7 Healthy & Fun Ways To Use Spirulina

It may be the most nutrient-dense food on the planet... You know that spirulina is a powerful superfood and want to incorporate it into your life... But how? Read on for 7 healthy and fun (and surprising!) ways to use it.

#1 -- Add Spirulina To Juices & Smoothies

Spirulina has a pretty strong flavor. Adding it to sweeter juices and smoothies helps balance the flavor. Start out small, only adding about half a teaspoon. Build from there, increasing your consumption as desired. One teaspoon of spirulina in any smoothie or juice is a nice amount. Here's a delicious smoothie recipe that packs a powerful nutritional punch. It's sweet enough to mask the spirulina flavor, but not so sweet it becomes unhealthy. To a blender add the following ingredients and blend on high until smooth:

• 1 cup spinach
• 1 frozen banana
• 1-1/2 cups frozen mango chunks
• 1/3 cup frozen pineapple
• 4 strawberries, fresh or frozen
• 1/2 of an avocado
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon spirulina
• 1 tablespoon collagen, optional
• 1 tablespoon Wildly Organic Chia Seeds, optional

Drink your smoothie immediately. The spirulina flavor may get stronger the longer it sits, so it's best to make the smoothie right before consuming. If you need to prepare a smoothie ahead of time, leave out the spirulina and stir in right before drinking.

#2 -- Add Spirulina To Homemade Snacks

Another easy way to get more spirulina into your diet is to add a small amount to homemade snacks, such as energy balls and bars. Simply add a teaspoon of spirulina to the mixture before forming into balls or bars. Spirulina can also be used as a nutrient boost in homemade chocolate, quick bread, muffins, smoothie bowls, and crackers; just add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of spirulina to your recipes. As a general rule, start by adding a small amount of spirulina powder (1/2 to 1 teaspoon) and work up from there. It may take some experimentation to find the right amount for each recipe.

#3 -- Make Spirulina Seasoning Salt

Make your own spirulina seasoning salt by mixing together:

• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon spirulina
• 1/2 teaspoon Wildly Organic Garlic Powder
• a pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon fine salt (such as Himalayan Salt)

This spirulina seasoning salt can be used over popcorn, vegetables, meats, and eggs or added to soups and stews.

#4 -- Include Spirulina In Homemade Salad Dressing

Spirulina is a great addition to homemade salad dressing, especially vinaigrettes. Simply add 1/4 teaspoon spirulina to any homemade salad dressing recipe (as long as you don't mind it having a green tint!). Increase the amount of spirulina as desired.

#5 -- Use Spirulina To Dye Easter Eggs

Another of the fun ways to use spirulina is dying Easter eggs. Color eggs green by adding a few tablespoons of spirulina to boiling water and boil the eggs in it. Alternatively, create a dye by adding a few tablespoons of spirulina to a small pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve then stir in 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Set aside to cool. Submerge boiled eggs in the dye, turning to coat evenly. Remove and dry on several layers of paper towels so the dye doesn't stain the counter or table underneath.

#6 -- Use Spirulina As Natural Food Coloring

Spirulina can be used to color various foods, including baked goods, frosting, soups, and ice cream. It's especially helpful in enhancing the green hue of foods that already have green ingredients, such as pistachio or mint chip ice cream. Our Raw Avocado-Lime Tart is the perfect example of this! Avocados are already green, yet the green color is brightened and enhanced with a small amount of spirulina. When using spirulina as a food coloring, be sure to start out with just a little and increase in tiny increments. Too much spirulina will change the flavor.

#7 -- Dye Yarn, Fabric, Soap, & More With Spirulina

The deep green color of spirulina is effective for coloring fabric and yarn. You can even create a simple green hair dye for light-colored hair with spirulina! Green soaps can be created by adding spirulina powder. Soapmaker’s Companion states that a “seafoam green” can be achieved by using spirulina to dye homemade soap and that it “contributes color while preserving the integrity of the soap”. This can be done at various times during the soap-making process. From my research, it appears spirulina can be used to infuse the oil before making soap, added at trace, or added to the lye solution. (Source)

Do you use spirulina? Can you add any fun ways to use spirulina?