I remember gazing upon these soft umbrella like plants nestled upon a rotting log in the front corner of our yard. They boasted differing colors, shapes and sizes.
They seemed to appear on damp days, after a night of heavy rains this strange plant would appear.
To a child they were enchanting. Though they evoked the tiniest of fear. They were reminiscent of images we had seen in our story books. usually of a leprechaun or a toad in close proximity to one.
The old folks said the spirits used it to shelter from the rain.
Folklore said that the jumbies, ghosts or spirits (words used interchangeably), use the ‘umbrellas’ to hide under during the rain. The reasoning behind why they came out after a night of heavy rains.
Kids will believe anything. The absurdity in retrospect is laughable.
I do not know the names of the mushroom species that grew so abundantly everywhere back then. They were pretty much taboo in our part of the world.
No one I knew ate mushrooms, they were undesirable and the word on the street was that “they ate these things in other parts of the world”. They went on to tell us they were poisonous.
So, we would play with them. They were so delicate that it was easy to crush them under our feet.
Years later, I began traveling and was introduced to edible mushrooms. I immediately fell in love with their musty taste and meat-like texture.
An edible fungus
According to Wikipedia, Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground, on soil, or on its food source.
Mushrooms are a low-calorie food rich in nutritional value. Loaded with many health-boosting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, they can be an important addition to your diet.
Note, their particular circumstance of growth impacts their nutritional components, for e.g., mushrooms grown with exposure to ultraviolet light are a good source of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is an important component for optimum health.
Nutritional Value
Mushrooms, according to the FDA, contain sodium, potassium, fiber, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamin C, iron and various trace elements.
Benefits of eating mushrooms
- Aids weight loss
- Lowers blood pressure
- Nutritional value and trace elements
The takeaway
Though my first encounters with mushrooms were negative ones. I am glad I kept an open mind when it came to trying new things.
In making a decision to try something new, I found a new low-calorie food that I now love.
It is important to take some time and see another perspective, to give new experiences, new places a chance.
You may find a new joy, a new love, a new friend.
JustPene 
I absolutely enjoyed reading about mushrooms from your perspective… Totally delightful… And then to read about delicious edible mushrooms and how good they are. I also used to view mushrooms as enchanting and magical, but a little scary because they could be poisonous… Thank you for such a delightful post.
LikeLike
Thank you for reading.
LikeLike
I was told the same as a child about eating mushroom; however, as an adult I like them in various meals. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful day/night and remain safe.
LikeLike
Lol, I was trying to really find the origins of those tales, I will have to do some research orally with the old folks when I visit.
Blessings to you and your family.
LikeLike
Do you find them delicious one of these days since you were introduced to them at a later age?
LikeLike
Oh yes, I love and could eat some each day. Even raw on salads.
LikeLike
Wooooosh! I’ve never taken them in raw form but all in all, they are of great benefit to the body’s immune system.
LikeLike
I have learned to love mushrooms. I like them cooked and I also like them raw in salads. I also remember as a child being admonished not to eat the ones in our yard because some are poisonous. I never took the time to learn which ones were, but I still live out in the country and the squirrels seem to be able to eat all of them.
LikeLike
I do enjoy my mushrooms.
LikeLike