From Sunflower Seeds to Microgreens

When I was a boy I played on a Little League baseball from the ages of 9-12, and part of this rite of passage was the consumption of mass quantities of sunflower seeds. Some of us would eat them one at a time, cracking the shells in our mouth, then spitting out the shells and consuming the delicious seed all in one perfectly choreographed motion. Other boys would stick an entire handful of seeds in their cheek like it was a wad of chewing tobacco, and then artfully savor the seeds one at a time. I don’t eat sunflower seeds much anymore, however I have come to love sunflower microgreens. More substantial in volume and firmness than most microgreens, they are a favorite with many of our regular customers. We love them for their wholesome nutty flavor, but it wasn’t until recently that we learned that they are incredibly nutritious as well as being delicious. According to nutrition researchers, sunflower microgreens are one of the most complete foods you can incorporate into your daily diet to promote overall health and well-being. They are a wonderful source of complete protein, and are recognized as the most balanced of all the sources of essential amino acids. These amino acids, vitamins, and minerals help our bodies to repair muscle tissue, facilitate enzymatic functions, build our skeletal, muscular, and neurological systems, strengthen our immune system, maintain healthy gut bacteria, protect pregnant women and their babies, aid in stress relief, help to reduce deposits in arterial walls, break down fatty acids, boost antioxidant capacity, reduce blood pressure, and serve as a natural expectorant for chest congestion to encourage clearance of the lungs. They are rich in chlorophyll which assists in building blood supply, revitalizing tissue, calming inflammation, and activating enzymes. Decide now to make sunflower microgreens part of your daily diet regimen. They are not only nutritious and delicious, but they are low in calories. As a 10-year old boy, I never thought I would be trading sunflower seeds for sunflower microgreens, but I am glad I did!