| Irish Moss Paste/Gel | | | | fingers under running water. Clean it over a sieve |
| Irish moss is a a seaweed. also known as | | | | so you don't lose any small pieces. Transfer to a |
| Carrageenan, which is often used as a thickening | | | | 1 quart glass jar and fill with filtered water. Cover |
| agent in many products. Irish moss is a nutritional | | | | and place in refrigerator for anywhere from 6 - |
| power house. This almost-tasteless seaweed is | | | | 12 hours. Be sure to rinse 2-3 times in between, |
| chock full of life-enhancing nutrients such as | | | | returning to a clean jar of water. |
| sulphur compounds, iodine, bromine, protein, | | | | Dry moss can last for up to a year in a cool dry |
| beta-carotene,iron, calcium, magnesium, | | | | place as the salt preserves it. If you have soaked |
| manganese, phosphorus, potassium, | | | | more than you need, keep it in the fridge and |
| selenium,pectin, zinc, B-vitamins and vitamin C. | | | | change the water daily. This will keep fresh up to |
| Vegetarian diets are generally lacking in | | | | 3 weeks. |
| sulphur-containing amino acids and Irish moss | | | | When you are ready, rinse the moss. Chop it into |
| contains more of these than in any other | | | | small pieces and add it to a high -speed blender. I |
| seaweed! | | | | use 2 cups of water, per 1 cup of chopped Irish |
| This amazing seaweed contains many healing | | | | moss. Be patient. This takes time. Frequently stop |
| properties. It coats and soothes mucous | | | | the blender and scrape the sides with a spatula, |
| membranes, and can aid many common digestive | | | | and continue to blend...and blend...and blend...until it is |
| ailments. It has antibacterial and antiviral properties | | | | completely creamy. |
| as well. Even more amazing, this product is used | | | | Store this mixture in a covered class container |
| as an emulsifier in skin creams, gels, and | | | | and refrigerate. Please don't waste any. Be sure |
| shampoos. It is a potent skin softener that | | | | to scrape the sides of the blender with a spatula |
| nourishes and protects your skin from | | | | and store any extra you don't need in a separate |
| environmental elements. | | | | container. Use this as a face mask, moisturizer or |
| When mixed with body lotions, it transforms your | | | | shampoo. It is great for hair and skin. |
| dry, patchy skin into smooth, silky, hydrated, | | | | When using the paste/gel in recipes, remember |
| glowing skin. Irish moss can aid with many skin | | | | that 1/4 cup of paste will thicken about 2 cups of |
| problems, including eczema, psoriasis, rashes and | | | | liquid, so adjust accordingly. Try adding 1-2 |
| sunburns. It's often found as an ingredient in some | | | | tablespoons of Irish moss paste to your morning |
| very pricey anti-aging skin care products. | | | | smoothies. |
| What do I use it for? Basically, Irish moss can be | | | | Initially, there is a bit of odor, but once the Irish |
| made into a paste, or gel form. This can be used | | | | moss has been soaked and blended into a gel, the |
| as a natural vegan alternative to gelatin. About | | | | taste and smell are barely noticeable. Try it! It can |
| one quarter cup of paste will successfully thicken | | | | really enhance your ability to create rich, thick, |
| about two cups of liquid. Use it to create incredibly | | | | creamy dishes that are difficult to achieve using |
| creamy pudding, mousse, cream pie, merengue, | | | | raw food combinations. |
| sauces, dressings, dips, custard, ice cream, etc. | | | | There are several companies selling Irish moss |
| How do I prepare it? Take about a good fist full | | | | online. Be sure you do not get the dried flakes as |
| of Irish moss and rinse well, massaging with your | | | | they do not have the same capabilities. |