You Are What You Eat: Kelp yourself to some sea veggies

Each week, we'll be offering original recipes and unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!

I know I've brought some crazy foods to the forefront in this feature, from lacto-fermented vegetables to broccoli sprouts, but now I am going to ask you to think about eating seaweed.

Huh?

You mean that stuff that wraps around your legs when you body surf, and makes the sunny beaches smell like dead fish? Why would you ever want to eat seaweed?

Kelp is rich in all the minerals found in human blood, pretty nourishing I'd say. High contents of folate, vitamin K, iodine for thyroid heath and calcium, not to mention cancer-fighting lignans, can all be found in kelp.

So why would you not want to eat seaweed, with all that it has going for it, and you?

If the thought of it makes your taste buds flee, think again. Kelp is delightfully salty and can be used in place of salt in recipes.

Some other ideas:
Sprinkle kelp powder or granulated kelp in yogurt, soup or smoothies.
Mix into recipes for meatballs and meatloaf.
Make sushi, of course.

Recipes, with kelp? Believe it or not, they are out there. Don't knock them 'til you try them. Kelp really is delicious and compliments Asian flavors perfectly.

Kelp Cucumber Salad -- I'd use rice vinegar in this recipe, and serve it with some grilled salmon.
MIso Soup -- If you like sushi, you probably have a special place in your heart for miso soup, I know I do. It is very easy to make this soup on your own.
Sesame Kelp Crackers -- Only five ingredients!
Kelp Energy Bars -- This power-packed recipe includes nuts, seeds, kelp and maple syrup.
Kelp Salsa -- Nope, not kidding. All the traditional salsa yum with kelp fronds added.

Do you have a favorite way to incorporate kelp into your diet?