This text is a part of an ongoing Friday sequence in regards to the distributors at native farmer’s markets.
It goes nicely with espresso, smoothies, oatmeal, and nearly every other dish one can consider.
However contemplating the place it comes from, you may not suppose it could.
It is Sage’s Sea Moss, a nutrient-dense gel discovered on the Lafayette Farmers Market.
However the sea moss comes from 1000’s of miles away, near the place Peter McIntosh was born and raised. The gel is one thing he and Nikki McIntosh, his spouse and enterprise companion, have been raised on.
And sea moss is what they’re elevating their daughter, Sage, on. The gel has been round for generations in lots of nations, lastly discovering its place in Lafayette’s farmer’s markets.
What’s sea moss?
“It is principally a powerhouse,” Nikki McIntosh mentioned.
The seaweed grows abundantly on coastlines internationally. There are totally different strains however the sea moss the McIntoshs grew up on is usually known as Irish sea moss.
Sage’s sea moss is sourced from the shores of Saint Lucia, a rustic within the Jap Caribbean islands. The “wild-harvested seaweed” is harvested authentically alongside the shores of the island.
And the McIntoshs will not accept something much less.
The dietary advantages of sea moss have been backed up by science and generations of individuals internationally.
Natural sea moss comprises 92 of the 102 minerals our bodies want to perform — together with macro-minerals like calcium, phosphorous, sodium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, sulfur — and hint minerals corresponding to — iron, copper, manganese, iodine, zinc, fluoride and selenium.
Sea moss is among the most iodine-rich meals on the planet, serving to to manage thyroid perform. Sea moss additionally helps with digestive well being, performing as a prebiotic.
Not solely can two tablespoons, or extra, of the gel be added to any meal for added vitamins, the quantity of pure collagen present in sea moss makes it helpful to use topically.
The listing goes on. And the McIntoshs are studying new advantages daily as prospects attain out with their healed illnesses.
“It helps with every little thing,” Nikki mentioned.
Sea moss gel has two easy substances: water and sea moss.
The method of constructing sea moss is 4 steps: 1. Clear and wash a number of instances 2. Soak for 12 to 24 hours 3. Steep in scorching water 4. Pour liquid that finally cools down and turns into the ultimate product.
Add sea moss to a blender with about one cup of water, ideally the water used to soak the seaweed in. Then pour it right into a container with an hermetic seal and refrigerate.
“It is a blessing,” Nikki mentioned.
‘It was only a leap of religion’ ending up in Lafayette
After giving start to Sage, the namesake of the enterprise, Nikki was searching for pure treatments to getting her physique again to a standard, wholesome state. Other than time, sea moss helped her come again to a pure stability.
“We use sea moss on a regular basis in Jamaica. It is not one thing new,” she mentioned.
However to the farmers markets of Lafayette, it was a brand new product — and it was a success. At their first Lafayette Farmers Market, Sage’s Sea Moss offered out.
“That was affirmation that we will do that,” Nikki mentioned.
“We offered greater than we did in New York,” Peter mentioned.
The concept to promote sea moss at native markets was a year-long, nationwide winding path to the farmers markets of Lafayette.
Dwelling in California, the McIntoshs needed to get away from town and dwell nearer to buddies. On the promise of a great buddy, and the proprietor of Di Jerk Cease, Nikki, Peter and Sage moved to Lafayette.
“Twenty-five-hour drive all the best way right here. It was only a leap of religion,” Peter mentioned.
At first, the transfer was mentally disturbing. The household was in limbo as Peter waited for his immigration papers and took care of 5-month-old Sage. To have a way of familiarity, together with trip and work, the household visited Nikki’s household in New York.
Earlier than they left for town on the East Coast from Lafayette, the McIntosh’s had their very own stash of sea moss. After making a batch, that they had extra and gave the additional to Peter’s buddy who satisfied them to maneuver to Lafayette. On the time he was engaged on an oil rig and the McIntosh’s sea moss helped him clear a nasty chilly.
This sparked the concept individuals would possibly pay to make use of their sea moss.
Peter went down a “rabbit gap” of analysis, discovering out find out how to make sea moss on his personal.
“I turned an professional in a single day,” He mentioned.
They sat on that concept whereas they went to New York. Whereas within the metropolis, Nikki requested her mother to convey them again sea moss from Jamaica for their very own private use. Her mother got here again with two kilos. Once more, with the surplus, they thought ‘let’s simply see what occurs’ in the event that they promote it to household and buddies in NYC.
They posted the gel on Instagram within the morning sooner or later and offered 20 bottles by the afternoon. Having discovered a market to promote to in New York, the couple puzzled they would not have the identical market in Lafayette.
“On the time we simply didn’t know something about Lafayette. However what we do know is, we’re farmers market individuals,” Nikki mentioned.
As soon as again in Lafayette, the couple tried their hand in any respect the native markets — Fightinville Contemporary, Lafayette’s Hub Metropolis Farmer’s Market, The Market at Tops and Lafayette Farmer’s Market — and have not regarded again.
Any reservations that they had have since dissipated. Sage’s Sea Moss is offered throughout the nation. They’ve gotten requests from Canada however are holding off on account of delivery prices.
They’re comfortable to convey meals from the earth and from their life to Lafayette, displaying a “holistic method” to a wholesome life.
Contact Victoria Dodge at vdodge@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @Victoria_Dodge
