I recently ran across a blog that I have thoroughly been enjoying. Whole New Mom I find her writings down to earth, easy to understand and health conscious. Being a mom herself, she understands the struggle to find quick and easy ways to get healthy foods in our kids.
One that caught my eye was an article she wrote on Soaking and Dehydrating seeds and nuts. "Interesting...how does it make them more nutritious?" I wondered.
Here is how she explains it...
"Have you heard about soaking and dehydrating your nuts and seeds but you don’t know why it is important? Or do you know it is important but think that you just can’t fit it into your schedule? Well, I am here to tell you that:
1. It’s very important
2. It’s easier and takes less time than you think
2. It’s easier and takes less time than you think
3. The taste benefit alone makes it worth it
Nuts and seeds are a wonderful addition to your diet. They have a bounty of healthy fats, minerals, protein and vitamins. However, they can also be a bit rough on your stomach. That’s because they contain phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors that prevent them from being digested well and that can be detrimental to your health.
The answer to this problem is simple: soak your nuts and seeds.
When seeds and nuts are planted in the ground, the warmth and moisture in the soil around them breaks down their skins so that they can germinate and grow into plants. Likewise, when we soak our nuts and seeds, we break down the encasing on these great sources of energy and make the nutrients more available to us.
I know. You’re already busy and this sounds like a lot of extra work.
But it’s really not.
Most of the time spent soaking and dehydrating is hands-off time. You just put the seeds or nuts in a bowl, transfer them to the dehydrator (or oven) and then take them out when dry.
For dehydrating, I highly recommend the Excalibur Dehydrator.
If you don’t have a dehydrator, however, you can start dehydrating with your oven. During the winter months, you’ll welcome the added warmth, but in the summer, you’ll wish you had the dehydrator!"
She goes on to explain how to soak and dehydrate your seeds and nuts using a dehydrator or oven. You can read the article in its entirety by clicking here.
Here's to a new found love of the dehydrator! Cheers.
She goes on to explain how to soak and dehydrate your seeds and nuts using a dehydrator or oven. You can read the article in its entirety by clicking here.
Here's to a new found love of the dehydrator! Cheers.
