Foraging - We Could Learn From Nature

 Hello to all.  I surely hope everyone is safe and healthy today.  There were more storms that moved through the mid-section of the country again Sunday.  We just had rain and quite a bit of it.  I sure hope in the path of the storms are safe.

Yesterday was a very chilly day, stayed in the 60'sF.  I actually wore long sleeves!  It was cloudy and misty all day.  Today the sun is shining - it is to be dry and looks to be a near perfect kind of day.

I know we have talked about foraging before - but I thought I would mention it again.  New season, new worries, so why not.  

Now I know enough about natural plants to probably keep me alive!  Yes I do.  I wonder how many could survive from foraging if they HAD to?

Think about it - animals survive on nature (except when we feed).   They eat nuts and berries, nectar from plants, some actually eat the plants and flowers, they eat rodents and smaller animals than themselves, roadkill, garbage, you name it.  Now let me tell, I will pass on some of those options!!  But, there are people who do eat these things too.

Looking out my front door - Mr. Squirrel decided my sunflowers looked yummy.  The birds basically planted them (fall from feed) - so the squirrels take advantage for fresh food!  I am sure they will do this with all of the sunflowers eventually.  They hint and eat what they find.

People hunt and fish for meat - always have.  Most of us don't - but we could.  You can hunt for about anything.  If hungry enough, folks will hunt for about any animal or bird.  There are folks that catch crawdads and frogs as well.  I have had both over the years (at restaurants) and both were good!

Many garden 'weeds' are quite nutritious and have been misnamed 'weeds' in my book.  I have many, many plants growing wild in my yard alone - purslane, plantain, poke (leaves only), dandelion, clover, creeping charlie, etc. 

Shoot, with creeping charlie alone, I could feed the whole village!!  LOL

I do let certain areas of purslane, plantain and creeping charlie grow and do not pull it out.  Better safe than sorry is my thought!

There are nuts and berries that grow on empty lots, on deserted homes land, there are abandoned orchards, wild grape vines, etc. out there.  Many folks have fruit trees they no longer harvest, just go and ask if you can.  

Around Indiana in the woods there are persimmon trees, pawpaws, mulberry and wild grapes in abundance.  Out west there are lots of cactus - I love pickled cactus slices!  You can maybe find sassafras root - great for teas.  Dandelion roots for herbal teas and medicinal drinks, and dandelions make a great wine (daddy used to make).  Check your local woods and forests for wild foods.

Many flowers are edible.  They can be added to salads, or they can be breaded and fried.  Young tender shoots are good - like Hosta or fiddleheads.  I tried my first Hosta this year, and it was quite good - kind of peppery tasting.

Peels and cores of many fruits & veggies can be used to make juice, jellies, and edibles.  Bones from meat makes bone broth.

Of course odds and ends of leftovers can be made into new things.

Never overlook anything - it could keep your belly full.

No matter what the food situation may be, you can still eat.  It may take time and a little knowledge, but you don't have to starve.  Get some books on wild edibles or find a good site on the computer - BUT PLEASE write the info down on paper - if you use the computer (just in case).  Learn what you can.

Check your yards, the areas around your community and the woody areas where you live.  It will be amazing what you may find.  

It is good information to have just in case SHTF.  

Keep your deep pantries stocked to help you in case.  You can always add any of the fresh items I talked about to stretch the things you have.

It only takes 3 days for stores to empty!  Something to keep in mind.

(no politics please)

This is just a general life can change for any reason type of post.  Just ask those that have been in horrible natural disasters!

Know what is available and what you CAN eat in a pinch.  Stretch a budget, stretch a pantry, ad survive maybe. 

Have a beautiful day and be blessed in all ways.