Why Eat Wild Foods?
Nature was the original supermarket. Ever wonder what the pioneers ate while transversing the Oregon Trail? There were indeed supermarkets waiting at their destination but they weren’t the kind we have now. Strictly seasonal and ever evolving wild edible plants have always been the Creator’s gift to us. What I have been learning and am now teaching others used to be COMMON knowledge. Relearning nature’s secrets and prolific offerings is a way of connecting with our ancestors in a life giving empowering way.
I found the outline for this article on the web years ago and have searched in vain to find the source to credit them. I am impressed with the thorough reflection of the various ways wild edible plants enrich our lives: Economic considerations, Health considerations, Gardening considerations and Well Being.
Economic considerations
- FREE Food prices are increasing at an alarming rate. https://wildblessings.com/2011/07/14/shopping-for-free/ https://wildblessings.com/2011/08/23/my-wild-refrigerator-tips-on-drying/
- Renewable resources Wild plants tend to be prolific and often invasive. They are the first vegetation to show up when the soil has been disturbed to renew the minerals back into the ground.
- Abundant and readily available Wild plants spread their seeds in a variety of creative life preserving ways. Many of the weeds right outside our homes are edible and abundant
Milkweed Seeds Attached to Tightly Pack Parachutes to Carry Them on the Wind
Health considerations
- Highly nutritive: minerals and vitamins Compared to cultivated vegetation wild edible plants are many many times richer in nutrients. The Dandelion for example is high in calcium (a mineral that protects bones and teeth, prevents muscle cramping and maintains a regular heart beat. The USDA recommended daily allowance for calcium is 800 mg. One cup of Spinach has 102 mg of calcium, one cup of Kale has 206 mg and one cup of Dandelion leaves has 4,000 mg!
Dandelion Blossom Early Spring
- Fresh, enzyme rich cause you just picked it! https://wildblessings.com/2011/09/14/from-forage-to-feast/
- Wild foods have healing value: “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food”
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Holly’s Wild Herbal Apothecary
- Many wild edible plants also have healing value
- Pesticide free
- No additives and preservatives
- Foraging is health inducing. Vitamin D is an essential hormone that is best obtained from exposure to sun light.
Gardening considerations
- Wild foods are tough to kill, tenacious https://wildblessings.com/2011/04/24/japanese-knotweed-berry-jam/ If you can’t beat it…EAT it!
- No need to garden and cultivate the weeds! They grow like…weeds!
- Duration of growth is longer than hybrid varieties.
Milkweed offers a rich variety of food from early Spring through the Fall
- Wild foods are resistant to climatic imbalances and survive drought
- Weeds should be cultivated in the ‘garden’ for they bring up subsoil minerals and protect against many insects. A great way to renurture devalued soil.
Well being
- Be prepared for emergencies, wild foods are a secure resource. I look at all the wonderful food and medicines that grows right outside of my front door. These plants all have a purpose. Everything we would ever need is right under our noses.
- Learn to be independent and prepared for any contingency, become confident https://wildblessings.com/2011/10/23/hollys-wild-shopping-guide/
- Foraging is FUN https://wildblessings.com/2012/01/19/forest-fairies/
- Get in touch with nature and with the Creator God https://wildblessings.com/2011/07/07/from-the-rising-of-the-sun/
“Oh Lord, how many and varied are Your works, in wisdom You have made them all. The whole earth is full of Your riches.” Psalms 10:24
Resources:
Green Dean talks about Why Eat Wild Foods: http://youtu.be/x97jebTQisU
