Amazing Mushrooms

Photo by Sr. Pat Garrahan, sndusa

What did you do to survive Covid lockdown? My friend grew mushrooms. This brought back childhood memories of mushroom hunting with my grandmother and her tasty recipes which inspired me to learn more.

Mushrooms have long been the source of mythical intrigue, healing remedies and even magical fairy rings. Puffballs are still used for healing wounds and today a fungus called Aspergillus tubingenesis, has the ability to break down certain plastics.  What more surprises will the amazing mushroom hold for the well-being of humankind and the planet.

Mushrooms are part of the large fungi kingdom. Did you know that the mushroom we see is actually the reproductive body of fungi, known as the fruit body which produces microscopic spores so the fungus can spread?

Underneath the mushroom there is a vast network of hair-like filament threads known as mycelium which spreads over acres. These threads are part of the networks that allow plants and fungi to exchange nutrients and resources with each other in symbiotic relationships. They even enable trees to communicate with one another. Some trees will not survive if their fungi companions are not present. What a truly amazing web of life.

Mushroom appeal has spanned from the artist attraction to their beauty to medical researchers seeking new drugs and even scientists considering how fungi might break down asteroids making rich soil for food cultivation for space travellers.

Ontario has 5,000 varieties of mushrooms. Identifying these is a skill as they often have poisonous lookalikes. If you are interested in learning more about identifying and collecting mushrooms seek out your local Mycological Society.

Mushrooms are a source of 15 vitamins and minerals including vitamin D that is absorbed easily by the body – all good immune boosters. Commonly used white button mushrooms contain the highest amount of potassium, 300 mg per serving, which has been shown to reduce anxiety while cremini and portobello mushrooms have the most antioxidant properties. Portobello and shiitake mushrooms with their firm texture can be used as a meat substitute. They are prebiotic and stimulate healthy gut bacteria. Their nutrient value is preserved during cooking or when canned or dried.  

A serving is about 1 cup of raw mushrooms, 1/2 cup of cooked. 2 servings a week has been shown to decrease the risk of mild cognitive impairment.

And of course, there are magic mushrooms, that naturally contain a hallucinogenic psychoactive compound called psilocybin.  There is some indication that this might benefit people suffering from certain mental health issues such as depression. Ingesting too much can lead to death.

Have I interested you enough to try some recipes?

Images of giant puffball at Villa St. Joseph, Sept. 2022, by Sister Janet Speth CSJ

What to do with a Giant Puffball?

With their white flesh and sponge-like texture, they are quite similar to tofu and can be:

fried, grilled with rosemary and garlic, burgers, hummus, lasagna, used in soups, stews and stir-fries, and more.        



Recipes for Mushrooms

There are very easy recipes for stuffed mushrooms which make wonderful tasty appetizers.

Try this one. And here is one for portobello 4 ingredient steaks – gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian.

Bon Appetit!

-Sister Janet Speth, CSJ Toronto

REFERENCES:

1.     Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of Canada, Agriculture Canada 1981

2.     The Newsletter of the Mycological Society of Toronto: Summer 2022, vol 48-no

3.     Kayleen Devlin; https://www.bbcearth.com/news/the-surprising-world-of-mushrooms

4.     https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/space-travels-most-surprising-future-ingredient-mushrooms/

Path of Freedom

My name is Myra Johnston and I have been a social worker within correctional environments for 30 years. Currently, my practice is at the Sarnia Jail.  Two years ago, my employer approved my attendance at a self-development program called Mindfulness-Based Wellness and Resiliency (MBWR), an evidence-based interactive program designed to engage and train participants in a broad range of simple, practical, communication, stress management, health enhancement, and resilience-building skills. Benefits include significantly reducing the risk of burnout and other serious workplace stress injury and trauma-related health risks faced by corrections personnel. 

Approximately six months after completing the MBWR program, I was invited to participate in training that would allow me to facilitate mindfulness-based programming with our client population.  Initially, I had doubts about my expertise and questioned if I even wanted to train in a new program so close to retirement in little more than two years’ time.  I finally decided to do it; I signed up and attended the 10-week Path of Freedom facilitator training program.  I am so glad I did! 

According to the literature, the Path of Freedom is an evidence-based program for genuine healing, self-development and rehabilitation.  The curriculum is specifically designed to address criminogenic factors, like antisocial attitudes, values and beliefs, and certain temperaments and personality types strongly associated with criminal behavior and recidivism.  Foundational to the curriculum is the power of mindfulness meditation, which creates opportunities for individuals to touch into aspects of themselves that are free, empowered, and essentially of value. When offered behind bars, Path of Freedom can help prisoners reclaim their own lost potential within the extremely challenging environment of prison life.  By attending Path of Freedom, participants have the opportunity to practice pro-social behaviors and develop greater awareness of their own negative attitudes, core beliefs, and self-identities.  Participants can learn to manage and even transform negative tendencies by becoming fully accountable and responsible for their choices.

Image: Unsplash/Lesly Juarez

In reflection, these self-development and training opportunities have been invaluable to my own self-development and increased resiliency within a very demanding and sometimes toxic environment.  It has allowed me to be more self-reflective and manage my own emotions in a healthier way.  Taking time to practice mindfulness either in daily practice or daily activity has improved my mental wellbeing and outlook on life.  I find myself to be more joyful and at peace, I am better able to manage everyday frustrations and disappointments and support others in their journey of change.

I have been facilitating the Path of Freedom program at Sarnia Jail for the past year.  The program follows the book Path of Freedom: Building Mindfulness-Based Emotional Intelligence by Kate Crisp. Each participant is given a copy of the book. Over the past year, I have worked with approximately 50 clients either individually or in small groups.  Some have been able to complete 5 sessions and some all 10.  I have had comments from clients telling me how helpful the program has been, how they are better to manage their emotions, and that this program has taught them more than the intensive programs in the federal system which are sometimes six months long.  I asked my group participants to complete a survey after completing the program.  When asked if they noticed any changes in themselves that they attribute to their use of mindfulness practice. This is what they said:

“I have noticed that I use my breath to help me calm down and settle my racing thoughts.”

“I noticed that I practice meditation in the shower almost every time.”

“I think it is a great group to join to learn control over your emotions.”

“I found this helps with sleeping anxiety and everyday problem-solving.  It made me more confident.  As well as made me feel better.”

“Since starting this program I get better sleep and I am less stressed out/agitated.”

“Because this group helped me so if can help me…it could help others as well.”

“This is the only time of the week where I can just relax and reflect.”

“I calm myself down faster.”

“I have changed my attitude towards others.”

“I noticed I do meditations on my own.”

“I feel this group/program will help people to deal with stress, and emotions while being sober, and having the ability to do this will help people be able to stay clean and sober in the future without turning to drugs, alcohol, etc.”

“Mindfulness has helped me with pain management as well as focusing on the present “here and now.”  Meditation has also helped me slow my mind down and to more easily fall asleep.”

“I use the content of the program every day to make good decisions, communicate feelings, as well as forgive’ which is super important for one to move forward and change characteristics of life.”

“Learning how to meditate and to breathe slowly by myself in my alone time [ has benefited me].”

“Mindfulness practice helps with life inside my cell and inside my head.”

-Myra Johnston, Guest Blog