Nature’s Fuel for Mind, Body, + Soul: How to Grow Sprouts

A few years ago during our TV show, we were often asked if we would get a break when our season ended. People were usually so surprised to learn that during the years we did the show, there were no breaks between seasons. Yup, we filmed our season 3 finale in Chicago one day, then the next day we were off to Denver, CO, to begin casting for season 4!

And the 365 days that followed? No breaks. If production was down, we were busy running our boot camp back in AZ with our show peeps, having daily conversations and communication with the peeps that weren’t in AZ, and strategizing programs and the needs of each person with local and hometown specialists to ensure they had the best care possible over the duration of their year.

Outfit Details:

Reebok Logo Leggings (sold out // similar here), Reebok Pure Move Sports Bra (available in multiple colors), Reebok LL Windbreaker (sold out – similar here), Black Bikini Bottom

It was a lot, but I wouldn’t trade those experiences for the world. Ok, why am I telling you all of this on Earth Day? Here’s the thing:

Nature has played a big part in our family as we navigated everything, and it continues to play a role as we continue forward with all the transformations we’ve been blessed to be a part of and continue to be a part of.

Celebrate nature: Our favorite outdoor memories 

Being a mom during this wild ride is one of the biggest blessings of my life. I want to make sure my kids are thriving, happy, healthy, and doing well in school and extracurricular activities. While this might seem tiring to most (and I’ll be honest, we hit that proverbial wall at times too!),  here are just a few examples of how much we enjoyed nature during the busiest part of it all:

  • We turned an EWL white water rafting shoot (3 hours from our Denver home) into an overnight excursion in the gorgeous mountains with the family (and with NO cell phone reception)!
  • The kids and I rode horses, played in the dirt, and took hikes along rivers and in other places we traveled. We enjoyed nature while we were filming.
  • We took camping trips during shooting, and waking up was nothing short of breathtaking. Our view of the green-covered mountains was something I didn’t want to leave.

The old saying is true: Lose yourself in nature and find peace. The same can be said for all the good ways nature nourishes our bodies too, and not just by the activities we are able to do. In the age of fast food and crazy schedules, it’s good to take a break to soak in and celebrate all the goodness that grows all around us, so I’m sharing a great Earth Day activity you can do at home with your kids: Grow sprouts!

Fuel your soul + body: How to grow sprouts

It’s just as important to fuel the body as it is to enjoy all the physical activities we are able to do with these wonderful bodies of ours. If you’re wondering what the heck sprouts are, they are germinated seeds of a veggie that produces tiny little plants you can cook or eat raw. You’ve probably seen them at your local sandwich shop or on top of a fancy salad.

Types of sprouts + their health benefits:

  • Broccoli sprouts (a favorite around here) are a great source of vitamins C + A, calcium, and iron. They taste like broccoli and are great in eggs (think: broccoli omelet) and on top of soups and salads.
  • Alfalfa sprouts are a great source of vitamin K, vitamin C, fiber, folate, and manganese.
  • Kale sprouts are another great source of vitamin C as well as folic acid, calcium, and potassium.

For even the pickiest eaters, sprouts are a great way to sneak in some of those greens, and here’s the best part: You can grow them on your counter!

What you’ll need:

To grow the sprouts, first make sure your hands are clean each time you work with them. Raw sprouts do have the ability to pass bacteria, so a clean hand is important. You can also cook the sprouts to reduce any risk.

  • Add 1 tablespoon of sprout seeds into your Mason jar.
  • Fill the jar with water and let it sit for 24 hours (This is easy to do if you start in the morning).
  • With the sprouting lid on, pour the water out.
  • Rinse the sprouts one more time and then pour the water out (shake it like a little maraca…you can even dance to it for a little fun in the kitchen).
  • Repeat the last step each day until the sprouts fill the entire jar.

The seeds grow so quickly (about 5-7 days total) that it’s a great way to share nature, plants, and the beauty of growing things with your kids. They will be able to check and rinse their sprouts each day, and they’ll be proud to eat something they’ve grown. If they don’t like the taste, it’s easy to mix sprouts into soups, salads, and even smoothies.

You guys, any busy mama will agree: Any way to sneak some healthy eating habits into the kids’ diets is a win-win, right? So today (and hopefully, everyday) let’s continue to enjoy all the earth has to offer for fitness and nutrition.

xo,

Related reading:

Go Green: Top Health Benefits of Spinach + How to Sneak It into Your Diet
Fun Family Ideas to Get Outside and Celebrate Earth Day!
Macros vs Micros: The Macro Myth Busted!
Fun with Food: A Powell Pack Guide to Healthy Habits
Taste the Rainbow: Best Ways to Eat More Fruits + Veggies

20 Responses

  1. That sounds amazing! I thinks it’s so awesome that you can all go away together! That’s way it should be. I hope you guys had a wonderful time! You really and truly deserve it! Keep doing what your doing!!!! Your guys are the bomb!!!

  2. You all were so close to me. I would have lost it if I ran into you around town. Love the show and watch it for my weekly dose of inspiration. Next time you are areound the Rockies, you must try the Manitou Incline. Amazing workout mixed with an awesome view! Looking forward to tonight’s show!

  3. There is one thing here that really stands out to me, especially as a child of divorced parents. I think it is phenomenal that you, Chris and your ex can all have the relationship you seem to have for your kids and your families. Everything else you do for your kids is just icing on the cake. Having parents that provide a peaceful, loving environment for their kids is priceless.

  4. I don’t even take lunch and I haven’t had a vacation in over 12 years; that is inspiring and I love that you have friends and loved ones to do that with. Chris is awesome to allow the ex-husband along and you guys get along – that’s just the kind of person I expected him to be. Your article made me tear up with happiness at such overflowing love; it really comes through in your lives and your writing about your lives. Although it’s none of anyone else’s business, thank you for sharing such private moments that allow us all to see what it REALLY takes to live a good life… now, THAT’S mentoring at it’s very best!

  5. I didn’t realize you guys had a place in CO. I live an hour and forty five minutes from Denver. You guys have inspired me and my family so much! We have set a goal as a family to do the mud run in Colorado Springs next April 12th. If you guys are in the area we would love to have you join us for that. It is our first time doing something like that and already the kids are excited. I have 3 boys ages 9, 6, and 1 that will be joining us for it. Your family is more than welcome to be part of our team. Take care!

  6. Chris getting crazy with his honey almonds! Love the show – each episode is so inspiring!!! Keep doing what you are doing!

  7. WOW! Derek and Chris get along and are friends???? that is way too cool and what a wonderful example to the kids. way to go!!
    Is there a forum or 1-800 I can call if I have questions concerning the program? I know you and Chris can’t reply to all your emails and tweets (mind you I would love a retweet someday! Twitterr: tlpage1 from Canada). I’ll put my question here just in case as I’m reading Chose more book now. If we are to eat breakfast within 30mins of waking, then how long after do you do a workout? I saw where you guys did a crossfit at 5am so how does breakfast fit into that? and what should you eat before and after a strenious workout like a crossfit? how long before and after? I can’t imagine waking up to do a 5am workout but I’m thinking its something I’m going to have to psych myself into somehow. Thanx for all you & Chris do! Hugs.

    1. Yep, they are friends. Makes life so much easier when everyone simply tries to get along. 🙂
      As for breakfast, we do eat something before we work out. Some days it’s a piece of fruit and other days it’s a shake http://www.vemma.com/bode/. After our workout the longest we wait to eat something is 3 hours from our morning meal. Good luck with your 5am workout! 🙂

  8. You have such a wonderful spirit about you and your family. It comes through in everything you do. You truly are role models for all of us who are on our weight lose journey.
    Something to consider if you could please. I read a lot of the comments made by people and realize we all have some questions we would like answers to about the diet or workouts. Could you set up a forum where we can offer each other help and encouragement. I know you are too busy to answer all the questions but maybe we could help each other out.

  9. Heidi, I love reading about the Powell Pack, you guys are such an inspiration. In the last picture you have Cash in a backpack carrier, any chance you could tell me who makes the backpack? I would love to have one for my son.
    Thanks, Shanae

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