Blueberry Syrup (4 Ingredients)

Awwwww yeah! Blueb season is upon us!

I am on a blueberry addiction, which is quite common for me. I get cracked out on a delicious fruit or food item and binge on it for about 4-6 weeks, then I don't want to know about it for at least half a year or more. Luckily it's always healthy stuff I go crazy for and I think I am easily on my 20th pint of blueberries in 3 weeks, shhhhh it's our little secret. Mwuah hahahaha 
As it turns out, two of my pints were not tasty. They were sad, gritty, bland, and lonely bluebs. So, I say, when life gives you bad blueberries you make blueberry syrup to smother your pancakes, Crêpes, ice cream, mini shortcake, everything. Eat all the blueberries, all of the time!!!!!!! 
I like this recipe because it's super quick, easy peasy, and has only 4 Ingredients. I know, super awesome sauce with a cape! 
Here you are peoples, now go out there and get you some blueberries. 

BLUEBERRY SYRUP:

Ingredients:
1 Pint washed blueberries 
3 Tbsp grade B maple syrup 
1 Tsp vanilla extract 
Small pinch pink sea salt

Method:
-Place all ingredients in a small saucepan, bring to simmer, cook for 3-5 minutes. Don't overcook, you want blueberries to still be looking like their round pillows of antioxidant goodness but softened a bit. 
-Turn off and remove from heat, let sit 5 minutes and pour into serving container. The pectin in the blueberries will thicken this up and you will have a great syrup saucy consistency. 
Serve over whatever you desire, wrap it, keeps in the fridge 3 days. 

See the Love you Want With God's Grace, Patience & Guidance

                             

Good blessed morning one & all!

Today, a special shot out goes out to my beloved, it is his birthday today and God has blessed us with the opportunity to be together. I am so excited to be celebrasàting his special day with him, for the first time in 5 years! Yes, long distance relationships can be rough but these special times make it all so sweet.
               

 

This is the cake he wants me to make for him but as I am traveling, it is a bit difficult to board a plane with this chocolate monstrosity! He is getting something though, cannot wait to see his face.

If you want the recipe for the above cake, I will be posting it for the holidays!

The quotes below sum it up for me today, as I/we continue different sermon series on Truth for Life ministry about relationships and marriage. Poppa Bear and Mama Bear listening to God's word and knowing contentment because we understand that through Jesus we found one another; it's a gift we treasure. 
Remember that God loves you and always wants the best for you, listen to His voice, humble yourself to be able to actually hear what He has to say, and have faith that God will provide the most wonderful person whom He deems worthy. 

Have a blessed day lovelies! 

Goiters and the Thyroid, Plus Natural Options

It's Goiter discussion time boys & girls!

I know, I know, you are asking yourself, "What the hey is a goiter?"
Well, if you have been so lucky as to avoid this unpleasant thing that leads to a host of other unpleasant things, now you must prepare to be enlightened! Let's start with legitimate sources for our definition.

The Mayo Clinic defines a goiter as the following:
Goiter (GOI-tur) is an abnormal enlargement of your thyroid gland. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck just below your Adam's apple. Although goiters are usually painless, a large goiter can cause a cough and make it difficult for you to swallow or breathe.
The most common cause of goiter worldwide is a lack of iodine in the diet. In the United States, where the use of iodized salt is common, a goiter is more often due to the over- or underproduction of thyroid hormones or to nodules that develop in the gland itself.
Treatment depends on the size of the goiter, your symptoms and the underlying cause. Small goiters that aren't noticeable and don't cause problems usually don't need treatment.

Thank you Mayo Clinic!

Goiters are warnings, they are your bodies way of saying something is not right. This means we need to seek help if a goiter is suspected, even when they are small, they need to be monitored regularly by a doctor specializing in Endocronology. The reason being is that, while many goiters are benign, they can become cancerous.
I have included some pictures down below, to show you what a goiter looks like. 
 (Warning, if you have a queasy and or delicate constitution, you may want to skip the pics that follow. They are important though, so try to view them.

Here it is:
                    

This is what it can look like on a person:

                                    

                                            
 Goiters can effect both men and women, they begin small but as the thyroid worsens, goiters begin to swell and make their presence rather obvious. To reiterate: It is not a good idea to leave goiters untreated as they can lead to cancer.
                           
A goiter can also be signaled by bulging eyes:

          They can be a pretty harrowing experience to live through. Along with the swelling there can be extreme fatigue, nutritional deficiency, hormonal imbalances, rapid weight gain or loss, a feeling of tightness or discomfort around neck, difficulty swallowing, voice changes, digestion issues, depression, (The list could go on but I will stop here for now because this leads to graves & hashimoto's which was in an earlier post.) when a goiter becomes too enlarged and or cancerous, surgery is required. (Warning, next pic is VERY medically graphic)

              

   Who can get a goiter? Well read next what the Mayo Clinic has to say about that:

Goiters can affect anyone. They may be present at birth and occur at any time throughout life, although they're more common after age 40. Some common risk factors for goiter include:

• A lack of dietary iodine. People living in areas where iodine is in short supply and who don't have access to iodine supplements are at high risk of goiter.
• Being female. Because women are more prone to thyroid disorders, they're also more likely to develop goiters.
• Your age. Your chances of developing a goiter increase with age.
• Medical history. A personal or family history of autoimmune disease increases your risk.
• Pregnancy and menopause. For reasons that aren't entirely clear, thyroid problems are more likely to occur during pregnancy and menopause.
• Certain medications. Some medical treatments, including immunosuppressants, antiretrovirals, the heart drug amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone, others) and the psychiatric drug lithium (Lithobid, others), increase your risk.
• Radiation exposure. Your risk increases if you've had radiation treatments to your neck or chest area or you've been exposed to radiation in a nuclear facility, test or accident. 

• Thyroid Goiter Treatments

  Written by James Norman MD, FACS, FACE

  Thyroid Goiter Treatments

  Most small- to moderate-sized goiters can be treated with thyroid hormone in the form of a pill. By supplying thyroid hormone in this fashion, the pituitary will make less TSH, which should result in stabilization in size of the gland.

  This technique often will not cause the size of the goiter to decrease but will usually keep it from growing any larger. Patients who do not respond to thyroid hormone therapy are often referred for surgery if it continues to grow.
  
  A more common indication for surgical removal of an enlarged thyroid is to remove those glands that are large enough to cause compression on other structures in the neck, such as the trachea and esophagus.

  These patients will typically complain of a cough, a slight change in voice, or nighttime choking episodes because of the way that the gland compresses the trachea while sleeping.

  The x-ray on the right shows how an enlarged right thyroid lobe has moved the trachea to the patient's left. The trachea (outlined in light yellow) should be straight from the mouth down to the lungs. But in this patient, it is compressed and displaced far to the left.

  The enlarged gland can even compress the blood vessels of the neck, which is also an indication for its removal. You may read more about this on our page examining sub-sternal thyroids.
  
  As always, the suspicion of malignancy in an enlarged thyroid is an indication for removal of the thyroid. There is often a dominant nodule within a multinodular goiter that can cause concern for cancer. Remember, the incidence of malignancy within a multinodular goiter is usually significantly less than 5%. If the nodule is cold on thyroid scanning, then it may be slightly higher than this. For the vast majority of patients, surgical removal of a goiter for fear of cancer is not warranted.
  
  Another reason (although not a very common one) to remove a goiter is for cosmetic reasons. Often, a goiter gets large enough that it can be seen as a mass in the neck. When other people begin to notice the mass, it is usually big enough to begin causing compression of other vital neck structures—but not always. Sometimes, the large goiter causes no symptoms other than being a cosmetic problem. But if it's big enough to be seen by your neighbors, you will need medications or surgery, or it will most likely continue to get bigger.

  
  

  http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid/thyroid-goiter

  
  

  
  

   ( I found this amazing site with all this awesome info for natural options, I put all that I could down below, and left a link underneath.)
  

  Natural Goiter Remedies and Thyroid Treatment

  Whatever the cause of a goiter, several natural remedies serve as effective goiter and thyroid treatments. Apple cider vinegar taken daily works to shrink a goiter and regulate the body’s systems naturally. Kelp powder, bladderwrack and iodine supplements are also effective options for treating a goiter. Likewise, minimizing stress and participating in calming activities such as yoga help relieve fatigue and adrenal stimulation and may also help diminish a goiter or thyroid issue.
  
  Hypothyroid diet should comprise of certain essential nutrients. These nutritional factors play an important role in increasing thyroid function.
  
  Hypothyroid diet and Iodine
  
  Iodine is a very vital mineral required for the proper functioning of the body. Iodine should form an essential part of a hypothyroid diet as it enhances thyroid function. Thyroid hormones constitute iodine as a major component and its deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism. Although iodine deficiency is the major cause of hypothyroidism worldwide, it isn’t the main cause for the disease in United States. In US, the primary cause of hypothyroidism is autoimmune disease. As a part of your hypothyroid diet, you should have foods rich in iodine such as iodized salt, seaweeds and seafoods, salt water fish, celtic sea salt, sushi etc.
  Selenium in your hypothyroid diet
  Selenium is found in the thyroid gland and is an inseparable component of many enzymes that are necessary for proper functioning of the thyroid glands. Selenium can help improve the immune system and fertility human beings. Having foods rich in selenium have been known to shown some very impressive results in people with hypothyroidism and selenium deficiency. The following food would be ideal to supplement the selenium requirement of your body.
  Meat
  Chicken
  Tuna
  Dairy Products
  Garlic and Onion
  Salmon
  
  

  Avoid Goitrogenic foods

  You should steer clear of goitrogenic foods while planning your hypothyroidism diet. These foods suppress the production of thyroid hormone and increase the risks of hypothyroidism. Goitrogenic foods can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb iodine and as a result, your thyroid glands swell resulting in goiter. Bamboo shoots, soybeans, canola oil etc. are some goitrogenic foods that one with hypothyroidism should avoid at all costs. Some goitrogenic foods that you should avoid at all costs to plan a healthy hypothyroid diet are as follows:
  Cabbage, broccoli
  Turnips
  Rutabaga
  Mustard
  Spinach
  Brussels Sprouts
  Peaches
  Strawberries
  Cauliflower
  Hale
  Pears
  Millet
  Garden Kres
  Foods with Gluten
  Garden Kres
  Tempeh
  Bamboo shoots
  Soybeans and related products
  Canola Oil
  Horseradish
  Bok Choy
  Babassu
  Goitrogenic Chemicals should be excluded from a Hypothyroid diet
  There are some chemicals that have been known to cause goitre. You should avoid Amiodarone, Oxazolidines, Propylthiouracil etc. as these are known to hinder the functioning of thyroid glands. Some other goitrogenic chemicals to be avoided for hypothyroidism include:
  Lithium
  Oxazolidines
  Iopanoic acid
  Minocycline (MN)
  Propylthiouracil
  Thioureylene
  Sulfadimethoxine
  Carbamazepine
  Phenobarbitone
  
  Hypothyroidism diet: How many times per day should you eat?
  
  Ones suffering from hypothyroidism should take smaller frequent meals. As stated earlier, it is advisable to take around 7 meals per day. This not only helps control hypothyroidism but also helps you lose weight and improve your metabolism. Have healthy snacks including fruits at regular intervals.
  Having a proper balanced hypothyroid diet not only helps control hypothyroidism but also helps in improving your body’s metabolism. Hypothyroidism leads to low metabolism and therefore, it is necessary to have foods that help in proper functioning of your thyroid glands and help improve your metabolism. The aforementioned tips on hypothyroidism should help you plan your hypothyroid diet in a better, healthier way
  Toxins are of particular concern, especially those created from petrochemicals. Many plastics (all those bottles of water we drink), pesticides, fertilizers, dioxin, body care products, not to mention what’s in the air and tap water we ingest, all contain substances that mimic our own body’s estrogen. These xenoestrogens are powerful endocrine disruptors, affecting the balance of all our hormones, and are thought to contribute to the rise in autoimmune conditions in general (Plapp, 2002) and to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis specifically (Shames, private conversation; May, 2007). Mercury (from fish and dental amalgams) and fluoride (in toothpastes and water) are also endocrine disruptors. Mercury amalgams, especially, since they sit so close to the throat, can pose a serious threat to the thyroid gland, making mercury detoxification imperative (Bauman, in Shomon, N.D.).
  proteins: Julia Ross, M.A. advises 20 grams of lean animal protein (3-4 oz.) at each meal (1999; p. 170). Also, shoot for 1-2 oz. at snack time. Cold-water fish is a good choice, as it also contains Omega-3 fatty acids. Tempeh is a good source of vegetable protein, and whey protein, though more processed, can be very useful. It contains immunoglobulins and L-Glutamine that can help heal a distressed digestive tract.
  Antioxidant-rich foods: “Push the antioxidants,” says Richard Shames, M.D. (private conversation, May, 2007). Antioxidant-rich foods are necessary to combat free radical damage caused by the inflammatory process. Emphasis on vitamin-A containing foods is especially helpful, since vitamin A is often deficient in people with any type of autoimmune condition (Plapp, 2002). Other nutrients with antioxidant qualities often deficient in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis include vitamins C and E, iodine, zinc and selenium. (A more complete listing of foods and their nutrient content is available at www.whfoods.org)
  Vitamin A-rich foods: Raw carrots; cooked calf’s liver; lightly cooked spinach, kale, collard greens and Swiss chard; winter squashes; red bell peppers; apricots; cantaloupe; sweet potato
  Vitamin C-rich foods: Red bell peppers; parsley; broccoli; citrus fruits; romaine
  Vitamin E-rich foods: Lightly steamed mustard greens and Swiss chard; sunflower seeds; almonds
  Iodine-rich foods: Seaweeds, especially dulse and kelp (be sure it’s very high quality); seafood (free of mercury and wild, not farmed)
  Zinc-rich foods: Oysters; crab; beef (organic and/or grass-fed); sesame and pumpkin seeds
  Selenium-rich foods: Crimini mushrooms; cod; shrimp; halibut; snapper; oats; sunflower seeds; brown rice.
  Healthy Fats: 4-6 tablespoons per day of the good fats found in avocados, nuts and seeds (especially pumpkin, chia and flax), organic butter, olive oil and coconut and its oil. Coconut is very thyroid friendly. The lauric acid it contains is soothing to the endocrine system (Bauman, in Shomon, N.D.) and its medium-chain fatty acids digest quickly and provide a superior energy source for the body. It can also be helpful for weight loss (Calbom et al, 2003). The milk from the coconut can be used in place of other milks.
  Vegetables: At least 4 cups per day (Ross, 1999; p. 171). Choose a wide variety of colorful veggies and eat them lightly cooked or raw. Note: Avoid eating the brassica family raw, as these inhibit thyroid function. Brassicas include broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, etc. Don’t overdo these, in general, though they should be fine in moderation (Shames, private conversation, May, 2007).
  Carbohydrates: Go easy on the fruit, grains and starchy vegetables. Two 1/2 cup servings of fruit per day, plus 1/2 to 1 cup, one or two times per day, of whole grains or starchy vegetables (Ross, 1999; p. 171). Note: Soaking grains (excepting brown rice) for seven hours in water with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice will make them much more digestible – very important for those with impaired digestion, which is common with hypothyroid.
  Water: At least 8 cups pure, filtered water daily. Avoid water with chlorine and fluoride, as these are halogens and compete with iodine, the halogen in the body. This can disrupt thyroid function. And remember, it is not wise to purchase water in plastic bottles.
  
  THINGS TO AVOID
  
  Aspartame: Aside from its other known toxic effects, Aspartame appears to be particularly problematic for the thyroid gland (Bauman, in Shomon, N.D.).
  Iodized Salt: Even though the thyroid gland depends on iodine to produce hormones, this is not the way to get it. It is not possible to eat enough salt, in the first place, to get the daily recommended dosage of iodine (150mcg). Nor is it advisable to consume such a highly processed product, the grocery store versions of which often contain aluminum and dextrose (Bauman, in Shomon, N.D.). Sea salt, unprocessed and containing trace minerals, is a far better choice.
  Unsaturated Oils (including canola oil): There is speculation that these contribute to hypothyroidism. Whether it is because they contain so much inflammation-promoting Omega-6 fatty acids, or because they are generally rancid even before they are bottled (or go rancid in their clear glass bottles) is not known.
  Soy: Also disruptive to the endocrine system, and considered a toxin by some, is soy, though it is the isolated and concentrated isoflavones that pose the greatest risk, according to Ken Blanchard, M.D. (2004; p. 190). He points out that infants fed soy formulas are more likely to develop autoimmune conditions later in life than those who are not. Depending on soy as a primary source of protein is not recommended. Even small amounts have been shown to have powerful hormone disrupting powers and can lower concentrations of T3 (Ross, 1999; pp. 204-205). The exception to this is fermented soy foods, such as tempeh, natto and miso.
  
  SUPPLEMENTATION
• I am adding this in here because I recently found out that vitamin D levels need to be checked, as they can cause problems for the thyroid and adrenal glands, as well as contributing to aches, pain, slow exercise recovery, tiredness, mood swings, depression, and weight gain. Do consider being tested for it.
  
  Because Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis can result in reduced digestive capabilities, it is a good idea to support digestion with enzymes, HCl and probiotics when necessary and to supplement with extra quantities of the nutrients most often found lacking with this condition.
  High potency, high bioavailability multi-vitamin and mineral: Take as directed, preferably in divided doses.
  Extra antioxidants: Take as directed daily (Shames et al, 2006; p. 97).
  Extra essential fatty acids: From fish or flax; 1000-2000mg per day, two divided doses (Shames et al, 2006; p. 97; Ross, 1999; p. 245).
  Extra B vitamins: Either in supplement form or, preferably, use nutritional yeast.
  Calcium: 250-300mg (1-2 at bedtime) (Ross, 1999; p. 245). Calcium and iron need to be taken two hours before or after thyroid medications so as not to interfere with its absorption.
  Magnesium: 200mg 2 times daily (Ross, 1999; p. 245; Shames et al, 2006; p. 97).
  Selenium: 200 mcg per day has been shown to reduce thyroid autoantibodies (Gartner et al, 2002; Turker et al, 2006; Duntas et al, 2003). NOTE: Do not exceed 40mcg daily if pregnant (Balch, 2000; p. 452).
  Iodine: If the multiple doesn’t contain 150-200 mcg iodine, kelp supplementation — 2-3 grams daily — should provide adequate amounts (Balch, 2000; p. 451). Dr. Mercola (in Shomon, N.D.) recommends 5 grams daily. (Supplementing directly with iodine is very controversial, with physicians obtaining erratic results, and should be either avoided or done with extreme caution until more is known about it.) Daily low-dose iodine supplementation (200mcg a day) has been shown to reduce antibody levels in people with Hashimoto’s (Rink et al, 1999).
  Vitamin D3: Often low in those with autoimmune conditions, it is necessary for optimal immune function (Hayes et al, 2003). It is also required for thyroid hormone production (Shames, in Shomon, 2007). 1000-2000mg daily to bring up levels. Maintenance doses will vary.
  L-Tyrosine: One of the thyroid’s hormone building blocks. Many sources recommend 500mg twice daily; levels of this amino acid are rarely low enough to warrant supplementation (Shames et al, 2006; p. 108).
  Chromium: 200mcg daily, if it’s not included in the multiple (Ross, 1999; p. 245).
  Iron: If testing shows a deficiency. Calcium and iron need to be taken two hours before or after thyroid medication so as not to interfere with its absorption.
  Zinc: If testing shows a deficiency. 50mg daily (Balch, 2000; p. 452).
  Thyroid glandulars: These have been shown to be very effective; 50-100mg twice daily. They are made from desiccated thyroid glands of either pigs or cows (use those from non-BSE cow-raising countries), from which most of the hormone has been removed. Dr. Shames likens them to decaffeinated coffee: there’s still a little bit in there (private conversation, May, 2007). Because of this, they also contain T1 and T2, other thyroid hormones that may exert a physiological effect.
  Additional supplements, recommended by Dr. Shames, are extra free-form amino acids daily (two 500mg capsules), taurine (two 500mg daily), and proteolytic enzymes for inflammation (2006; p. 97).
  Vegans may have to add the nutrients commonly missing in adequate amounts from an animal-free diet: extra B12, D, some L-Carnitine, zinc and selenium (Ross, 1999; p. 244).
  
  HERBS
  
  Many herbs are available (often combined in one supplement) to support overall endocrine function and the thyroid gland particularly. These include:
  Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
  Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
  Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus)
  Coleus forskholii root
  Guggul (Commiphora mukul)
  Holy Basil Leaf (Ocimum sanctum)
  Maca root (not raw, as it’s a brassica). No research exists to date about its effect on the thyroid, but anecdotal evidence from www.thyroid.about.com (Shomon, 2007), and from some of the producers of maca products, suggest it has a beneficial effect on the thyroid. Since it is an adaptogenic, endocrine-balancing herb (Walker, 1998), this would not be surprising.
  Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
  The Shames’ recommend a Tibetan herbal product called Padma Basic (2006; p. 122).
  
  HOMEOPATHY
  
  Thyroidinum 6 times or 6c, three pellets under the tongue 3 times daily for one week, may be helpful to initiate thyroid balance (Shames et al, 2006; pp. 122-123).
  Calcarea carbonica may increase thyroid function (Balch, 2000; p. 452).
  
  OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
  
  Acupuncture may be very effective to support the thyroid (Ehrlich, 2006).
  Lymph massage (Bauman, in Shomon, N.D.) or exercise that includes gentle jumping
  Contrast hydrotherapy (hot and cold applications) to the neck and throat may stimulate thyroid function (Ehrlich, 2006).
  Stress reduction
  Overall detoxification
  Good sleep
  Exercise, to tolerance
  
  http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/hypothyroidism-discussions/general-support/11178381-best-drug-for-hypothyroidism

Carrot & Arame Salad

Hello everyone, 

It is time to discover a new way of eating with a new recipe.
I know it's got a funky ingredient, looks a bit strange, but trust me, it's good and uber healthy! 
This is a throwback to my vegetarian/macrobiotic days. Yes, I have eaten in as many healthy ways as possible. I was eating at one of my old veggie restaurants and they had this wonderful seaweed salad, it was new to me but I like to keep my heart and soul young by having new experiences, so I went on a taste bud adventure. I went nuts and returned every day for a week to indulge in it because I could not get enough! Then I went back home and recreated a version of it with a bit less Tamari and the addition of carrots, it was perfect! 
I discovered seaweed when I started researching the macrobiotic diet and reading some of Michio Kushi's books about it, along with Kristina Turner's guide. I had a bunch of other books on the subject and I grew to really appreciate the health benefits of this gift from the ocean. Here's a little background information on Arame, and if you are interested in Macrobiotic food, I am leaving links down below to help you explore. The recipe follows this short blurb, I really hope you are brave and try something new, this recipe has been a staple for 17 years now. 


Arame:
Arame Sea Vegetable is a brown algae cultivated off the shores of Ise (ee-say) Bay, Japan where it thrives in cool waters of the arctic Japan current. The sea there is surrounded by National forests and mountains and is known as the 'Ocean by Mountains' area. Rivers nourish the bay adding to a mineral rich environment. This area leads all of Japan in ecology movements. Development is forbidden to ensure future generations the legacy of this famous edible seaweed resource. Only the most tender fronds of arame are selected and hand harvested in the summer. The fronds are washed and sun dried. After drying, the fronds are then steamed for five hours to soften it and enhance its color, then finely shredded to make it easy to use and quick to prepare before naturally air drying. 

Eden Arame Eisenia bicyclis is a wavy sea vegetable with two thin, oval fronds. Each year fronds are shed and new ones develop creating a branched and feathery plant. Although, when dried and cooked arame resembles hiziki in color and appearance, it is softer, more delicate and much milder in flavor. Arame is the sweetest all the sea vegetables with a pleasing texture and appearance. These qualities make it the most appealing to those just beginning to familiarize their palate with sea vegetables.

Arame has been a traditional part of the Japanese diet since ancient times. Eden Arame is low in sodium, low calorie, and fat and cholesterol free. It is a good source of magnesium and calcium. According to the FDA, "Low fat diets rich in fruits and vegetables (foods that are low in fat and may contain dietary fiber, Vitamin A, or Vitamin C) may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, a disease associated with many factors." Eden Arame is rich in dietary fiber and a good source of vitamin A. Also, "Diets low in sodium may reduce the risk of hypertension or high blood pressure, a disease associated with many factors."

Eden Arame may be cooked with whole grains, in soups, stir fries, vegetable dishes, homemade breads, stuffing, salads, croquettes, and in making grain, tofu and tempeh burgers. Arame doubles in size when cooked. To use, rinse quickly, soak for 5 minutes in cold water, chop if desired, and add to your recipe. Eden Arame makes an excellent side dish when cooked with sautéed sweet vegetables, seasoned with Eden Ume Plum Vinegar or Brown Rice Vinegar and Eden Shoyu Soy Sauce.

http://www.edenfoods.com/store/arame-sea-vegetable-wild-hand-harvested.html

Additional info from Wiki:

Arame is high in calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, and vitamin A as well as being a dietary source of many other minerals^. It also is harvested for alginate, fertilizer and iodide^. It contains the storage polysaccharide laminarin and the tripeptide eisenin, a peptide with immunological activity.
Lignan content in arame is noted by several sources. It also contains the phlorotannins phlorofucofuroeckol A, dioxinodehydroeckol, fucofuroeckol A, eckol, dieckol, triphloroethol A and 7-phloroethol. Extracts of this algae have been tested to combat MRSA staph infections.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arame

(I actually used Koyo brand arame for this recipe because they did not have Eden brand arame in stock. Both are great companies and their quality of arame is equally good, feel free to use either one.)

 Macrobiotic info:

http://www.kushiinstitute.org/

http://www.kushiinstitute.org/what-is-macrobiotics/

http://www.macrobiotics.co.uk/foodlist.htm

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/popularhealthdiets/a/Macrobiotic.htm

One of my fav. Macrobiotic books for those new to this lifestyle and diet, it is fun, you can write in it, and it gives a great breakdown with simple, nourishing recipes.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Self-Healing-Cookbook-Macrobiotic/dp/0945668104

This is another great primer for Macrobiotics by the founder of it all.

http://www.amazon.ca/The-Macrobiotic-Way-Michio-Kushi/dp/1583331808

CARROT & ARAME SALAD 
(I do ask that this recipe be done with all organic ingredients, to maximize the health benefits & experience the best flavour. As always, do what you can.)

Ingredients:
8-10 Organic carrots, peeled
Handful of soaked Arame 
1/4 Cup Organic Tamari gluten free
3 Tbsp Organic Apple Cider vinegar 
1-2 tsp Organic sesame oil

Method:
-In a bowl, place a good handful of Arame and cover with water, allow to soak for 15 minutes
-Prepare your carrots by cutting into medium sized matchsticks. The pictures below show the process of getting them that size. 
-Rinse carrots in cold water and lightly pat dry, reserve(keep aside), in a bowl. 
-Grab the bowl of Arame, you will notice it has softened and really expanded. Using a mesh strainer, strain and Rinse in cold water the Arame seaweed. 
-Shake off excess water, gently mix the seaweed in with carrots. 
-Add sesame oil, vinegar, Tamari, and toss gently. 
-Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours. 
-Eat as is or as a side dish, this is a great accompaniment to more heavy foods but I love it so much that I usually eat it on its own.

Enjoy, leave your comments below & don't forget to subscribe!