The oddest combo we've come up with - Clem's Choice defies description. I can't remember how (or why) I ever came up with this, but my best guess is that in deciding to name a mix after our 2nd dog Clementine, I combined seeds that were the same color as her.
Clementine was a yellow mutt. We rescued her as a puppy - to keep our first dog, Jupiter company. Like all of our early animal family, Clem was taught by our cat, Dziga. He instructed both dogs on the rules of behavior regarding cats; that cats rule. Dziga and the dogs would lay together
regularly. He raised them well. Clementine was part Pit Bull, part Lab, and goD knows what else. She was loyal to Lori. Jupiter was my (Gil) dog. Clem liked to stalk Jupiter when she was fetching. We lived in San Francisco back then,
and we took the girls down to the bay every weekend. Clem would wait on shore, for Jupiter to return with whatever we'd thrown, raising her haunches high in preparation for take-off. She would spring at her sister - and hold her underwater to get the fetched item away from her. Jupiter never minded, much.
As the years passed, Clem and Jupiter became fast friends. Clem was not threatened when we added a stray Fox Terrier, Fagie to our family - even though she stole a lot of Lori's attention. When we added human children she loved them and protected them, even though they had certainly stolen much of Lori's attention.
When our son, Sam was first trying to sleep in his own room, Clem would nightly sleep on his bed, even though she had long slept with us. We called her Super-Protector. She made the transition smooth for Sam. In Winter she pulled Sam, and later Alice too in a sled - playing the part of Huskie in those bitterly cold Wisconsin winters
despite her very thin coat. When Jupiter died tragically, Clementine, seeing my anguish adopted me. She took special care of me for the rest of her life. She kept laying with, playing with, and protecting our children, she allowed us additional dogs and cats. During her time she moved from state to state and life to life with us.
She took the demotions without self-pity. She took it all with a wag and a smile - oh that Pitty smile. Clementine was a good dog. Clementine was a very, very good dog.
On our old site I had some sorta hidden poems. Most will likely not make it to this version of our site, but here is the one that belongs to Clem:
Clem was a puppy - retriever and pit.
A mutt among mutts - she'd shake and she'd sit.
Sharp as a tack with a smile big and wide.
She tickled my neck when a ball there I'd hide.
Stealthy and funny - she'd sneak under the covers
warming our bed through winters and summers.
Gone many years now but still she is missed.
Clem you're a good dog - your memory kissed.
We alternately call this blend Mix #9 in reference to the Beatle's oddest song.
Clem's Choice requires 2 steps to complete as the seeds need different amounts of time to finish sprouting. This can be done in one Sprouter
but 2 makes it easier.
Yields approximately 3 Cups (1/2 lb.) of Sprouts
Clem's Choice requires 2 steps.
We send this mix in 2 bags:
Lentils in one, Fenugreek and Oriental Mustard in another.
Step 1 - Sprouting your Fenugreek and Oriental Mustard
Seed Prep
Measure out 1-2 Tablespoons of the Fenugreek and Oriental Mustard.
More Fenugreek and Oriental Mustard means a spicier final mix.
Rinse your seeds to remove dust or debris.
Soak
Transfer your seeds into your Sprouter (if necessary), or a bowl.
Add 2-3 times as much cool (60-70 degree) water.
Mix seeds up to assure even water contact for all.
Allow seeds to Soak for 6-12 hours.
Empty the seeds into your sprouter (if necessary).
Drain off the soak water.
You may use it - if you like - it has nutrients in it.
Rinse thoroughly with cool (60°-70°) water.
Drain thoroughly!
Always be sure to Drain very thoroughly.
The most common cause of inferior sprouts is inadequate drainage.
Most Sprouters look like they will not hold water, but even the best designed device does, so pay special attention to Draining.
Set your Sprouter anywhere out of direct sunlight and at room temperature (70° is optimal) between Rinses.
This is where your sprouts do their growing. We use a counter top - in the corner of our kitchen, but where the Sprouter won't get knocked over by cats, dogs, kids or us.
We don't mind the indirect sunlight or the 150 watts of incandescent light, because light just does not matter much.
A plant can only perform photosynthesis when it has leaves. Until a plant has leaves, light has little if any
effect. Sprouts also happen to like air-circulation, so don't hide your sprouts.
Rinse and Drain again every 8-12 hours for 3 days.
As long as you grow, you have to keep your sprouts happy!
Note: The Oriental Mustard, a wonderful little brassica plant, has a unique root structure. Brassicas will show microscopic roots starting around day 3.
They are called root hairs and are most visible just before Rinsing, when the sprouts are at their driest.
When you Rinse, the root hairs will collapse back against the main root, becoming invisible once again.
These root hairs impress many people as mold - but they are not. Now you know!
If you have a magnifying glass, use it to take a closer look. Ahhh, another of Nature's marvels. Live and Learn. Live to Learn!
8-12 hours after your previous rinse
It's time to start your Lentils.
We do not Green the Fenugreek and Oriental Mustard sprouts, when growing them for this mix,
so you only need one Sprouter. You can use 2 if you have them. Our instructions call for mixing the seeds all together, after soaking the Lentils. If you choose not to do that, good for you!
Rinse and Drain your Fenugreek and Oriental Mustard mix.
Prep 1/2 cup of Lentils
Rinse your seeds to remove dust or debris.
Transfer your Lentils into your Sprouter (if necessary), or a bowl.
Add 2-3 times as much cool (60-70 degree) water.
Mix seeds up to assure even water contact for all.
Allow seeds to Soak for 8-12 hours.
Drain off the soak water.
You can use it - it has nutrients in it.
Mix the Lentils into the Oriental Mustard and Fenugreek mix.
Rinse thoroughly with cool (60-70°) water.
Drain thoroughly.
Continue to Rinse and Drain every 8-12 hours.
You only need to do it 2-3 more times.
Finishing
All of your sprouts will be done during day 5 or 6.
When the Lentils have sprouted tiny (1/16 - 1/4 inch) roots - we consider Clem's Choice done.
Harvest
Your sprouts are done 8-12 hours after your final Rinse.
After the final Rinse we need to Drain very thoroughly and let our sprouts dry a bit.
If we minimize the surface moisture of our sprouts they store much better in refrigeration, so we let them sit for 8-12 hours....
Mix and Refrigerate
Transfer your crop to a large bowl and gently toss them all together. Serve them or transfer your sprout crop to a plastic bag or the sealed container of your choice and put them in your refrigerator.
We offer Produce Storage Bags that will extend shelf life substantially.
*Seed to Use
These Lentils yield approximately 2:1. The Mustard and Fenugreek mix yields approximately 4:1.
Feel free to sprout more than these instructions call for - once you get used to the crop. Just use your Sprouting Device's capacity as a guide.
Sprouting
When conditions are warm your sprouts will likely grow faster. If their leaves open sooner you should green and de-hull and harvest sooner. Likewise they may grow slower if conditions are very cool. These are just tiny plants they are not difficult to understand.
The more you sprout the better you'll know them and be able to adjust to their needs. As always 70° is optimal and 70° is what our instructions are written for.
All sprouts generate heat while growing, which is a good thing, but it can get out of hand on occasion. When the weather is especially hot and humid you will do well to Rinse more frequently (every 8 hours if possible) using colder water than usual
(the coldest your tap can offer is fine), to compensate.
Though we do not expose the Fenugreek and Oriental Mustard mix to light, when growing them for Clem's Choice, preferring them to be blanched, you may choose to grow them as you wish.
If you intend on exposing them to light: Depending on your Sprouting Device, not all of your sprouts will have access to light and so some will not green. This is not only OK - we think it good. The yellow sprouts will be equally nutritious
(they have everything but chlorophyll) and many - including us, in this case - think them more delicious (in Europe, it is not uncommon to find vegetables that are grown "blanched" by depriving them of light).
We think they are prettier when there is a mix of green and yellow leaves to go with the white roots. So don't sweat it - just eat more sprouts!
The Fenugreek and Oriental Mustard mix should be prevented from clumping. Mix 'em up! We use high water pressure when Rinsing to keep our sprouts loose, but this only works for so long - so - when water isn't enough,
break the clump of sprouts up using a fork or your fingers (wash your hands first, please). If you are using a Sprouter that can hold water, fill it mostly full then use a fork to loosen. You can also dump your sprouts onto or into something and just shake them apart.
You should never be afraid** of touching your sprouts. They are much stronger then they appear - just be reasonably gentle.
** The only thing to fear is fear itself.
Follow links for detailed information about - and a purchase point for - each Sprouter....
