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SHROOMS: (macro- and micro-) Biology & Ecology

Reishi Mushrooms Edgar and I were at a party tonight, where we met several entrepreneurs. A couple of them were super laid-back people with whom we have something deeply in common: The prized REISHI mushroom. Anyone who has taken our Longevity Community Questionnaire knows that of ALL of the organic superfood ingredients in our product, each one in its own right, are AMAZING for our health. But there is ONE ingredient we specifically highlight: The Reishi Mushroom. It’s known for boosting the immune system, but my holistic Dr. Marcey Shapiro taught me a dozen years ago that Reishi is known for boosting DEEP immunity, which is different than the effects of echinacea and other immune boosters which are more quick and stimulating. Reishi supports healthy nerve function, and also enhances mood and promotes restful sleep.

Well, tonight I learned from UC Berkeley microbiology graduate Monica Neff that several of her customers are cancer patients using the Reishi mushroom for immune support during chemotherapy. It is significant to me, that like our Akea company’s product, Monica’s company’s products are organic, vegan, gluten-free, grown in the U.S. and kosher. While I was at it, I learned a few other things of interest about fungi that I’ll share, just to whet your appetite for the miracles of mycology: Cordiceps shrooms are known for boosting energy; Turkey Tail shrooms are known for detoxification; and Lion’s mane shrooms are known for memory enhancement.

I had the opportunity to talk with Monica about my secret fascination with a WHOLE SEPARATE quality of mushrooms… their mysterious ability to transform human-invented, chemically toxic, and ecologically devastating waste materials — toxic sludge — into bountiful, healthy eco-systems. To me, it’s a sign of God, and his incredible love, and mercy for humans and our sins and foibles. Even when we think we’ve really done it, we’ve irreparably despoiled our only livable planet, … along come empirical examples of God’s forgiveness and his infinite strength, wisdom and capacity to be a great Father — a rescuer, a provider, in our times of deepest need, when we’ve really screwed up and don’t necessarily “deserve” any better. He gives us another chance. He offers us SHROOMS to show us it’s okay to not know everything.

Monica told me there is a group that has some of my same fascination with the “contamination transformation” that mushrooms provide with “no sweat”. It’s called Bay Area Radical Mycology. Wild. Perhaps I’ll check it out.

For those of you interested in pet health… I haven’t even scratched the surface here, but there are some good signs that the Power Shrooms are helping in cases of Valley Fever, a fungal infection of horses and dogs.

And on that note: Good night. Sleep tight. And get your daily Reishi right!

I conducted a SYMPHONY… from my favorite GF bakery.

imageI met with a new friend today at the Mariposa Bakery. Her name is Clara; she’s Argentinian and she loves MUSIC. Personally, I am not one to immerse myself in music. While I enjoy many genres… from Ska to Andean, Hawaiian to Christian Folk, and plenty of others, I’m really just a casual fan. But lately…

I’ve been working on something that feels like a masterpiece… a grand, symphonic, orchestral, masterpiece!

I feel like an orchestra conductor, while many of the musicians in the symphony may have hardly an inkling of the melody or notes they play so beautifully… which fill my ears with joyous tones, and giddy anticipation. Some of these great musicians barely perceive the instrument they stroke so masterfully; others wouldn’t have a clue even as to the name of their instrument. But I am pleased, no matter.

There is a single, solitary clarinet, which is confidently removed from its case, in one opera hall after another… starting out by piping a reedy, captivating tune which soon resonates with other woodwinds who add relaxed undertones to the melody. Then a full-bodied viola graces the stage, stretching and swaying, and enticing the horns and bells.

The song has not even reached the first climax, but we all know it’s coming, as we have all stepped on stage and begun improvising, listening for the subtleties of each other’s unique strengths.

I have a sense of the grandiosity. Of the historic import of these seminal works. Sometimes I want to convey it. Sometimes I feel like leaving it to be delectably discovered by each person who hears the piper’s tune from afar, and feels themselves sneaking and peaking into the concert. We’re all in for SUCH a TREAT! And we’re all learning to read MUSIC, and to deftly play our unique instruments, in this wide-open community amphitheater. Wait! Listen – … Listen for the crescendo. Wait. Here it comes! Where are you? Can you hear it?