Empty liquids from your kegs to keep them clean.

The quickest and easiest way to drain the liquid from a keg is by twisting off its lid and pouring out its contents. The method is less time-consuming than pumping out the liquid by hand. It also can ready any keg promptly for cleaning, recycling, re-purposing or other uses.

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Step 1

Release leftover pressure in the keg by switching on its pressure-relief valve, which is a round key on the keg's lid.

Step 2

Push the keg's lid down while turning the lid 90 degrees. Lift the lid, and remove it from the keg.

Step 3

Pour out liquid from within the keg.

Tip

Drain the keg quickly for cleaning if you hope to extend its party life because damaging bacteria, yeast and other microbes thrive in a keg left holding liquid such as beer and soda.

Spirulina is one of the earth's most abundant and sustainable superfoods and contains a healthy dose of antioxidants to help cleanse your system. This chlorophyll-rich food helps remove heavy metals from your body and also helps stabilize blood sugar. Stemming from blue-green algae, spirulina is a powder that can easily be added to any of your smoothies to provide a boost of protein, B vitamins, iron, and calcium.

How to make a healthy detox smoothie with spirulina Image Credit: Julia Mueller

The flavor of spirulina can be a little off-putting to some people, which is why it's always a good idea to choose naturally sweet and flavorful ingredients such as banana, mango, and orange juice to help keep the smoothie delicious as well as nutritious. This easy recipe can be adapted using virtually any fruit (and many vegetables can be added, too) in order to cater to your dietary needs as well as please your palate.

Things You\’ll Need

• 1 cup orange juice

• 1 large ripe banana

• 1 cup frozen mango

• 1 teaspoon spirulina

• 1 scoop protein powder, optional

• 1 teaspoon chia seeds

• 1 teaspoon hemp seeds

Tip

For added nutrients and detox benefits, add 1/4 cup cooked beets or blueberries, and/or 1 cup of baby spinach or kale.

You can use any type of fruit or juice to change up the flavor profile of this smoothie.

Step 1: Add Ingredients to Blender

This easy recipe only requires a few simple actions. Simply gather up your ingredients, add everything to a high powered blender, and blend until completely smooth.

gather your smoothie ingredients Image Credit: Julia Mueller

Step 2: Pour Into a Glass and Enjoy!

Pour the smoothie into a tall glass, and garnish with additional chia seeds, hemp seeds, and/or fruit and granola for some extra pizzazz.

Tropical detox smoothie with spirulina Image Credit: Julia Mueller

Things You\’ll Need

• Ruler

• Ice cube tray (or a cup with no lid)

• Carbonated water or soda pop

• Freezer

Carbonated water expands when frozen.

Water expands by about nine percent when it freezes. Carbonated water expands at the same rate. The carbonated bubbles cause unusual swelling patterns, but have little impact on the total expansion rate. Sealed, pressurized containers do not allow for carbonated water's expansion. That is why an aluminum soda can will explode and leak frozen soda all over the freezer. Freezing carbonated water in a container that is not completely full, with an open top, will allow the room it needs to expand without making a mess.

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Step 1

Measure the height of the ice cube tray or cup that will will you to freeze the carbonated water.

Step 2

Subtract 10 percent from the height to find out how full the ice cube tray needs to be. Multiply the measurement by 0.10 and subtract. If, for example, the ice cube tray is one-inch tall, you will be looking for a total of 9/10 of an inch for your full line. You do not need to mark it, just remember where it is and avoid filling the tray all of the way to the top.

Step 3

Freeze the carbonated water until it forms solid cubes. Expect it to take at least one hour.

If you ever find yourself with a hankering for a smoothie but no blender in sight, you can use a food processor instead. The key is to use frozen fruit instead of ice, as the food processor can break it down more easily. From lean and green to tropical and fruity, have fun whipping up your fave flavor combos!

Things You\’ll Need

• Leafy greens (optional)

• Fruit, fresh and/or frozen

• Energy or health boosters (optional)

• Liquid base, sweetened or unsweetened

• Sweetener (optional)

Tip

Keep scrolling for a variety of ideas on all ingredients.

Step 1: Add Your Greens

If you're adding greens to your smoothie, add them to the food processor first. Be sure to pack them down towards the bottom. Heavier items like frozen fruit will help weigh them down. Baby spinach, kale, romaine, beet greens and Swiss chard are all excellent examples of greens you can blend into your smoothie.

Step 2: Add Your Fruit

Next, add your fruit on top of the greens. Frozen fruit works best if you'd like a more slushy consistency to your smoothie. Frozen bananas, pineapples, mangoes and berries are common fruit bases, but feel free to use any of your favorite fruits.

Step 3: Add Your Healthy Booster(s)

Enhance the health benefits of your smoothie by adding in one or several boosters. Here are a few examples you can try:

• Protein: protein powder, chia seeds, hemp seeds
• Fiber: flax seeds, oats, shredded coconut
• Healthy Fats: almond butter, coconut oil, avocado
• Energy Boost: maca powder, bee pollen, raw cacao
• Antioxidant: acai, spirulina, goji berries

Step 4: Add Your Liquid Base

Lastly, add your liquid to the food processor. Almond milk, coconut water and soy milk are all great alternatives to regular milk, if you prefer a non-dairy option. Kefir or yogurt are also semi-liquid options if you prefer a thicker smoothie.

If you are using an unsweetened liquid base and prefer your smoothies on the sweeter side, now's also the time to add in your sweetener of choice, such as honey, maple syrup, agave nectar or dates.

Tip

Start with 1 cup of liquid first. If you need more liquid, add it in small increments, as food processors can leak if you add too much liquid.

Step 5: Blend Ingredients Together

Put the top on the food processor and blend the ingredients together. You may need to stop halfway through and scrape down the sides before continuing to blend.

Step 6: Remove Blade and Pour

Be sure to remove the blade from the food processor first. There is no pour spout on a food processor, so carefully pour the ingredients into a tall glass or mason jar. You may need to scrape the sides and use a spatula to guide the smoothie into the glass, especially if it's on the thicker side. Serve immediately.

Banana Kiwi Green Smoothie Recipe

Enjoy the recipe featured in this article and video, and let us know what your favorite smoothie combination is on Facebook!

Makes 1 serving:

• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1 kiwi, sliced
• 1 banana, sliced and frozen
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 cup almond milk