100th Monkey Mushroom Farm

100th Monkey Mushroom Farm

100th Monkey Mushroom Farm
Have you ever tried growing you own mushrooms?

I can honestly say that the thought never crossed my mind. Yes, me the “granola girl” “”hippy chick” as I have been called by those who know me; had never entertained the idea of growing mushrooms. That is until I met the peeps from 100th Monkey Mushroom Farm at the Natural Products Expo West. Their crew was kind enough to send me home with a blue oyster mushroom kit to try and write about.
I wish I could say I jumped right into the product wholeheartedly but the procrastinator in me took over and it sat, and sat. Then I moved it into a spot I would have to pass by every day and still it sat and sat… Until one day when my Bugs (aka Mitch-my son) offered to help me set it up. Once I opened the box and saw how easy and quick it was to set up (5 minutes tops) I kicked myself right in the procrastinating spot prominently displayed on my bottom. This was such a great project. From growing then suddenly seeing my on crop to harvesting and creating a meal with the gorgeous mushrooms, it was so much fun! My only regret is that I waited to so long to get started.

I highly encourage you to jump on the 100th Monkey Mushroom Farm website and grab a few kits for yourself, your kiddo’s classroom or anyone you know that is interested in good food, fun, learning and good health.

Below I have included three videos-set up, harvest and recipe for you to enjoy so click on over to get the skinny on this way cool simple product. Please share with your friends this fun and easy project and of course the videos from My Sage Gourmet.

My Mushroom Farm videos
Get the Recipe
About 100th Monkey Mushroom Farm Founders
Health Benefits of Mushrooms

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Easy Does it. A Solution for the rest of us

Below is my interview with Motion Picture Television Fund (MPTF) blogger, MJ Miller. I absolutely love teaching at this campus. My students are the best! Between the people I meet there and the history behind all the old days of movie making, it is such an honor for me to be privy to this tribe. This is also the place my Grandma “GG’ as we called her, spent most of her adult working life. She had so many stories to tell from her days as the head of housekeeping for the whole campus. I would share but privacy is paramount for our guest and residents alike. GG was the matriarch of our family and we miss her everyday! When I heard from a friend that they were putting a beautiful gym on campus at MPTF and I immediately applied as a yoga instructor. I wanted to work there because our GG had so long ago and because I had such an elevated ideal of what it would be like to teach there. Alas, there were no openings. I proceeded to hound the managers like any determined A type Yoga teacher would. Finally after four months,I got a call for an interview. I don’t know if they were just tired of me hounding them or if they thought I was as good of a fit and I knew I would be. Either way I got the job Woo Hoo! I have been at MPTF going on 8 years now. I can certainly see at least some the magic my GG must have experienced those many years ago.

I was recently interviewed for my third time one of which follows. I hope you enjoy it! Be well, Carol


EASY DOES IT. A Resolution for the Rest of Us.
You’ve all made your heartfelt resolutions, right? Eat better, exercise more, be more organized, call your parent/sibling/oldest friend regularly, read more, couch surf less… and you’re now exhausted and it’s only the middle of January.

May we gently suggest that you ease into the whole makeover concept by combining quality time with a friend or loved one and some stretching. Carol Takakura, certified health and nutrition consultant and yoga instructor, is a big believer in the benefits of yoga for people of all ages and capabilities.

Partner Pikes Plus Kids Yoga Priceless!

Partner Pikes Plus Kids Yoga Priceless!

Partner Pikes Plus Kids Yoga Priceless!“Yoga helps kids with their attention span. It is good for seniors with arthritis or lower back pain. And it helps build muscle strength and improves posture for everyone.” Which means there are no excuses – and every opportunity to start a regular yoga practice with your nearest and dearest!

If you’re new to yoga, Carol suggests you join a class. “A class helps give you a sense of well-being and camaraderie,” she says. It also gets you started down a safe path of exercise that takes your level of ability into consideration. A good yoga instructor will help you find the right poses and modifications that let you immediately begin to feel the benefits.

If you already have a favorite sport or activity, yoga is one of the best cross-training activities there is. “Yoga will improve anything,” says Carol. “Flexibility, range of motion, balanced muscle groups – yoga keeps all muscles in shape, not just those specifically for the sport you do the most.”

We’ve talked before about the Benefits of Breathing, and yoga uses that power of breath in combination with poses to improve your physical and mental health. Focused breathing is shown to lower your blood pressure and anxiety levels. Even the simplest poses help kids feel more grounded, which can help them control their tempers and be more patient. A yoga practice brings you back in touch with your entire body. How do you feel? What is strong today? What is feeling a little off? What adjustment can you make to bring your body back into balance? “Yoga allows everyone to be successful no matter what physical activity they’re doing now,” says Carol. “It can help improve body image for young girls, and can help seniors avoid falls by improving balance.”

Sunrise Sun Salutations

Sunrise Sun Salutations

Sunrise Sun Salutations

So. Take a breath. Consider what you need to do to begin walking down a path to a more healthy and balanced life. Take a look at some of Carol’s classes or see if MPTF has some classes that fit into your schedule. Then grab your kid or your granny or your office mate and get started!

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Still on the Fence about Quinoa

quinoa

Still on the fence about Quinoa? Perhaps this might change your mind..
Good news for Migraine Headache sufferers- If you are prone to migraines, try adding quinoa to your diet. Quinoa is a good source of magnesium, a mineral that helps relax blood vessels, preventing the constriction and rebound dilation characteristic of migraines. Increased intake of magnesium has been shown to be related to a reduced frequency of headache episodes reported by migraine sufferers. Quinoa is also a good source of riboflavin, which is necessary for proper energy production within cells. Riboflavin (also called vitamin B2) has been shown to help reduce the frequency of attacks in migraine sufferers, most likely by improving the energy metabolism within their brain and muscle cells.

Quinoa also supplies significant cardiovascular benefits for postmenopausal women. Women eating a serving of quinoa, or others considered in the grain family, at least 6 times each week is an especially good idea for postmenopausal women with high cholesterol, high blood pressure or other signs of cardiovascular disease (CVD). A 3-year prospective study of over 200 postmenopausal women with CVD, published in the July 2005 issue of the American Heart Journal, shows that those eating at least 6 servings of whole grains each week experienced both: Slowed progression of atherosclerosis, the build-up of plaque that narrows the vessels through which blood flows, and Less progression in stenosis, the narrowing of the diameter of arterial passageways. The women’s intake of fiber from fruits, vegetables and refined grains was not associated with a lessening in CVD progression. Antioxidant Protection Quinoa is a very good source of manganese and a good source of copper, two minerals that serve as co-factors for the superoxide dismutase enzyme. Superoxide dismutase is an antioxidant that helps to protect the mitochondria from oxidative damage created during energy production as well as guard other cells, such as red blood cells, from injury caused by free radicals. – An important side note for those who are on a gluten free diet-Quinoa is not actually a grain, rather it is a seed and therefore is not a gluten compadre as it is often categorized as.-read on-

A Grain or not a Grain
Quinoa is the subject of many a debate about its classification. I am asked about this a lot by my paleo, gluten free, and other clients with big concerns about whether or not they should eat it.
Here’s the skinny on Quinoa- It is not a grain! Quinoa is the seed of the Chenopodium or Goosefoot plant. It is frequently called a grain because it is used and cooked like one, and is often called an “Ancient Grain” and a “Wholegrain”. These terms can make it confusing, but trust me folks, it is not a grain.

Soak and rinse before you eat-
For those who find yourself sensitive to this power seed, I highly recommend soaking, then rinsing till water runs clear before you cook and eat quinoa. Unless of course, you buy the “pre-rinsed” version-which I still rinse. Quinoa has several industrial applications due to its high levels of bitter saponins. Found on the outside of the seeds, the saponins are cardiac glycosides (organic compounds that interfere with heart contractions) that must be processed from most varieties prior to consumption, usually by mechanically removing the pericarp (ovary wall) or by soaking in water. Those waste saponins can then be used to produce pharmaceuticals, such as synthetic steroids, and can be used in soaps, detergents, cosmetics, beer production, and fire extinguishers. The saponins also serve to repel birds and other creatures from eating the seeds before they can be harvested since the bitter taste is so offensive prior to treating it. If you are eating Quinoa and not soaking/rinsing it, even though it has been processed in a way that removes a god deal of the saponins, you can have side effects, many of which are similar to those experienced by those with a gluten intolerance. Symptoms can include but are not limited to gas, bloating, stomach upset, loose stools and so on. If you suffer from any of these or other gastro-intestinal disorders please consult your doctor before adding quinoa into your diet.

I truly hope this article perks your interest in this amazing seed. Perhaps a few recipes will help you along.
Quinoa Cakes

quinoa cakes pic Try these recipes on for size.
As always, your comments are appreciated, questions always welcome at My Sage Gourmet where Wellness is Always in Season!

About Carol
Everything about My Sage Gourmet is intended to nurture and support you to thrive in every sense of the word. From the Kitchen Coaching, and my artisan kitchen blends to Nutrition Consulting, and the Tone and Sculpt Yoga and weight loss programs, My Sage Gourmet there to support you!

Carol is a Certified Nutrition Coach, Food and Fitness Blogger, Well Kitchen Coach, Cooking Instructor & Yoga Instructor. She partners with clients in reaching their wellness goals both in and out of the kitchen. She has developed a kitchen line of Herbed Salts that is from her garden to your table. Each of my five varieties is grown, picked, hand blended and made to order in small batches to guarantee the freshest, best tasting blends! You will taste the quality in every beautifully organic bite!

Carol provides wellness lectures, cooking demos and hands on cooking classes. She tests products, creates recipes around product lines that she believes you will enjoy. check out articles and recipes in print and via video at My Sage Gourmet.

She is known for her Kitchen Coaching, where she provides in-home classes to clean up and re-stock pantries, creating do-able, quick and healthy options for everyday use and special occasions.

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Ian’s Natural Foods

Ians_logo

“Trust Made Simple” that’s the tagline for Ian’s Natural Foods

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Chuck Marble, CEO of Elevation Brands, LLC. Elevation Brands is a company committed to bringing the highest quality, environmentally sound, sustainable products to the market place. They do this by working with mission-drive brands, including Ian’s Natural Foods and Blue Horizon Wild Seafood. I will share more on Blue Horizon in a later post along with a new recipe for you to try. For today let’s talk Ian’s.

For those families challenged to find reliable quality, easy to prepare foods for busy weekday meals, school lunches and snacks, I think you will really enjoy the Ian’s Brand. With a solid foundation of delicious, allergy friendly foods for kids and adults, you can’t go wrong with this brand. The first thing you will notice on the labels, are the minimalist’s version of ingredients. Not a bunch of who knows what, mixed with artificial this and that, nope not this brand, just real food, that you can feed your family. Speaking of labels, note that every package as on it, easy to read icons and “NO” on the front of their packages, so you can see at a glance which allergens are not in their food. How cool is that? Next, the variety, many great choices to from. From breakfast to entrees, and bread crumbs to stuffing , the ever growing list of products will delight your palate. Ian’s Natural Foods truly is “Trust Made Simple”! I am seriously looking forward to trying a few of their newest creations at the Natural Products Expo West in March. Keep your peepers open for a follow up post to hear how my taste testing went :>)

avocado panko tacosIn the meantime, check out this recipe for my delish version of Baked Avocado Tacos, using Ian’s Panko Breadcrumbs (original flavor) and let me know how you liked it.

AvocadosWhat to learn more about the goodness of avocados, check out this blog post, which includes more recipes to delight your palate!

Here’s to your health from My Sage Gourmet, where Wellness is Always in Season!

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I Love Fat!

Avocados

I Love Fat!

In fact, I wholly Believe in Fat! There I said it!

I believe that fat has its place in our food, in and outside our bodies. Fat serves our bodies in many powerful ways. It helps us to feel full, assists with our digestion, hydrates our skin and boasts our brain perform at its peak and the list goes on and on. I do not believe all fat is good, but it certainly is not all bad either. For as long as I can remember, Fat has been of huge debate, and I say debate on!
For today I want to talk specifically about our fatty little buddy the Avocado. Perhaps, you will look at this one little perfect fat source a little differently once you hear more about it. I have even included a few of my favorite delish recipes for you to enjoy this week!
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 recommends that Americans increase their intake of dietary fiber and states that dietary fiber that occurs naturally in foods may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, as well as help provide a feeling of fullness and promote healthy laxation. One-fifth of a medium California avocado (1 ounce) provides 8 percent of the Daily Value for fiber, while enjoying one-half of a medium California avocado provides 20 percent of the Daily Value for fiber.
Naturally sodium-free and cholesterol-free, California Avocados act as a nutrient booster by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha- and beta-carotene as well as lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.
Here are just a few of the vitamin and mineral highlights packed in this gorgeous little fruit:
Nutrient DRI/DV: pantothenic acid- 41.6%, fiber- 40.2%, vitamin K-35%, copper- 31.1%, folate- 30.3%, vitamin B6- 22.9%, potassium- 20.7%, vitamin E- 20.7%, and vitamin C – 20%.
Can’t wait? Go Straight to the recipes by clicking this link!

 Ready to learn more about Avocados for Moms and Kiddos and the rest of us too!…. Keep reading

Moms, Kids and Avocados

Nutrition for Moms
Avocados can be part of a healthful diet for both pregnant and nursing moms. Fresh California Avocados are sodium, sugar and cholesterol-free and contain mono and polyunsaturated fats. The recent recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 state:
Reduce daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg and further reduce intake to 1,500 mg among persons 51 and older and those of any age who are African American or have hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. The 1,500 mg recommendation applies to about half of the U.S. population, including children, and the majority of adults
Reduce the intake of calories from solid fats and added sugars
Consume less than 300 mg per day of dietary cholesterol.
Avocados can help Moms and Kids reduce their intake of those bad boy nutrients that increase the risk of certain chronic diseases.

Nutrition for Kids
A lifetime of good eating habits and good health can be established early in childhood. Rich, creamy avocados are a kid-friendly fruit in many ways: They provide great taste, fun texture and they contribute valuable nutrients including:
8% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for folate
4% DV for fiber and potassium
4% DV for vitamin E and more
Research shows folate (folic acid), another important component of the B-vitamins, is important for a healthy pregnancy, reducing your risk of serious birth defects of the spine and brain, also known as neural tube defects. Folate also helps produce and maintain new cells. This is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth, such as infancy and pregnancy. Both adults and children need folate to make normal red blood cells and prevent anemia.

Babies love avocados
What makes avocado appealing to babies?
The avocado’s smooth, creamy consistency makes it one of the first fresh fruits a baby can enjoy.
According to the American Heart Association, mono and polyunsaturated fats, when consumed in moderation and eaten in place of saturated or trans. fats, can help reduce blood cholesterol levels and decrease risk for heart disease. Avocados are one of the few fruits (yes, they are really a fruit) that provide “good” fats (0.5 g Poly and 3 g Mono per 1-oz. serving ). According to David Heber, M.D., director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of California, Los Angeles, “Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables can reduce heart disease by providing heart healthy nutrients and phytonutrients such as the monounsaturated fat and lutein in avocados. Compared to other commonly eaten fruits, California Avocados rank highest in lutein, which acts as an antioxidant and betasitosterol, which may block cholesterol absorption.”
When used in place of other fats, avocados can be a part of the DASH eating plan, which may help you control your blood pressure, and the creamy texture of the fruit helps make dishes satisfyingly delicious.

Avocado -The Beauty with Benefits
Avocados nurture and nourish dry facial skin!– You’ve got to be extra careful these days and read the ingredients labels on beauty products. Steer clear of all the junk with a DIY facial mask made out of avocado, raw honey and yogurt to slough away dead skin cells and restore a more youthful glow to your face.
How to make it: In a bowl, Mash ½ Avocado, 1 tbls. plain (full fat) yogurt and 1 tbls. raw honey.
To Apply: Spread a thick layer onto clean skin. Let sit for 10-15 minutes or longer. Remove with a warm wash cloth. Finish with a splash of cool water and your favorite moisturizer.

So, Why use it: 

Avocados are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, supremely moisturizing without clogging pores—perfect for transitioning skin to cooler, dryer temps. What you may not know is that avocados also contain Vitamin C, a natural skin brightener for any sunspots you may have recently acquired (ahem sister!).

The Yogurt adds lactic acid acting as a gentle exfoliator, giving skin that fresh-faced glow without any irritation.

Finally, honey acts as a natural humectant, boosting skin’s hydration and dew factor.
Bet you didn’t know
An Avocado Has More Potassium than a Banana-A single avocado has 975 milligrams of potassium, while a banana, well-known for being loaded with potassium, delivers just half that, with 487 milligrams per large fruit.

They’ll Ripen More Quickly with a Banana or an Apple Around
Speaking of bananas! The yellow fruit — as well as apples — release ethylene gas, a naturally-occurring plant hormone. If you store your unripe avocados in a brown bag with an apple or a banana, the gases trapped in the bag will help those green guys ripen more speedily, according to The Haas Avocado Board.

You Can Swap Them into Baked Goods Recipes for Butter
The creamy texture and healthy fats make for a surprisingly-easy baking substitution. And no, you won’t be making green muffins. In the right ratios, you can ditch some butter and replace with avocado for healthier chocolate chip cookies, banana bread and brownies, thanks to these tasty avocado recipes compiled by our friends at POPSUGAR Fitness.

You Can Treat Sunburns
It’s all fun and games at the beach until you wake up the next morning with a nasty sunburn. Ease the pain and prevent chafing by applying avocados directly to the spot.

Drum Roll Please……. And now The recipes!

Chocolate Avocado Protein Smoothie

Chocolate Avocado Almond Pudding

Avocado Banana Pudding

Baked Avocado with Panko

Love up these Sources
http://www.californiaavocado.com/nutrition-facts
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/22/avocado-health-facts-didnt-dont-know_n_3786419.html
http://mysagegourmet.com
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=5
http://www.webmd.com/diet/eat-smart-healthier-brain
http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015-dga-timeline.pdf
http://www.hassavocadoboard.com/
http://www.popsugar.com/fitness
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/style/

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