I hate the word “supplement.” In fact, I hate most pills, even the ones that are supposed to be natural. This means that I tend to avoid them for myself and I also am not in the habit of recommending them to my clients.
The thing is, there are valid times when someone really needs a boost in the nutritional area. If you are truly deficient in a vitamin or mineral, often just eating well isn’t enough. Since I’m not a pills girl, I tend to supplement with food. One of the foods that I most often recommend my clients take a daily dose of is spirulina.
Spirulina is a blue-green algae. It is easy to get, it’s sustainable, and relatively inexpensive. Most anyone can find it in their local grocery store in some form or another.
It is high in protein and among other good bits it is a good source of the calcium and the full B-complex of vitamins. It is beyond a doubt one of the best foods we could try to add to our daily diet. The most cost effective way to source it is as a powder. (Find it in powdered form here.) The next step is what to do with it once you’ve got it.
How to Use Spirulina
The first time you taste it you’ll find your nose and lips squench up as if you’ve tasted or smelled something disgusting, and there you have the experience of eating spirulina.
I tend to drop it into my smoothies, though I’m the only one in the house who doesn’t mind the green taste it adds to yummy things like bananas and raspberries. I once tried to mix a teaspoon of it in with yogurt on a spoon. It thickened the yogurt, tasted awful, got stuck in my throat and I nearly choked.
My favorite way to use spirulina is in a seasoning blend. I’ve been making two different kinds at our farm for years because I wanted my customers to benefit from this powerhouse supplement in a way that was delicious. When it is balanced with other strong tasting herbs, salt, and seaweeds the result is a supplement that makes everything from eggs to popcorn lip-smackingly delicious!
Since I think you should be getting your spirulina as well, I thought I’d share! This particular recipe is full of herbs that are high in iron and help support the liver.
Supplemental Seasoned Salt Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Thyme
- 2 Tbsp Oregano
- 2 Tbsp Marjoram
- 1 Tbsp Garlic Granules
- ¼ cup Sesame Seeds
- 2 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast
- 1 Tbsp Dulse
- ½ Tbsp Spirulina
- 1 Tbsp Yellow Dock Powder
- 2 Tbsp Dandelion leaf
- 2 Tbsp Nettle leaf
- 2 Tbsp Spinach Powder
- Cayenne and Black Pepper to taste
Directions
Toast sesame seeds and allow to cool. Mix all the ingredients together and then grind in a coffee grinder in small batches. You may add a bit of real sea salt if you would like a saltier taste. Whisk thoroughly and transfer to a jar. Use on any foods you’d normally spice with seasoned salt.
Have you ever used spirulina in your kitchen?
If so, share how you’re using it in the comments section below!
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Carla says
Spirulina is a part of my morning energy drink!! Yummy!!
Thomas says
I use it in the pill form. It’s so much easier.
Nina says
where do you get the pill form?
Nina Candler says
Will you be selling this on line soon? Would love to try it but don’t have all the ingredients and would be too expensive to purchase each.
Dawn says
Yep! This is mine- http://www.mockingbirdmeadows.com/shop/vita-seasoning-iron-blend/
Cherrel says
Thank you. Would love more tips, recipes, etc!
Holly says
i just joined DIY natural and was thrilled to see this email b/c i use spirulina on a daily basis. thank you for the recipe! also, i wanted to add that im glad the recipe doesnt call for salt (but says it can be added). for anyone who believes salt is necessary, please check out this website: http://www.andrewnortonwebber.com/salt-crimes/ the human body can only use “organic salts” which are ONLY found in veggies and fruits. “inorganic salts” cannot be used and are potentially harmful to the body. these include sea salt, iodized table salt etc. these are considered “inorganic”. i know it may sound crazy, but just look for yourself, ok? thanks again for the great recipe!