My latest culinary love affair: Blue Majik. The blue-green algae type is a lot like the spirulina we are used to, except it’s tropical blue. We needed a shake up and we got it. In this cheesecake recipe, the blue variety of spirulina not only excites the senses with its baby blue color but also adds incredible nutritional benefits (that are clinically proven!).

What is Blue Majik?

Blue Majik refers to the company E3Live’s branded version of the spirulina extract, but the name has stuck. It is a proprietary extract of the blue-green algae Arthrospira platensis (the green species of spirulina is called Arthrospira maxima).

Like other types of blue-green algae, Blue Majik is chock-full of nutrition. It contains protein, B vitamins including B12, phytonutrients, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, iron, selenium, and gamma-linolenic acid, a type of essential omega-6 fatty acid.

Unlike standard spirulina, it contains both phycocyanin and non-phycocyanin compounds, lending to its uniqueness. According to E3Live, phycocyanin is “clinically shown to relieve physical discomfort, which means consumers feel better, can do more activity, and enjoy an overall better quality of life.”

If I can get all these benefits from a cheesecake, count me in!

What You’ll Need

This Blue Majik cheesecake is easy to put together. Because it is raw, you don’t need to bake it. All you need is a high-speed blender and about 20 minutes of your precious time.

Besides the Blue Majik itself, there are no other evasive ingredients, just highly nutritious ones. Instead of refined sugar, white flour, eggs, butter, and cream, this cheesecake is vegan, derives sweetness from coconut sugar and maple syrup, and gets its density from macadamia nuts, almond flour, and coconut oil!

Blue Majik Cheesecake

Serves 8-10

Ingredients

For the crust

• 1 cup macadamia nuts
• 1/3 cup almond flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons coconut palm sugar
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1 tablespoon nut butter
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

For the filling

• 2 cups cashews, soaked in water overnight
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut palm sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt
• ½ cup coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon E3Life Blue Majik spirulina powder

Directions

Line a rectangular or square baking tin with parchment paper.

For the crust, add all of the ingredients into a food processor and blend until the mixture beings to clump together. Transfer the mixture to the tin and press the crust evenly across the bottom. Place the tin in the refrigerator to cool while you prepare the cheesecake filling.

For the filling, melt the coconut oil, maple syrup, and coconut sugar together in a double broiler. Stir until evenly combined and fully melted. Set aside.

Drain and rinse the cashews and add them into the food processor with the remaining ingredients. Pour in the heated mixture. Blend until smooth.

Pour the blue cheesecake mixture over the cheesecake crust and use a spatula to spread the filling evenly across the surface.

Place the cheesecake into the freezer until it has lightly hardened. Remove the cheesecake, slice it, and garnish each slice with dried coconut and fresh berries!

Related on EcoSalon
How to Eat Your Way to Glowing Skin (and a Healthy Gut!)
5 Foods that Protect Against Radiation
Vegan Chocolate Orange Cheesecake with Nut Crust

The post Raw Vegan Blue Majik Spirulina Cheesecake Recipe appeared first on EcoSalon.

Shailene Woodley is making her own cosmetics line but you can’t buy it in any store — and that’s the whole point.

Woodley, who stars in the much anticipated movie “The Fault in Our Stars” this summer, opened up to InStyle about how her love of nature made her change her entire lifestyle, including her beauty routine.

The revelation came after spending some time in Hawaii where she saw a beautiful leaf one day.

“I thought about how the same leaf would be so different in just a few months—just like life, it’s so fleeting and constantly changing,” said the actress. “It woke me up. The abundance of nature was one I had never been exposed to. It was literally paradise.”

And to keep that paradise alive she changed her habits. The actress goes on hikes to source herbs and spring water, thrift shops and makes her cosmetics from scratch.

“Beets are my go-to for lip color,” explained Woodley who roasts one for 30 to 50 minutes at 350 degrees, lets it cool and rubs it on her lips. “I eat them after!”

For eyeshadow she uses Spirulina from Longevity Warehouse, which when wet, doubles as eyeliner. She keeps her hair smooth and hydrated by lathering coconut or olive oil for a few minutes in her hair before bedtime and her deodorant is made with baking soda, coconut oil, arrowroot powder, and a few drops of essential oil blends, her favorites being “lavender, sage, pepper, tea tree, and bergamot.”

But the benefits aren’t just for mother nature. Woodley swears by her all natural lifestyle and said it has worked better than anything else she’s used.

“To remove face makeup and cleanse skin, I use sea buckthorn oil from Living Libations, morning and night. I swear by their product—it completely changed my skin. Before, I had combo skin, and now it’s smooth and not too oily or dry.” – Natalia Galbetti

This post originally appeared on Ecorazzi

Ecorazzi covers news and gossip on celebrities and notables in support of the environment and humanitarian causes. You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Related on EcoSalon

Thanks, Joe: Fur Sales Rise After Football Legend Wears Fur to the Super Bowl

Want Michelle Pfeiffer’s Diet Secret? (Hint: Hold Your Breath)

Global Warming Gets a Titanic Wake-Up Call: James Cameron’s Eco Documentary

Image: nick step

The post Shailene Woodley’s Lipstick is a Roasted Beet appeared first on EcoSalon.

I love marinara sauce. But without fail, 24 hours later, my lip-glossed mouth could make a small child cry and have the family pet running for cover. The culprit in my case is garlic. Sure, I’m not alone, but halitosis is a real turn off. Research has proven that among some culprits are:

• Garlic – is absorbed into the bloodstream and secreted by the lungs. While not everyone is affected, I certainly am
• Bacteria – volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), such as hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan,  harbors on the teeth, gums and tongue
• Food particles – become lodged between teeth
• Plaque – on or below the gum line
• Dieting – to excess may cause ketoacidosis, the breakdown of chemicals during fasting, which smells awful
• Smoking – dries out the mouth and contributes to periodontal disease
• Diseases – such as lung infections, kidney failure and chronic reflux of stomach acids produce odors
• Milk Intolerance

20 Natural Ways to Keep Your Breath Fresh

If you’re not ready to drop $2,000 on a Halimeter, which will analyze the VSC’s in your mouth and let you know if your breath is offensive, here are natural ways to clean up your act.

1. Brush – after every meal, and be sure that your toothbrush is in good shape. A chewed-up, disfigured brush will miss those hard-to-reach areas.
2. Herb Pharm Breath Tonic – is my all time favorite. The non-aerosol spray is made from a sugar-free blend of certified organic peppermint, cinnamon, ginger, and clove extracts that leave my mouth feeling fabulous and clean.
3. Tongue Scraper – This smooth plastic or metal tool glides over the tongue and removes dead cells and bacteria
4. Floss – removes plaque and food that you may not even realize was stuck. I keep a container in my office desk
5. Water – According to the Mayo Clinic, drink water – not coffee, soft drinks or alcohol. Chewing gum or sucking on candy (preferably natural) also stimulates saliva, washing away food particles and bacteria.
6. Fenugreek – put one teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in four cups of cold water, boil, then simmer for fifteen minutes over a low flame. Strain and drink like tea.
7. Guava – unripe guava has been said to aid bad breath as it contains tannic and phosphoric acids.

According to health 911, there are a few off-the-beaten-path remedies, including:

8. Apple cider vinegar – swallow a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar just before each meal (you may want to add it to a glass of water)
9. Alfalfa – alfalfa tablets have been said to aid bad breath
10. Anise – the licorice-flavored seed, may aid in reducing bacteria
11. Chlorophyll – Try liquid or chlorophyll tablets. Chlorophyll has a deodorizing effect
12. Clove Tea/Mouthwash – Cloves are a powerful antiseptic. Make a tea by putting three whole or 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves in two cups of hot water and steep for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour through a fine strainer and use as a mouthwash or gargle twice a day.
13. Fennel – Slowly chew the leaves and allow the saliva to build up in your mouth. Or, mix the contents of a fennel capsule with baking soda, make into a paste, and brush your teeth, gums and tongue with it.
14. Lemon – If you can stand it, a lemon wedge sprinkled with salt will help stop onion or garlic breath.
15. Parsley & Mint – Chewing parsley or mint leaves has been a remedy used for thousands of years. These herbs are especially good if garlic and onions are the source of your bad breath. Parsley is very high in chlorophyll. Chew a few parsley sprigs dipped in vinegar for immediate relief. If you swallow the leaves after chewing them they will be digested and continue to provide breath freshness for quite a while. These plants seem to reduce the production of intestinal gas by promoting better digestion.
16. Natural gum – such as glee, is made with spearmint or peppermint essential oils. These oils kill odor-causing bacteria, and the chewing action stimulates the production of saliva which helps combat bad breath.
17. Sage – contains essential oils with antibacterial properties that help neutralize one of the causes of bad breath. Chew raw leaves.
18. Spirulina – is a very good source of chlorophyll and can be purchased either in capsule or loose form. It’s suggested to start with 500 mg three times a day, but please check with your medical professional first!
19. Tea tree oil – derived from the leaves of the native Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree, tea tree oil contains antiseptic compounds, which make it a powerful disinfectant. Try using a toothpaste containing tea tree oil, or put a few drops of tea tree oil on your toothbrush alone, or with your regular toothpaste. It has a strong aromatic flavor.
20. Baking Soda – Brushing your teeth with baking soda will help reduce the acidity in your mouth, which is less inviting for bacteria. Combine two tablespoons of dried lemon or orange rind, 1/4 cup of  baking soda, and two teaspoons of salt.

Please report back to us in the comments below on what worked for you!

Image: ellie

The post 20 Natural Ways to Keep Your Breath Fresh and Kissable appeared first on EcoSalon.