Alfalfa Sprouting Seeds

Days to Maturity: 5

Probably the best-known sprouting seed in America, alfalfa earns its reputation with a delightful crunchy texture and sweet flavor. Its health benefits are tremendous, and it's ready in under a week in your countertop sprouter. Make this a regular part of your diet, not to mention your indoor garden.

Alfalfa sprouts are simply sprouted seeds of the alfalfa plant. Very high in protein, they also contain large amounts of vitamin K and a smaller percentage of vitamin C. Trace elements of potassium and calcium contribute to the overall nutritional value of this sprout. If you were to eat a whole cup of alfalfa sprouts, you would get 13 grams of protein and just 8 calories.

Another nutritional plus is phytoestrogen in alfalfa sprouts. This has been linked to the prevention of heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancer. It is especially beneficial for menopausal women. In other words, there is no reason not to eat your sprouts every day.

Try alfalfa sprouts in sandwiches and salads, sprinkle them onto soups and vegetable dishes, or grab a quick handful every morning as part of your routine. Once you start the sprout habit, you will come to love this super-quick, super-healthy food.

Rinse your alfalfa sprout seeds and place them in your sprouter with water. When you drain the sprouter, be sure to use this water on your indoor or outdoor plants. It's packed with nutrients and will really help your plants grow. The benefits of sprouting seeds just keep coming . . . happy sprouting!