If you can only do one small thing to save the planet, this is it. Using all your leftover veggies, fruits and herb scraps, you’ll blend a nutrient-packed smoothie that saves the day – and saves all that precious produce from getting tossed in the trash. Add a sprinkling of spirulina powder for even more vitamins, chlorophyll, amino acids and more. With so much power at your fingertips, Captain Planet will be green with envy.
Recipe courtesy of Lauren Aborleda of Food from the Heart
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. spirulina powder
1 medium cucumber
1 green apple
4 stalks asparagus
2 stalks celery
1 cup kale
1 cup spinach
1 bunch parsley
1 tsp. ginger root
Juice of 2 lemons
Directions: In a high-speed blender, add all ingredients and process until smooth and well blended.
See? That was easy. If you want more ways to make a healthy contribution to the planet, try these earth-friendly kitchen tips:
Before you trash it, blend it!
It’s okay if the ingredients above aren’t exactly what you have on hand. Use the produce you have that’s about to go bad. Even kale stems and the greens from beets and radishes can be mixed up.
Properly store produce
As soon as you get home from shopping, take these produce-saving steps:
- Shake excess water from green leaves (kale, collard greens, spinach, arugula, etc.), and then wrap them in paper towels and store in an air-tight container.
- Place asparagus and herbs in a vase with water inside your fridge. Change water every two days.
- Save pieces of unused veggies, such as cucumber and ginger, wrapped in a paper towel and stored in a zip-top bag.
Re-sprout your scraps
There are fruits and vegetables that can regenerate if you give them enough time and TLC. For instance…
- Celery: Save the base of the celery and place it in a container with water under the sun until you see some roots and new leaves. Replant in soil.
- Ginger: Plant any piece into soil and wait for it to start growing – easy peasy!
- Apple: Let the seeds dry, and then plant them in the ground.
- Pineapple: Cut off the top and place in water under the sun until you see some roots coming out. That’s when you know it’s time to plant in soil.
Use food to fertilize
Foods feed other foods…and plants. Take a banana peel, for instance. The banana peel is rich in potassium and gives plants a nutrient boost that will help them grow. Place banana peels on top of soil, throw them in the hole before you plant anything or blend them up and spread over your plants.
For more inspiration on how to turn leftovers into heroes, check out Lauren's new book, Pregnancy from the Heart.
