131: Grow Nutritious Food on Your Kitchen Counter in Only 5 Days

Episode Summary Wellness pioneer and bestselling author Doug Evans reveals how sprouting can transform your health and wallet. Learn how to grow nutrient-dense vegetables on your countertop in just 5 days for under $1 per serving. Doug shares his incredible journey from fast food addiction to thriving on living foods, and explains why sprouts are up to 100x more nutritious than mature vegetables. Guest Bio Doug Evans is a visionary entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and bestselling author of The Sprout Book. He co-founded Organic Avenue, one of the first organic cold-pressed juice brands in the US, and later created The Sprouting Company, making it easier than ever for people to grow nutrient-dense food at home. Key Topics Covered Doug's Health Transformation From eating 4 cotton candies at basketball games to a plant-based lifestyle His typical McDonald's meal: Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, 9-piece nuggets, large fries, vanilla shake, apple pie, and hot fudge sundae Lost family members to diabetes, cancer, and heart disease before discovering plant-based nutrition Started sprouting 30 years ago after seeing sprouts at Union Square Farmers Market Why Sprouts Are Nutritional Powerhouses Up to 100x more nutrient-dense than mature vegetables Sprouted lentils increase vitamin C by 300% and quadruple antioxidants in just 3 days Travel only 2 feet (counter to table) vs. 2,000 miles for average vegetables You eat the entire plant: root, shoot, endosperm, and embryo Top Sprouts & Their Benefits Broccoli sprouts: Highest in sulforaphane (anti-cancer compound), most bioavailable on day 3 Alfalfa: More beta-carotene than GMO golden rice, plus vitamin C and chlorophyll Sprouted legumes (mung beans, lentils, chickpeas): High in amino acids, keep you full Red clover: Beautiful texture, mild flavor, great crunch Getting Started with Sprouting 1/4 cup of seeds = 5 cups of sprouts in 5 days Costs under $1 per serving No soil, sunshine, or fertilizer needed The Sprouting Company's jar features: larger vessel, better drainage, stainless steel filter Seeds are tested for pathogens and microplastics How to Use Sprouts Add to any meal: salads, smoothies, juices, wraps Mash with avocado and wrap in nori for quick meal Top pizzas, tamales, soups - increases nutrition 1000x Can eat directly from the jar as a snack Store fresh homegrown sprouts for over a week Key Takeaways Sprouts are vegetables, not just garnishes - they can be entire meals Growing your own eliminates plastic packaging and ensures freshness Perfect for food deserts or anyone wanting local, organic produce year-round The most nutritious food is paradoxically also the lowest cost Sprouting breaks you free from processed foods and reconnects you with natural flavors Resources Mentioned The Sprout Book by Doug Evans Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman The Sprouting Company: TheSproutingCompany.com Follow Doug: @dougevans on Instagram and TikTok Notable Quotes "What if I told you that you can grow the most nutrient dense food on the planet in five days on your kitchen countertop, without soil, without sunshine, without fertilizer?" "Everybody should be sprouting, everybody should be eating sprouts." "Most people are living to eat... but we should eat to live." "The world is hungry for fresh produce, and miraculously, sprouts grow in all climates, all seasons, all geographies." Host Stacey Heiney (Guest host for The NHL Today Podcast) Organic farmer and wellness advocate FREE Resource: Get Stacey's healthy vegan Sauces, Dips & Dressings e-book: https://theherbanfarmacy.mykajabi.com/the-secret-is-in-the-sauce Website: theherbanfarmacy.com Instagram: @theherbanfarmacy Connect with Doug Instagram: @dougevans TikTok: @dougevans Website: TheSproutingCompany.com Doug answers questions and supports the sprouting community directly Note: Doug lived exclusively on sprouts for 30-day periods while living in the Mojave Desert, proving their complete nutritional value.