We’re pretty obsessed with spirulina. But because of its nature (you know, being from the ocean and all), we can understand why you wouldn’t be as pumped.
What’s more, recipes for these supplements don’t exactly seem self-explanatory. How exactly can algae be incorporated in your kitchen? Well, there are quite a few ways. In fact, we’ll link you a few recipes below. You might already have the essentials needed in your cabinet (that is–if you already have our blends too).
Why Spirulina?
So, why should you implement spirulina into your diet? We’re glad your asked. Much like red marine algae, this sea plant boasts several benefits. Here are just a few, courtesy of Healthline:
- Encourages detox of heavy metals
- Helps boost energy
- Can support healthy immune system and bodily reaction to inflammation
- Can support weight loss
Why Our Spirulina?
There are a ton of brands out there. So why should you choose ours? Well, as we’re talking about a plant from the sea, you need to ensure the cleanliness of the product. You should also be wary of the sourcing methods. Luckily, we’ve been pure + true since ’92 (since the day we started, baby). With us, you won’t even have to think twice.
What’s more, we have a diverse variety of nature’s sea-based multi-vitamin. Some people like powders–we have two. Some like capsules–so we have that too. Other places might only offer one, but we offer three different varieties:
- Capsules (vegetarian capsules, of course)
- Powder
- Choco-mint powder, for those who want an extra “yum” factor
Plus, each comes in a variety of sizes. So, whether you’re a tried + true supplement-head needing a hardy amount for daily use or just a casual looky-loo (no judgements here), we have you covered.
Okay, off our soap-box we go. Enough talk, let’s get to the recipes.
4 Easy Recipes
Choco-mint Smoothie
Decadent smoothies are perfect breakfast go-to’s or afternoon pick-me-ups. When you want a sweet treat, try this recipe. We’ve adapted a tasty recipe created by Natural View Market.
What You’ll Need
Option 1
- Pure Planet Spirulina (Choco-mint powder mix) – 2-3 tsp, according to taste
- Coconut or almond milk – 1 cup
- Banana (cut into pieces) – Add desired amounts of cut pieces
- Cacao nibs – amount desired for garnish or extra taste
Option 2
- Pure Planet Spirulina (standard) or other mix – 2-3 tsp, according to taste
- Raw Cacao nibs or powder – 2 tbsp
- Peppermint extract or leaves – 1-2 tsp or up to 12 leaves
- Banana (cut into pieces) – Add desired amounts
- Chocolate protein powder if desired – 1 scoop
Instructions
- Simply throw ingredients in a blender and blend.
Lemonade Refresher
When life gives you lemons… mix them with sea algae? That’s not how the saying goes, but we have a feeling you’re going to love this anyway. It’s a drink that will taste just as good as it looks.
Get the details from the Glowing Fridge and check out the stunning photos.
Vegan Ice Cream
Oh yes, we all scream for ice cream. We specialize in superfood blends, not ice cream-creation, so we’ll let the experts take care of this one. We think our Choco-mint mix would be perfect for these two recipes:
- Sari Foods – Mint, Chocolate chip and spirulina ice cream
- Nuts.com – Gluten-free, vegan ice cream
“Mermaid” Breakfast bowl
Yes, this blue-green algae can be perfect for breakfast bowls. In fact, it has been dubbed as a “mermaid bowl” due to the pretty colors of the result. But just be mindful, we’re not all Instagram-baddies with aesthetic know-how. If it doesn’t look as appetizing as the carefully-crafted squares on social media, don’t worry.
This recipe has been adapted from Cooking Light.
What You’ll Need
- Pure Planet Spirulina or other mix – 1 tsp
- Coconut or almond milk – 1/4 cup
- Almond yogurt – 1/4 cup
- Small apple (cored and peeled) – Cut in half or a handful of berries
- Optional:
Instructions
- Set aside about half of the yogurt (about 3 tbsp).
- Blend remaining yogurt with others ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into a bowl and stir in yogurt that was set aside.
Connect with Us
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What Are Beets Good For? 3 Benefits You Should Know
February 8, 2019
Let’s be honest–fruit and veggies didn’t quite excite all of us in childhood. It didn’t help that this was the era before foodie culture, when beets were often served straight from the can.
While “beet” certainly rhymes with “feet,” we are way too mature to let anything dissuade us from our love of this earth-made red-purple superfood. In fact, here at Pure Planet we LOVE our beet juice pick-me-ups (keep scrolling to see what we mean).
Here are the top reasons why we have made beets a part of our daily routines.
They can help improve your weight loss milestones.
Live Strong reports that this root vegetable can help you lose weight. And why is that? Well, their nutritional trade-off is among the best of any fruit and veggie. They boast:
- Low calorie density and fat, meaning they are lower-calorie but help you feel full
- Dietary fiber (both soluble and insoluble), which helps digestion
- Vitamin-rich properties, containing magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and iron
Their nitrate-availability also play a role, improving your exercise performance. If you don’t have this red beauty in your weight-loss regimen, you should get to it. They can be added in your salads and burgers, or even in your juices and smoothies. Along with spirulina, this is a must-have.
Beets can be beneficial for your gym goals.
That’s right. Ditch the Gatorade, because this veggie can help you work on your fitness. That’s because it contains a high amount of nitrates. These plant chemicals are especially helpful when converted to nitric oxide. Healthline reports that they help improve mitochondria efficiency, which just means creating more energy in your cells.
Plus, human studies have been pretty positive. One study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, found that the nitrates helped improve performance (1). The randomized, double-blind, crossover study followed 7 men as they consumed beetroot juice every day for six days while completing both low and high intensity workouts.
The root improved oxidation, which may be the reason that the men were able to exercise for longer.
Researchers from Saint Louis University found similar results in their study, published in Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2). Fit men and women participated in treadmill trials after consuming beetroot and a placebo on a separate occasion. While there was no change in heart-rate, the participants enjoyed lower “perceived exertion,” which helped them run.
Researchers in a different study, published in Acute Topics In Sport Nutrition, found that these benefits are more likely when you consume the veggie about 2 to 3 hours before your exercise (3).
But exercise isn’t the only way beets can benefit your health.
They can help improve blood pressure and lower oxidative stress.
In addition to vitamins, beets contain betalain, which is pigment that gives the veggie its color. Plant pigment chemicals aren’t just for aesthetics, they can also boost health benefits.
In this case, betalain can act as as antioxidant, providing an anti-inflammatory aid. While not many human studies have explored this, nutritionists and holistic health practitioners believe that veggie can help reduce oxidative stress, which in turn, would help with inflammation (4).
Oxidative-properties are one of the main reasons that beets are so great in workout regiments. But this property also makes it great for a healthy blood pressure regimen.
In some studies, beets helps improve lower blood pressure. In the Journal of Nutrition, researchers found that 23 men found improvement when eating bread enriched with beetroot. For this reason, the author’s of the study recommended the veggie to be studied as a new treatment for hypertension.
Getting Your Beets
Most nutritionists recommend getting your beet nutrition from whole foods. That’s why our premium blends are based ONLY from whole foods sources.
If you’re looking for a way to include beneficial beets in any of your regimens, we have two specific mixes:
- Organic Power Beets (Pre-workout) – Optimized with yerba mate and rhodilia root, this mix helps boost energy and performance.
- Organ Power Beets (Rapid Recovery) – Optimized with tumeric and tart cherry, this mix helps foster energy and joint-recovery.
