Recently, we shared a blog with 15 Habits to Help You Rise and Shine — and we heard that you love these lifestyle tips and habits. Once your morning routine is set, how about taking a look at your evening routine? Are you someone who keeps going and going until late into the night? Do you wish you had more intention or ritual in your nights? We rounded up 15 simple habits to help you approach bedtime with the right energy to help you get the rest you deserve.  As with the morning routines, you don’t need to do them all. Choose what works for you and leave the rest. If you put any of these into practice, share about it on social media and tag us! We love hearing from the Fantastic Fungi community.  Clear the clutter for a clear mind. Keep your bedroom free from stress whenever possible. Put away your laptop, paperwork and anything that doesn’t support a restful, relaxing vibe. If possible, charge your phone in another room. Embrace light and dark each day. At certain times of the year, this can be tricky, but your circadian rhythm will be happier if you can see sunlight and darkness each day. This helps keep your inner clock running on time. Dim the lights. Low lights are important for your sleep-wake cycle, so swap bright overhead lights for cozy lamps or maybe a few candles after dinner. Give your screens a bedtime. Your phone, laptop and tablet emit blue light that keeps you alert and awake. Your brain doesn’t like getting these mixed messages so close to bedtime. Set an alarm to shut down all digital tasks a couple of hours before turning in. Keep it cool in your room. The best temperature for comfortable sleep is lower than you might think, according to the Sleep Foundation. While it’s not the best temperature for conserving energy, the best temperature for sleep is 65 degrees Fahrenheit.  Keep things dark and quiet to sleep better. Noise and light pollution impact even rural dwellers. For better sleep, use blackout curtains, an eye mask and earplugs if needed. Make yourself comfortable. It’s much easier to fall asleep and stay asleep when you feel cozy and comfy. Wear your favorite pajamas – or go au naturel. Use pillows to support your body. Slip into cozy socks or add an extra blanket. Move your body regularly. Exercise offers a boost for mind and body, and it can also help you sleep. The best workout is the one you enjoy doing regularly.  Together, they’re a dynamic duo: Exercise helps tire your body and sleep boosts your energy to exercise! Time your caffeine. Instead of an afternoon latte, consider reaching for a caffeine-free alternative like Fantastic Mushroom Tea. Caffeine’s effects can linger for hours, so time your energy boosts according to your bedtime.   Make micro-adjustments to your bedtime. Adults need at least seven hours of sleep daily. If you’re not getting anywhere close to that now, make tiny shifts. Try going to bed 15 minutes earlier every week until you’re getting enough rest. Resist reverse bedtime procrastination. How many times have you stayed up late even when you’re tired? That’s reverse bedtime procrastination. Instead of squeezing in “me time” at night – cutting into your rest – focus on finding pockets of time during the day to refill your cup. You can’t fill from an empty cup, as they say. Set a grown-up bedtime. Many adults get up at the same time each morning but fall asleep whenever they get tired or finish the day. Plan your wake-up time, then count backward at least seven hours. Set an alarm to remind yourself it’s time to go to bed. Write it down and let it go. Instead of lying in bed ruminating on the day, make journaling part of your PM routine. Research shows that writing in a journal and practicing gratitude can boost mood and brain function. End your day with gratitude. This powerful practice works any time of day or night, but we especially love giving thanks before hitting the hay. Think of it like a spiritual or emotional palate cleanser, to hopefully set you up for peaceful, restful sleep. One study found that keeping a gratitude journal helped people sleep 30 minutes longer! Add Sleep Capsules from Fantastic Fungi to your bedtime ritual. Our certified-organic (and melatonin-free) Fantastic Fungi Sleep Capsules contain a blend of organic Reishi fruiting body extract, Passionflower extract and Hops extract. They are formulated to support a healthy stress response and deep sleep.* (Learn more about the ingredients we chose.) Formulated to help you fall asleep and stay asleep, they are made with the same care and commitment to quality as our other products.* When you try the new capsules, share your experience on social media and tag us! We love hearing from the community.

Summer is one of the best times to get outside and hunt for your favorite mushrooms, from Chanterelles to Lion’s Mane. Many tasty species are in season right now, depending on your region. Before you head out into the woods in search of your fungi allies, learn how to stay safe and comfortable. We’re sharing practical tips for summer foraging, our favorite beginner-friendly species and more.  12 Practical Tips for Summer Foraging  Verify the identity of every single mushroom you intend to eat, using a field guide or the guidance of an expert. Mushrooms can make you quite ill — and even kill you — so make safety your primary concern. Never assume you’re correct. Always, always verify!  Take water and snacks, no matter how short your excursion. You’ll sweat and dehydrate faster in summer, and it’s better to be prepared. A good rule of thumb is one liter of water per hour.  Tell someone where you’re going and download maps for offline use. Even better? Take a paper map. Avoid venturing too far off trails in areas you don’t know well.  Wear long sleeves and pants to avoid insect bites — including ticks and mosquitoes.  Pack a first aid kit, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and other emergency supplies with you.  Only forage on land where you have permission. Avoid crossing onto private or restricted property. Know how to identify potential hazards, from poison ivy to poisonous snakes.  Leave no trace. Mushrooms are scavengers, so when we litter, they may absorb what’s left behind.  Familiarize yourself with new foraging spots. The last thing you want to do is collect mushrooms and find out there’s harmful runoff or a dump site nearby.   Since mushrooms love moisture and humidity, keep an eye on the forecast. One of the best times to find mushrooms is in the days after a heavy rainfall. Ideally, the ground should be damp but not flooded. Head out early in the morning to avoid the heat and high sun.  Take only your fair share, and leave plenty of mushrooms behind for others. Never take more than you can use, and avoid taking an entire patch. Leave behind some to proliferate the species!  Mushrooms need to breathe, so collect them in a basket, paper bag or cloth bag. Avoid plastic bags and closed containers, which won’t allow them to breathe. After all, you will want to preserve your treasure until you get home and can cook them!  Consider downloading an app like Seek by iNaturalist to get a cursory ID on new species (but verify using another source, too). This app can also help you get an idea of the species of fungi in your area — along with the native mammals, birds, insects, plants and more.  4 Summer Mushrooms Even Beginners Can Forage  These tasty, easy-to-identify mushrooms are perfect for newbies and seasoned foragers alike. Be sure to confirm every single mushroom, even if you’ve previously foraged in an area. Pick up a copy of our community cookbook for culinary inspiration — we included recipes for all these species and dozens more.  Black Trumpets (Craterellus cornucopioides) are sometimes called Black Chanterelles or the Horn of Death. Not to worry — they are definitely edible! The name comes from the color, which makes the mushrooms look like they are well past their prime. Black Trumpets are delicious and can be cooked and used in place of Chanterelles.  Chanterelles (Genus Cantharellus) are another tasty edible mushroom — but they do have look-alikes that are toxic. Always be certain before you pick or eat them. Most species are yellow or orange, but some are flame red! They also smell like apricots. If you have extra, dehydrate them for winter (Black Trumpets, too).  Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) are a favorite among mushroom hunters. They earn their name from the flavor, which resembles chicken. Look for this shelf polypore when they are still young and soft. Once they are older and dried, they are not edible. Be sure to cook them (and all fungi) thoroughly to avoid GI upset. Swap these ‘shrooms in for the chicken in favorite family recipes.   Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a mushroom that confers health benefits and tastes delicious!* Tear into chunks or slice and cook, in place of crab meat or chicken. These mushrooms are best cooked from fresh, not dried.  Further Reading for New Fungi Foragers Catch up on all our blogs filled with tips for safe, fruitful foraging all year long:  12 Sustainable Foraging Tips For Beginners 5 Things To Love About Mushroom Foraging In Springtime 4 Important Mushroom Safety Tips Every Forager Should Follow

The first reviews of new Capsules are in, and the verdict is positive. You love the breathtaking artwork on each jar as much as you love the organic mushrooms and herbs within each formula. We know that supplements like ours become part of your daily rituals, so having something lovely to display in your home  — and even upcycle when empty — makes the act of taking each capsule that much more meaningful.  Routines are sometimes seen as boring or unimaginative, but they’re actually beneficial for our mind and mood! These small habits and rituals are acts of self-care, a chance to pause and just be.   How to Integrate a New Habit into Your Routine To celebrate Wake, we’re sharing our favorite habits to help you rise and shine each day. No, you don’t have to do all of them. Choose one or two to start, and “stack” them on top of other, more established habits. This is a simple and effective hack to integrate something new into your daily routine without forgetting it or feeling weighed down by one more thing to do. If you’re someone who abandons habits when they get too hard, you’re not alone — but this tip could be the secret to success.  Humans are wired to perform better with routines. It allows us to reserve our self-control and energy for times when we really need them throughout the day. Here are some examples of habit stacking in action:  Practice deep breathing exercises while your coffee brews.  Write in your gratitude journal at the end of your yoga practice.   Take your Wake capsules with your breakfast. Now onto those habits!  15 Habits to Help You Rise and Shine   Drink some water, especially if you have a busy day ahead. For added flavor and benefits, add one of our Elixirs.*  Avoid checking your phone first thing in the morning. Save the stress for later in the day and embrace a low dopamine morning!  Move your body. While exercise is a good idea any time of day, morning exercise gives you a boost of endorphins to wake up your body and mind.  Practice gratitude. Ending your day by recounting the things for which you’re thankful is also a great practice. But starting the day with reminders of your gratitude can help you get into a positive mindset.  Make your bed to give the “future you” a tidy, inviting space for rest.  Snuggle someone you love. Cuddling releases oxytocin, one of our feel-good hormones. Whether it’s a person or a pet, some QT in the AM can boost your mood and mind. Put on your own “oxygen mask” first. Whenever possible, do something for yourself before you do things for others each day. Whether that’s a workout, a nice breakfast, your favorite mug filled with coffee or even sleeping in, you need to remember that you matter, too. Fill your own cup first.   Write your to-do list. If you tend to feel overwhelmed when you sit down to start each day, focus on organizing your day. Write down the must-dos, want-to-dos and nice-to-dos.  Eat a healthy breakfast. Protein and fiber will give your morning meal satiety, and savory over sweet meals will also help you maintain steady energy. Try tofu scramble with whole-grain sourdough and roasted vegetables, oatmeal with berries and almond butter, or avocado toast with hemp seeds, sauteed mushrooms, kimchi and nutritional yeast.  Establish a routine. Waking up at the same time each day (when your alarm goes off) can help calibrate your inner clock.  Meditate in the mornings. This practice has been found to change your brain over time! You don’t need a formal practice to start reaping the benefits. Start today, with Louie’s mesmerizing meditation video showcasing magical glow worm caves. Step into a realm of tranquility inspired by nature’s beauty.  Write morning pages. Whether you pour your soul into your journal, write your autobiography or dream up a science fiction novel involving mushrooms, take time to be creative early in the day.  Prioritize rest. As restorative and relaxing as your morning routine might be, it won’t have the same impact on your mood and mindset if you aren’t getting enough sleep. Aim for seven or more hours per night, so you’ll awake rested and ready to take on the day!  Do what works for you. Not a morning person? That’s OK, too! If you’re a night owl and not an early bird, shift these habits to a time of day that’s better for you. Kick off your day with our new capsules. Wake capsules contain a trio of organic fruiting body mushroom extracts — Lion’s Mane, Chaga and Cordyceps.* They are formulated to support healthy immunity, energy and mental clarity — as well as productivity.* Mind capsules contain organic Lion’s Mane fruiting body extract and are designed to support optimal cognitive function, focus and balanced mood.* This formula supports memory and concentration.*

Yes, it’s vegan! This tasty, simple Glow-Up Smoothie delivers the goodness of two of our favorite Elixirs. Beauty blends Tremella and Chaga organic mushroom extracts with Horsetail and Acerola Berry to give you a glow from the inside-out.* Energy combines organic Cordyceps and Turkey Tail mushroom extracts with adaptogenic Chinese Red Ginseng and Rhodiola rosea to power your day the natural way.*  Sip on it as a snack, or add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to give it more staying power and boost your satiety. We prefer the added depth of flavor from using salted pumpkin seeds. If you use unsalted, add a pinch of salt.  Ingredients  1 dropper Fantastic Fungi Beauty Elixir 1 dropper Fantastic Fungi Energy Elixir 1/2 cup frozen raspberries 1/2 medium frozen banana 1/2 ripe avocado 2 tablespoons raw pumpkin seeds  1 cup non-dairy milk of choice 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional) Instructions Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.  Why did we choose these ingredients? The maple syrup is optional, but it adds a nice sweetness. Raspberries are high in vitamin C, antioxidants and polyphenols. Strawberries would also be tasty in this smoothie. Avocado provides healthy fat that your skin will love — and it makes the smoothie perfectly creamy. An ounce of pumpkin seeds is a good source of protein and fiber. They provide all essential amino acids, so they are technically a complete protein — rare for a plant-based source! (That includes some of the amino acids found in collagen supplements, such as glycine and proline.) Feel free to sprinkle more pumpkin seeds on top for a little crunch.  This smoothie provides 341 calories, 16 grams of fat, 49 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of protein and 11 grams of dietary fiber. You’ll also get 64% of your daily vitamin C!

As we recently announced, we have launched a new collection of capsules featuring mushrooms. In addition to Wake, Protect and Mind, we’re thrilled to share that our Sleep Capsules are now available. Fantastic Fungi Sleep Capsules contain a blend of organic Reishi fruiting body extract, Passionflower extract and Hops extract.* They are formulated to support a healthy stress response and deep sleep.* This trio of botanicals promotes deep, replenishing sleep.*  They’re easy to use: To integrate Sleep into your P.M. winddown routine, take 1 to 2 capsules in the evening. Read on to learn about the trio of ingredients in Sleep — and why we specifically chose these two herbs for the formula.  Red Reishi Red Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)  is known as the “mushroom of immortality” and the queen of mushrooms. It is an adaptogen that supports a healthy response to stress, as well as a tonic that promotes longevity and healthy aging.* Used for over 4,000 years, Reishi supports healthy sleep and rest, as well as immune health.* Promotes relaxation*  Supports a healthy response to daily stress*  Promotes healthy sleep*  Reishi is the grande dame of mushrooms, with centuries of traditional use across cultures. It is our go-to mushroom for sleep support.* We wanted to pair it with equally time-honored herbs that offer gentle, relaxing support to help you wind down body and mind at night.* We selected two beautiful, well-researched and common herbs: Passionflower and Hops.  Passionflower  Calming and relaxing support*  Support for a racing or tired mind* Promotes healthy, restful sleep*  Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a flowering herb that grows across the southeastern United States. In fact, it’s the state flower of Tennessee! Passionflower is also known as maypop, apricot vine, maracuja and water lemon. Native to Central and South America, it was later widely used in Europe as a folk remedy to promote sleep and a balanced mood.* Passionflower is in the same genus as passionfruit (Passiflora edulis) within the Passifloraceae family. While the name might conjure up an amorous connection, the etymology is actually religious. The name Passiflora is derived from the Latin words passio (“passion”) and flos (“flower”). The flower has a crown that resembles a cross. When early Spanish colonists saw the plant in South America back in the 16th century, they believed it symbolized the biblical crown of thorns.  The flowers are frilly and vibrant purple, but they are grown for more than decorative purposes. In herbalism, the flowering vine is valued for its gentle, calming support.*  Categorized as an herbal sedative, Passionflower may boost the brain’s gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels.* This amino acid reduces nerve cells’ ability to receive, create or send messages, reducing brain activity.  Passionflower will grow across much of the US. Learn more about how to add this beautiful vine to your garden. All of the aerial parts (the leaves, flowers and stems) are used in herbalism.  Hops  Traditionally provides calming support for the nervous system* Supports a healthy response to daily stress*  Promotes healthy and restful sleep* Hops (Humulus lupulus) are green cone-shaped flowers of a vine that’s best known as an ingredient in beer brewing. The bitter flavor they lend to beer is quite unique, and Hops have been used in beer making since at least 736 AD. This perennial climbing plant is native to Europe, where they grow quickly and freely.  Humans have used Hops since Neolithic times. For centuries, Hops has been a popular herb to promote healthy rest and sleep.* As with Passionflower, Hops is believed to boost the brain’s GABA receptors, which is why the herb may be useful for rest.*  Hops is in the Cannabaceae family, along with cannabis and over 150 other species of plants. Native Americans commonly use the plant in herbalism and the kitchen, with at least one tribe in Quebec using it to leaven bread.  The strobiles (flowers) are used in herbalism. The origin of the common name “hops” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for “to climb,” and  the species name Lupulus comes from the Latin word for “wolf,” lupus, due to a false belief that Hops vines strangle other plants.  While that myth has been debunked, Hops are fast-growing. They love loose soil and will freely climb trellises in your garden. Learn more.  Why Capsules?  Our Elixirs have been well-received, but we wanted to offer another way to integrate the benefits of mushrooms into your daily rituals and routines.* Capsules are easy to transport — perfect for maintaining healthy habits away from home — and they are a familiar format.*  Of course, ours are made with integrity and a focus on quality. We included a therapeutic amount of each ingredient, and the extracts are mushroom fruiting bodies. All ingredients are organic, and the capsules are Certified Organic, too.* When you try the new capsules, share your experience on social media and tag us! We love hearing from the community. Photo Credit: Shyam

Whether you cultivate your own mushrooms or have a knack for hunting them in the wild, the fear is real: How on earth can you use up all of your bounty before it spoils? Too many mushroom devotees have experienced the sadness of opening the fridge to discover the fungi they so carefully collected have turned soggy with the aroma of old fish. A slightly dry mushroom can be salvaged, but a wet one? It’s a goner, sadly.   Time is of the essence when it comes to mushrooms — and moisture is the enemy when trying to extend their life in a fresh state — but thankfully there are plenty of ways to savor their flavor for months to come. Read on for a round-up of tips, cooking techniques, recipes and more. From pickled mushrooms and compound butter to flavored salts and tea infusions, you’ll never run out of ways to preserve your mushroom hauls.  Basic dried mushrooms  Drying mushrooms is an easy, space-saving way to preserve them while concentrating flavor. To start, brush any loose dirt and debris off the mushrooms and set them on a clean kitchen towel to absorb any excess moisture. Slice them thinly and evenly. You can use a mandoline or a knife.  If you have a dehydrator, keep the heat set to about 125F. Place the mushrooms on the screens and space them evenly so air can circulate. Check them every couple of hours, and it could take between 4 and 8 hours. You want them to be slightly pliable and bendy, not brittle.   In the oven, keep the temperature as low as it will go. Place mushrooms in a single layer on cooling racks set on baking sheets. Prop the door open with a wooden spoon to help the water escape as it evaporates. The mushrooms should be dry within 2-3 hours.   Let cool completely, then pack into airtight jars with tight-fitting lids. Use within 3 months. These also make lovely hostess gifts.  Frozen mushrooms, 2 ways  Have you ever bought frozen mixed vegetables that also contained mushrooms? In theory, they are a wonderful addition, but in reality they end up bland and water-logged. You can, however, freeze mushrooms in two ways to maximize their flavor.  First up: Nothing fancy, plain mushrooms. Clean your mushrooms and pat them dry. Trim and cut into thin, uniform slices. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment and freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Use within 3 months. The parchment prevents the mushrooms from sticking to the baking sheet.  When you cook them, transfer the frozen mushrooms to a hot, dry skillet or pot. Allow the water to evaporate, stirring often, then add your fat (oil or butter), herbs and spices and aromatics like garlic, onions and celery. Cutting them thinly before freezing allows the water to evaporate fast enough so they can develop color and flavor in the pan.  Alternatively, you can freeze cooked mushrooms for a meal shortcut in the future. Saute mushrooms any way you’d like. You can’t go wrong with garlic, olive oil, parsley and white wine, or carrot, celery, garlic, onion and oregano for an Italian-inspired sauce. Once the mushrooms are cool, freeze them in large ice cube trays (like those you’d use for soup) and transfer to a freezer-safe container. Use within three months.  When you’re ready to cook, simply thaw out one or more cubes, then use in your favorite meals.  Flavored salts If you have extra-flavorful mushrooms like Porcini or Truffles, pulse small amounts of dried mushrooms with a quality coarse salt using a clean coffee grinder. Add any herbs and spices you like — try tarragon, rosemary, thyme, cumin or any combination you like, plus black pepper. You could also add dried garlic or even dried, sustainably foraged ramps. Store in air-tight jars for up to 6 months. This also makes a lovely gift!  Mushroom-infused tea Love herbal tea? Consider adding dried mushrooms to your favorite blend. This is a great way to use functional mushrooms like Chaga or Reishi. Just be sure to use small pieces of the mushrooms! Our Fantastic Fungi Community Cookbook has a recipe for Chaga Chai from Colorado’s Kristen Blizzard with cardamom, ginger, cloves, fennel, peppercorns, cinnamon, star anise and, of course, Chaga. (You can also simply brew up a mug of our Fantastic Mushroom Tea.)  Mushroom stock and concentrate  Mushrooms’ umami shines in stock, especially when you start by sauteing them to add some depth and color. Slow-simmer your mushroom haul until you have a deeply flavored base for soups, stews and sipping on cold days. Once cool, strain and pour into freezer-safe containers, leaving a ½ inch of space to expand. Use within 3 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator, never on the counter.  Soy-preserved mushrooms  This is another clever recipe found in our community cookbook (page 252), and it’s a hit. Chef Don Pintabona of New York learned to preserve mushrooms from Japanese colleagues. When he opened the Tribeca Grill with actor Robert DeNiro back in 1990, soy-preserved mushrooms were an integral part of the most popular appetizer. He transforms shiitake mushrooms — already bursting with flavor — into umami bombs. Simmered in a mixture of rice vinegar, mirin, sake and soy sauce, the mushrooms get a little sugar to balance the rich saltiness. They’ll keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks (if they last that long).  Compound butter with mushrooms  This is another flavor-packed recipe that delivers umami to any dish. It freezes beautifully, too. Simply saute finely chopped mushrooms with anything you like: onions, shallots, garlic, herbs, etc. Season with salt and pepper and let the flavors concentrate. The mushrooms should be jammy. Let cool, then fold into room temperature butter. A good ratio is 2 cups of mushrooms to 1 stick of butter. Transfer to parchment, form a log or ball and refrigerate until firm. Slice into medallions and freeze for up to 3 months. Add this infused butter to everything from homemade sourdough and simple whole grains to steamed vegetables and mushroom steaks.  Pickled mushrooms  Check out page 251 in the cookbook for the full recipe here, but — yes! You can pickled mushrooms. Use small, tender ones along with plenty of herbs. Once you’re familiar with the recipe shared by Charles Luce of New Jersey, you can get creative with your own garden and forest hauls. Like things to be a little spicier? Sebastian Carosi of Oregon shared a recipe for sriracha pickled chanterelles (page 254).  Mushroom shrubs or kombucha  A shrub is a delightfully sweet-and-sour beverage made with vinegar, sugar and whatever ingredients you want to use to infuse flavor. The Fantastic Fungi Cookbook shares a recipe for Chanterelle Shrub — and we think using something like Reishi or Chaga would also be delightful. (Check out page 244 for the full recipe!) Photo Credit: Mari-Liis Link

Every now and then, mushrooms make the news in such a way that reminds us of our place in the world. Nature is awe-inspiring and powerful, and the fungi kingdom is no exception. But nature’s power has the potential to both give and take life — and inflict pain and suffering if we aren’t careful.  Recently, a tragic story came to light, about two people who lost their lives after eating undercooked or uncooked morel mushrooms at a sushi restaurant in Bozeman, Montana. In total, 51 people reported gastrointestinal distress after consuming these mushrooms in 2023, which are generally considered edible, according to a CDC report. In 2018, a popular blogger and influencer’s debut cookbook was pulled from shelves — and publication cancelled — after readers reported recipes contained “potentially toxic and dangerous ingredients that could make people sick.” Chocolate-dipped raw morels, as well as dishes with raw elderberry, unsoaked acorns and uncooked wild rice, were all flagged.  Accidentally mushroom poisonings happen each year, both to new and experienced foragers. According to research published in 2018, 133,700 cases were reported over an 18-year period, usually involving unintentional consumption, minor health issues and/or children. However, 52 people died from mushroom poisoning.  That’s why safety is the number one, non negotiable goal with foraging.  Read on for a list of safety tips that everyone should follow when it comes to wild mushrooms.  If you suspect you’ve consumed a poisonous mushroom, call the toll-free Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222, or go to the nearest emergency department.   The problem lies in the preparation, not the species. Know how to prepare mushrooms safely. The morels served in Montana were the correct  species. However, they were served uncooked and undercooked, on top of sushi rolls. They were marinated two ways on different occasions: with a cold sauce and with a boiling-hot one. That’s not enough heat to make morels safe to eat. They must be thoroughly cooked, even when prepared from dried.  A seasoned mushroom forager who had hunted morels for over 30 years fell ill and died after eating inadequately cooked dried morels prepared over a camping stove. False morels can be even dangerous, even when cooked thoroughly. When in doubt, cook them longer — or ask an expert for a second opinion.  Any mushroom eaten raw has the potential to cause GI upset. Raw Shiitake mushrooms can also cause dermatitis, a skin rash that looks like whiplash marks. Cooking mushrooms removes the risk of this issue.  Don’t let kids play with mushrooms.  Nature provides infinite inspiration, especially for kids. Who hasn’t pretended to “cook” or prepare “potions” using bits found in the backyard or park? Encouraging children and teens to spend more time outside, connecting with the natural world, is definitely an enriching activity. But in a society where nature-based literacy has declined, we need to teach kids to do so safely.  The free mycological curriculum from The Fungi Foundation is a wonderful place to start!  Remind children that not all plants are safe to eat — and that they shouldn’t explore with their mouths. Teach them to never eat mushrooms from nature and to ask permission before eating anything else. Only pick plants, flowers and mushrooms you know are safe. Instead of potions and such, you might also encourage kids to make a mandala with their treasures.  Moderation is key — the dose is the poison.  You can have too much of a good thing, mushrooms included. Mushrooms can cause GI issues in large quantities — even edible and delicious ones, from Shiitake and Morels to basic buttons. Don’t overdo it on mushrooms, especially if they are new to you. Limit yourself to one cup cooked or less.  Check and double-check your mushrooms. When you stumble upon a cache of mushrooms, always refer to your field guide, do a spore test and check with experts. If you can’t be certain, leave it behind. It’s always better to be safe. Always get to know the lookalikes — for example, jack o’lanterns often resemble chanterelles to beginners. This blog from James Beard award-winning chef Alan Bergo offers helpful tips.  At restaurants, don’t be afraid to ask questions. How were the mushrooms prepared? Where were they sourced? Which species are included in the “wild” mushrooms? If you don’t feel comfortable with the answers provided, choose another dish.  Mushrooms are mysterious and magical, but they aren’t always benign. Respect their power and keep your distance from varieties that could cause harm. Share this blog with someone who might be new to foraging — and be sure to read our 12 sustainable foraging tips for beginners.  Photo Credit: Annie Spratt