Immunity Boosting Spirulina Ice Cubes

The winds have suddenly changed! There was rain, temperatures in the high 60’s for THREE whole days, but then… just as quickly as the breath of fall blew in… the clouds parted, the sun emerged and autumn evaporated. That’s right. 90 degrees this weekend, which means no… fall… just… yet. So close people. So. Close.

It was, however, just enough time for me to catch a small cold. Any time there’s a swing in temps, I always seem to get a sore throat and feel a tish under the weather and when that happens, I bust out the big guns.

And by big guns I mean the green God… spirulina. I make immunity boosting ice cubes filled with spirulina and lime juice. It’s my power packed go-to whenever I’m needing extra energy or feeling rundown.

I’ve been a fan of spirulina ever since 2011. That’s when I read Kimberly Snyder’s “The Beauty Detox Solution.” She had a recipe in this book for spirulina pie. I tried it and it was fabulous. I read up on spirulina to learn all about it AND its numerous health benefits. I’ve stuck with it ever since and incorporate spirulina into my diet any way I can, as well as for my kiddos.

So, what exactly is this green powdery stuff that smells a little funky, like it washed up on the ocean shores? Well… spirulina is a blue-green algae. It’s 60% protein by weight and one of the most nutrient rich foods you can eat. It’s rich in B vitamins, iron, omega fatty acids and enzymes. It’s known to carry a whole host of benefits including immunity boosting affects, inflammation and a viral infection fighter. I found a really great article on Well-Being Secrets that breaks-down what spirulina is all about. It’s all science-backed information and worth the read! Click here for more: http://www.well-beingsecrets.com/spirulina-benefits/

For me personally, I know spirulina and the other sea vegetables I take have without a doubt impacted my hair and nails. I used to have very thin, fine hair and even when I ate a balanced diet, I never noticed anything with my hair UNTIL I started consuming sea vegetables: chlorella, spirulina, kelp and dulse.

NOW my hair, while it’s still fine, I actually have a lot of it. It’s so much thicker and longer than it’s ever been AND it has a nice shine. I’m pretty much one step away from a Herbal Essence Clairol commercial and I know it’s all thanks to these sea minerals. Lots of internal and external benefits all the way around.

Now onto these cubes. First up, you’re going to need some limes. I get a large bag from Costco every two weeks. Buying in bulk is a great way to save money, not just on household items but produce as well!

1. Grab 14 limes and cut them in half.

2. Squeeze the juice out of the limes into a container. I use a large measuring cup so I can easily measure out 14 oz.

**Note if you don’t have enough lime juice to fill up to 14 ounces, simply add water. I’ve made them with just 8 ounces of lime juice before and then added 6 ounces of water. They will not be as lime flavored, but will still give you a spirulina boost.

3. Once you’ve reached 14 ounces of lime juice, stir in 1 & 1/2 Tbs. of spirulina. Stir briskly until spirulina is mixed in well and then pour the liquid into an ice cube tray.

5. Pop the tray into the freezer and let the cubes freeze.

6. After the cubes have frozen, add ONE cube to 16 oz. of water and drink up!

The spirulina plus the lime creates an energizing affect. Limes pack their own antioxidants and cleansing benefits so, together, they work as a nice pick-me-up during the day, or a great boost if you’re feeling a little run down.

If you saw my post on The Power of Parsley Tea , I drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water a day using this 32 ounce jug. I like to add one or two spirulina ice cubes to this jug and then sip on it throughout the day. The cubes are an easy, flavorful way for you to add to your daily water intake PLUS get in a little spirulina into your diet as well!

Don’t be afraid to get outside of your health-food comfort zone and try something new with… spirulina. Your body will thank you! 🙂

Spirulina Ice Cube Ingredients:
14 oz. of lime juice (roughly 14 limes)
1 & 1/2 Tbsp spirulina
1 ice cube tray

Directions:
1. Cut limes in half.
2. Grab a large container or measuring cup and use a handheld lemon squeezer to juice the limes into the container. (If you don’t have a squeezer use a fork or spoon to help you press the juice out.)
3. Mix in spirulina with the lime juice, stirring briskly until the spirulina is incorporated.
4. Pour juice mixture into an ice cube tray, evenly distributing liquid.
5. Freeze for one hour or until completely frozen.
6. Serve one cube with 16 ounces of water.

**NOTES**

*If you find 1 & 1/2 Tablespoons to be too strong, start off with just a 1/2 of a Tablespoon and work your way up to more.

*Spirulina source: Well-Being Secrets.com  http://www.well-beingsecrets.com/spirulina-benefits/