It’s Friday. And after a long time, I feel, I am talking about frugality again. As I mentioned in my last week’s Gratitude list, I now have a sprouting garden. And that is an addition to the aspect of frugality in my life I believe. 

Since I have only a vague idea of why that is, I figured this writing space will give me more clarity with my thoughts (the whole purpose of this blog- intentionality and clarity of thoughts and actions!).

Seeds are the essence of life. Seeds and eggs. They contain the whole being, energy for it to start life and grow enough that they can then look for further resources to grow bigger. And sprouting those seeds is the beginning of the life, and using of that energy that is neatly stored in that little package. Seeds are not easy to digest. But when sprouted, they are the healthiest food on the planet. We get to eat the whole plant- roots, shoots, endosperm, everything, in that little growth. And all it needs to grow to a sprout is moisture.

With me watering my seeds twice a day till they have sprouted, and before they need soil and light to grow further, I get to enjoy the freshest food on the planet- grown and harvested in my own kitchen, and with the maximum nutrition possible relative to the density of the food. The variety of seeds I can sprout is endless. And they do not cost much at all.

So why am I sprouting?

To get the nutritional benefits.

This one is the most obvious. This is a little gift I can give myself and my family every single day.

To have a chance to explore the myriad seeds and their sprouting.

Yes, I am truly enjoying the exploration and experimentation. And figuring out how rich the possibilities are if I start thinking about it! I am experimenting with sprouting lentils, beans, spices, grains, vegetable seeds- anything that is a seed and is raw and sitting at home. Not everything is a success, but hey, I can always keep trying 🙂

To replace store bought salad greens with home grown sprouts.

Sprouts are more nutritious, cheaper, have no plastic used, are fresher, and crunchier…My dream is that I will not have to buy salad greens at all at some point when my sprouting game is in full flow!

For the mindfulness.

Ok, this one I did not anticipate, but I am finding out and enjoying the five minutes I spend twice a day hydrating my sprouts. Those 10 minutes of my day are only about swirling my jars with water, and noticing how my sprouts are doing. Nothing else. But just immersing myself in that simple act. And it’s beautiful…

To be more connected to my kitchen

Over time I am finding out how powerful my kitchen can be in my life if I let it be. It is one place where the best and cheapest meals are made. It is the place that brings my family together. It is a place for experimentation and creativity. And a place that keeps us all grounded in terms of using our hands to make things. My desire to bake sourdough breads, and ferment vegetables, and make yogurt, all come from this place to replace store bought things with simpler, cheaper and hand made things- both for the pleasure and expense saving as well as better quality. Sprouting is one more thing in that lineup of things I want to do in my kitchen to make it a more powerful place in my home and that keeps bringing me back to that place so I can do good things there. Because if I spend more time there, I want to spend more time there. Leaving my kitchen for a while makes it harder for me to be motivated to come back and make things.

This intentionality and simplicity associated with growing sprouts gives my frugal life one more dimension. To find seeds around my home (or buy them WAY cheaper than store bought sprouts or anything equivalent), to spend time attending to them, and then to enjoy the harvest. There are no brand names, or over consumption associated. There are no gear needed except for the bare minimum initial supplies (jars and steel mesh covers) that go on for ever. There is no diet or trademark associated. This is the very first of nature’s act to grow a plant. And its simple and elegant. No fuss. No drama.

And my frugal life is loving it.