Mushrooms, Mushrooms, Everywhere!

Did you know that there are over 10,000 different types of mushrooms? The good, bad, and the definitely ugly!  Although I didn't appreciate mushrooms when I was young and thought they tasted "like dirt," I cook with them all the time now. In fact, I've discovered that various species of these fleshy and edible fungi add different flavors to food. Some common species found at the grocery store, include white button, cremini, bella, portobello, oyster, enokitake, and shitake. For more on these healthy quirks of the food chain, check out - http://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/edible-mushrooms.html

Wild mushrooms like porcini and chanterelle are also edible, but you should NEVER pick mushrooms in the wild and eat them unless you are a mushroom expert (known as a mycologist) or with an expert. Poisonous mushrooms like death cap, destroying angel, and Jack O' Lantern have very toxic personalities.

Promising health benefits being investigated include cardiovascular, anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties. Wow!  So be adventurous, try oyster mushrooms in a stir-fry or chowder and let me know what you think. Recipes here.  Or send your favorite mushroom recipes!

Ideas Worth Spreading

I have been following TED.com (stands for technology, entertainment, and design) for several years now. TED offers hundreds of videotaped talks on every topic imaginable. Click on the science category and you'll find experts and entrepreneurs explaining everything from mathematics to monkey behavior to music. New talks appear weekly. Check it out. It's awesome!! www.ted.com 

Here are a couple I found interesting.
Bacteria- http://www.ted.com/talks/bonnie_bassler_on_how_bacteria_communicate.html

Aortic engineering-http://www.ted.com/talks/tal_golesworthy_how_i_repaired_my_own_heart.html

Women in Science

I always find it interesting to hear how folks got interested in science. As more women than ever are entering the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields, I thought you might be interested in this geologist turned science educator. http://www.steminist.com/tag/science/

The PhD Movie

Have you seen the movie from Jorge Cham? It is completely hilarious and so true to the lot of college graduate students. Check it out! http://www.phdmovie.com/ You'll be glad you did!