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10/12/2011

DID YOU KNOW: The Truth About Soaking Your Nuts

Did you know the real reason you are supposed to soak your nuts is so that you can release the inner enzyme that's inside of them? I went to a raw vegan un-cooking class recently and was surprised to hear the Chef say the reason to soak your nuts is so that its easier to blend them into foods. The harsh reality is if you have a Vitamix or a good food processor your nuts will be manipulated any way you want them to be, soaked or not. But you are to soak them so that your body can get all that yummy nutrition that's trapped inside of them. 

Karyn Calabrese teaches that you are to soak your nuts so that you can neutralize the enzyme inhibitors and help to release the beneficial enzymes nutrients that are inside of the nuts. As the naturopath and author Humbart Santillo puts it, 
The superpowered protein molecules known as enzymes work in our bodies much the same way an electrical current illuminates a light bulb. Although the light bulb is in itself a wonderful physical structure, without electricity it is essentially lifeless. It simply cannot fulfill its purpose. Similarly, the human body cannot operate without the enzymes that fuel all our physical functions, including cell division, digestion, hormonal balance, immunity, mental acuity, metabolism, thyroid function, and even the absorption and assimilation of vitamins and minerals.
So by this theory, nuts produce more than just the "protein" everyone seems to think we all need an abundance of. I felt this was very pertinent information to share with everyone. If you try a plant based diet or raw vegan living...it is very important to soak your nuts and seeds before preparing your meals. I know some are thinking seeds too??? Well, yes, the enzyme inhibitors need to be neutralized and the beneficial enzymes nutrients that are inside of the seeds need to be released inside of them too. Besides, the whole point is to eat LIVE foods. If you are what you eat, then what happens when you eat dead foods? *smile* You must awaken the nut from its dead state first, then eat it.

Now, I know many that may be use to going to your freezer and popping dinner out and microwaving it may say this is just too much work. I'm here to tell you, it's not too much work. It may take a little planning ahead, but definitely not a lot of work. I typically do my soaking before going to bed at night. Or in the morning, then go off to begin my day...and when I'm ready for dinner, I drain, rinse and un-cook! By the way, I'm usually in the kitchen on average 30 minutes or less. For bigger fancier dinners, an hour or hour and half (depending on how many people I'm serving). But never as long as some may think it takes to prepare these foods. Besides, can there really be too much work when it comes to having optimal health practices? Anywho...

Listed below is a table I've compiled with a list of nuts and seeds and about (on average) how long you should soak them to release the beneficial enzyme nutrients...and even how long it will take for them to sprout.

NUT/SEED
SOAK TIME
SPROUT TIME
SPROUT LENGTH
Alfafa Seed
12 Hours
3-5 Days
1-2 Inches
Almonds
8-12 Hours
1-3 Days
1/8 Inch
Amaranth
3-5 Hours
2-3 Days
¼ Inch
Barley, Hulless
6 Hours
12-24 Hours
¼ Inch
Broccoli Seed
8 Hours
3-4 Days
1-2 Inches
Buckwheat, Hulled
6 Hours
1-2 Days
1/8 - 1/2 Inches
Cabbage Seed
4-6 Hours
4-5 Days
1-2 Inches
Cashews
2-3 Hours


Clover
5 Hours
4-6 Days
1-2 Inches
Fenugreek
6 Hours
2-5 Days
1-2 Inches
Flax Seeds
6 Hours


Garbanzo Beans
(Chick Peas)
12-48 Hours
2-4 Days
½ - 1 Inch
Kale Seed
4-6 Hours
4-6 Days
¾ - 1 Inch
Lentil
8 Hours
2-3 Days
½ - 1 Inch
Millet
5 Hours
12 Hours
1/16 Inch
Mung Beans
8 Hours
4-5 Days
¼ -3 Inches
Mustard Seed
5 Hours
3-5 Days
½ - 1 ½ Inches
Oats, Hulled
8 Hours
1-2 Days
1/8 Inch
Onion Seed
4-6 Hours
4-5 Days
1-2 Inches
Pea
8 Hours
2-3 Days
½ - 1 Inch
Peanuts
8-12 Hours
2-3 Days
½ - 1 Inch
Pecans
4 Hours


Pinto Bean
12 Hours
3-4 Days
½ - 1 Inch
Pumpkin
6 Hours
1-2 Days
1/8 Inch
Quinoa
3-4 Hours
2-3 Days
½ Inch
Radish
6 Hours
3-5 Days
¾ - 2 Inches
Rye
6-8 Hours
2-3 Days
½ - ¾ Inch
Sesame Seed, Hulled
8 Hours


Sesame Seed, Un-Hulled
4-6 Hours
1-2 Days
1/8 Inch
Spelt
6 Hours
1-2 Days
1/8 Inch
Sunflower, Hulled
6-8 Hours
1 Day
¼ - ½ Inch
Teff
3-4 Hours
1-2 Days
1/8 Inch
Walnuts
4 Hours


Wheat
8-10 Hours
2-3 Days
¼ - ¾ Inch
Wild Rice
12 Hours
2-3 Days
Rice Splits

 
This list is by no means complete. I will have to add to it as I think of new things to add to the list. But it should be a great list to help get you started. I hope this helps you all enjoy implementing a good healthy plant based diet to your lifestyle.

--------------
References:
  1. Calabrese, Karyn (2011). Soak Your Nuts: Cleansing with Karyn (Kindle Locations 554-557). Book Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
  2. Humberto Santillo B.S., M.H. Natural Healing with Herbs 1985, Hohm Press, Prescott Valley, Arizona.
  3. Raw Living Foods 



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