Growing use of Seaweed!

When I was in college I had a Japanese roommate.  Her family lived in Mentor, OH so she would go home on the weekends.  When she came back, she always came back with lots of different japanese food.  My favorite food she brought back were rice balls.  They were so yummy!  I have tried making them myself several times but they never tasted as good as hers did.  She introduced me to a lot Japanese food, including seaweed.  I don’t think I ever had seaweed before I met her.

Since college I have had a chance to try many different seaweeds.  Nori sheets, seaweed snacks, rice seasoning and dried seaweeds were some of my favorites ones.

In Japan, Korea and China, people have consumed seaweed for a very long time.  They have found versatile ways to eat them.  Wakame & Hijiki are often used in soups such as the miso soup or in salads.  Wakame & Hijiki is usually sold in dried form, and is soaked in water before usage.

When compared to plants that grow on land, sea vegetables are 10 to 20 times higher in vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Seaweed nutrition is found to be higher than land vegetables.  The Japanese variety Hijiki, and Wakame contain 10 times the calcium of milk. When compared to the iron available in beef, sea lettuce has 25 times more, Hijiki 8 times more, and Wakame and other kelps, four times more.  Seaweed is also a good source of protein, iodine, fiber and known to help fight allergies.  Today there is also a growing use of seaweed in spa treatments.

Today there is a growing use of powder kelp because of it’s multi dimensional benefits.   Kelp powder is also good for dogs & cats since it has high fiber content and is important for the proper function of the thyroid gland. It is recognized for anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-rheumatic properties and also for its ability to cleanse the digestive tract, and prevent the absorption of toxic metals.  I have been giving my dogs powder kelp with their food on and off for over a year.  I have not used the ones specially made for dogs & cats but used the regular organic kelp powder.

I would like to share a few of my favorite seaweeds that I love to eat as a snack.  My favorite seaweed snack has sesame seeds and green tea.  I love to sprinkle them on my steamed white rice.  It is simple yet satisfying and I love it.  When I don’t feel good or I feel low or down it is one of my comfort food.

Couple of seaweed snacks that are appropriate for on the go that I love are by Being Blue & Haioreum companies.  If you are on the run these are perfect because they come in small trays and are bite size.  I take it with me while I am out and about.  They are convenient to carry around with you.  I love having snacks with me all the time and I know seaweed is always a healthy snack!  They are both from Korea and are delicious.

I see a growing use of seaweed all around me.  People are more aware of what’s out there and wanting healthier products to put in their bodies.  Seaweed in any form is a good thing!!  Any thoughts or tips, please share.

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