Gifts from the Sea on the Sonoma Coast
The Intentional Table
A Green Sea Anenome looking for a snack! In the culinary arts and herbal medicine worlds, sea vegetables have carved out a niche as versatile, nutrient-dense ingredients. Among the most celebrated are kombu and bladderwrack, two brown seaweed types stapled in traditional diets and remedies for centuries. 0715 @ Bodega Bay. = Heaven #IAMSOSPOILED because I live only 45 minutes from several beaches with an incredible abundance of seaweeds. I went yesterday and hand harvested about 20 pounds! The ones I love the most are Kombu, Bladderwrack, Nori, Sister Sarah, and Feather Boa. Yesterday,...
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Arugula... it's a vegetable... right?
The Intentional Table
Arulgula…. it’s a vegetable! Click the Image above to hear it! Arugula Examining the Health Benefits and Nutrition of this Powerhouse Leafy Green Arugula was a valued green in ancient Rome, where it was celebrated in poetry and prose for its effects on mind and body. Unfortunately, it’s far less popular today than its cousins spinach and kale, even though arugula may be the healthiest green of all. In this article, we’ll look at the evidence for arugula’s health benefits and see if those ancient Romans were right to celebrate it. I know I shouldn’t do this because of...
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Auto Immune Release Series Part 2
The Intentional Table
Apple Blossoms @ Musea. Showy! Well, here it is, our second week of thoughts and inspirations about Auto-Immune conditions, how we all have a little of it going all the time, and what we can do about it. Spoiler alert: I am going to write about a plant-based diet this time. My hamburger loving self cringes. But remember that I said last time everything in moderation? Here is a good time to take a breath and remember that you do not have to go cold turkey on the turkey! Increase your intake of rainbow-colored fruits and vegetables. Consume more colorful fruits and vegetables to get as much...
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Auto Immune Release Series Part 1
The Intentional Table
Apricots Anyone? @ Musea What is an autoimmune disease? Why are we speaking about this, at length at the Intentional Table? Great questions! Let’s do this in reverse order. The why of this is life. We all know we are alive, as the machines that go ‘ping’ tell us when we are strapped in. But we also understand that there is way more to it than that. We are sometimes led to think that we are simply biological machines and that, like getting the oil in your car changed, you can go to the doctor if you live your life poorly, and they will ‘fix’ you. Then, out the door and on your...
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Intentional Wellness from Musette
The Intentional Table
Greetings all, How wonderful it is to speak to you through this simple platform. I wish we could all sit around the Intentional Table itself (mine or yours) and drink in the feeling of togetherness, which is the ‘why’ in the ‘what’ around here. I would like you to have a gift. It’s a preview of a book I am writing about Nutritional Wellness. It’s not a b…
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I Taste, Therefore I Am...
The Intentional Table
At the Intentional Table, we taste. Do we ever! Every person who learns to eat, cook, or serve should also learn how to taste. Sounds easy, right? Not so fast, my dearest. Taste is an objective and a subjective thing! It’s objective because every person that is a person (despite a few unfortunate outliers) has taste buds built into the design. However, just because you have the hardware doesn't mean you have the software. If you do have the software, then you have an appreciation of fundamentals when it comes to how your organ of perception, which is your mouth, your tongue, your nose,...
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Biodynamics Basics
The Intentional Table
Hello, my intrepid Intentional Table guests! Today, with our afternoon wine, will be the topic that is near and dear to our hearts here. Biodynamics. What is it, you may ask? Why is it important to this table, Musea, and our lives? All good questions. Read on, and if you want the DEEP DIVE EXTRA CREDIT, it’s at the bottom.⬇︎ There are two polar views of scientific reality when it comes to the consideration of the active practice of biodynamics. One is the left-brain approach, represented by the Newtonian Analytical view that has dominated science for the last two centuries. Newton...
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February 4 is World Cancer Awareness Day
The Intentional Table
Take a look at this team. They are really on it. Click the image for link. You may ask yourself, now, why would he say that? It certainly could apply to any human, anywhere. There are 340 activities around the world for Cancer Day. So, it must be happening, you know, out there somewhere. Hubris leads to nemesis. Cancer, hunger, war, disease, and crime all happen. It must happen because it’s all over the news. It’s hard to connect with anything like this while you read it on the device in your hand while it charges at Starbucks as you sip your mocha. Our children have never seen it. Our...
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The Agony and The Ecstasy of the Table
The Intentional Table
I thought I would take a few minutes to see if you would like to travel with me back in time to revisit exactly what the intentional table is and how it's considered here in our little conversation and in real life. If you asked me to cook for you, I would be delighted. That's all there is to it. I wouldn't question what our budget was, what the logistics were, or really what it was that you wanted to eat when you're with whom. All those things are in a particular way beside the point. What this means is that you're asking me to create with intention, something for you that actually serves...
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Only the wounded eye can see
The Intentional Table
I came up with this phrase while meditating yesterday. It was inspired by something my dear friend Andrew Johnstone told me recently. At the Intentional Table, we find ourselves circling back to an important theme with a recurring and increasing frequency: Gratitude. It's an incredibly overused, misused, and, I think, sometimes misleading term. Oxford says, “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” In the latter part of that sentence is the key, which is ‘returning.’ There is an idea that we commonly refer to in Intentional...
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In the culinary arts and herbal medicine worlds, sea vegetables have carved out a niche as versatile, nutrient-dense ingredients. Among the most celebrated are kombu and bladderwrack, two brown seaweed types stapled in traditional diets and remedies for centuries.
#IAMSOSPOILED because I live only 45 minutes from several beaches with an incredible abundance of seaweeds. I went yesterday and hand harvested about 20 pounds! The ones I love the most are Kombu, Bladderwrack, Nori, Sister Sarah, and Feather Boa. Yesterday, the low tide was -1.3, which means it was very low. You still have to get out about waist-deep into the water to get to the Kombu. It’s my favorite, so in I went! The Pacific Ocean here is 59 degrees most of the time, so it was ‘fresh,’ you might say.
Kombu: The Umami Powerhouse
Here are some Culinary Uses:
Kombu is a type of kelp renowned for imparting umami, a savory depth of flavor fundamental to Japanese cuisine.
Its uses include:
1. Dashi Broth: Kombu is a cornerstone ingredient in dashi, the Japanese broth that serves as the base for soups like miso and ramen. Simply simmering kombu in water releases its glutamates, creating a rich, savory stock. *Note glutamates are slimy. But that is good news! The Kombu, if left in freshwater, will dissolve. Its glutamate and alginate cause your sauce to have a beautiful, thick, lustrous appearance without the addition of any animal proteins.This is the way that I usually use it.
2. Flavor Enhancer: Kombu is a natural flavor enhancer that can be added to stews, beans, and grains. It softens beans, reducing cooking time and improving digestibility. It also helps to break down the skins of the beans, which means fewer embarrassing moments when the pot of beans is complete!
3. Pickling: Kombu is also used in tsukemono (Japanese pickles), where its minerals and vitamins enhance the nutritional profile of pickled vegetables.
Health Benefits:
Kombu is not just a culinary delight but also a nutritional powerhouse. Its health benefits include:
1. Rich in Iodine: Essential for thyroid health, iodine supports metabolism and energy levels. Kombu is one of the richest natural sources of this vital mineral.
2. Detoxifying Properties: Kombu contains alginates, which can bind to heavy metals and toxins in the body, aiding in their removal.
3. Antioxidant-Rich: Kombu is packed with antioxidants, including fucoxanthin, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
Bladderwrack: The Nutrient-Dense Healer
In the kitchen:
Bladderwrack, another type of brown seaweed, is less known in culinary circles but equally valuable. Its uses include:
1. Supplements and Powders: Bladderwrack is often dried and powdered, then used as a seasoning or added to smoothies and baked goods for a nutritional boost.
2. Soups and Broths: Like kombu, bladderwrack can be simmered in broths to release its nutrients and enhance flavor.
3. Herbal Teas: Infusing bladderwrack in hot water creates a mineral-rich tea with health benefits.
Health Benefits:
Bladderwrack has been used in traditional medicine for its numerous health benefits, which include:
1. Thyroid Support: Also rich in iodine, bladderwrack supports thyroid function and can help regulate metabolism.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Properties: It contains compounds like fucoidan and phlorotannins, which have been shown to reduce inflammation and support joint health.
3. Digestive Health: Bladderwrack is a good dietary fiber source, promoting healthy digestion and regular bowel movements.
4. Skin Health: Due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, bladderwrack has been used in topical treatments for skin issues like eczema and psoriasis.
Incorporating Kombu and Bladderwrack into Your Diet
To harness the full benefits of kombu and bladderwrack, consider the following tips:
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Start Small: Introduce these seaweeds gradually to your diet, especially if you are not accustomed to their flavors.
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Use as Seasoning: Sprinkle dried, powdered kombu or bladderwrack on salads, soups, or even popcorn for a nutritious boost.
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Experiment with Recipes: Try adding kombu to your next pot of beans or making a bladderwrack tea to explore their unique tastes and health benefits.
Kombu and bladderwrack are more than just sea vegetables; they are nutritional treasures with profound health benefits. By incorporating these versatile seaweeds into your culinary repertoire, you can enhance the flavor of your dishes while boosting your overall well-being. Whether you are a chef looking to add depth to your meals or an herbalist seeking natural remedies, kombu and bladderwrack offer a wealth of possibilities.
The Intentional Table went on the road! Thanks for reading!
Jonathan