Connection & Family
I simply adore going mushroom hunting with my beautiful daughters, Danny and Aor, and our faithful furry companion Bella. Whenever we venture into the forest together, it's like time stands still and we're able to connect and with nature most beautifully.
As a parent, I know all too well the challenges that come with raising teenagers. They can seem like completely different people at times, distant and unapproachable, and no matter how hard we try, we can never seem to do anything right. It's heartbreaking when they say hurtful things to us, and it's easy to feel like we're failing as parents.
I would like to share something with all of you here. In my experience, there's nothing quite like spending time in nature with your kids to help you reconnect with them. When you take them away from the screens, away from the noise in their head, away from the mess in the house, away from the daily frustrations and other everyday distractions, and simply be present with them out there, something truly magical happens. The heart expands and there is no need for talking, there is just love!
It was during some of the toughest times with my daughters that we found solace in the forest. It was there that we could let go of our worries and frustrations, and simply enjoy each other's company. We would search for mushrooms and weeds, enjoying each other's company.
Now, my girls have even joined me in my workshops, sharing my love for the forest and all its treasures. It's an incredible feeling to see them grow and flourish, and I'm grateful every day for the moments we've shared, together in nature.
So to all of you parents out there, I encourage you to take your kids into the great outdoors and see what magic unfolds. I invite you to join me on Magical walks through the forests with your teens, enjoy each other's company, and reconnect - or just go out there on your own - it will change your life.
One more note - out there in the forest, I experience a lack of judgment, the same thing when I am swimming in the Great Ocean - it just EXISTS! free of frustration, comparison, jealousy, and hatred! Every species can be as different and unique as it wants and no one passes judgment, EVERYTHING IS SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERESS - I wish we could learn from that and find the beauty in each other's differences.
Your Backyard Supermarket
You don't have to go far to forage!
An excellent place to begin foraging is exploring the green spaces in your local community, such as parks and gardens.
It is crucial to ensure that you are foraging in areas where NO pesticides have been used to spray weeds. Some shires mark their spray solutions with colors so people can see the spray on the plants.
Behind my house is a lovely stream, where I can find many different greens, flowers, seeds, and a few species of edible mushrooms.
This morning I collected some - Greens, seeds, and flowers for my breakfast. I will prepare Pesto and stir fry from what I have foraged - yummy!
Foraging can be an exciting adventure. It offers numerous benefits, and one of these benefits is the pleasure of enjoying fresh, healthy, and free food.
During my morning walk with my dog, I slowly learned to recognize plants I can forage, including Curly Dock, Plantain, Blackberry Nightshade leaves and berries, and Laccarias.
Edible Weeds have nutritional and medicinal properties that can be a valuable addition to any healthy diet -
Curly, or Yello Dock, is a common weed with broad, wavy leaves. The leaves are high in iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Curly dock has a tart, citrusy taste that is pleasant both raw and cooked.
Plantain is another plant that I come across during my forays. It has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. Plantain leaves are rich in vitamin K, vitamin C, calcium, and other nutrients. It is a versatile plant that can be used in many ways, such as making tea, salves, or poultices to treat various ailments. The leaves can be consumed either raw or cooked, and their slightly bitter flavor makes them a great addition to salads or sautés with other green leaves. Plantain has been known for thousands of years for its medicinal properties.
Another one of my favorites is the Solanum Nigrum, known as the Blackberry Nightshade. The edible berries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants. It has medicinal properties that can help with many ailments such as mouth ulcers.
Laccaria is a type of edible mushroom that grows in forested areas and is rich in protein, fiber, and vitamins B and D. It also has antioxidant and antimicrobial potential.
Foraging is not only an opportunity to discover new foods and connect with nature but also to learn about the local flora and its cultural significance. However, it's crucial to gather plants and mushrooms safely and sustainably, respecting the environment and the other creatures that inhabit it. By taking a responsible approach to foraging, we can enjoy its benefits while preserving natural resources for future generations.
I also found Curly doc, Plantain, Blackberry Nightshade leaves, and even a few Laccarias...what a great morning!
It only takes one moment to decide to get out there and start enjoying free food :)
Enjoy your day foragers
Adva xx
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flowery Breakfast Blog
Do you eat flowers?
A few garlic flowers, a few mustard flowers, a few cabbage flowers, and a bit of Nasturtium...all taste super sweet and yummy together with my homemade Labneh cheese.
These are my favorites at the moment -
🍀Onion weed flowers
🍀Wild mustard flowers
🍀Nasturtium flowers
🍀Cabbage flowers - my new discovery and I absolutely love them!
What are y
our favorite edible flowers❓️
Mushi love
Adva
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gardening day Blog
Food forest
It's a gardening day, and I need to go and clean the garden from weeds, before my next house inspection. But instead of weeding I went foraging in my own backyard!
I wanted to make Pesto for my lovely group coming this Saturday....it's going to be another delicious Pesto!!! If my landlord had seen the garden he would not be happy...I wish I could leave it to grow like that.. it's becoming a beautiful food forest 🍀🍀
Check out the picture with all the food on the table - looks yummy? This is just part of the lunch you will be getting on my "Wild About Foraging" Workshop :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Self-Care through Foraging
Gathering Wild Food Can Promote Emotional Healing!
For centuries people have created deep connections with one another, as they foraged for food & medicine, sharing ancient knowledge and passing it on to their children.
In ancient times, gathering wild food was imperative to one's survival, but foraging has also been known to bring about a sense of grounding, promoting emotional healing and relieving stress. It requires mindfulness and a present approach. The act of foraging can foster a sense of accomplishment and self-sufficiency, increasing self-esteem, confidence, and overall happiness.
Foraging not only provides emotional healing but is also beneficial to our physical health. Exposure to fresh air combined with physical activity, can improve cardiovascular and muscular strength. It can also boost the immune system and overall well-being, promoting physical healing.
For me, foraging is not just a hobby or a way to gather food, it's an emotional experience that brings me immense happiness, healing, and connection between me and my children and between me and my partner as we are sharing a journey together. As a parent, foraging provides me a unique opportunity to share my love and appreciation for nature with my children, to teach them about ecosystems, sustainability, and the importance of protecting our environment
As someone who has suffered from anxiety and stress, I have found that foraging provides a much-needed escape from the pressures of daily life. When I am out in nature, searching for wild food, I feel a sense of calm and tranquility that is hard to find elsewhere. Foraging requires me to be fully present and attentive, especially when I am looking for mushrooms, which helps to quiet my racing thoughts and focus my mind. As I walk, bend, and lift to gather my food, I am getting a full-body workout that leaves me feeling energized and refreshed.
The real joy of foraging comes from the connection it provides to the land and to the community of people who share my passion. I love learning about the different plants and mushrooms and their role in our ecosystem and I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. Whether I am foraging alone or with a group, the sense of belonging and connection to something larger than myself is incredibly fulfilling.
Don't miss the opportunity to try this :)