The health benefits of soy are well known, providing a wide range of vitamin and minerals as well as protein. However, most people are not aware that you can sprout soy beans and eat them raw in dips, salads and even on sandwiches. Sprouting is fun and easy and provides a delicious and nutritious food for the whole family.

Choose dried, organic, non-GMO soy beans for sprouting, as soy beans are often grown with a wide array of harmful chemicals. Additionally, studies have shown that GMO soy contains an incredible and possibly dangerous level of phytoestrogens.

Keep in mind that 1 cup of dried soy beans will yield about 1/2 lb. of sprouts, so start with just 1/4 or 1/2 cup of beans, sprouting only as much as you can eat in about 2 weeks. Soak the beans in water, rinsing and refilling every to hours for up to 12 hours. Once the beans have become soft, they are ready to begin the sprouting process.

Rinse the soy beans until the water runs clear to remove all of the starch and then drain then as best as you can. Place the beans in a wide-mouthed glass jar and cover the jar loosely with a light cloth. Leave the jar in a cool, semi-lit area.

Check your soy beans every 4 to 8 hours, removing them from the jar and rinsing and draining thoroughly before returning them to the jar and covering once again. After about 2 days, you should have sprouts which are about 1/4 inch long. If you like, you can continue sprouting or stop the sprouting process.

Finish the sprouting process by rinsing the beans for a final time and then placing them in the covered jar in the refrigerator. The cold temperatures of the refrigerator will stop the beans from growing. Make sure that you eat the sprouts within 2 weeks to ensure flavor and freshness.