Finally Spring

The chickens are adorable. They now come when called and follow us around the farm all day.

sprouting

I love sprouting. I've up-graded from simple sprouting with mung beans and lentils to growing sunflower sprouts. They are a little more work but so worth the effort. Plus they are ridiculously overpriced at the store.

If you have never sprouted before here are the simple directions. Sprouts are great during the winter, they sprout in 3 to 7 days and add a touch of green to the house.

Want to start sprouting today?

Supplies:

-an old jar

-a rubber band and cheese cloth (or paper, old cloth, fancy sprouting screen)

-water

-brown lentils, french lentils mung beans, sunflower seeds

1. soak mung beans over night in warm water (they will vastly enlarge so use maybe an 1/8 cup)

2. place cheese cloth on jar and drain

3. place jar in a warm well lit area but not in direct sun light

4. rinse mung beans twice a day (I place mine by my coffee maker to remind myself to wash them)

5. After about three to four days when sprouts look almost full grown place them in direct sun light to green for a day.

6. rinse and place in refrigerator.

Sunflower seeds are a bit more complicated.

Follow steps 1-4 like regular sprouts. After rinsing the sprouts for two days transfer to tray with growing medium. I use a plastic take out container as my tray. I then cut holes in the bottom for drainage. I use an extra lid under the take out container to catch water.

Water the seeds then cover the tray with the lid and keep out of direct sun light for two days.

Then remove the lid and place tray in south window to green for two days. Be sure to keep the growing medium moist.

Trim with scissors then place your sprouts in a bag with a little water and refrigerate.

Bread Making with Papa Steve

We finally achieved a measure of success with our bread making. After producing five loafs of brick like whole wheat bread, we sought out Papa Steve's advice. He introduced us to the magic of Vital Wheat Gluten. (which I now refer to as the magic powder which must be added to everything just incase)

The results were two lovely loafs of honey roasted sunflower whole wheat bread.