Photo Credit: Jannik Selz
Recently, I was having a lively discussion with an executive director of a nonprofit organization about an educational project. The conversation illuminated my creative mind —which immediately had me organizing the details that would allow us to harness the power of the inspiration that seemed to beam from the conversation.
Despite that the necessary “paperwork” was submitted, the waiting time seemed to slow to almost a halt. However, my passion about the project continued to flame. Having the ability to educate people about food —which in this case was mushrooms, or fungi, in particular —as our first line medicine and the connection it has to heal people and the planet is amazing, right? ...and in this day and age who wouldn’t be all in flames about this miracle cure?!
Mushrooms are a low-calorie food item loaded with multiple health-boosting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants —like vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus and potassium as a start. [1][2] Being rich in fiber and protein make mushrooms the perfect antidote to developing chronic diseases. [1][2] Additionally, the anti-inflammatory effect of mushrooms has been shown to greatly improve the efficiency of the immune system. [1][2]
The unique properties of this often under-appreciated food item —which incidentally has been eaten and used as medicine for thousands of years— are their non-nutritive plant substances —polysaccharides, indoles, polyphenols, and carotenoids. [2] Mushrooms are neither a plant nor animal food but a type of fungus that contains a substance called ergosterol, similar in structure to cholesterol in animals. [2]
However, fungi serve as game changers in fields as disparate as medicine, forestry, pesticides and pollution control. [3] Paul Stamets, highlights that mushrooms bridge human and environmental immune systems — which is grounded in solid biology by the way. Fungi are what creates our soil, and boy are we in need of more of that goodness! Fungal mycelia hold soil together, help it retain water and make its nutrients available to vegetation --our fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, etcetera. [3] On another layer, fungi ward off pathogens and have developed an arsenal of antibacterial and antiviral compounds. [4] Simply put, mushrooms are magical and why would an organization not want to tap into all of that!
As Chief Seattle stated, “Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” So why do organizations and corporations continue to conduct business as usual by using individual processes and disconnected approaches?
#magic #mushrooms #myceliumnetwork #foodisfirstlinemedicine #alllifeisconnected #healthforpeopleandtheplanet #businessasusual #lightnessofbeing #mindmovementandadvocacy #lightnessofmovement #journeywithlightness
[4] Stamets, P. 2005. Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. Ten Speed Press.
Comments