Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays, since it’s a time to offer gratitude for the abundance around us and gather with loved ones. It’s also the perfect opportunity to prepare and share your favorite mushroom dishes.  Whether you’re an expert chef or new to cooking, our Fantastic Fungi Community Cookbook is a wonderful resource. Packed with recipes created by mushroom lovers for mushroom lovers, you’ll find main dishes, sides and even desserts that focus on fungi!  Mushrooms are often tapped to be a vegetarian or vegan main dish, but you don’t have to identify with a specific style of eating to enjoy meatless or mushroom dishes. We rounded up Thanksgiving recipes we love that feature mushrooms — and we’re sharing a sneak peek of three more recipes from our own cookbook. (Keep it in mind for the holidays; it makes a great gift!)  Creamy Cabbage Gratin with Bacon and Mushrooms By the Kitchn Most Thanksgiving feasts could use an extra vegetable on the table, and this one is decadent but simple. Sauteed mushrooms and bacon plus a creamy Gruyere sauce elevate simple baked cabbage into something craveworthy. Omit the bacon for a vegetarian dish.   Mushroom-Farro Soup By Bon Appetit Soup is right at home on a Thanksgiving table, especially if it’s ready early for hungry guests. This one pairs mushrooms with toothy farro for some staying power, and it uses a secret ingredient (a Parmesan rind!) to bump up the umami.  Mushroom Duxelles From The Spruce Eats Duxelles is an intensely flavored mix of mushrooms, shallots and herbs, all finely chopped and cooked to a deep richness. Use it to boost the flavor of your broth or stock, for another layer of umami in your stuffing or simply as a spread on fresh bread.  Mushroom Sausage Stuffing From A Spicy Perspective  Cooking for a mushroom skeptic? This zesty stuffing will win over even the most hesitant eater at the table. It’s buttery and savory, with both sausage and earthy mushrooms, plus freshness from herbs. Swap in vegetable broth and vegan sausage if desired.  Red Rice With Mushrooms And Cavolo Nero From Ottolenghi  Lacinato kale is known as cavolo nero in Italian, and this wintry salad pairs it with spicy roasted Oyster and Portobello mushrooms and red rice for a truly memorable dish. With so many layers of flavor, you can hardly call this a “side.”  Mushroom Pot Pie From Food & Wine  This cozy dish is simple yet hearty, with a combination of fresh and dried mushrooms for maximum texture and flavor. It uses frozen puff pastry to save time.  Mushroom Wellington with Rosemary and Pecans From Feasting at Home  This elegant vegan main dish swaps mushrooms for the usual beef in the classic British recipe. Like the pot pie recipe we shared, it uses frozen puff pastry — keep some on hand during the holidays.  Keep reading for three full recipes from our cookbook!  Polenta On The Board With Honey Mushroom Sauce This showstopper polenta, inspired by a recipe from Edward Giobbi, of New York, is perfect for large holiday gatherings. The polenta is cooked “loose” (rather than thick) and served on a large wooden board — as is customary in Le Marche, the region in eastern Italy that his mother (whose recipe this original was) called home. He wrote: “Once the polenta was spread on the board, it was topped with a sauce made with tomatoes, wild birds like squab, homemade sausages cut into bite-sized pieces, and wild mushrooms. My mother used mostly honey mushrooms picked by my father and dusted with pecorino cheese. The board was placed in the middle of the table, and we ate the polenta with spoons directly from the board.”  Ingredients  ½ cup salt pork or pancetta, chopped with a heated knife into dice-sized cubes ½ pound fresh Italian sausage 1 cup chopped onion 2½ cups tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped (see note) ⅓ pound sliced honey or boletus mushrooms, or 1 ounce dried boletes (see note) 1 teaspoon dried basil Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 cup finely ground yellow cornmeal or instant polenta 1 quart water 2 teaspoons salt Grated pecorino cheese for garnish Instructions  Place the salt pork or pancetta cubes in a large skillet over medium heat, uncovered. As the pork renders, add the whole sausages and brown, turning occasionally, about 15 minutes. (This is when my mother would add the wild birds, which she would cut into quarters.) When the sausages are browned, discard the salt pork or pancetta. Add the onions and cook until they soften, about 5 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and set aside.  In a medium saucepan, add the tomatoes and cook them over medium-high heat for several minutes, until they are bubbling and aromatic. Slice the sausage into ¼-inch pieces and add to the tomatoes. Add the mushrooms, basil, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer over low heat, partially covered, for 45 minutes.  While the tomato-sausage mixture simmers, prepare the polenta. Bring 1 quart of salted water to a boil in a medium pot over medium heat. Slowly pour the cornmeal into the water with one hand while you stir with the other. When all the cornmeal is in the pot, turn the heat down to low and stir frequently until the polenta is cooked, at most 20 minutes. You can tell the polenta is done when the texture is creamy and the corn is tender. If the polenta becomes thick and heavy, add water, ½ cup at a time. The consistency should be like grits. If using instant polenta, follow the manufacturer's cooking instructions.  Pour a ½-inch thick layer of cooked polenta onto a 12-inch wide board (or a large, flat platter) and then pour the tomato-sausage sauce on top. Garnish with a generous amount of grated pecorino and serve immediately.  NOTES:  If using tomatoes canned in water, strain off the extra water. Do not use tomatoes canned in puree. If using dried mushrooms, soak them in warm water for about 15 minutes, until they are soft, and drain. Brussels Sprouts with Truffles, Two Ways This recipe delivers double the mushroom deliciousness, with two options to highlight truffles. Jack Czarnecki featured this recipe in his own book, Truffle in the Kitchen: A Cook’s Guide. Make one or both versions for your Thanksgiving feast. He uses Oregon white truffle butter and oil in his kitchen.  Ingredients  1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts (about 40 small sprouts) Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons white truffle butter  2 tablespoons toasted, chopped hazelnuts  2 tablespoons white truffle oil  2 tablespoons microgreens (like pea shoots or sunflower) Instructions  Remove any brown leaves from the sprouts and cut in half. Fit a large pot with a steamer insert, and fill with water to the bottom of the insert. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and add the sprouts. Steam, tossing occasionally, until they are fork-tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Divide the sprouts between two serving bowls, then add salt and pepper to taste. Toss the truffle butter in one bowl of sprouts, making sure the butter is melted, and garnish with the chopped hazelnuts.  Toss the truffle oil in the other bowl of sprouts and garnish with the microgreens. Warm Endive and Oyster Mushroom Salad This simple yet impressive recipe from Annaliese Bischoff, of Massachusetts, would be right at home on any Thanksgiving table. You can veganize it by swapping a teaspoon of miso paste for the anchovies and skipping the Parmesan garnish. Bonus points if you make it with oyster mushrooms you grow yourself.  Ingredients  2 tablespoons olive oil ½ cup minced shallots 1 teaspoon sliced garlic 1 to 2 teaspoons grated ginger Freshly ground black pepper 6 ounces oyster mushrooms 1 tablespoon white or black sesame seeds 2 marinated white anchovy filets, chopped 2 Belgian endives, leaves separated and cut into 2-inch sections Juice from ½ Meyer or regular lemon Pinch of kosher salt ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro or flat leaf parsley for garnish 2 whole scallions, chopped on the diagonal for garnish Drizzle of high-quality white truffle oil, for garnish (optional) Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional) Instructions  In a wide skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic and sauté until golden, a few minutes. Stir in the ginger and pepper to taste. Tear the oyster mushrooms into bite-sized pieces and add. Cook for about 5 minutes, flipping the mushrooms over, until they release their liquid. Add the sesame seeds and toast them in a bald spot in the pan for 1 minute or so. Turn the heat down to medium, add the anchovy and endive, and cook until the endive wilts, a few more minutes. Take off the heat, add the lemon juice, and season with salt. Garnish with the cilantro and scallions and, if you like, white truffle oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Mushroom commercialization has come a long way in the last century. Tracking down certain species was once a game of luck or chance, but it now can be as simple as visiting a grocery store or farmers market. Not so long ago, if you had a craving for Lion’s Mane or wanted to make a homemade Reishi tincture, your first stop was the forest during a specific season — but now those mushrooms can be found year round.  However, certain beloved mushrooms remain resistant to commercial cultivation, making them all that more special to foragers and mycophiles. Today, we’re talking about one of the tastiest wild mushrooms, the Chanterelle. Specifically, we’re covering all the edible species in the Cantharellaceae family.   Read on to learn more about this elusive mushroom, why it’s worth the effort — and the tastiest ways to prepare it.  An Introduction to Chanterelles Chanterelles are known as girolle in French, canterela in Spanish, Pfifferling in German and pieprznik in Polish. Cantharellus cibarius is one of the most common edible species in the Cantharellaceae family, and the species name means “good to eat.” Seems fitting for a mushroom that’s so highly prized by foodies and chefs, doesn’t it? The name Chanterelle comes from a Greek word for cup, kantharos. Where to Find Them Searching for Chanterelles? Look down, as you’ll likely spot them on the ground near conifers and broadleaf trees across Europe, Asia, North and Central America and Africa. They are especially bountiful in the Pacific Northwest from July to November. Chanterelles love mossy forests and low growth.  Keep an eye out for bursts of yellow, orange and even fiery red! The most common Chanterelles are peachy-orange to yellow, but you might also spot some vibrant orange cinnabar chanterelles. That species tends to be small, making them even more special! Other species are cream colored.  Tip: Always make sure you know how to identify Chanterelles versus harmful jack-o-lanterns and other lookalikes. If you want to be an old mushroom forager, don’t start out by being a bold one!  How They’re Used to Support Health In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chanterelles are used to tonify mucous membranes and help eyesight and the respiratory tract.* According to Christopher Hobbs’s Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide, Chanterelles are high in indole compounds like serotonin, melatonin, and 5-hydroxytryptamine (but need heat to become fully available). However, since Chanterelles cannot be cultivated commercially, they are not available as tinctures, capsules and other supplements.  Thankfully, other mushrooms can be ethically and organically cultivated, so you can access supplements like Sleep Capsules to help you fall asleep and stay asleep, and Mind Capsules for focus, memory and concentration.* How Do They Taste?  Chanterelles have a delicate texture. They taste floral, and sometimes have a sweet, buttery or peppery flavor. Their German name is a nod to their peppery taste! When Chanterelles are fresh, they have a subtle apricot aroma. Chanterelle fans like to keep preparations simple to let the mushrooms shine. Save the bold flavors for bland mushrooms like Buttons!  How to Cook Them     Tear them into strips instead of slicing; leave smaller caps whole.     Simple preparations are best.     Try them sautéed and served with good bread, polenta, or whole grains.     The mushrooms should be firm, with no ragged edges.     Store between layers of paper towels for up to 1 week.  Curious about what to do with your stash of Chanterelles? Our Fantastic Fungi Community Cookbook includes over a dozen recipes featuring Chanterelles, from Chanterelle Ravioli in Saffron Corn Broth and Chicken Chanterelle Paprikash to Chanterelle Frozen Custard and Chanterelle-infused Golden Vodka. You can also freeze or dry any extras. Photo Credit: Timothy Dykes

Your immune system is your body’s first line of defense, working behind the scenes to protect your well-being day in and day out. How can you show your gratitude in return?  Here are 15 immune health habits you can integrate into your daily routines, including some for your emotional and mental well-being. Because, yes, your daily stress can impact your physical health!  Drink up to stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to keep your mucous membranes moist and allow lymph to move freely throughout your body. Water is best, but all beverages (except for alcoholic ones) can help you stay hydrated. Our drink of choice? Fantastic Mushroom Tea for an afternoon pick-me-up without caffeine!  Move your body when you’re able: Regular physical activity boosts circulation, reduces stress and supports immune function. Maintain a moderate pace, which means you can still carry on a conversation but can’t sing while exercising.  Wash your hands frequently: Good hand hygiene can prevent the spread of germs. Don’t rush it. You should wash for 20 seconds, the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.  Eat the rainbow daily: Each color represents different phytonutrients, so aim to eat as many hues as possible throughout the day. And don’t forget about brown, the color of many of our favorite mushrooms.  Get adequate quality sleep: Aim for 7 or more hours of sleep nightly to allow your body time to repair. The immune system works the night shift, so when you stay up late, you cut into its working hours. Use a humidifier during drier months: Adding moisture to the air helps keep your respiratory system and mucous membranes hydrated. Consume probiotics for your microbiome: Add fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut and kefir to meals to promote gut health, which is closely tied to immune function.  Add prebiotics and postbiotics to your routine: Prebiotics feed probiotics, while postbiotics are the beneficial byproducts made when probiotics break down fiber. Add both to your diet to support a diverse microbiome. Deal with daily stress: Those little annoyances and worries can impact your immune system, so make time for relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation or yoga. Even 5 to 10 minutes can make a difference.  Practice gratitude: Regularly acknowledging things you're grateful for has been shown to boost emotional well-being and reduce stress. Want to get started with a gratitude practice? Head over to this blog for a free video from Louie Schwartzberg's inspiring film Gratitude Revealed. Cultivate connection: Stay in touch with friends and family (virtually if needed), since positive relationships can help mental health and immune function. Online friendships, FaceTime and texting all count if you can’t see your loved ones as often as you’d like. Focus on quality not quantity.  Spend time in nature: Fresh air and sunshine can boost mood and levels of vitamin D, an essential nutrient that supports immunity. Take a walk outside to double up on the benefits of exercise and Mother Nature!  Unplug from technology: Limit your screen time, especially when it comes to news or social media that feels stressful or negative. Try to put down your phone and step away from screens an hour or two before bed.  Make time for joy: No matter how busy you are, find time for activities that make you laugh and bring you joy. Laughter boosts mood and has been shown to support immune function. Even faking a laugh can lift your mood and often gives way to authentic laughter.  Consider adding supplements: Certain herbs and mushrooms can support immunity and have been used in herbal traditions for centuries.* Our Immunity Elixir combines Turkey Tail, Maitake and Chaga mushroom extracts with two beloved immune-boosting botanicals, Elderberry and Astragalus.* Plus, it tastes great!  Prefer capsules instead of a liquid extract? Our Protect Capsules contain organic Turkey Tail extract, engineered by nature to support your immune system and overall wellness.* They’re made with 100% organic fruiting bodies. Be sure to talk to your health-care provider before taking any new supplement.  What’s your favorite way to care for your immune system all year round? Share it on social media and tag us!  Photo credit: Humphrey Muleba

Gratitude and nature are so deeply intertwined for us that we can’t think of one without the other. How can you witness the magic and mystery of mushrooms without being in awe of it all — and want to give thanks for the experience?  When times get hard, we turn to gratitude and head into nature to reflect and celebrate life. In honor of our Gratitude Chocolate relaunching, we’re sharing 26 ways people can practice gratitude — today, any day and every day. (Psst… the chocolate was a fan favorite, so we’re thrilled to share that it’s even better than before. If you haven’t yet tried it, don’t miss out!)  Now onto the list. You’ll want to bookmark this one and share it with a friend who’s going through a rough patch. The last one is a bonus, so make sure you read to the end.  Don’t sweat the small stuff — celebrate the little things. Acknowledge small accomplishments in your life. At the end of each day, think of one “win” for the day or something that made you feel gratitude.  Pay someone a compliment. Share something positive about someone else, but avoid making it about their appearance. Try: “You’re such a kind person!” or “I love how helpful you are.”  Repurpose those old magazines and create a collage. This practice is not only helpful today, but, if you hang it where you can see it, you’ll continue to be reminded of why you’re grateful! Cut out photos of things that make you happy, adding words and drawings as you feel inspired. Instead of bottling up your feelings, write down things you're grateful for on small pieces of paper and collect them in a jar. When you’re feeling down, pull one out and read it.  Keep it to yourself. Write down three things you're grateful for each day, adding the date and any other info you want to remember. A gratitude journal can be simple, a blank notebook used only for this purpose. But it can also be a line jotted at the bottom of your planner each day, or even a guided journal, like the one we made for the launch of Gratitude Revealed. Say it to their face — tell someone why you're thankful for them IRL, face to face. It can be someone you know well or a stranger, such as the barista who made your coffee perfectly this morning!  Avoid sugar-coating, but do look for the beauty in the mud. As the saying goes: “No mud, no lotus.” When times get tough, think about the beauty or the lesson within.  Repeat as needed. When it’s hard to remember why you’re grateful, make your gratitude your mantra. Try “I have all I need.” “I am healthy and free.” “I am loved and I love.”  Draw it in and let it out. Combine gratitude with a deep breathing practice on each inhale, and remind yourself why you’re grateful. On the exhale, let go of something that’s holding you back.  Write a letter. If you don't feel comfortable at the idea of saying “thank you” face to face, do it the “old-fashioned” way, with a letter. Ideally, you should mail the letter, but you can also keep it private.  Take snapshots if you’re more of a visual than a written person. Whether you take photos with your phone or a film camera is up to you. If you opt for the digital route, create a dedicated folder on your phone.  Meditate on it. If you have a meditation practice, integrate themes of gratitude into your sessions. If you’re new to meditation, look for videos on YouTube or Instagram. Bonus: Integrate Gratitude Elixir into your practice for a multisensory experience.  Pause and give thanks before meals. Take a moment to appreciate the food in front of you. Honor those who prepared it, grew it and served it. (This can be spoken or silent.)  Bring gratitude to your mat. Practice gratitude during your yoga practice (or any form of exercise). Give thanks for what your body can do, no matter how small.  Stay in the moment. Practice mindfulness throughout the day. Set a timer to remind you to pause and focus on where you are right now. When you drift to the future or past, take a deep breath and bring your focus back to this moment — and what you’re grateful for.  Go outside and experience nature. Spending time outdoors will inspire feelings of gratitude for the beauty and life surrounding you. Bonus: Turn it into a foraging experience, and be grateful for the bounty and the journey.  Reframe past challenges. When you think about hard times you’ve experienced, flip the script and offer thanks for how they helped you grow, while also acknowledging the pain and discomfort you felt.  Give gifts for no reason. You don’t have to spend much money (if any), but giving someone a gift “just because” will make you both feel grateful. Cook dinner for a neighbor, slip a novel into your friend’s mailbox or bring home your sweetie’s favorite treat.  Bookend your day with it. As soon as you wake up and right before going to sleep, offer thanks. Keep it simple: “I’m grateful I slept through the night.” “I’m thankful for this comfortable bed.” “I’m protected, safe and loved as I sleep.” Shift your stressors. Think of a routine occurrence in your day that tends to leave you in a sour mood. Perhaps it’s being stuck in traffic or a neighbor’s barking dog. Can you tie that event to a gratitude practice?  Start scrolling. Use social media to share moments of gratitude, go on a “like” spree or leave a positive comment on a post by someone you admire.  Give back. Volunteering is a wonderful way to connect with others and feel grateful for the ability to help. Be with someone you love. Snuggle up with a pet or a loved one, and focus on being present. Feel grateful for their presence in your life. Shift from “I have to…” to “I get to…” This one works well for chores you don’t like. Instead of “I have to clean the litter box,” think, “I get to make sure my beloved pet is cared for.”   Make gratitude a sensory experience. The next time you sit down to eat, engage each of your senses (and put away all screens). Focus on not only the taste and smell of the food, but also the feel of it in your mouth, any sounds you hear and the natural beauty of the sight of it. Eating a square of our Gratitude Chocolate is a fun and tasty way to try this practice. On this special day, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to you. Without our community, Fantastic Fungi would look a lot different! Thank you for your passion for nature’s wisdom, your curiosity about the fungi kingdom and your ongoing support. As a token of our appreciation, we leave you with this moving video from Louie Schwartzberg's magical film Gratitude Revealed. Please enjoy and Happy Gratitude Day! Photo Credit: Irina Iriser

With so many mushroom varieties out there, how can you find the one(s) that best align with your personality, goals and lifestyle? While we’re of the belief that there is no wrong choice when it comes to mushrooms, you might feel more of a kindred connection to certain species.  Whether you’re choosing mushrooms to support your health, add flavor and nutrition to your meals or deepen your relationship with nature, keep reading. We compared zodiac charts to 12 of our favorite mushrooms to come up with the most fantastic fungi for you based on your birth sign!  ♑ Capricorn: December 22–January 19  If your sign is Capricorn, your mushroom is: Shiitake  Why we chose this mushroom:  A Capricorn is a goat — and Shiitake is the GOAT, according to many. Consistent and goal-focused with high expectations, Capricorns like stability and they’re loyal. Shiitakes are much the same. Packed with unique benefits, they also happen to be among the easiest to grow — and deliver consistent yields for minimal effort.  How to integrate it into your daily life: Choose a tincture that includes Shiitake or cook with them. Marinated and roasted Shiitake are bursting with umami!  ♒ Aquarius: January 20–February 18 If your sign is Aquarius, your mushroom is: Lion’s Mane  Why we chose this mushroom:  This “water carrier” is philosophical and cerebral but detached (so clear-headed). That sounds a lot like Lion’s Mane to us! This mushroom has an affinity for the brain — and even looks like one.  How to integrate it into your daily life: Our Mind capsules are the easiest way to get daily Lion’s Mane, but if you can find this mushroom fresh, swap it in for chicken in any recipe.  ♓ Pisces: February 19–March 20 If your sign is Pisces, your mushroom is: Truffle  Why we chose this mushroom:  The fish sign is known for being romantic, caring and whimsically imaginative. Given how easy it is to be creative in the kitchen with Truffle — which is also a reputed aphrodisiac, we thought these two were a perfect match.  How to integrate it into your daily life: Seek out the real deal when Truffles are in season. Many “Truffle flavored” foods are made with synthetic compounds.   ♈ Aries: March 21–April 19 If your sign is Aries, your mushroom is: Maitake  Why we chose this mushroom:  Aries is the ram, a sign of courage and bold action. Maitake is a mushroom that was once so valuable it was worth its weight in silver. That’s mighty bold!  How to integrate it into your daily life: It’s one of the eight mushrooms in our Gratitude Elixir — or try making Maitake Mushroom Pâté.  ♉ Taurus: April 20–May 20 If your sign is Taurus, your mushroom is: Button  Why we chose this mushroom:  Stable and loyal, Taurus is a bull — strong and stubborn. The Button mushroom is versatile and strong, able to withstand just about any cooking method. It’s also the loyal mushroom, waiting for you in every produce aisle of every supermarket.  How to integrate it into your daily life: The Fantastic Fungi Community Cookbook is packed with creative and innovative recipes that will help you transform basic Button mushrooms into truly extraordinary dishes!  ♊ Gemini: May 21–June 21 If your sign is Gemini, your mushroom is: Chanterelle  Why we chose this mushroom:  Gemini is the sign of twins, duality and contradictions. Chanterelles seem like a match. They are elusive yet vibrantly colorful, worth the long wait all year to find them. For mushrooms that are available only a short time each year, they are quite versatile.  How to integrate it into your daily life: This is another time to tap into The Fantastic Fungi Community Cookbook. It’s such a beneficial resource for culinary-minded mushroom lovers! Also featured in the cookbook and on our blog is a Chanterelle Shrub (almost like a simple syrup) recipe. ♋ Cancer: June 22–July 22 If your sign is Cancer, your mushroom is: Chaga  Why we chose this mushroom:  Cancer is the crab sign, and it’s known for being loyal, passionate and intuitive. Chaga is, in a way, loyal to the trees on which it grows. And since it looks more like burned wood than a mushroom, it can take a bit of intuition and practice to spot it.   How to integrate it into your daily life: Immunity is our favorite Elixir containing Chaga, but if you can find dried Chaga, brew it up as chai for a tasty morning beverage. You can also reap the benefits of Chaga through our Wake capsules, which features 500mg per serving.*  ♌ Leo: July 23–August 22 If your sign is Leo, your mushroom is: Oyster  Why we chose this mushroom:  Leo is the lion sign. While we considered Lion’s Mane, that felt too much on the nose. Leo’s mushroom match feels like the Oyster. Both bear qualities of confidence, stability, loyalty and consistency. Oysters are easy to grow at home, yielding prolific flushes each time. And they’re one of the easier mushrooms to consistently spot in nature.  How to integrate it into your daily life: Try an at-home Oyster mushroom kit — they practically grow before your eyes!  ♍ Virgo: August 23–September 22 If your sign is Virgo, your mushroom is: Turkey Tail  Why we chose this mushroom:  Virgo is the sign associated with perfectionism. Virgos have an eye for detail and are known for being meticulous. Turkey Tail is the one of the most studied mushrooms on Earth — and those rings on the fruiting bodies are utter perfection!  How to integrate it into your daily life: Our Protect capsules contain organic Turkey Tail fruiting body mushroom extract, engineered by nature to support your immune system and overall wellness.* ♎ Libra: September 23–October 23 If your sign is Libra, your mushroom is: Reishi  Why we chose this mushroom: Balance is the top quality of Libra (aka the scale). That made us think of adaptogens, which help you manage your body’s stress response.* Reishi is the queen of mushrooms and traditionally believed to promote longevity.*  How to integrate it into your daily life: Our Chill Elixir combines Reishi with Holy Basil and Vervain to help you unwind naturally.* ♏ Scorpio: October 24–November 21 If your sign is Scorpio, your mushroom is: Cordyceps  Why we chose this mushroom:  Scorpios are intense, passionate and fiery, so there was no other mushroom to consider except Cordyceps! That bright orange mushroom is a favorite among athletes — and may offer a boost in the bedroom.*  How to integrate it into your daily life: Our Energy Elixir combines organic Cordyceps and Turkey Tail mushroom extracts with Chinese Red Ginseng and Rhodiola Rosea.* You can also reap the benefits of Cordyceps through our Wake capsules, which features 500mg per serving.*  ♐ Sagittarius: November 22–December 21 If your sign is Sagittarius, your mushroom is: Morel  Why we chose this mushroom:  Sagittarius is a sign known for being a bit flighty. These dreamers are spontaneous, which reminded us of the elusive Morel. You simply never know where you’ll find a Morel, and they are so tasty that seasoned foragers dream of finding them!  How to integrate it into your daily life: If you’re lucky enough to find Morels when they’re fresh, keep the preparation simple. Saute them with garlic and butter or olive oil — and cook them thoroughly!  Caveat on all of the above: We’re astrology enthusiasts, but we’re not experts! This is all in good fun. 

Mushrooms are having a moment, and we are thrilled to see so many people taking an interest in their magic and mystery. (Perhaps it would be more accurate to say “mushrooms are having a movement” since it seems their popularity is not waning.)  Thanks in no small part to our community, more individuals understand that the fungi kingdom can benefit their health, nourish their bodies and even help save the planet. Read on for a round-up of the top six headlines about mushrooms that have created a buzz lately.  Meet A Family That’s Betting The Farm On A Wild Idea. Literally. “After decades raising hogs in Iowa, they wanted a way out of factory farming. Their solution was a return to nature, and a lot of mushrooms.” After 28 years as pig farmers, the Faabord family now grows mushrooms for tinctures and coffee instead. They’ve also planted hundreds of native trees and a pollinator-friendly field. Fun fact: Before becoming a mushroom farmer, Rand Faabord’s “consumption of fungi had largely been limited to the occasional can of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup.” Now he makes his own mushroom coffee! Read this one when you need some positive news. New York Times Inside One Of The World’s Biggest Magic Mushroom Farms “A sleepy mountain town in western Canada” is also home to the largest pharma-grade mushroom farm in the world. The company has invested millions to establish the state-of-the-art farm, as a way to get involved in the fledgling legal psychedelics industry. They’re working on new and unique strains to benefit mental health. Read the story to learn more about how the mushrooms are grown.  Vice Magic Mushroom Chocolates Are Having A Moment. But Do They Even Contain Mushrooms?  Caveat emptor. When choosing any supplement or functional food, it’s important to do your research. While it’s easier than ever to find reputable companies offering quality-tested, potent products, there are plenty of bad players out there, too. Such was the case with some recent magic mushroom chocolates that did not contain what was listed on the label. Los Angeles Times Note: Rest assured that any Fantastic Fungi product is independently lab-tested for peace of mind, safety and efficacy — including tests to ensure they are free from heavy metals and microbes. (Try our mushroom chocolate instead.)   Mushrooms Help Turn Toxic Brownfields Into Blooming Meadows A win-win for nature: “An environmental toxicologist in California is cleaning up areas contaminated with heavy metals or other pollutants using fungi and native plants.” After reading about mushrooms growing around Chernobyl, Danielle Stevenson was inspired to start fungi remediation projects on land damaged by industry and toxic waste. One project led to a 50% reduction in pollutants in three months — and undetectable levels after a year. Mushrooms will save us all!  Good News Network ‘People Think They’ll Smell But They Don’t’: Building Homes From Mushroom Waste And Weeds A sustainable project aims to repurpose invasive plants to create building blocks to solve Namibia’s housing crisis. How innovative: After the plants are cut down, Kristine Haukongo uses them as substrate to grow oyster mushrooms. The mushrooms are sold to retailers as food, while the leftover substrate and mycelium are compressed and baked into building blocks. These so-called “mycoblocks” are heavier than bricks but allow for faster, easier construction of homes. And they’re both fireproof and eco-friendly. Talk about a dream home!  The Guardian An Enzyme Makes Mushrooms “Magical” Have you ever wondered what allows a mushroom to possess psychoactive qualities? A new study at a German university sheds light on the structure and evolution of an enzyme in psychoactive fungi. The research is quite impressive (and heavy on the biochemistry), offering details about the discovery of an important exchange of amino acids that allows for the creation of the substance psilocybin.  Friedrich Schiller University Photo Credit: Sjoukje Bos

Back to school is almost upon us, and with that comes one of the busiest seasons of the year. Autumn is traditionally the time for harvest, to collect the fruits of our labor. For parents, it’s also the time when all those after-school activities resume, making work-life balance feel even more challenging at times. We all have those days where we need to be in two places at once – or we’d give anything for an extra hour (or 12!) in the day. Unfortunately, even the most magical of mushrooms can’t make those wishes come true, but we can offer up some helpful self-care strategies to boost focus and make the most from your day. (Yes, some of them include mushrooms!) Read on for our best tips for laser focus and concentration no matter what’s going on around you. 1. Deal with occasional and everyday stress.* Daily stress is part of the human experience, and no one is exempt from it. When you start to feel yours piling up throughout the day, that’s your body’s internal warning system sending a signal that you need to chill out. Take a deep breath and maybe a dropper of adaptogens (botanicals including mushrooms that help you adapt to whatever life throws your way).* Our Chill Elixir is formulated to support tranquility, relaxation, restful sleep, and adrenal wellness.* It includes two of our favorite adaptogens: Holy Basil and Reishi.* 2. Counterintuitive as it sounds, focus on rest. To make the most of your day, you need to make the most of your night. A good night’s sleep is not optional! Healthy sleep is a pillar of foundational health, and being well-rested can help you with both concentration and focus. You need at least seven hours a night, even if you feel like you can get by with less. Our Mindful Elixir is formulated to support optimal cognitive function — including focus, clarity, concentration, and memory — and a balanced mood.* It stars the brain-supporting mushroom that actually resembles a brain!* 3. Do one thing, then do another. While we’ve been led to believe that multitasking is the best way to tackle your entire to-do list each day, your brain would like a word. In reality, humans work best when we focus on one thing at a time. According to research, human brains “lack the architecture to perform two or more tasks simultaneously.” If you feel like you can’t focus or concentrate, it might be that your brain has too many tabs open at once! Start your day out strong! With the potent trio of Lion’s Mane, Chaga and Cordyceps, our Wake Capsules are formulated to promote healthy immunity, energy, and mental clarity — as well as productivity.* 4. Disconnect and turn off notifications. Do you spend your days responding to a barrage of pings, beeps and alarms on your computer and phone? All those push notifications designed to keep us connected in real-time are having a real impact on our brains! They turn off our prefrontal cortex (aka high-level cognition), shifting us into emergency mode. Silence your notifications when you need to concentrate. Research has found that reducing them is “beneficial for performance and reducing strain.” 5. When planning your work day, think “tomato”! Work smarter, not harder with the Pomodoro Technique, a technique invented by Francesco Cirillo when he studied in Italy. Pomodoro means tomato in Italian, and the premise of this method is that taking more breaks equals better mental agility. Cirillo named his technique after the tomato-shaped timer he used to help his focus as he studied. Basically, you work for 90 minutes, then take a short break as a reward, then repeat, to boost your focus and flow. 6. Download your to-do list from your brain. How can you avoid multitasking — and quiet the endless inner monologue of things you can’t forget to do? When you think of a task or errand, write it down or use a virtual assistant like Siri or Alexa to keep track of it and lighten your mental load. Pick up snacks for hockey practice. Email your boss about your PTO request. Grab more cat litter. Those little things can be a big drain on your concentration. If you are the person in your household who handles the bulk of the emotional labor, ask your loved ones to write things down (digitally or in analog form) in a central location to free up some bandwidth in your brain! With 100% organic Lion's Mane fruiting body extract, our Mind Capsules are designed to support optimal cognitive function — including focus, clarity, concentration, and memory — and a balanced mood.*