Totally vibrant with energy, super alkalizing sprouts are true, living foods. If you’re not fond of the flavor of sprouts, they can be enhanced with the addition of a generous amount of yummy dressings! That way we get the best of both—super health, and delicious taste. And because the following are whole food dressings, indulge all you want! They’re also great to use on any salad you might make, with or without sprouts. A sprout salad makes an energizing light meal, or a side dish.

The salad in our photo is made with sprouts, avocado, a few slices of green onion for garnish, a tiny pinch of cayenne, the Creamy Tomato-Mango Dressing, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, lemon or lime juice. It’s very satisfying and surprisingly filling. Adding in a bed of your favorite greens, chopped apples, celery, whatever inspires you in the moment, would all be great!

Check out the archives for links on sprouts, and get your sprouts on! Or buy them ready made. Either way, enjoy the benefits of living foods!

Creamy Tomato-Mango Dressing
A gorgeous color (shown in photo), tangy, earthy, spicy, and super simple to make.
1 golden mango
1 medium size ripe tomato
1 teaspoon curry powder, optional

Blend or pulse in a food processor to desired texture.

Savory Avocado, Basil, & Garlic Dressing
A luscious, thick, savory, dressing.
1/4 large Haas avocado, or 1/2 small variety
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
4 tablespoons pure water
Juice of 1/2 lemon or 1 lime
1 clove garlic, pressed
Tiny pinch of Himalayan salt, optional
Tiny pinch of cayenne pepper, optional

Blend or pulse in a food processor to desired texture.

Avocado and Celery Guacamole
A nice twist on traditional guacamole, and the celery adds great taste and texture.
1 Haas avocado, peeled, pit removed, sliced
1/2 to 2/3 cup inner stalks celery, chopped
4 tablespoons green onion, minced
Juice of one lime
Tiny pinch of Himalayan salt, optional
Tiny pinch of cayenne, optional

Put all ingredients in food processor and pulse to desired texture. Makes a nice chunky guacamole.

Tahini-Ginger-Lime Dressing
Spicy, sweet, tangy, and substantial. Reduce amount of dates if desired.
4 tablespoons pure water
2 tablespoons tahini
2 Medjool dates (more for a luscious, sweet sauce)
1 tablespoon grated ginger root
Juice of 1 lime

Put all ingredients into a food processor or blender. Process to desired texture.

For those who may not be familiar with the biological terrain, it’s a phrase that describes the internal condition of the body, often related to the PH and whether or not it’s in an acid or alkaline condition. One way to understand this is in terms of the soil found in our gardens, a forest, a field, or an empty lot. The makeup of soil and its PH determines what types of plants or weeds will be able to grow, and what kinds of insects and organisms will find living there to their benefit. The terrain comes first and then life responds.

It’s been documented countless times that illness, pain, and discomfort usually happen when our body becomes too acid from eating processed foods, and stress. Raw foods, especially fruits, leafy greens, veggies, and sprouts, along with peaceful, spiritual practices create an alkaline condition where the body can naturally heal, and health conditions often spontaneously disappear.

This got me thinking about our mental terrain—surely there had to be a correlation similar to the biological terrain. I soon realized that if I send thoughts to my body in any way shape or form—even a whisper—that I’m not happy with the way my body is, or that something is wrong, it occurred to me that this is like putting a "whammy" on that part of my body, or body system!

In the book, "The Food of Gods", author Jasmuheen has an exercise to say to our body, "I love you, I love you, I love you", over and over again. She writes that the body is often surprised to hear this. I tried her technique and felt a response clear as a bell, "You do?" And relief. Then gratitude.

We are often so hard on our bodies, emotionally, mentally, and physically by being judgmental or demanding, and giving it the wrong kind of nourishment or information. It wants love, appreciation and acknowledgment for all the hard work it does day and night, 24/7, never getting a break, to function the best it can. And it can only function with what we give to it—be that emotional, mental, physical, or spiritual. This is all so very circular and powerful. So it seems essential to me that being grounded in a positive state as much as possible, and eating the foods that I know will help me to live life with health, gratitude, and compassion, is utterly important to my total well being!

A friend of ours, Donna Pritchard Savage, who writes a monthly column for the magazine 11:11, sent me this response to a Facebook post I made about the mental terrain. "Janet, it is interesting to read this in light of something I started about 2 months ago. Using the Ho’oponopono prayer from the Hawaiians, I focus on my body and its individual parts—especially those experiencing any discomfort and I say, over and over, ’I am sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.’ Is it working? All I know for certain is that I am feeling better and stronger than I have in many, many years. I am also applying this prayer to any doubts, worries, and fears in my psyche, to any moodiness, etc., thanking it for showing itself to my awareness, and therefore grateful to know it needs my attention, apologizing for ignoring it, asking for forgiveness, and always, always, always, sending it love." Thank you so much, Donna, for sharing this!

It is also well documented that diet and mental states go hand in hand. Even people in prison who were violent had dramatic, positive changes in their personalities once healthy foods were introduced. The body-mind connection is truly profound, and living foods bring a super high quality vibration to nourish every aspect of our being! These practices are well worth the time and effort involved, and work in such nourishing ways, extending into our future, bringing a better life day by day!