No. 57

Releasing the Nutritional Power of Seeds and Nuts

Seeds and nuts both have a prohibitive enzyme which is a natural occurrence to help prevent rapid and proliferate sprouting. Without this enzyme present, whenever a nut or seed drops to the ground, it would immediately sprout.  The active enzyme also prevents animals out in nature from eating up the entire supply of food by causing the nut or seed to lie dormant until the appropriate rain falls. By releasing this enzyme, in turn, it will sprout and grow.  In our case however, through soaking, it makes the seed or nut much more digestible.  Many people find that nuts and seeds do not set well with them and result in indigestion.  This quick and simple process to follow will be beneficial to helping you to digest these powerhouses of nutrition.

Release the energy and nutrition of seeds and nuts by following these simple instructions.

Take a serving of seed and/or nuts and place them in a glass bowl or jar.  Cover them with filtered or distilled water. Cover and set on the counter and allow them to remain undisturbed, at room temperature, for 24 hours prior to use. If you are preparing seeds and nuts the night before, for a morning smoothie for example, 12 hours will suffice. By soaking the seeds and/or nuts on the countertop for 24 hours however, you have the beginning of fermentation.  This fermentation, releases the food to its full nutritional capability.  It is especially helpful for cooking, such as for example wild rice. It speeds cooking time and makes the nutrients completely bioavailable as well.

If you are making a smoothie the following morning, add the seeds/nuts along with the water to your mix. If you have digestive problems, chia seed is mucilagenic and beneficial for settling the stomach and supporting the digestive tract with cleansing fiber and fatty acids (such as the Stomach Seed Tea for example).  Adding any seeds or nuts for your purpose and health benefit is your choice. Enjoy the power of seeds, nuts, and grains. For nutritional benefits and serving sizes of nuts, see Post No. 41 for details- Nuts4Nuts.

Do not use this process for beans and legumes which must be cooked in order to be properly digested.