Now, I GET it!!

[Shanti]

So, I started reading Alissa's book last night, right up to the grocery list for the first week, which I will get today. And after reading, I GET it about nuts and sprouting.... BUT, it still floors me to think that it will take 2 days to get nuts ready to eat!! I don't think these are the best snack choice, then. That for me is what is really time consuming about this lifestlye: to make any recipe with nuts, you just can't do it "on the fly" because you have to sprout them for 48 hours...and if you do, then they're only good for 5 days, so you have to make the recipes in that time. Anyway, having read her book, I know that's what I want to do...the books is so inspiring!!!

She explains sprouting in the book, but..... can anyone give me an estimate of how much water to put the nuts in? She makes things absolutely EASY...just a regular bowl, paper towel....good to go!

[Revvell]

Actually what you're saying about nuts is not accurate imo. I soak almonds overnight. Most other seeds/nuts that I DO soak takes about 4-6 hours. Seeds take a bit of sprouting time yet, at this time in my life, I don't sprout at ALL!

I make soak nuts on occasion if I wish to make a pie or some other dessert, otherwise, keeping it simple.

Revvellicious

[GlimR]

Hi Shanti~
Alissa's book IS very cool and infirmative. As for the nuts and soaking times....once you get into the routine of things you make on a regular basis it will become second nature and not seem so overwhelming. I felt the same way at first. When you sprout and have sprouts ready just eat lots of salads w/sprouts in them or on sandwiches with nut pates, etc...

I soak my almond overnight...rinse well in the morning and then store in the fridge covered w/ water and they keep for 5 days or so, I rinse them everyday and recover. Other nuts and seeds need much shorter times so you could put them in water before work, in the morning say, and then drain and have ready for dinner.

You just have to find the little tricks and routines that work for your life.

[Shanti]

Okay, this will likely sound retarded, but when they're covered in water, ...don't they float to the top? Is this adequate "coverage" I tried this before and then just kept the nuts in a plastic container in the fridge, no water, and they grew mould and tasted horrible...Ive sorta scared myself off sprouting nuts now!!

[fiddler]

Place the almonds in water in a container. Make sure you adequately cover
the almonds because the almonds will swell when they start to absorb the water.

Discard any almonds that float to the top because they've gone bad.
I've read this somewhere but don't recall the source.

You can change the water after the almonds have swelled and the water
becomes a bit murky and then store them in the fridge
for later use.

[StarFire]

Place the almonds in water in a container. Make sure you adequately cover
the almonds because the almonds will swell when they start to absorb the water.

Discard any almonds that float to the top because they've gone bad.
I've read this somewhere but don't recall the source.

You can change the water after the almonds have swelled and the water
becomes a bit murky and then store them in the fridge
for later use.


ooops!! I usually eat those! :o my bad!! I try to soak my nuts and seeds.... and do pretty well actually ... but on occassion I haven't planned well and have made recipes without soaking them. (it's not like you'll get sick or anything!)...

like last night - dh came to my office to tell me we had dinner plans w/friends.. I didn't know - and hadn't prepared anything for myself to eat ... yea I can always throw together a great salad - but sometimes when eating with carnivores - I like to have something kinda special so I don't feel deprived or tempted... so...

I rushed home and threw together a spicy taco salad (taco meat is made with walnuts... and the sour creme is made with cashews). I hadn't soaked anything - but I made the recipes anyway - and it was delicious. I just don't make a habit of doing that... but occassionally - I figure - better to eat raw that way than be tempted to nibble on something I know I will regrett later!!

[bodaflower]

Yeah nuts that float are rancid - same goes with bee pollen. So if you ever have a jar of bee pollen you're unsure about, just pour a bit in some water (it can just be tap water) and if it floats (Or a majority of it does) then you'll know not to take it :)

[the_lab_rat]

I've heard that about nuts that float too (and beans/seeds also!)
I heard you should poke them down to see if they sink, then discard any that still float back up.... though I'd love to hear a scientific explanation for why :)

[Revvell]

I've never heard that ~ which doesn't mean it's "wrong" but those are the ones I eat first. Never had a problem.

Revvell

[luckitri]

OT I just have to welcome fiddler back - been wondering how you were doing!?!

I came to this thread because I am having a devil of a time with sprouts molding. I guess I am just going to have to try to do it in the fridge till the weather turns cooler. It is so frustrating because they aren't even ready yet and within hours they have stinky mold. Haven't tried nuts - just seeds and grains so far. Some of the sprouts are so cheap at the store I don't know why I even bother.

[tisha]

I have had to get used to a different way of thinking when it comes to preparing my food. I have to use my time at night before I go to bed to soak, dehyrate or whatever for the next day. It's just a matter of retraining my thinking.

I soak my almonds in a cup of water in the fridge overnight for smoothies the next morning. I have never read about floating nuts being rancid. I use them all. If they don't taste or smell bad, I figure they are good. I store my bulk nuts in the freezer, so I think they are okay.

Is there a reference anyone can give on how to check if floating nuts are rancid?

[tisha]

I wrote an email this morning to a company that sells organic almonds.

http://www.bro-almonds.com/

I asked if their almonds were pasturized and how to tell if they had gone bad.

Here is the reply I received:

Hi Tisha,

Our almonds have not been pasturized. If an almonds is going bad they will lose there crunch.

Bradley Baugher

[Revvell]

If an almonds is going bad they will lose there crunch.


Wellll, ummm, no soaking then cuz they really lose their crunch when all water-loggy and stuffs. :p

[Elle_Murphy]

I have a question....

Shouldnt ppl not HAVE to soak?? I mean... raw seems to put ppl on a lifestyle where everything is so natural. I dont measure anymore because I've learned a handful or a good grab of something is the equivalent to a serving size anyways.

I've always wondered. I know what it DOES to nuts, but they weren't soaked all those years ago.

What is the reasoning behind it when everything else is eaten naturally?

This question is just to have fun with. it's not meant to be over analayzing.

[EZ rider]

What is the reasoning behind it
I think soaking is very natural. It is like a rain that soaks the ground and gets the plant (seed, nut) to start sprouting.

[Elle_Murphy]

I think soaking is very natural. It is like a rain that soaks the ground and gets the plant (seed, nut) to start sprouting.

I've also thought about the rains. Thanks for that confirmation.