Friday, September 18, 2015

Wild Food Fun







Yesterday, after our morning main lesson, Reece, his homeschooling buddy, and I packed up and headed out for a little road trip. Our destination, Little City Farm. We had the pleasure of visiting this urban homestead twice this summer, and were excited to return again. This time we were meeting up with some other homeschooling families for some wild food fun.

Our facilitator, the same inspiring lady that lead our birch bark container workshop, did a wonderful job of helping the kids to identify common wild foods, aka weeds, found in many backyards. The kids had the opportunity to search for, harvest, and taste mallow, lambs quarters, plantain, violet leaves, wood sorrel, dandelion, wild lettuce, and mint. Each wild food was tasted straight up, and then added, one at a time, to a very tasty smoothie base. We would taste it, and then add another wild food. It was fun tasting the difference each food made to the smoothie, and even though it was green, most of the kids were very adventurous, and gave it a try. Reece, as you can see from the photo above, green smoothie all over his face, loved it.

It is always a joy to connect with like minded people, and yesterday as I sat among other homeschooling families, in the sunshine, with bees flying about, enjoying the beautiful space at Little City Farm, I was reminded yet again how very fortunate I am to live in a place that allows us the freedom to make the choices we have made as a family.

26 comments:

  1. Lucky kids! How many kids nowadays learn skills like that? Sounds like a great day and homeschooling lesson to me!
    Kim, the pattern I mailed to you came back to me yesterday. :-( I had taken it to the post office to mail and it doesn't say why it was returned. I will try and mail it again today...

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    1. I think they are pretty lucky too :) Honestly, I think all kids should learn this kinda stuff, unfortunately they don't. It makes me a little sad. It was the perfect day, and full of so many lessons.

      Oh no, that's too bad, but no worries. Thanks for sending it again, I appreciate it.

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  2. that's delicious (the moment, the space and the taste) ! what a great connection with nature ... you can be pleased with the choice you made sure!

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    1. Yes, in so many ways :) Connection with nature, and like minded people, you can't go wrong with that.

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  3. Yes, spending time with like minded people is always inspiring.

    I would love to have attended that class, I have a book and am slowly learning
    more about the food that grows wild here.

    Have a beautiful weekend.

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    1. It really is. I am always inspired after I spend time with people who are traveling along the same path.

      You should look in your area Tracey, I am sure there must be a workshop or something that you could take. I found the best way to learn was taking guided walks with other experienced and knowledgeable people, and then heading out there with my field guides and identifying as much as I could. Have fun with it Tracey.

      Wishing you a beautiful weekend too my friend.

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  4. Aww, such an awesome adventure! I love reading about the activities you do together. xo

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    1. Aw, thanks my friend. This little farm isn't far from you, you should check it out some time, they have some great workshops.

      xo

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  5. Oh, that sounds like so much fun! I would love to do something like this and my kids would too. I don't know if we have a place that does this, or if it's even possible in our area given the dryness, but I'm going to try to find out! I hope you have a good weekend, Kim.

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    1. It was so much fun Jennifer, and I highly recommend a workshop such as this one. I have done many over the years, on my own, with Reece, and the three of us as a family. They are so much fun, and every person who facilitates teaches us something new.

      I hope you can find one in your area, you would have a great time!

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  6. "I was reminded yet again how very fortunate I am to live in a place that allows us the freedom to make the choices we have made as a family." NO kidding! I rarely ever read the news and I decided I would the other day and within 5 minutes I felt so grateful to be able to live the life Iive.

    What green is Reece holding in the picture?

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    1. Yeah, I don't watch or read the news either. It is too hard on me these days. I catch tidbits on the radio, and that is enough for me.

      That is wood sorrel, a delicious little green that grows all over our yard, and many yards around here. It has a lovely lemony taste, and is lovely in salads, smoothies and just enjoyed trail side on a hike. It is high in vitamin C too! We often call it "hearts" as the actual leaf is divided into three leaflets that look like three hearts. You can see the heart shape on my skirt in the photo above Reece holding them.

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  7. Yum, that sounds fun and delicious. My city born and bred husband always baulks at trying foraged foods, but is amazed at how many of these common "weeds" I know to be safe to eat. So sad that it's a lost art, I love hearing about those still striving to keep it alive. Shine on.

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    1. It was fun and delicious :) Yes, my hubby is the same, although since I took him on a foraging walk two years ago he has come around.

      Yes, it makes me sad too, that these skills are being lost. But I am really happy to be able to connect with people who are trying to keep them alive, so I can learn from them and hopefully pass it on as well.

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  8. What a fantastic workshop...for you and for Reece. I would give anything to watch my two teens chug down a green, wild drink mixture !!! xoxo

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    1. Haha, they would have loved the smoothies. So delicious, and refreshing! xo

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  9. What a fun idea to add little by little different wild plants to your smoothie!

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    1. It was a great way to do it. She started with the mildest tasting herbs, and we worked our way up to the bitter dandelion greens. So much fun!

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  10. My dad had a friend who was a girl scout leader and whenever she visited I was always learning something new about the outdoors. I cannot remember her name but I remember what I learned :)

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  11. What a wonderful resource you have there. I really need to start looking into similar groups or places around here. Glad everyone had such a fun time.

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    1. Yes, I feel very lucky to have found Little City Farm, and to have been welcomed into their community. Feeling blessed.

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  12. Great workshop for sure! After spending a few years learning how to grow different kind of vegetables, I am starting to realize that we can also find plenty of wild food all around us. Another way to feel closer to the nature. Thanks for sharing it :-)

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    1. Yes, there is so much food growing out there, in our gardens, food we call weeds, but they are so good for us. And then there is a ton of food growing along the forest floor. It truly is amazing to have such wonderful gifts from Mother Nature, and I am so very happy to have connections to people who can continue to teach both Reece and I more about these gifts.

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  13. What a wonderful place to go and visit, I bet Reece loved it, and has he started looking for similar plants on your regular walks in nature? I was very excited to find some wild watercress out walking yesterday, there is something very satisfying about foraging.

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    1. It is a lovely urban farm and we are going back tomorrow for another workshop :) Most of the plants we talked about, he already knew, but yes, he often notices plants when we are out in the woods, or even in the backyard.

      I agree, so very satisfying :)

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