rod of iron. Children will respond with willing obedience to the rule of love. Commend your children whenever you can."

My challenge to you today is to ENJOY your children.  Pay them compliments; tell them how much you appreciate them; let them be kids.  Realize that childhood is such a short season and we need to take hold of those moments NOW....not later, not when we have enough money, not when the kids aren't tired or grumpy, not when your favorite TV show is over, not after you've answered all your emails, not when the weather is sunny....NOW.  You won't regret it - I promise :)

Welcome everyone!  After much consideration, I have decided to dive into the world of blogging....so here I am!
I have always enjoyed trying new things, learning about them and then sharing my experiences with others so I thought what better way to do that than with a blog.  I'm not a writer by any means but I definitely find I get my thoughts out much better when they're written down and I can reference my points and not forget to include things this way!  
So where to start....well I'm passionate about many things - first and foremost God and faith.  Secondly my family.  And then I have multiple other interests including cake decorating, food allergies, healthy eating, cooking, baking, homeschooling, playing the piano, natural alternatives to medicine.....the list goes on!  So that's why I thought I would describe my blog as being about "food, faith and everything in between!"
The name "More Costly than Rubies" comes from a passage in Proverbs 31:10-31about a virtuous woman:

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her          maidens.
 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

 I pray that I will be able to find myself within the lines of this passage and that with God's help, to my husband and children, I will be More Costly than Rubies.
I look forward to posting more of my thoughts, ideas, recipes, cake creations and whatever else I come across and I hope you'll follow me in my new blogging journey.

 -Stephanie