One of the very best books I’ve ever read on nutrition (and believe me, I’ve read lots of them), is The ProVita Plan, by Dr. Jack Tipps, particularly with respect to protein metabolism. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, or meat eater, you will find the information vital to your understanding of health and nutrition.
Probably the most useful tip I learned from the appropriately named Dr. Tipps, is the fact that soaked seeds are one of the best possible sources of concentrated protein for the human body. Easily digested, rich in amino acids, free of hormones, antibiotics, and other contaminants, they are delicious with a sprinkle of Celtic Sea Salt or kelp granules. You can of course also add them to your morning smoothie, breakfast cereal, or other recipes if you don’t want to eat them alone.
Dr. Tipps says the best time to eat concentrated protein is in the morning – or at least before 2pm. That’s when the liver handles it best. So I just soak about 1/4 cup of mixed seeds in the evening, and then rinse them in a strainer each morning, for a super start to my day. I generally include sesame, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds with an occasional few nuts thrown in, i. e. brazil nuts, walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, filberts, etc. You can also use flax and chia seeds, both of which are highly nutritious, but rather gooey when soaked – not my favorite texture! I prefer to use them in recipes where the gooey texture helps to stick things together.
The soaking is important for all seeds, including nuts, beans, and grains, because seeds have protective toxins in them that are removed by soaking. Plus, soaking starts the sprouting process that magically multiplies vitamins. So always throw away the soak water and rinse your seeds with clean water before eating them.
It is really simple if you keep a jar of mixed seeds in the refrigerator. All you have to do is scoop out a small amount each evening and let it soak overnight. In the morning you’ll have the ideal quick breakfast already waiting for you! And what’s more, it’s an environmentally responsible and animal friendly breakfast!
The ProVita Plan is available at http://astore.amazon.com/heaitallcom-20/detail/0929167058