Finally I can check sprouting off my bucket list. I’ve wanted to get into sprouting since I found out about it 15 years ago, but I never took the plunge. Always a little too intimidating for me. But this month I decided to dive in. When my sprouting for beginners kit arrived, it honestly felt like Christmas! So fun to open up and discover what was inside. For my first three kinds of seeds, I went for the Bean Salad, Alfalfa, and 3 Part Salad Mix.

I carefully read the instructions about 10 times through to make sure I was doing it right (it seems pretty fool-proof), and re-checked the instructions on the True Leaf Market website just to be safe, then left my seeds to soak overnight. So far so good. I rinsed 2-3 times per day like it said. I forgot to rinse one night and as a result was worried to check my sprouts, but thankfully they were okay (phew!). I was shocked at how big the sprouts got from the tiny little seeds. Such a fun little garden growing right there on my kitchen counter. And they were delicious!

I proudly brought my brand new sprouts (as well as my new hobby) to an extended family dinner to contribute as a side dish, and they were definitely part of the conversation as I explained what they are, how to grow them, and got the reactions of my family who tried them. Most of the people in my family loved them. Surprisingly, my 17-year-old-nephew is now anxious to get his own sprout garden going.

Sprouts are a healthy and yummy way to get some nutrients. I look forward to trying the many different flavors. I also look forward to adding my fresh sprouts to different dishes to see how they do. Easier than I thought to do and you wouldn’t believe how much one batch makes! Now I am honestly hooked. So what is my takeaway after my first sprouting experience? Don’t stress it! Just enjoy and watch those little seeds grow. The hardest part was just making rinsing the sprouts a part of my morning and night routine, but I’ll work on that. Can’t be any harder than remembering to brush my teeth, right? Sprouting is an easy and delightful way to grow a garden all year long right on my kitchen counter. I know I’m going to love this.

New to sprouts? Give them a try! Take it from one sprouting beginner to another: True Leaf Market has everything you need to succeed.