I’m so happy to introduce our guest poster today, Michelle from Glow Green Girl! Michelle is a yoga teacher, mom, health guru and all around wonder woman. I first met her in a nutrition and yoga class in the fall, and couldn’t get over how gorgeous she was! With glowing skin and mermaid blonde hair, it didn’t surprise me when I found out she is passionate about healthy eating. She is also one of the sweetest gals I’ve ever met. Today she has been kind enough to share some of her amazing seaweed recipes along with some of the great health benefits! Thanks Michelle!!
When I think of the sea, it reminds me of family vacations frolicking on the beach and bathing in the sweet salty aqua water. As a child my sisters and I used to pretend we were mermaids letting our hair drape down our backs and feeling very goddess-like.
If Ariel from The Little Mermaid existed when I was a little princess I’m sure I would’ve been obsessed. Now, Ariel is my daughter Chloe’s favourite who loves parading around in her costume (even outside of the house).
Mermaids are portrayed as gorgeous exotic creatures who thrive on sea plants while playing with their dolphin friends. I believe these lovelies are definitely on the right track to health and vitality…sunshine, fresh air, cool sea water, and sea plants for nutrition! Sounds perfect to me!
So when the goddess Gillian graciously asked me to guest post this week I was honoured and I accepted. After all, I love seaweed. OK, so I admit I used to get a little squeamish when I would see it spread out on the sand or when it was swimming along side of me. But I now know all of the beauty our slimy seaweed friends possess.
Not only can you use seaweed in many dishes, it is also used in many beauty treatments. Wait until you find out how amazing this wild superfood is for you! Check it out:
- full of minerals such as calcium, iron, chromium, zinc, magnesium, potassium
- extremely high in iodine, which aids in thyroid function (hi there metabolism!)
- high in vitamins and amino acids
- excellent source of protein
- maintenance of immune function, bones, and teeth
- naturally salty (no need for added salt)
- source of chlorophyll
- beautifying for your hair and your skin
The sea is abundant with beautiful marine life and is home to some of the most nutritious plants! Seaweed, sea plants, sea vegetables, sea algae, whatever you call them are incredible examples of natural wild superfoods. If they can support marine life then imagine what they can do for us! And they are so easy to incorporate into your meals.
Look for wakame, kelp, arame, hiziki, kombu, nori, dulse, and agar agar. You can even find salt shakers filled with dulse flakes, ready to sprinkle onto your salads, pastas, and soups. I like to throw in a strip of dried wakame or kombu into my pot when I’m cooking my beans to give them added nutrition. I also use sea algae such as spirulina and chlorella in our smoothies. My kiddies love the seaweed crackers we make in our dehydrator and they are a great, healthier substitute for chips with a natural salty taste too. Try experimenting with sea veg and you will fall in love with the taste. I’m excited to share 2 recipes (all organic or local ingredients) for you to try (and they are both kiddie approved!) 
Eating should be adventurous, enjoyable, and fun! I hope you enjoy these recipes…visualize the beach, and eat with your mermaid locks cascading down your back!;)
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 10 medjool, dates pitted
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- ¼ cup sprouted flax, chia, and hemp seeds
- 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup raw honey or agave
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon spirulina
- 1 tablespoon chlorella
- 1 package of kelp noodles, rinsed and drained (BONUS NO COOKING!)
- great substitute for pasta, gluten free, source of protein and low in calories…even though I’m not a counter)
- 1 large carrot, julienned (sliced or use mandolin)
- ½ cucumber, chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1-2 cups mushrooms, sliced (I used local Crimini)
- 2 cups kale, shredded
- 1 mango, diced (optional)
- sprinkle of dulse flakes
- sprinkle of hemp seeds or sesame seeds
- Sprouts (lentil and adzuki)
- Sauce:
- juice of one lemon
- ¼ cup sesame oil
- ¼ cup tamari, or Braggs
- drizzle of flax oil
- handful of cilantro
- handful of kale (seperate from above) or spinach
- ¼ cup raw cashews or almonds
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 inch fresh ginger root
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- black pepper and chilli pepper to taste
- Mix all ingredients in food processor until it sticks together
- You may need to add more honey/agave or a drizzle of water
- Form into bars or bites and refrigerate until solid
- Mix all sauce ingredients in food processor
- Toss all ingredients with the sauce in a bowl and top with dulse flakes and hemp/sesame seeds
- Eat with chopsticks! *Serves 2-4 depending on if this is your main course or side dish, also depending on your appetite. *
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I also love to add in vanilla protein powder to the Mermaid Bars for a perfect after workout bar!