Natural Awakenings Twin Cities September 2020

upset. They also contain chitin, a fiber that
is nearly impossible to digest unless thoroughly
cooked. So grab some onions, garlic,
thyme and plenty of healthy oil and sauté
your favorite fungi. Enjoy.
©Jeremy (Turkey Tail Mushrooms)
Five Reasons to
Include Mushrooms
for Better Health
For those who enjoy
sautéed mushrooms
on their steaks or
grilled portabella as a
source of protein, they
need no convincing to
make mushrooms a
staple in their diet. However,
there are many more
benefits and reasons to
turn to mushrooms for
better health.
Vitamin D - Similar in how humans
convert sunlight on their skin to vitamin
D, mushrooms do the same thing.
Ultimately, you will want to source organic
mushrooms that are grown in filtered
sunlight, but if those are not available,
mushrooms purchased in the store will
benefit significantly from spending time in
the sun. Simply put your mushrooms in a
bowl and set them in a sunny window or
outside for an hour or two to allow them
to convert the sunlight into vitamin D.
In addition, vitamin D is a fat-soluble
nutrient, so cooking your mushrooms in
butter or a healthy oil will help your body
assimilate the nutrients into your body.
Protein - Mushrooms contain all nine
of the essential amino acids required for
optimal body function. The only other
complete source of these critical nutritional
compounds is animal protein.
by Linda Conroy
Mushrooms contain all
nine of the essential
amino acids required for
optimal body function.
The only other complete
source of these critical
nutritional compounds
is animal protein.
Lung Health -
Reishi mushrooms
have an affinity for the
lungs and are used as
a preventative strategy
for supporting lung
health. This is especially
important in this
time of the COVID-19
pandemic and for
people struggling with
asthma. Like many
other mushrooms, reishi is an adaptogen,
helping to support the immune and adrenal
systems during times of stress.
Endocrine System - Turkey Tail
mushrooms have been shown to be helpful
with some types of cancer, specifically
those affecting the endocrine system. It
has been shown to increase the immune
system when given with standard cancer
treatment.
Brain Health - Lion’s Mane mushroom
stimulates nerve growth factor, a protein
that promotes healthy brain cells. Lion’s
Mane mushroom will help in maintaining
cognitive health and reducing brain
fog brought on by Lyme’s disease. It is also
known as a cognitive enhancer, increasing
memory, creativity and motivation.
Though we often see button mushrooms
sliced on our salads, eating mushrooms
raw can cause severe gastrointestinal
Mushroom Pate
Ingredients
2 tablespoons oil or fat
1 lb. mushrooms of your choice, sliced
2 whole shallots, scallions or onions, peeled
and thinly sliced
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1/4 cup dry wine
1 tablespoon Tamari
1/4 cup of cultured cream or yogurt
Instructions
Warm oil/fat in a large sauté pan over medium
heat. Add sliced mushrooms, shallots
and garlic and stir to combine, cooking
until mushrooms begin to sweat.
Add fresh thyme and wine and stir to
combine. Let cook until mushrooms are
soft, about 5-7 minutes. Add Tamari and
stir again to combine.
Transfer mixture to food processor and
pulse until a rough purée forms. Add
cream. Pulse until a creamy purée forms,
season with more tamari, if needed.
Transfer to a bowl and serve with baguette,
crackers and cheese.
Linda Conroy is the owner
of Moonwise Herbs in
Stoughton, WI. She is a
practicing herbalist,
providing herbal education
via workshops, apprenticeships
and individual
consultations. Conroy is a community
organizer and the founder of the Midwest
Women’s Herbal Conference. To learn more,
visit MoonwiseHerbs.com. See ad, page 15.
September 2020
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