BLOG & RECIPES

Incredible research from Penn State discovered that leaving your mushrooms on a sunny windowsill for an hour or two increases the vitamin D content considerably!

Mushrooms, as you are probably aware are grown in darkness. When mushrooms are exposed to UV light, they produce quantities of the antioxidant Vitamin D in order to protect themselves from damage from solar radiation.

We can take advantage of this! Leave your mushrooms in a sunny spot, between 10am-3pm. Place them gill side up for maximum Vitamin D production as the gills are more light sensitive.

All varieties of mushrooms will produce Vitamin D in varying amounts if left in the sunlight for a few hours. We can utilise the benefits!

Herbs and spices have been used for thousands of years in cooking, as medicine and as preservation.

The term herb usually applies to the leafy part of the plant, either fresh or dried.
The term spice usually applies to the other parts of the plant ie. stems, bark, flowers etc, usually in their dried form.

The addition of herbs add flavour without the need to add salt, sugar or fat.

Herbs and spices have many health benefits. Consuming them may help to prevent and manage diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. They may also reduce blood clots and provide anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour and anti-microbial properties. Research is still ongoing.

Herbs and spices can be added to every thing and anything. Try adding them to soups, dressings, sauces, stocks, yoghurts, vinegars and desserts.

Dried herbs have a stronger flavour. You need less of these. Use approximately one teaspoon of dried herbs to four teaspoons of fresh.

Harder or woody herbs ie rosemary and parley keep their flavour during the cooking process and so can be added at the start of cooking.

Softer herbs ie coriander, mint, basil, dill lose some of their flavour and possibly their nutritional benefits and are best added towards the end of the cooking time or just before service. I like to add herbs during the cooking time of a dish and also just before I serve.

Try growing some yourself! You do not need much space or expertise. It’s worth it as these small plants pack a mighty nutritional and medicinal punch!!!