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

1. Sprouts are vegetables, not just garnishes - they can be entire meals
2. Growing your own eliminates plastic packaging and ens