Ocean Lotion

The Atlantic ocean never stops shaping and reshaping the shores of the small peninsula on which I live.There is nothing better than sitting on the beach just letting the eyes rest on the horizon. I especially appreciate the seaweed deposited on the shores. It is great for the garden.
You guessed right, seaweed is good for your skin as well. It contains minerals and vitamins.

Seaweed has been a staple of Asien cuisine for centuries. I have been eating seaweed in different forms for many years. I always add a strip of Kombu (Laminaria Japonica) when I make soups. It enhances the flavours of the ingredients as well as adding valuable nutrients. Depending on the soup I either keep the  Kombu in the soup or I pick it out and run it in the blender mixed with some water to make a seaweed face mask. When you cook beans add a strip of Kombu to make them more digestible.

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The skin softening Vanilla Ocean  Lotion is inspired by my love for the ocean and seaweed. The fresh smell of vanilla and ocean will uplift your spirit as you apply this skin friendly lotion to your body in the morning. Murumuru butter from Brazil is like silk on your skin. Enjoy!

Ingredients: Laminaria Japonica infused Distilled Water, Safflower Oil, Emulsifying Wax, Evening Primrose Oil, Murumuru Butter, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Pomegranate Seed Oil,  Vitamin E, Cornstarch, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Fragrance.

Safflower Oil is pressed from the 15 to 20 seeds in the plant's flower. It is rich in linoleic acid which restores the skin's barrier function. I love this light and emollient oil.

Evening Primrose Oil helps soothe dry and scaling skin. . It contains gallic acid which helps with skin infections and wound healing. It absorbs quickly into the skin and increase skin flexibility.


                         


 Murumurubutter is pressed from the fruits from the Astrocaryum murumuru tree found in the Amazon. It is rich in  lauric and oleic acid.

Pomegranate Oil contains ellagic acid which reduces the destruction of collagen and function as an anti-inflammatory, prevents wrinkles and photo aging of the skin. Punic acid also known as omega-5 has skin regenerative properties.

Laminaria Japonica Seaweed contains amino acids, vitamins and trace minerals which revitalize the skin. Seaweed has an anti-inflammatory effect

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Arame with leeks and roasted almonds

My favorite seaweed recipe  is Arame with leeks and roasted almonds. Even as young children my boys could not get enough of this dish. It goes well with all kinds of fish and vegetarian dishes.
You can buy Arame in the health food store.

1 1/2 cup  of dry arame
Half a leek chopped in thin slices
1/3 cup chopped roasted almonds
1 table spoon toasted sesame oil
1-2 teaspoons soya sauce
Rice vinegar or any other that you have at hand
Rice malt, honey, maple syrup or any sweetener that you have at hand


Rinse the arame in cold water. Then let it soak in water to cover. After about 10 minutes drain off the water. Heat the oil in a small pan and add the arame. Fry for 4 minutes on medium heat. Add shoyu and a little bit of water, vinegar and sweetener.  There should not be any liquid left when you add the leeks 5 minutes before serving.  You want the leeks to still be crisp and bright green as you put the dish on the table. Add more seasoning to your taste. Add the almonds just before serving.