Recipe – Sprouted Sunflower Seed Paté

Sunflower Seeds

While living in Nebraska, I regularly drove down to Kansas to visit my parents. Along my regular route, there was a massive field of sunflowers. When I headed south in the morning, all the sunflowers would be facing east, and when I headed north in the evening, they would all be facing west. I am reminded of the quotation from Steps to Christ, 68, “As the flower turns to the sun, that the bright beams may aid in perfecting its beauty and symmetry, so should we turn to the Sun of Righteousness, that heaven’s light may shine upon us, that our character may be developed into the likeness of Christ.”

The flower head of the sunflower plant can measure 12 inches or more in diameter. Each of these can contain as many as 2,000 seeds. These seeds are considered the fruit of the sunflower plant.

Typically, there are two types of sunflower crops—seeds for oil and seeds to eat. The seeds have a mild, nutty flavor and firm, yet tender texture. Roasting the seeds enhances the flavor.

They are high in vitamin E and selenium, which act as antioxidants and help to protect the body’s cells from free radical damage. Also, the seeds are a good source of beneficial plant compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids which also function as antioxidants.

Including sunflower seeds as part of a balanced diet may help lower blood pressure, decrease LDL cholesterol and blood sugar because they contain magnesium, protein, and linoleic fatty acids. They also, by way of the vitamin E, can help reduce inflammation. The seeds can lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Sunflower seeds should be eaten in moderation, and you should make sure you are not allergic before consuming them.

Sources: healthline.com/nutrition/sunflower-seeds; healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/calories-in-sunflower-seeds; Wikipedia

Recipe – Sprouted Sunflower Seed Paté

Ingredients

1 cup of lemon juice

2 whole garlic cloves

¼ cup of Bragg’s Aminos

Process

Soak 3 cups of sunflower seeds 12 to 24 hours. Make sure they are sprouted. They will look like the open beak of a bird when sprouted. Place sprouted seeds into blender and blend with the rest of the ingredients.