Mushrooms
Food of the Month
Ancient Egyptians considered wild mushrooms to hold the keys to immortality. They were so prized, in fact, that only pharaohs were allowed to eat them. It wasn’t until the 1600s that the French began cultivating these edible treasures, making them more widely available to the masses. But what was it about this little fungal fruit (the majority of the fungus is actually underground, making the part we eat the fruit of the fungus) that gave it such potent power then and mass appeal now?
Well, to start off, mushrooms contain very few carbohydrates making them a dieter’s delight! They are a good source of many minerals and vitamins, have a reasonable amount of protein, and are one of the few natural sources of germanium, a naturally occurring element that increases oxygen efficiency, battles the effects of toxins, and increases resistance to disease. Mushrooms lack chlorophyll, the pigment found in green plants and leaves that helps convert sunlight into useable energy, so they must get their nourishment by drawing upon decaying matter. Knowing this helps us to understand the mushroom’s detoxifying properties; they help neutralize, absorb, and eliminate toxins from our body.
There are many varieties of mushrooms available on the market. The common, or button, mushrooms include the white, crimini, and Portobello mushrooms. These varieties are a good source of many minerals including selenium, copper, potassium, and zinc. They also contain health promoting phytochemicals, as well as a good dose of B Vitamins.
Asian mushrooms, including shiitake, maitake, reishi, oyster, enoki, and black tree fungus are increasingly finding their way into American homes, and for good reason. Maitake, reishi, and shiitake are perhaps the most well known for their healing properties which include blood thinning, lowering cholesterol, immuno-stimulatory, anti-cancer, and anti- inflammatory. Maitakes, also known as hen-of-the-woods, contain potent immune stimulants that help
Well, to start off, mushrooms contain very few carbohydrates making them a dieter’s delight! They are a good source of many minerals and vitamins, have a reasonable amount of protein, and are one of the few natural sources of germanium, a naturally occurring element that increases oxygen efficiency, battles the effects of toxins, and increases resistance to disease. Mushrooms lack chlorophyll, the pigment found in green plants and leaves that helps convert sunlight into useable energy, so they must get their nourishment by drawing upon decaying matter. Knowing this helps us to understand the mushroom’s detoxifying properties; they help neutralize, absorb, and eliminate toxins from our body.
There are many varieties of mushrooms available on the market. The common, or button, mushrooms include the white, crimini, and Portobello mushrooms. These varieties are a good source of many minerals including selenium, copper, potassium, and zinc. They also contain health promoting phytochemicals, as well as a good dose of B Vitamins.
Asian mushrooms, including shiitake, maitake, reishi, oyster, enoki, and black tree fungus are increasingly finding their way into American homes, and for good reason. Maitake, reishi, and shiitake are perhaps the most well known for their healing properties which include blood thinning, lowering cholesterol, immuno-stimulatory, anti-cancer, and anti- inflammatory. Maitakes, also known as hen-of-the-woods, contain potent immune stimulants that help
to neutralize tumors and both prevent and treat cancer, AIDS, obesity, and chronic fatigue. Reishi mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 4,000 years. They work as a powerful immuno-stimulant that helps fight against AIDS, Epstein-Barr, and other infectious viruses. You most likely won’t be able to find fresh reishis as they aren’t generally cultivated for the commercial market, so look for them in dried form at your local health food store. Shiitake mushrooms contain vitamins and enzymes not often found in plants, including Vitamins D, B2, and B12. They are considered to have potent healing properties that help to stimulate the immune system.
Other types of mushrooms include porcini (Italian mushrooms named because they resemble little pigs), Chanterelles, and morels. These types are usually more expensive as they are considered a gourmet treat.
When buying mushrooms, look for firm, fresh, young fruits, with no discoloration or damp spots. They will keep in the refrigerator up to a few days. To clean them before using, gently wipe or brush off any dirt with a damp paper towel or soft brush. Mushrooms are a versatile, low calorie, healthy addition to any diet. So eat up!
Other types of mushrooms include porcini (Italian mushrooms named because they resemble little pigs), Chanterelles, and morels. These types are usually more expensive as they are considered a gourmet treat.
When buying mushrooms, look for firm, fresh, young fruits, with no discoloration or damp spots. They will keep in the refrigerator up to a few days. To clean them before using, gently wipe or brush off any dirt with a damp paper towel or soft brush. Mushrooms are a versatile, low calorie, healthy addition to any diet. So eat up!
By Jennifer Spaide See Recipes on next page
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