Green Smoothie SuperHeroes: Spirulina & Chlorella – What and Why?

May 14, 2014 | Healing & Herbs, Nutrition

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With the green smoothie challenge in full throws, with many of you choosing to swap your usual snacks or breakfast for a bit of green smoothie fun should be starting to feel the benefit by now and hopefully loving your new found energy and sense of wellbeing.

Today I am going to share with you some of the weird and wonderful additions you can add to your smoothies, that are very much in keeping with the green theme.
These two wonderfully green additions are so green and good for you because they are in fact algae.
Have I put you off?

Hopefully not as despite the pond like images that may spring to mind when I tell you to add algae to your smoothies it does not in any way mean you need to start eating swamp tasting foods!
These two green powders that I am currently using are spirulina and chorella. Now I explained a bit more about spirulina in a vBlog here, but I had yet to actually tried it out. And chorella is a similar thing.

What’s is it?

These algae have been around for years. It is said that the Mayan, Aztecs and Chinese herbalist have used then for thousands of years.

They are microscopic plants that grow in fresh water and contain the highest nutrient values and use up the least of the plants resources. Its amazing but collectively algae provide 90% of the worlds oxygen! 

Why take them?

“They have perfect compliments of protein (60%) carbohydrates (19%), fats (6%) bio-available minerals (8%). They are not extracts, concentrates or amalgams of vitamins and minerals that look good on paper such as the vitamin and mineral supplements that people generally believe to be healthy. In reality, the body does not absorb 90% of these vitamin supplements because they are dead, void of enzymes. On the other hand, eating Spirulina or Chlorella is like eating any other whole food such as a banana, apple or broccoli.”
source Spirulina

Watch the video:) And note spirulina is great to have before or after strenous exercise

Chorella

It is a naturally complete protein meaning it contains all the essential amino acids needed each day for the body to function well making it great for vegetarians.
It has all the vitamin B within it (there are a lot of B vitamins!), vitamin C , E .
It is great for building up your immune system.
You cant take too much of it as it is a whole food not a a synthetically produced extract.
Also,
Chlorella is such a powerful detoxifier because it is rich in chlorophyll, which is known to:

  • Aid you in processing more oxygen
  • Cleanse key elimination systems like your bowel, liver, and blood
  • Help purify your blood and clean away toxins
  • Aid you in promoting optimal blood pressure
  • Support elimination of molds in your body
  • Help neutralize bad air you might breathe in
  • Promote growth and repair of your tissues

Chlorella is actually very useful even beyond detoxification, and its range of health benefits includes:

  • Boosting your immune system
  • Improving your digestion, especially if constipation is a problem
  • Providing B vitamins from an animal source
  • Enhancing your ability to focus and concentrate
  • Increasing your energy levels
  • Balancing your body’s pH
  • Normalizing your blood sugar and blood pressure
  • Reducing your cancer risk
  • Freshening your breath’ source

It is best taken with probiotics.

Overall these green algae babies act as completely natural multivitamins. They are a food that are jam packed with goodness and far easier for your body to assimilate as there is nothing synthetic about them. If you are into popping multivitamin or B vitamin pills why not swap them for some green goodness?

*For more info on the difference between spirulina and chorella – read this.

Rules for taking the green stuff

  • Only use small amounts. You need half a tsp to begin with moving to a  full tsp over time. This stuff is expensive because you only need a little. If you add 4 tbsp it will taste gross.
  • Don’t smell it. Trust me on this one.
  • Always have it mixed with other things. My awesome sister decided to try half tsp with some water as a shot and she wished she didn’t. You don’t taste it in a smoothie, but if you have it straight, well then you experience those pondy tastes…
  • It makes great natural free food dye. I used it for eye grass in my gingerbread nativity.

I have had the privilege of trying out this new brand for free (thank you www.thehealthcloud.co.uk!) and would recommend them. You can grab it on amazon too meaning you can have it on your doorstep and in your smoothie in no time!

The green smoothie challenge is a fun way to get a bit healthier and more energised and you can still join in – just sign up here for your free guide and some tasty recipes.

What is your favourite smoothie addition? Ever tried a spot of algae?

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