SPIRULINA!
You may have heard Lauryn talk about this before, but we wanted to write another blog post on it and share a recipe for spirulina popcorn. Yum.
Food is fuel & you literally are what you eat. When you’re busy – whether you’re a hustler, mom, working mom, or just got tons of shit to do, getting the proper vitamins and minerals will give you energy to help you crush it every.single.day.
You guys know Lauryn is a lazy chef and needs recipes that are quick, easy, simple, but delicious. Sidenote: cauliflower thins, 3 ingredient pancakes, & 5 second salad dressing are ones you gotta try. But we want to make sure our snacks are as nutritional as possible too. It’s a work in progress but when we find cool recipes like this, we just have to share.
Here are some healthy snack options that Lauryn’s family loves, and now this GREEN popcorn is being added to the list. It’s the perfect, fun, nutritious food to take your snacks to the next level.
Green, packed with nutrients, salty, crunchy, it’s all the things. Let’s get right to it.
Spirulina Popcorn Recipe
So, ”What the fuck is spirulina doing on popcorn and why in the world do I want to eat it?”
Because you should EAT YOUR SEAWEED. Spirulina is basically a blue-green algae that works freaking wonders on the skin, the body, the hair, EVERYTHING!!! It is all around amazing and if you don’t already have some (in powder or pill form), you need to get some ASAP.
There are many different types of spirulina that you can purchase in-store & online, but our absolute favorite is Hawaiian spirulina. The Hawaiian spirulina is better because of Hawaii’s climate. It makes for a higher quality strain that’s richer in carotenoids, antioxidants & enzymes. Also, the nutrient-rich water of the deep ocean in Hawaii gives the spirulina a rich mix of calcium, magnesium & 94 other trace minerals. Like, just get the Hawaiian one, k?
Spirulina has been around for hundreds of years, and different cultures have been taking advantage of this protein-packed & super nutrient dense sea veggie. It comes in a super easily dissolvable powder which makes it perfect to add to smoothies, yogurts, teas, or whatever! & the benefits of eating spirulina are LITERALLY AMAZING but we’ll get into that a little later.
For now, let’s give you guys the run-down on this easy spirulina popcorn recipe so you can start reaping the benefits right away.
How To Make Spirulina Popcorn:
INGREDIENTS:
¼ cup of popcorn kernels – we like this kind because it’s GMO-free, organic, & additive free.
1 tsp of powdered spirulina – But, seriously, get the Hawaiian one.
4 tbsp of olive oil – 1 tbsp to pop the kernels & 3 tbsp to add later
2 tsp of garlic powder
1 tsp of onion powder
3 tbsp of nutritional yeast – nutritional yeast is loaded with vitamins, nutrients, & everything else healthy you can think of. Adding some nutritional yeast to your spirulina popcorn takes this snack to the ultimate superfood level.
½ tbsp of sea salt – a ½ tablespoon usually does it, but do you here.
optional: a little sprinkle of cayenne pepper OR paprika for an extra kick.
DIRECTIONS:
+ Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large metal pot over medium-high heat.
+ Toss in a few of your popcorn kernels & cover the pot, leaving the lid slightly ajar. Cook these “test” kernels until they pop.
+ Now, your pot is heated & you’re ready to add the rest of your popcorn kernels. Add your kernels, cover with the lid slightly ajar, & shake the pot about every 30 seconds to ensure all your kernels pop. You’ll know that your popcorn is ready when the sound of all that popping slows down.
+ Turn off the heat, cover with the lid, & start making the topping.
+ Grab a large bowl & combine your remaining olive oil, spirulina, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, nutritional yeast, & cayenne pepper OR paprika. Mix well.
+ Pour your popcorn into the bowl & spread your topping evenly by tossing the popcorn with a spatula or your hands.
+ Enjoy!
Health Benefits of Spirulina
It’s packed with nutrients
Spirulina is literally PACKED with essential nutrients. It contains fiber, protein, iron, antioxidants, iodine, copper, zinc, & vitamins B1, B2, B3, E, & C. Need we say more?
Bye-Bye Inflammation
Oxidative damage is the worst for causing inflammation & can cause more severe side-effects as we age. Spirulina contains a lot of powerful antioxidants that can help reduce that chronic swelling & inflammation & fight those pesky free radicals.
Boosts Energy Levels
All those vitamins & nutrients can help boost your energy levels throughout the day. This is why spirulina is one of the most important ingredients in Lauryn’s psycho specific green smoothie.
Improves Your Tummy Health
Spirulina contains a ton of fiber & we are obsessed with fiber & how it makes my body feel cleaner & healthier. Fiber cleans you out, keeps you regular, & a high-fiber diet can help keep you feeling full all day & eliminate sugar cravings.
Is Spirulina Safe During Pregnancy?
Always talk to your own healthcare provider if you aren’t sure about supplements or food during pregnancy, but after doing our own research we can only find health benefits so we’d say it’s likely absolutely safe to consume Spirulina in pregnancy. Again, do your own research, be your own guru.
Spirulina popcorn is like a secret, magical hack for sneaking in some health benefits without even knowing it.
Ok, off to eat some green popcorn.
xo, The Skinny Confidential team
+ Stalk this sweet potato recipe you have to try.
++ If you’re into green drinks, check out all the benefits of chlorophyll.
SPIRULINA POPCORN RECIPE:
