some like minded friends of mine and i were having a few beers and chatting last week - the weather discouraged outdoor activities. One person - a nutritional coach (i don't know what that is) - was lamenting the fact that freeze dried food and canned food didn't have some of the common vitamins people need.
i was kind of surprised, i though that was common knowledge among people who stored food for long periods. She comes from and is in a Mormon family.
I keep lots of storage seeds - barley, mung bean, broccoli and i'm always trying new ones. I can plant it, eat it cooked or make flour or sprout it.
I even use wheat and barley to make fodder for the livestock during the winter to supplement their hay with some fresh green fodder. its pretty easy.
The thing is, when you sprout a seed it releases a lot of enzymes that convert the starch into simple sugars (this is why you malt grains for beer and other potent potables - it gives the yeast sugar to turn into alcohol). it also undergoes several other changes as the roots and shoots grow. add a little light to the mix and you can get a broad range of vitamins and other nutrients. I plan on making enough for a 'salad' per person every day if i can't get to the supermarket. the nutrient profiles are well known and people have been eating sprouts for a long time. one pound or wheat or barley berries will yield about 7-10 pounds of 'salad'. i usually put a tablespoon or two of seeds into a quart mason jar and it will fill up the jar in a few days.
I think this is a great way to get those 'rare' vitamins during the winter. like any skill it takes a little practice but is easier than cultivating a plant in a garden by a long shot.
i bought a 50lb bag of barley today for $7 at a local elevator. that could make hundreds of pounds of salad - barley and most grains can store a long time and still be sproutable. One piece of advice - silo or bag stored grain should sprout - canned or vacuum sealed may not sprout (it kills the seed).
I thought this was common knowledge. but, after that conversation, though I would mention it - if you don't store vitamins with your long term storage food or just want fresh greens in the winter, you do have some options.
