In my kitchen

 

These are buckwheat groat sprouts on my dehydrator sheet.  Sprouts are known to have EXCEPTIONAL nutritional value.....so I have been working with some types quite a bit in the last year....and will keep on trying new types of seeds.  Buckwheat groat sprouts are so easy and we have fallen in love with them at our house.  Why, you ask?  Well let me tell you, they are like little rice krispies when sprouted and dehydrated.  Just a soft crunchiness, (if that makes any sense), to them.  Think of the crispies in a Kit Kat bar or Nestle Crunch.  They remind me of that. 

How to sprout buckwheat groats:

•     Put buckwheat groats into sprouting jar
•     Soak under water in jar for 6-8 hours (I often do this overnight.)
•     Drain water and rinse well--place at 45 degree angle to drain
•     Continue rinsing and placing at an angle about 2-3 times a day.
•     Should have sprouts in about 2 days!

 

Close-up shot of little buckwheat sprouty.

Close-up of many little sprouties!

 

These homemade bars were enjoyed by everyone in our family.  One thing that helps our large family....(going on 7 people now)...to save money is to stay away from convenience food as much as possible.  Now, we dont live in the dark, and there are times we all NEED convenience.  However, if I did convenience whenever I felt like it, which would be more often than not, we would be in the poorhouse!  Also, have you seen the price of those very yummy, but costly, organic granola or energy bars in the grocery stores?  Yikes.  They are around a dollar per bar, which really adds up quick for a snack in a large family.  These bars are just one of my answers to that.  I  think I'll call these....mama's energy bars.  Yep, sounds like a good name, for this bar helps this mama's pregnant cravings.  At least for some things....just not tuna fish, chocolate milk or large dill pickles!

                    Mama's energy bars

• Peanut, almond, or any nut butter
• chocolate chips
• sprouted, dehydrated buckwheat groats (around 4 cups went into the jar for sprouting.)
• Goji berries
• Raw honey
• Raisins or any dried fruit of choice

As long as you have your buckwheat groats, a nut butter, a sweetener if wanted, and some dried fruit you can be as versatile as you like.  You can add a whole myriad of items to make different flavors.  Try different types of dried fruits such as dates, cranberries or apricots.  Also, you could try maple syrup as a sweetener.  How about dark chocolate pieces with almond butter?  I am dreaming up all sorts of flavors in my mind for my family.....and  we'll pay FAR LESS than a dollar per serving!  All I do is throw all of the ingredients together...I don't really measure on this one, and put it into a glass pyrex pan and cover and refrigerate.  That's all!

Hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

Hugs, Joy