" Roots ... "

“ I'm talkin' 'bout R.O.O.T.S., I can't hate where I'm from ...

But now I got me, me, that's because of my R.O.O.T.S.

Hey, I can't be mad at what y'all meet ahead

I don't regret my ghetto struggle due to my success

It ain't that beautiful to write on overcoming' stress

Before you reap it, gotta sow it, yeah

I'm talkin' 'bout R.O.O.T.S., I can't hate where I'm from ... 

Somebody had to be just for me to get away ...

I'm talkin' 'bout R.O.O.T.S. “

~ Flo Rida ~ Roots ~

***

Medicinal Mushrooms ... used by all ancient cultures all over the world.  It is considered that they have the power nutritionally and spiritually.  Regardless of your view, these foods may be worth a taste.

... always consult with your health care practitioner first ... 

Medicinally speaking, mushrooms are one of nature’s greatest gifts.  Medicinal mushrooms are mushrooms or mushroom extracts used in the practice of medicine; especially those that contain key immunomodulating active compounds.  Modern scientific studies of these mushrooms have increased significantly within the last three decades, helping to popularize these fungi and their unique health-boosting effects. 

We are understanding how these mushrooms are capable of slowing aging, improving blood flow, reducing the risk of heart disease, improving your skin and hair, stabilizing cholesterol and blood sugar, protecting the kidneys and liver, improving respiratory function, decreasing platelet aggregation, increase sexual function and athletic ability.  As well, mushrooms with anti-tumor activity appear to increase the number and activity of killer T and natural killer lymphocytes, with no toxicity to healthy cells.  

Different types provide different properties so to get the full spectrum of healing agents these mushrooms have to offer, it is best to utilize a blend of several mushroom species.  Also, it is easier for pathogens in your body to adapt and become resistant to one type of mushroom than to several.  

Immunomodulating  agents in medicinal mushrooms include:

Polysaccharides, Glycoproteins, Ergosterols, Triterpenoids

It is the synergism between these elements that makes mushrooms so medicinally powerful ... 

Here are some varieties to consider for your palate ...

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)

• This potent immune-boosting mushroom; has anti-tumor and antiviral properties; lowers blood pressure and cholesterol.  
• Shiitake is``used medically for any and all diseases involving depressed immune function, including cancer, AIDS, environmental allergies, candida infections, and frequent flu and colds.’’  
• The shiitake mushroom is found on fallen broad leaf trees such as chestnut, chinquapin, beech, oak, maple, and walnut. 
• Shiitake has high levels of calcium, vitamin B2, and vitamin C. 
• It is the second-most widely cultivated mushroom after the common white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus).

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

• Reishi is useful for many ailments
• It has immunostimulant properties, calms anxiety, and is used as a general tonic.
• It is anti-allergenic and antiviral, and is used for hepatitis and heart arrhythmia.
• Reishi can also be used as an antidote for poisonous mushrooms. 
• this mushroom is “especially suitable as a calming herb for people with anxiety, sleeplessness, or nervousness accompanied by an adrenal weakness.”
• In China, reishi is known as ling zhi. Ling zhi belongs to China’s highest class of medicines
• it’s considered a tonic, thought to impart strength, vigor, and longevity.

Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)

• The turkey tail mushroom has cholesterol-lowering effects, immune-enhancing activity, and antioxidant activity
• these mushrooms are an excellent fungus to collect in the wild because they are so widespread and abundant.

Maitake (Grifola frondosa)

• Maitake has been shown to inhibit tumor growth in several studies
• Extracts are commonly marketed to enhance immune  function and to treat HIV and cancer
• It may also help reduce blood pressure and raise HDL (the so-called “good”) cholesterol.
• Maitake means “dancing mushroom” in Japanese; some say it is so named because in ancient times, people who found the mushroom danced with joy because it could be exchanged for its weight in silver
• Maitake is used in traditional medicine to treat  diabetes and hypertension. 

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)

• Chaga has anticancer and anti-tumor activity  
• it as “a hard black, deeply cracked stalk less growth found on alder, birch, and elm.” 
• Chaga looks as if it’s been burnt and can grow to lengths of four to five feet.
• chaga has also been used as a tonic, blood purifier, and pain reliever.

Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus)

• The oyster mushroom may inhibit tumors. 
• it can lower serum and liver levels of cholesterol after two months of administration
• In China, oyster mushrooms are indicated for joint and muscle relaxation, Hobbs writes.
• Oyster mushrooms contain eight amino acids and vitamins B1 and B2. 
• The mushrooms may be an excellent blood builder; 
• oysters have 19 mg of iron per 100 g of dried mushroom.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis, Sphaeria sinensis)

• The cordyceps is a fungi that has been used for a wide range of conditions
• In vitro and animal studies have shown it to have anti-tumor, radio-protective and anti- diabetic effects
• it has also been used to treat fatigue, sexual dysfunction, coughs and  as an immune stimulant.

www.walkstrong.ca

" This Is Hallowe'en ... "

"Boys and girls of every age

Wouldn't you like to see something strange

Come with us and you will see

This our town of Halloween

This is Halloween, this is Halloween

Pumpkins scream in the dead of night

This is Halloween, everybody make a scene

Trick or treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright

It's our town, everybody scream

In this town of Halloween

Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

In this town we call home

Everyone hail to the pumpkin song"

~ Marilyn Manson ~ This Is Halloween ~

***

Halloween ~ Hallowe’en ~ All Hallows’ Eve ~ All Saints’ Eve ... 

celebrated every 31 of October.

This hallowed evening dates back to ~ 1745, a Celtic festival, marking the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture.  The ancient Gaels believed that boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead overlapped and the deceased would come back to life and cause havoc, such as sickness or damaged crops, on Halloween.  

Although, scholars were still divided on the roots of origin, whether Christian or Pagan, during the ancient times, people wore masks and costumes in an attempt to mimic or appease evil spirits.  In current times, the media has popularized the festival, irrespective of region.  It is more about candy and costumes and less and less about anything else ...

Yet the ancient Celtic tribes, worshiped nature and believed in the spirit world.  The Sun, their chief god, was the focus of two festivals ~ Beltane, marking the beginning of summer and Samhain or Saman, marking the start of winter.  The end of summer, Samhain aka the lord of death, becomes powerful over the Sun god.  Therefore, on October 31, Samhain assembles all the evil spirits who had died the previous year and allows them a return home to visit the living.

The day after Halloween, the night of all fires occurs near large stone circles, similar to the one in Stonehenge, England.  The priests offer sacrifices to Samhain to ensure that the sun returned after the winter.  All fires, except the sacrificial one to Samhain, were extinguished.  Called the Vigil of Samhain, the embers from this fire would be used to light the fire in each household.

To appease demons, offerings of food and nuts were provided, believing if satisfied with the treat, he demon would not trick or cast an evil spell on the person ... hence the origin of present day trick OR treat.  

Legends have it that people would wear masks or other disguises to darken their faces, trying to pass unnoticed by the spirits ... 

Ironic how modern day has man wearing masks daily to disguise their true self, taking Halloween to a whole new level ...  Happy Hallowe’en !!!

www.walkstrong.ca