It’s the
height of summer, with county fairs, parades, days at the lake, camps, and
other seasonal fun. With all this activity, isn’t it good to know that
Pathfinder Produce is here, offering convenience, great prices, and the
friendliest staff ever? Come on down this Thursday, August 8, from noon
to 5 p.m. for your produce needs and experience how our market is “rooted in
community.”
Thanks to all
who have signed up to donate and help with Tuesday’s American Red Cross blood
drive. If you didn’t get to sign up, there are other area drives in our area; click here to make your
appointment today. It only takes a short time out of your day to make a
big difference to a patient who needs a life-saving donation.
Looking
ahead, we still have plenty of Saturday evening concerts at Pathfinder, and on
Thursday, Aug. 15, the employees of NYCM Insurance will host their second
annual Cruise-In at the Pavilion from 5:30 to 7 p.m. We’re eager to see
the #18 M&Ms car (Thank you Empire Toyota!) along with all the great
restored classic and vintage vehicles our friends and neighbors will bring.
***
This past few weeks, my family has been enjoying delicious grilled mushrooms
… I’m hooked! Scientifically speaking, mushrooms are considered saprophytes, fungi
that are neither animal nor plant. They are part of nature’s clean-up crew and
metabolize non-living organic matter for the nutrients they need to grow. They
produce filaments, have no leaves or roots, produce spores, and don’t perform
photosynthesis as plants do.
Nutritionally, the USDA considers
mushrooms to be vegetables because they offer many of the same nutritional
attributes of vegetables. According to the National Library of Medicine National
Institutes of Health,
mushrooms are rich in dietary fiber and provide nutrients that are also found
in produce, meats, and grains. They are a source of essential vitamins and
minerals, including niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, selenium, copper,
potassium, vitamin D and calcium.
According to the Food Revolution blog, mushrooms have more antioxidants than some vegetables, plus
are low-fat and low-carb to boot. As you may recall from other blog
posts, antioxidants are beneficial
as they help fight a host of inflammatory diseases, including cancers, heart
disease, autoimmune conditions, etc.
Mushrooms are also prebiotic, which
means they nourish the good bacteria in your gut, and they balance the microbiome’s beneficial bacteria, such
as Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. Eating more mushrooms may help you lose
weight and feel healthier: In one study, researchers substituted mushrooms and cut back
on servings of meat. After one year, the subjects felt better, lost weight, lowered
their blood pressure and cholesterol, and lessened their risk for diabetes.
All of this has me wanting to try other recipes featuring
portobellos; below are some links to explore.
- Garlic Butter Portobello Mushrooms
- Grilled Portobello Mushrooms with Tomatoes
& Mozzarella
- Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Although some people are experienced in harvesting wild
mushrooms, it requires training and a thorough knowledge of different species
to do this safely (DO NOT eat wild mushrooms if you are a novice). It is,
however, possible to safely grow edible mushrooms by
following the instructions from Better Homes & Gardens.
Until next time, eat well and be well,
Lori
