Wander to Vidalia

It's time to replace the old adage about "An Apple a Day" - with a new one -

"An Onion a Day"

While it may not win you more friends, it will relieve inflammatory bowel conditions and boost immune function, break down certain cancer-causing compounds, reduce the body’s absorption of cholesterol, AND also fight fungus!

In Georgia, where

Vidalia onions are cultivated, the mortality rates from stomach cancer are about half the average for the United States. Also, the Chinese rank among the largest population of onion lovers, and guess what?  Their risk of getting stomach cancer is 40 percent lower than it is for people who shy away from them. So let's add onions to our recipes with generous abandon.

Tofu and Vidalia Onion Casserole

Preheat oven to 350ºF, 175ºC.

• 16 oz. Frim organic Tofu, cubed

• 1 Tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Cold-pressed organic Coconut Oil (to coat casserole)

• 3 organic Sweet Potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/4"

• 4 c. organic Vidalia Onions, chopped

• 3 c. organic Portobello Mushrooms, sliced

• 1 c. Almond Milk

• 2 Tbs. Brown Rice Flour

• 1 Tbs. Worcestershire Sauce

• Sea Salt, Black Pepper, and Paprika, to taste

• Dash of Cayenne, opt.

Rinse chicken and pat dry. Over medium heat, lightly sauté Tofu in oil and drain on paper towel.

Grease a 2-quart casserole with coconut oil.

Mix milk, rice flour, Worcestershire sauce together.

Layer sliced potatoes, onions, mushrooms and chicken. Top with milk mixture and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika.

Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Serve with whole grains, quinoa, or wild rice Pilaf (1/4 c. serving)

~ To Your Health!

♥

Make room for Mushrooms.. It's What's for Dinner

Chanterelle Mushroom – Chicken Pie

Adapted from Tom's recipe at www.tallcloverfarm.com

For the vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add three pounds of mushrooms.  This is a great vegetarian pie as chanterelles are meaty little guys with rich texture.

You will need:

• Two Pie Crusts: Your favorite Whole Wheat,  Spelt (Whole Foods has a wonderful frozen Spelt crust), or Gluten Free crust of your choice

• 1.5 lb Chanterelle mushrooms
• 3 T. Virgin Olive oil
• 1.5 lb organic, free-range Chicken
• 1 T. whole wheat Flour
• 1 Lemon, juiced
• 1 large Onion, chopped
• 1 c. Soy Yogurt (Sour Cream if you can eat dairy)

1. Sauté mushrooms in oil, until tender and most liquid evaporates
2. Add onion, sauté until translucent
3. Add diced chicken to pan, cook until tender
4. Add flour, stir, cook for a few more minutes for thickening
5. Add lemon juice and yogurt and stir. Let cool to room temperature

Preheat oven to 425 F. Place baking sheet in oven.

Line crust in 9-inch pie plate (10-inch works, too).

Add cooled filling to crust. Place second crust on top and crimp edges. Vent top crust by making 5 – 6 cuts with a knife.

Brush top crust with egg wash (one egg, 1 t. water, mixed).

Place pie on baking sheet in oven, on the middle rack. Bake for 15 minutes, or until top crust begins to brown.

Lower temperature to 350º F, continue baking for another 30 – 35 minutes, until golden and center is firm.

Serve warm (reheats well).

photo credit: http://www.tallcloverfarm.com

Serve with a green salad and roasted balsamic asparagus!

 ~ Bon Apetit! ♥

Cheesey Stuffed Mushrooms - Non Dairy

Tomorrow evening I am having a few people over to test their anti-oxidant levels with the amazing machine I spoke of in my post on April 27th. I'm so excited to have access to such a wonderful tool.  My teenage son agreed that most kids in his class would rate quite poorly, and he's anxious to see what his results will be. To supplement his diet, I started him on the Teen vitamins Pharmanex makes, and so in 4 weeks we'll do another reading to see if his levels rise. (It takes about 4 weeks for the change in your anti-oxidant levels to reach the skin, which is what the Biophotonic Scanner is measuring.)

I am going to try to get as many doctors in our area to incorporate this piece of data into their health evaluations!

Anyway, I want to make a little treat to serve tomorrow night and thought these quick and simple to put together appetizers would be fun.  (If you are someone who can eat dairy, then substitute goat cheese for the rice cheese.)

Makes about 24

mushrooms

• Olive oil, for baking sheet

• 3 slices whole wheat Sandwich Bread

• 1 small Garlic clove, coarsely chopped

• 6 oz grated Rice or Almond Cheese

• 1/2 c. fresh organic Parsley leaves, chopped

• 1/4 tsp. Red Pepper flakes

• 1/4 tsp. Black Pepper

• Coarse Sea salt

• 2 packages (10 ounces ea) white button mushrooms, stems removed

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet.

In a food processor, pulse bread and garlic until fine crumbs form; set 1/2 cup aside. To food processor, add cheese, parsley, and red-pepper flakes. Season with salt, and pepper and pulse filling until combined.

Spoon filling into each mushroom, and roll filled side in reserved breadcrumbs. Place on prepared baking sheet; bake until mushrooms are tender and lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes.

mushroom stuffed

Cheers! ♥

Miraculous Mushrooms - Not Just for Alice

Medicinal mushrooms have long been used in Asia as an energy tonic to help promote longevity and overall health. Amongst the many types of medicinal mushrooms, including Maitake, Cordyceps, and Shiitake, Reishi is one of the most versatile medicinal mushrooms.

Medicinal mushrooms have been shown to improve specific immune markers and contribute significantly to healing processes by stimulating the body’s immune system. They contain high concentration of fiber and act as prebiotic, antioxidant, and antibiotics. They hold anti-hyperlipidemic, hypotensive, and hypoglycemic ability in addition to helping many health conditions such as asthma, ulcers, and kidney inflammation.

Furthermore, medicinal mushrooms are potent antagonists that helps diminish the formation of cancerous cells and compounds.

Beating cancer with the help of medicinal mushrooms

Many of the medicinal mushrooms, including Chaga mushroom, Maitake mushroom, Ganoderma mushroom, and Cordyceps mushroom, contain cancer-preventive and cancer-fighting actions. Research has focused on the polysaccharides with beta 1,3 glucan linkages.

Indole-3-carbinol is a nutrient found in large quantities in cruciferous vegetables. It is a potent antagonist of breast cancer, reducing formation of  cancerous compounds from hormones and participating in blockage of cancer cell progression. - The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese, Western, and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatments by Alan Keith Tillotson, Ph.D., A.H.G., D.Ay.

Cordyceps

like many other medicinal mushrooms has been traditionally cooked into soups in Asia for its nutritive and tonic properties. Like other medicinal mushrooms CS is rich in polysaccharides, the primary immune modulators as well as being rich in vitamins and minerals.  Cordyceps is best taken as either a water extract (tea or soup) or a high quality powder can be mixed into juice or water, or even into yoghurt or applesauce.

It is important to get high quality, properly prepared and processed Cordyceps product to ensure that you will get the most benefit from this healing mushroom. As with any other product of this nature, seek the guidance of a health care professional.

The constituents in medicinal mushrooms, such as CS, have few drug interactions and can often be used safely along with conventional therapies. Always discuss the use of herbal medicines with your doctor.

  Potential benefits of Cordyceps sinensis

Studies show the following actions and effects of the water extract of Cordyceps sinensis: (CS):

• The polysaccharides in CS have been shown to have immune stimulating and anti tumor activity.
• CS had been shown to inhibit the growth of several cancer cell lines.
• CS has also been shown to protect the liver and kidneys from toxic side effects of chemotherapy.
• CS has been shown to potentiate and enhance the activity of some chemotherapy drugs.
• CS has been shown to promote Cell Death (induce apoptosis).   Normal cells will self destruct (undergo apoptosis) when the cell is damaged.  Cancer cells fail to do so.  CS has been shown to induce apoptosis or normal cell death in cancer cells in many studies and suggests that CS might be a valuable adjunct therapy for cancer patients.
• CS is a potent antioxidant, thus protecting cells from free radical damage.  Free radical damage is thought to be a primary factor in the aging process.  Additionally when DNA  (genetic material) in the cells is damaged, risk of cancer increases.  CS has been shown to enhance the production of Glutathione and SOD, protective, natural antioxidants produced in our cells to protect against free radical damage and oxidation.

• CS demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties.  Inflammation is a factor common to many diseases, including cancer.
• CS has been shown to increase the production of Natural Killer (NK) cells. NK cells are primary protective cell in our natural innate immune response is active against both tumor cells and viral cells.
• CS has also been shown to possibly inhibit metastasis and the spread of some cancers. Inhibiting metastasis therefore could prolong life for cancer patients.
• Some studies have shown that CS prevents metastasis by inhibiting angiogenesis, the process by which tumor cells make new blood vessels, allowing tumors to grow in size.

• CS has also demonstrated anti-viral and antibacterial properties.

Maitake and Turkey Tail

Other mushroom extracts that have been shown to have clinical effectiveness against human cancers are D-fraction extracted from the Maitake mushroom, and extracts from the Split Gill, Turkey Tail and Reishi mushrooms. In 1998, Maitake Products received FDA approval for an Investigational New Drug Phase II pilot study of Maitake mushroom extract in the treatment of advanced breast and prostate cancer.

There is also some evidence that the consumption of mushrooms in the diet may ward off cancer. - You Don't Have to be Afraid of Cancer Anymore by Bill Sardi

As with many of the medicinal mushrooms, Shiitake has been shown to be of benefit as an adjuvant cancer therapy. It has been shown to improve specific immune markers (including natural killer cells, tumor necrosis factor, T-helper cells, and a variety of interleukins), and patient outcomes.

Reishi

..is one of the most versatile medicinal mushrooms. It has long been used in Asia as an energy tonic to promote longevity and overall health.

Studies indicate that Reishi is an antioxidant and contains polysaccharides and other compounds that may boost the immune system. Reishi is taken to counter bacteria and viruses and has shown promise as an agent to help prevent or treat cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other conditions. Russian researchers at the Cancer Research Center in Moscow have had positive results using Reishi extracts to boost the immunity of cancer patients. - The Health Benefits Of Medicinal Mushrooms by Mark Stengler

Chaga

There have been 150 species of medicinal mushrooms found to inhibit the growth of different types of tumors, especially cancers of the stomach, esophagus, and lungs, but Chaga seems to stand out from the rest. I learned about this mushroom from herbalist David Winston, who told me it has been used traditionally to treat different forms of cancer in Siberia, Canada, Scandinavia, the United States, and Russia. Chaga is a fungal parasite that draws its nutrients out of living trees, rather than from the ground. - The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese, Western, and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatments by Alan Keith Tillotson, Ph.D., A.H.G., D.Ay.

~ ~ ~~

Enjoy mushrooms in salads, soups and stir-frys. Powdered mushrooms in pill form are also very effective.

As a special note, in order to be effective, it seems that mushroom extracts must be aqueous—i.e., extracted with hot water. Those that are extracted using rice or alcohol tinctures are not effective biologically. But a generally reliable source of aqueous extracts of medicinal mushrooms is JNS Natural Products, Inc. (www.jhsnp.com).

 >> To order organic Reishi or Cordyceps supplements, Contact me. <<

Read more here.

AHCC - ImmPower

ImmPower : Produced by American Biosciences of Blauvelt, NY  

A fermented extract produced from the mycelium of hybridized medicinal mushrooms grown in the extract of rice bran, AHCC been shown to significantly improve the immune system by increasing the production of the body’s “killer cells”, whose function is to destroy abnormal cells and invading organisms in the body.

Currently used in over 700 clinics throughout Asia, AHCC has gained wide acceptance due to the volume of research devoted to its applications. As the subject of over 100 research papers from the world’s leading research centers, AHCC has been studied at prestigious U.S. institutions such as the UC Davis Cancer Center, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, the Yale School of Medicine and the Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital, among others.

The most important factor driving the acceptance of AHCC at cancer clinics has been its impact on reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. AHCC has been shown to help reverse the suppression of immunity (that results from cytotoxic chemotherapy treatments) by significantly raising patients’ white blood cell counts, as well as contribute to the prevention of chemically induced alopecia (hair loss), the reduction of nausea and vomiting and the protection of the bone marrow (by helping prevent myelo-supression and anemia, which contribute to the patient’s fatigue). Read full article here.

Research shows provides unsurpassed support for the immune system's front-line defenses:*

• Maintaining peak Natural Killer cell function*
• Supporting enhanced cytokine production*
• Promoting optimal T-cell and macrophage activity*

"Animal studies suggest that AHCC has antioxidant effects and may protect against disorders induced by oxidative stress and also enhance resistance against bacterial and viral infections.

A study of healthy subjects aged 50 years and older suggests that AHCC improves T-cell immune responses via increased production of interferon-l and tumor necrosis factor-alpha for up to 30 days after treatment. In healthy humans, AHCC increased dendritic cell number and function."

Herb-Drug Interactions:  AHCC can induce CYP450 2D6. This may decrease the activity of other drugs, like doxorubicin or ondansetron, which are substrates of this enzyme.  Read full article here.

Barley, Veggie Stew - Nutrient Packed!

A powerhouse of healthy foods! This is an excellent immune boosting dish. Make enough to last a few days. You can alternate the protein to break the monotony, or sprinkle a new spice on top each time you have some... cinnamon, thyme..etc.

This is a satisfying meal, good on cool evenings. Serve with a salad and 4 oz. cold water fish.

• 2 tsp. Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 1/2 c. diced organic Onions
• 1 1/2 c. diced organic Carrots
• 1 1/2 c. diced Celery
• 3 small cloves Garlic, minced
• 1/2 lb. of assorted organic Mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
• 2/3 c. of Pearl Barley, rinsed
• 4 c. organic Veggie Broth
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
• 1/8 tsp. ground Black Pepper
• 4 shakes of Cayenne Pepper (to taste)
• 2 organic Bell Peppers, 1 Red, 1 Green, diced
• 3 Tbs. of fresh organic Parsley, chopped

On medium-low heat, sauté the onion, carrots and celery in 2 teaspoons of olive oil for 4 minutes.

Add the garlic, stir for a minute and then the mushrooms. Cook until they soften, about 5 to 8 minutes.

Add the barley, veggie broth, bay leaf, salt, black pepper and cayenne (NOT the peppers) and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and cook for 35 minutes.

Add the peppers and cook an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until the barley is tender and much of the broth is absorbed.

Remove the bay leaf and garnish each bowl with ½ Tbs. of parsley.

Enjoy! ♥

Boost Your Immnue System with Mushroom Soup

This homemade soup captures some of the anti-cancer features of more expensive immune-enhancing soups.  Unlike Sun Soup, it is inexpensive and tasty. Medicinal mushrooms have been shown to improve specific immune markers and contribute significantly to healing processes by stimulating the body’s immune system. They contain high concentration of fiber and act as prebiotic, antioxidant, and antibiotics. They hold anti-hyperlipidemic, hypotensive, and hypoglycemic ability in addition to helping many health conditions such as asthma, ulcers, and kidney inflammation.

Read more about the health benefits of mushrooms here.

Mega Power Mushroom-Lentil Soup

• 1/4 lb. shiitake mushrooms
• 1/4 lb. maitake mushrooms
• 1/4 lb. oyster mushrooms
• 1 1/2 c. dried mung beans (pre-soak)
• 1 1/2 c. dried French lentils (pre-soak)
• I/4 head green cabbage, sliced in strips
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 leeks, chopped
• 5 cloves of garlic, crushed and peeled
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 4 c. purified or spring water
• Sea salt or Tamari to taste

NOTE: If you cannot find fresh mushrooms, dried mushrooms are widely available, in the market or over from the Internet. Pre-soak until they are soft, then sliced. Also pre-soak the mung beans and lentils.

Peel the garlic cloves, crush them with flat side of knife.  Wait 10 minutes, and then mince them.

Add the garlic and all the remaining ingredients and cook at a slight boil for two hours, stirring occasionally. Season with reduced-sodium tamari (soy sauce). Try pureeing in a blender. Refrigerate surplus after eating.

Consume one cup of this soup per day, 3-4 times per week.  You may add any other fresh, organic vegetables.

~ Bon Apetit! ♥