The movement is called Essential Eating. One of its core principles is the consumption of sprouted whole grain flour. According to the Essential Eating website, when a whole grain sprouts, it becomes a plant and therefore a living food, so more of its vital nutrients are able to be absorbed by the human system. Further, the body recognizes the sprouted grain not as a starch, but as a vegetable. That’s important, because, according to Essential Eating, vegetables are the easiest food for the body to digest.

I am not a nutritionist, and I’m unable to vouch for any of these claims. Such being the case, you’ll now want to know why I’ve told you about the movement, and I can give you a two-word reply: pancake mix. Specifically, I’m talking about Shiloh Farms Essential Eating Sprouted Spelt Pancake & Waffle Mix. There are a significant number of aspects of this mix that I really like. First, it’s certified organic. The Essential Eating Movement and Shiloh Farms are genuinely concerned with sustainability, something of which I’m also a big fan. The ingredient list in this mix is minimalist indeed; it consists of sprouted spelt flour, sea salt, and baking powder. That’s good news for those of us who don’t need junk ingredients like artificial flavors in our convenience foods.

Shiloh Farms Sprouted Pancake & Waffle Mix.

Another yummy option: Sprouted Spelt Cornbread Muffin Mix.

And another: Sprouted Spelt Pizza Dough Mix.

But perhaps the most important reason for me to tell you about this sprouted pancake and waffle mix is the simple fact that the pancakes made from it are delicious. I recently finished a study in which I evaluated 99 whole grain pancake mixes. I made each mix into pancakes and tasted all of them (yes, I am that crazy, and yes, it took me months!). Shiloh Farms’ Essential Eating Mix is one of only ten or eleven that I listed as favorites. While this is not a “just add water” or JAW mix, as they’re known in the industry, the ingredients that you add make a batter with good consistency, excellent rise, good browning, and, best of all, great flavor. These pancakes taste hearty, but they don’t knock you down with grain flavor the way some can. Because maple syrup is one of the ingredients you add to make the batter, the pancakes are almost sweet enough on their own, but they’re even better with an additional drizzle of syrup on top. Even if you have no faith in sprouted grains, this is a very tasty way to get more whole grains and fiber into your diet (and yes, it does work in your waffle maker, too).

Shiloh Farms Sprouted Whole Wheat Egg Noodles.

100% Sprouted Whole Wheat Pretzels with Chia Seeds.

Shiloh Farms was founded in 1942, by a group of like-minded individuals who gathered around a beautiful farm in Western New York and founded the Shiloh Community. Their common goal was to live and work together in health and harmony. To help support themselves and sustain their lifestyle, they created a bakery that produced all-natural sprouted grain breads and many other baked goods. Over time, the community moved to the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, and Shiloh Farms expanded its offering to include baking ingredients, grains, nuts, honey, dried fruits and preserves.

Shiloh Farms.

So, where can you find Shiloh Farms Essential Eating Sprouted Spelt Pancake & Waffle Mix? If you live in the Northeast or mid-Atlantic US, a good many natural foods stores carry Shiloh Farms products, and you can also buy directly from the website. Your passion for these good-for-you foods will surely sprout.

1. Food for Life: Sacred Sprouted Grains
2. Lundberg Family Farms
3. Cream of the West
4. Fiddyment Farms
5. Chocolatiers in America: Lillie Belle Farms