In The Weeds

Did you know that seaweed is rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and trace minerals? And when compared with plants that grow on land, seaweed or sea vegetables from the ocean, are 20 times more nutrient-dense.

Wow- I'm glad that I like seaweed.

Last week when my cousins were visiting from Canada one of my stops took me to the shoreline of Magnolia, MA to collect seaweed for a family feast. As a child I remember waiting for low tide, climbing the rocks, and collecting seaweed off the rocks.  When we’d get home my mother would prepare the seaweed and we would eat it.

At the time I didn’t know that it had so many healthy benefits, I just knew that it was a delicious treat, and whenever we ate it meant that we had guests from out of town that didn’t live near the ocean. Thanks to my cousin's visit I was able to relive days gone by.

My mother and I picked for about an hour. We laughed as we contemplated whether or not we had enough. We screeched as we slipped on the rocks. We enjoyed the moment and reminisced about the past. It was a beautiful evening, one that I will treasure.
After we finished we sat and looked out at the ocean. I felt blessed to live in such a breathtaking area. I felt blessed to have a mom that is a true friend; a kind, humble and giving women.

Thank you  Canadian cousins- for deciding  to visit us on your vacation. You could have gone anywhere in the world but you chose us. If you hadn't come to visit I may not have made this stop with mom. I love you & the time we spent together.....but happy you're gone because the extremely late nights/early mornings were killing me. Kisses!


Do you want to try making seaweed? It's easy.
1- Pick the brown seaweed (the soft one not bumpy) off the rocks by simply pulling it
2- Pick through and cut any long pieces
3- Marinate it overnight in a little red wine, garlic, and red pepper(Goya)
4- Put a little oil in a pan and put in the seaweed. Cook for apx. 20 minutes stir occasionally
5- Consume with tons of Portuguese corn bread and a glass of red wine. YUMMY!!

Muthahood & The Winner!

AND THE WINNER OF THE YUMMY MUMMY BROWNIE PACK IS.........Amanda Fluet Arria

Congratulations!!

Thanks you all for participating in I Stopped Along The Way's very first contest. I really enjoyed receiving your emails, Facebook, and Twitter posts on the advice that your mom/grandmother had passed on to you. 


My mother has given me several good nuggets, I will share one with you. Originally this got passed down to her from her mother. She always gives me her advice in Portuguese so hopefully it'll translate properly.


"Don't spit up, it'll always hit you in the face"
In other words don't talk badly or judge someone. It will always come back to get you. I found myself testing this advice one day when I was at the market. I saw a little child rolling around and screaming. I spit up alright..."OMG If that were my child..."  Well, as I'm sure you can imagine the spit hit me in the face about a week later when my little lovely decided to pull a fit in the middle of the Verizon. Embarrased and ashamed, I learned my lesson.

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Here is some motherly advice submitted by YOU!!:


My mom told me that you can't do everything - you can try but something is gonna give. So, you can do everything, but just not well. - Stacey

Always wear comfortable shoes - Don

The last thing my mother always said when we left the house and how she signed notes to us was: "RWYA" Remember who you are. It was always in the back of my head when facing choices and helped guide me to make good choices (usually!)-PstLyDiva 

"The best advice that my grandmother gave me was to respect myself, act in a respectful manner, expect others to show you respect, do not accept disrespect and others will treat you respectfully! -Linda

The best advice my mom gave me was to put things away when I was done with them because if not I would just have to put them away later!  No one else was going to do it for me!!!" - Linda

The best advice I recieved was actually from my mother in law... when people are making your crazy in your life and there is no reasoning with these people (I think we all have a few of these people in our lives!) she tells me this old Sicilian saying that translates in English to "nod your head like a donkey!". basically you just nod and smile at these people and dont let them bother you, life is too short! - Amanda

When my parents dropped me off at college, as they left, my mother looked me straight in the eye and said, "Tommy, don't do anything stupid."- Tom

"Don't share the details of a fight you have with your husband with your mother.  She will remember how hurt and upset you are long after the fight is over and may think differently of the many you love and long since forgiven." - Lori

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And now some Funny Friday Humor