"Seaweed" is available in a few different ways. There are dulse flakes, you just shake a teaspoonfull into your salad, soup, pasta (pretend it's basil) scrambled eggs, rice, stir fry or stew. Probably the easiest way to start if you have never eaten them before. There are kelp tablets which will give you a supply of protective iodine without having to experience the flavor, which may take some getting used to (I speak from experience). But usually seaweeds are found in the macrobiotic section of the health food store. Eden foods of Clinton Mich. is a supplier, also Maine Coast sea vegetables. They come packaged dry and labelled with the kind of seaweed it is. If there is a Japanese or Korean food store in your town you may be able to get them there as well. Nori - flat, black sheets in squares for rolling sushi Arame - fine shreds, black to reddish brown, mild flavor, combines nicely with julienned carrots and onions simmered together Wakame - the green seaweed commonly found in miso soup, the fastest cooking of all, can be simply soaked in hot water for five minutes and chopped up as an addition to regular green salad. Kombu - a thick seaweed that is used to reduce cooking time of beans and make them more digestible, stronger flavor Hijiki - julienne seaweed, fairly strong flavor, blackish brown. Seaweeds have chlorophyll and essential fatty acids, minerals (magnesium, calcium, potassium and some trace ones, especially iodine). I forget. But the iodine is the thing we need to support thyroid function and balance a high intake of cruciferous vegetables which have substances that interfere with thyroid function (but are very protective against cancer otherwise). I find most packages have instructions on how to prepare the particular kind of seaweed. Some should be rinsed first, others like Nori don't. Written by Aliss T, advocate Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.