Algae is all the rage. After being named a superfood for its amazing nutrient profile, fertilizing vegetables, acting as an anti-aging cream for our skin, feeding astronauts, and potentially becoming the fuel of the future, it’s hard not to be impressed with this microalgae.
So why aren’t people eating it by the spoonfuls?
For one, it’s not the easiest to stomach. Spirulina, a spiral-shaped blue-green algae, has a strong, earthy taste. Chlorella, a lighter green colored algae, is less pungent, with a mild grassy flavor. You can take both in tablet form or mixed into a glass of water, but why not enjoy the benefits instead of plugging your nose and gulping the algae down?
Here are 3 fantastic ways to add algae to your food. The best part? You might not even realize it’s there.
Blue-Green Smoothie
This potent smoothie makes a mean green punch, using the blue-green algae spirulina as inspiration for the name of this breakfast smoothie. Also included are antioxidant rich blueberries, a handful of whatever green leafy vegetable you have on hand, and banana as a natural sweetener.
Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
1 cup blueberries
1 handful leafy greens (kale, spinach, arugula, mint, etc.)
2 scoops protein of choice (I like Tera’s Whey Vanilla or Goat Protein)
1/2 teaspoon spirulina
1 cup almond milk (or preferred milk of choice)
Load blender in the above order, then blend until smooth.
Get creative: Try adding a half teaspoon of ground spirulina or chlorella to your morning smoothies. Begin with a base of banana or mango (or substitute another sweet fruit), a mix of berries, and spinach or kale. Blend, and then add your algae of choice. If the flavor is too intense, try adding more banana and a tablespoon of raw honey to sweeten the drink.
Creamy Avocado-Algae Mousse
If you’re serving this one to guests, you might want to leave out the algae part in the name. If not, then enjoy, knowing you’re filling your body with all of the good greens.
Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado
1/2 ripe or frozen banana
1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
1/2 teaspoon chlorella
Raw honey to taste (start with 1/2 tablespoon and add as needed)
Blend the above ingredients. If the mousse looks too thick, simply add one tablespoon of almond milk at a time to reach the desired creamy consistency.
Super Spirulina Snacks
These fun-to-make snacks are perfect for taking on-the-go. This is an especially great recipe to make with a friend, or even children. Have them help you hand-mix the materials and form into round balls.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup nut butter (I prefer almond, but peanut and cashew work well, too)
1 cup raw oats
1/4 cup raw honey
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon spirulina
Stir the oats, nut butter and honey together until well-mixed and evenly coated. Then, add in the chocolate chips and spirulina. Mix well again, and then form into round balls. These come together best if left in the fridge or freezer for an hour. Enjoy!
