Beach House Diaries: Gifts from the Sea

As far as I'm concerned, sea water beats lake water by a long shot. The simple presence of salt -- a miracle mineral -- is one reason. More than a flavor booster, it's a buoyancy enhancer, a preservative and, as spa-goers will attest, an effective exfoliant. Plus it is an age-old healing agent, which explains why doctors make such ample use of saline solution. Nevertheless, it's the interesting stuff the sea delivers to my beach daily that really sets saltwater apart from fresh.