I can’t tell you how long we’ve been searching for a Chia Pet; probably since this project began back in January. Who knows, maybe unconsciously we started this whole shebang just so we could have a legitimate excuse to buy a chia pet. I’ve wanted one since forever. Since at least 1988. The problem is…no one sells Chia Pets in Canada anymore. Not even Wal-Mart or Canadian Tire. Not even China Town. I thought Chia Pets were Chinese?

After months of searching in vain, we opted to grow our own sprouts the traditional way: in a mason jar beer stein. Last week we bought some “BioSnacky” alfalfa seeds from our local health market and found a great “how-to sprout” video on youtube. (Note: if you happened to stumble here in your own pursuit to learn how to grow sprouts, I recommend watching this lady’s helpful video, as I won’t be giving you instructions here. Sorry.)

As we discovered, sprouting your own seeds from a jar is super easy, rewarding, and tasty. However, be aware that the entire process is semi-time consuming. For at least 5 days, expect to water and rinse your seeds twice daily. This isn’t a big deal if you’re home all day, but time does add up. I’d say we invested at least 30 minutes in total tending to our sprouting seeds, which amounted to half the weight we’d normally purchase for $1.99 at our market. I don’t know how much you make an hour at your job, but I’ll let you do the math on that one.

Will we sprout again? Oh yea, probably. The process of watering, rinsing, and watching the little seeds sprout into curly tendrils, is actually quite fun. Maybe not as fun as watching a Chia Donkey grow, or a Chia Professor Head, but definitely rewarding none the less. Give it a try. Let us know your thoughts. Also, if you’re looking for a birthday present for me….hint: cha cha cha chia!