Raw Organic Pumpkin, Flax and Sunflower Seeds
I like adding Sunflower, Flax and Pumpkin Seeds to smoothies or salads. I look for organic, raw, sprouted seeds and grind them at home, storing the ground seeds in the freezer. Most brands you find on Amazon and at health food stores are grown in China.
95% of Pumpkin Seeds are not USA Grown
95% of Pumpkin seeds consumed in the United States are grown overseas, mostly in China. I was not aware of this until recently. It is almost impossible to source raw, sprouted, organic pumpkin seeds from the USA. Packaging claims are deceptive, but those doing it right will proudly proclaim, GROWN in the USA.
Raw Pumpkin Seeds, USA Grown
I spent a lot of time searching for sources for raw, organic pumpkin, flax and sunflower seeds. Ideally, I would like them sprouted too, but that is hard to find when avoiding seeds that originated in China. Here are some options for you that I found.
The first source is Azure Standard, take a look at the wide variety of healthy foods that they offer, even seasonal produce—if you are willing to find a local drop location and go physically pick up your order.
I found a few options on Amazon. Be careful, you might find, like I did, that some brands I assumed were USA organic origin, actually came from China.
Azure Market Organics Pumpkin Seeds, Naked, Hulless, Organic, 16oz, $11.43
About Azure Standard
The majority of pumpkin seeds sold in stores around the United States are grown in China. These Azure Market Pumpkins Seeds come from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Pumpkin seeds contain vitamin E along with a host of additional antioxidants. They are a very good source of phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and copper, and a good source of other minerals including zinc and iron. Pumpkin seeds are also a good source of protein.
Stony Brook Raw Pumpkin Seeds, USA grown Heirloom, 16oz, $18.95
While they do not offer sprouted pumpkin seeds, I will purchase the raw pumpkin seeds that are heirloom, USA grown. See the Stoney Brook store on Amazon here.
Wilderness Poets Oregon Pumpkin Seeds – Organic, Heirloom, Raw (32 Ounce, $28.38)
“Wilderness Poets Pumpkin Seeds are raw, unpasteurized, Heirloom, grown in Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley. We have been working exclusively with this pumpkin seed farm for over a decade. As much as 90% of Pumpkin Seeds found in Natural Food Stores are grown in China and are a pale green color. Our Oregon grown Pumpkin Seeds have a robust, fresh flavor that is incomparable.” See the Wilderness Poets store on Amazon here.
Lark Ellen Farm Sprouted Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Raw, 42oz, $31.35, Country: Bulgaria
Why Soak (Sprout)?
Sprouting nuts is similar to the process that they would undergo in nature. When a nut falls off a tree during the autumn months, it sits on the ground until spring when it begins to germinate and grow.
Sprouting (also known as activating) disarms the inedible tannins and toxins that reside in the nut that prevent it from prematurely germinating in nature.
Sprouting noticeably transforms a normally dense nut into a much lighter, easier to digest nut that is more alkaline and has enhanced nutritional delivery.
The sprouting process also provides the nut with more vital life force because the nut is now further along in its growth cycle as opposed to being ungerminated.
All our sprouted nuts/seeds are soaked in water from a pristine, naturally alkaline deep well in Maine (not city water!).
We dehydrate as opposed to roasting to protect the oil in the nuts from going rancid. Roasting can damage the healthy polyunsaturated fats in nuts.
Organic Raw Sunflower Seeds
Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Hulled Sunflower Seeds, 32oz, $14.24. Country: Romania or Bulgaria
Lark Ellen Farm Sprouted Organic Sunflower Seeds, Raw, Organic, 42oz, $26.60, Country: Bulgaria
Flax Seeds
Organic Whole Golden Flax Seeds, Raw, Country: USA, 32 oz, $14.24
Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Golden Flax Seeds, 32oz, $14.24, Country: Canada or USA
Purchase whole flax seeds, grind them at home and store in the freezer.
Serving Ideas
I add ground organic, raw sunflower, pumpkin and flax seeds to my green smoothie, or sprinkle on a salad, add to cauliflower rice.
Make a pesto with 1 cup sunflower seeds, 4 cups chopped basil, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 cloves garlic. Blend in a food processor.
Mix ground sunflower seeds and ground flaxseeds with raw cacao, coconut oil, a pinch of salt and stevia. Form into balls and freeze.
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