Foraging is a wonderful way to get FREE food and medicine for your family. After all, in ancient days, our ancestors were either hunters or gatherers. The gatherers sustained the group when the hunters didn’t have a successful harvest. And the gatherers probably had many more consistent harvests than the hunters!
I love to forage. Every time my family is out in the great outdoors, I’m looking at the plants around me. I’m taking pictures and doing research if I have internet. If I don’t have internet, I’ll take pictures and document anything that I can to identify the plant and find it again for future reference.
I have a plant identification app on my phone, Picture This. It’s so helpful in identifying new-to-me plants. And I also have a book that I reference often, called “Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not So Wild) Places” by “Wildman” Steve Brill and Evelyn Dean. It’s a great book to learn how to identify, harvest, and use edible and medicinal plants.
I also do a lot of internet research. I like to break down one plant at a time, and learn as much as I can about it before I move on to the next. This has built my knowledge up over time.
I hope you’ll join us here to further your knowledge about the resources Mother Nature provides to us. We strive to be one of your best sources of information and learning.
Remember, proper identification of the plants you’re going to consume is of utmost importance. Don’t just rely on one source of information. Cross-reference many different resources to make sure you have proper identification.
Don’t be intimidated, though! Trust your gut and your resources. You can do this, we can help!
Start here for the foraging “rules” and guidelines.
Foraging is a life-long adventure. You will gain knowledge every step along the way. Enjoy the journey!
Have you ever foraged or used black walnuts? They are a wonderful tree that grows wild in many parts of the world. People typically associate black walnut with the nut that you roast or put in banana nut bread. But the shell has actually been used medicinally for ages. That’s what we’re going to be …
Benefits of Black Walnut Hull, Plus a Tincture Recipe Read More »
There are a lot of rumors going around about a potential food shortage coming. And while I’m not going to say that I’m sure of it, I have been doing my best to prepare for it. I actually have been for years. I believe that a good way to prepare for any kind of food …
I feel very strongly that everyone should learn about the weeds that grow in their area. There are lots of weeds that are edible, with some even more nutritious than the plants we grow in our gardens! Today, for the Self Reliant Skill of the Week, we’re going to make lamb’s quarters pesto. Lamb’s quarters …
This time of year, most of our yards are abloom with pretty yellow flowers. While some may hate to see the “dreaded” dandelion, others embrace them. If your yard is littered with these dainty flowers, why not make something useful from them? It’s so easy to make dandelion jelly from the dandelions in your yard, …
Fall is in full force here. Which means it’s time to harvest Horse Chestnuts to make Horse Chestnut laundry soap! Horse Chestnuts, AKA conkers, have been falling from our tree like crazy. Any little bit of breeze sends hundreds of conkers into the yard. And trust me, you do NOT want to be under that …
Chicory is a weed that grows through most of the United States. It has pretty blue flowers throughout the summer. As a cousin to the dandelion, the entire plant is edible. But the magic is in the roots! Chicory root is medicinal. Let’s talk about the many benefits of chicory root. Medicinal Benefits of …
Do you want to start foraging, but are nervous about it? Well, with the proper know-how, you shouldn’t be nervous! Foraging is a fun outdoor activity that can net you some free food or medicine. With people’s minds on food security right now, foraging is a perfect tool to have in your toolbox. Sure, gardening …
Part of self reliance and protecting your family’s food security is knowing how to use the wild things around you. Did you know that there are plenty of wild things to eat in the spring? Let’s talk about identifying, foraging, and using these helpful wild food sources today! Why would you want to forage? There …
As we come into cold and flu season, I thought it would be helpful to discuss an excellent herbal remedy to keep your family healthy. This remedy is elderberry syrup! Elderberry has been used for centuries for various conditions, and it has recently come into the spotlight as a very powerful remedy for colds, flu, …
Mullein is a wonderful, healing medicine that nearly everyone in North America or Europe can find growing wild. You might not know its name, but you would probably recognize its silhouette and its fuzzy leaves. Mullein has so many medicinal qualities and uses, it’s a must-know herb for anyone interested in self reliance. Today we’re …
