Ugh, still not feeling great today, I’m officially getting tired of this cold! I’d like to be able to sleep and talk, that’s it! But we did have gorgeous weather today – sunny, in the 70s with a light breeze, perfect to open up the house. My luck that I feel fine during all the awful weather last week and now that the weather is perfect for a run and I can barely breathe. Oh well, it can’t last much longer – right? At least Leela thoroughly enjoyed the nice weather spending plenty of time soaking it up in the backyard.
And eating grass, her version of a raw diet. :-)
And Smokey screamed at me to come outside too.
We rescued her at 3-years-old, but she was an outdoor stray cat before and always wants to go outside. I prefer her to be safe inside from traffic and crazy neighborhood dogs, but feel bad when she wants to enjoy the nice weather too. Our other cat has no interest in going outside.
To hopefully accelerate recovering from this cold, I added something new to my breakfast smoothie. I’ve been meaning to pick up Spirulina since reading Gena’s wonderful post on it, but am trying to space out my grocery spending. I found this unused jar in my mom’s cupboard that she bought, then forgot about it not knowing what to use it in. I stole borrowed it to try in my smoothies. From Gena’s post:
In 1993-95, research showed natural polysaccharides in spirulina increased T-cell counts, strengthened the immune system and raised disease resistance in chickens, fish and mice.
I could really use that now! :-)
Lots of protein and nutritional value for 10 little calories.
And it’s a gorgeous, vibrant green color.
I included it in my smoothie with frozen berries, spinach, carrot, broccoli stalk and Sun Warrior protein powder.
It didn’t seem to altar the flavor from my normal smoothies, I hardly detected it. Now I’ve got to figure out if I want to include it in my smoothies regularly or maybe a couple of times a week or month because there may be drawbacks to consuming too much from possible allergy reactions to metal poisoning depending on where it came from. I didn’t notice any reactions from it today, but probably won’t add it to my smoothies everyday.
Continuing with my odd cold-induced food cravings, I went to one of my go to comfort foods for dinner – carrot fries. I mixed some balsamic vinegar, olive oil, agave nectar and fresh grated ginger to toss the fries with.
Then sprinkled with cumin, salt and pepper before baking at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. They got nice and crispy!
I also threw together a hemp seed-based dill dip in the Vita-Mix to dip the fries in along with some fresh chopped red pepper.
It made an interesting, but tasty, snack-style dinner. And my sweet hubby picked me up a pint of Dark Chocolate Coconut Bliss on his way home from work to have for dessert. Am I a lucky gal or what?
Have you ever tried spirulina? How often do you take it if so?
k says
ooh i love spirulina!!! i make popcorn with spiruina, nutritional yeast, himalayan salt and omega oil Yum ! and i always add it to my smoothie! and if i eat raw gronola i add it to the milk and i also add bee pollen!!
Ashlei says
Hope you start feeling better soon!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
I need to pick up a new jar of spirulina!! I used to add it to my smoothies, and I swear it made me feel really good!
Hope you kick this cold soon!!!
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons says
I need to pick some up! I ran out in COLLEGE and never replenished my supply for some reason. which is total crap b/c that stuff is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! haha. even my ferrets love it! =) i used to mix their spirulina with flax seed oil and they would BEG for it! <3
christine says
So cute about your ferrets loving it, they have great taste. :-)
(what runs) Lori says
I love incorporating spirulina into my diet since it is SO good for you but sadly my stomach and gut can’t take too much of it. I get really bloated… wonder why. It is really good for you though.
:)
Carrot fries sound amazing right now. Yours to be exact.
Aren’t you loving the weather?!
christine says
Weird, I didn’t notice bloating with this brand of spirulina, but I’ve read that can vary depending on where it came from.
Yes, the weather is so perfect! I actually wore flip flops today!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
balsamic vinegar, olive oil, agave nectar and fresh grated ginger= sounds wonderful!!
ginger boosts the immune system the so does the fermentation in vinegar. your cravings are right what your body needs!
the fries look perfect and great dressing, too.
spirulina…only trials/samples i have been sent. I dont like making my food green colored. Sounds weird, but I am just weird :) I have had it in pill form…no noticeable effects good or bad.
feel better! I am sick too, and it’s 83F. nothing like a spring/summer cold.
christine says
Good, I’ve been eating tons of ginger! :-)
I’ll probably add spirulina a couple of times a week to my smoothies and see how that goes, everyday might be too much of it.
Thanks and sorry you’re sick too, hope you feel better soon!
Pure2raw twins says
you know we love our spirulina!!!
hope you feel better soon and enjoy the nice weather!