This may sound mushy, but I just love mushrooms! Even long before I found out that thousands of years ago in China, mushroom was both savored as food and downed as medicine. It was used to treat colds and flu, fight infection, and generally stimulate the immune system. I didn’t really care much that mushroom was an excellent source of potassium (much more than a banana) or that it (especially shiitake and reishi) helps lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of strokes. And— take double note — since it is low in calories (only 100/oz) and very low in sodium and fat, it helps in weight management. I just love how this fleshy, spongy fungus glides down my throat.
For me, mushroom is a no-fuss, no-muss food that can be relished in a thousand and one delicious ways. Well, let me count the ways: cream of mushroom soup, mushroom patty, mushroom pate, mushroom salad, chicken breasts stuffed with mushroom, mushroom casserole, mushroom pasta, mushroom pizza, mushroom burger, grilled Cajun mushroom, mushroom risotto, mushroom tartlet, mushroom fondue, etc.
Wanna know how else you can eat these prized edible fungi? Try Sugarleaf, where mushroom is more than just a plant. It has become socially relevant. “Especially when savoring delectable healthyummy dishes made with the Ministry of Mushrooms supporting the battle against breast cancer this October,” says Angelo N. Songco, Sugarleaf head of marketing and business development. “We are honored to be part of the Ministry’s collaborative movement. Our organic and natural food is already nourishing in itself and it’s fantastic that it now also helps spread awareness about mushrooms and cancer.”
Think pink; even better, eat pink! Songco entices everyone, “Try our pink creations and help this noteworthy endeavor. Like our oyster mushroom soup — creamy, rich, vegan, bursting with the natural goodness of the Ministry’s oyster mushrooms and organic vegetables, and served with toasted wheat bread. Or our oyster mushroom quiche, a hearty and filling homemade quiche, served hot or chilled, and perfect with fresh green salad. Or try our pasta, wrap, sandwich, and dessert.”
And now, mushrooms turn pink in Manila for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. Spearheading a movement to spread awareness about mushrooms and breast cancer is the Ministry of Mushrooms, Inc. Running through the whole month and continuing till the end of the year, this is one movement with a heart and, if I may add, a stomach. It serves up options for a truly holistic lifestyle or wellness by stimulating the senses through food that nourishes the body, art that nurtures the soul, and alternative forms of healing.
It is estimated that one in 13 Filipinas will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Studies done by the Philippine General Hospital and the Cancer Institute of the Philippines show that there is “low cancer prevention consciousness (in the Philippines),” and this lack of cancer awareness has perpetuated the country’s relatively low cancer survival rates.
Why think pink mushroom? Because a large body of vidence shows that mushrooms possess some properties that can possibly lead to breast cancer prevention and elimination. Ministry of Mushrooms president and CEO Marco Lobregat prescribes that mushrooms be added to one’s daily diet. (Of course, this is not to be taken as a substitute for regular check-ups.) For instance, those mouthwatering oyster mushrooms have both antioxidant and anti-tumor properties. Extracts from this mushroom interfere with the cancer cell cycle and prevent cancer cells from spreading.
The Ministry of Mushrooms teams up with over 20 popular restaurants and food specialists around Metro Manila to create and serve dishes made with locally grown oyster mushrooms. Proceeds from the specified dishes ordered will benefit the ICanServe Foundation.
Scheduled is a mouthful of activities, as follows: Soul Spa Healing Energy Awareness talks, Oct.11, Thursday, co.lab Manila, 3/F, Unit 301, 3 Brixton Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City; Edgy Veggy + Kitchen Revolution benefit dinner, cooking demo, and lecture by vegan chef Marie Gonzalez and Denise Celdran, Oct. 16, Tuesday, Edgy Veggy, G/F, 3 Brixton Street Kapitolyo, Pasig City; “Bototoy Loves Boobies” art fundraiser featuring Arnold Austria of Jagnus Design Studio with Secret Fresh and Detalle, Oct. 17, Wednesday, Ronac Art Center, Ortigas Ave, North Greenhills; yoga for breast cancer recovery to be conducted by Rebecca de Villa and her friend who has breast cancer, Oct. 18, Thursday, co.lab Manila, 3/F, Unit 301, 3 Brixton Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City;
Mushroom anyone? it’s a mush-have!
Unwrap more sweet healthy secrets at Sugarleaf located at the ground and the second floors of the MEDICard Lifestyle Center, 51 Paseo de Roxas corner Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Urdaneta Village, Makati City, with telephone number 812-7323; at the ground floor, Health Cube Building, 226 Wilson Street, West Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila with telephone number 661-6639 or mobile 09178374257. Like it on Facebook Sugarleaf Foods That Nourish and follow it on Twitter @sugarleafph.
