Since retiring and having time to forage and grow food, I have felt a stronger connection to the food that we eat. It is no longer a habit to eat because it is a certain time of day, or a way of refuelling. It is now more of a ritual, a celebration. We are grateful for our food, every ingredient is precious, and I want to make the best of it with no waste. My wish is to make them sparkle, to make them the star of the show. We have walked and toiled to pick them, grown them, or spent our small food budget on them. They are important.
My connection to food has certainly improved over the years. I used to eat so much junk and never bothered if it was ultra processed or not. I wasn’t even aware of the difference. My food is not just about nutrition now, though, it is about memories, rainfall, sunlight, and being close to nature. It is about following the traditions of my anscestors, and slowing down, celebrating the seasons. I am acknowledging part of my daily story and routine. The one that healed me.
Memories stir from the feel of the soil in my hands and under my finger nails as I transplanted crops, or the hope in my heart as I sowed seeds. My food is a result of knowledge learned over many years. We spend hours growing and foraging. My food is my purpose, in a way. Growing and foraging, cooking it, sharing it, and writing about it. A lot of my food is a gift from Mother Nature and I am so grateful. As Autumn approaches we have family meals using all of our grown and foraged ingredients to celebrate. Mini harvest festivals sharing our love and gratitude.
My hunger isn’t satisfied or nourished by supermarket food. The cravings are still there after I have eaten it. I don’t feel that instant energy that I do when I throw a handful of picked berries into my mouth, or crunch a freshly picked apple. I don’t feel alive or that spiritual connection, that bond from engaging my senses. Home grown food tastes like a celebration in my mouth. Supermarket vegetables don’t smell like they used to, either. I don’t get that heady wave from smelling an apple off the shelf. They are often covered in wax to preserve them, or are months old. Swiping a bar code brings no joy, or the guilt of eating a slightly disappointing chocolate bar that doesn’t taste as good as it used to.
My connection to food is my revolution, my way of being independent. The only power I have to step away from the system. To stand up and say I won’t give in or give up. I will fight for nature, I will protect her in the ways that I know how. It is my way of being gentle and showing kindness in a world that feels like it is getting darker and more disconnected every day. For we are nature. When nature dies we die.
Her wisdom I share, and that food is our medicine. I will remind people to be sustainable, to protect the bees, and save the seeds so that we still have choices. Leaving enough food for wildlife, and to insure it regrows the following year is also my message. I will not turn my back on nature for convenience or an easier life. I am scared that if we look away for too long, or ignore what is happening for much longer, she may disappear for ever. Are you scared too?
Another interesting reading Toni. Can’t wait till I retire and have time to grow my own produce. Definitely taste so much better buying produce locally. Today I picked up plums,green beans,apples and beetroot from the food waste larder, donated from thirlstane castle gardens, organically grown. Ive been buying vegetables grown nearer to me now, and avoud those fake tomatoes,peppers grown in those big plastic tunnels in Holland under artificial conditions. Food definitely isn’t tasting like it used to I agree with you. Strange though when on holidays in Europe tge fruit taste awesome from there markets and supermarkets,it’s like the UK has all tasteless rubbish. Thanks for sharing ❤️
Yes I have noticed in places like Greece and Italy that the food is fresher and has more taste. Unfortunately we are one of the countries with the highest consumption of UPF.
So true Toni . It’s humbling to be given the gifts from Nature & love that your family are sharing your beliefs & natures bounties . I loved as children living by the season & as I have grown older recognise the importance of cycle of life & the seasons x
Yes we seem to forget for a while, don’t we. Usually we are striving to be ‘successful’ and thencrealise that it is not about money. Glad that we both understand now.
Inspiring article which makes me wish I could broadcast it loud and clear for all to hear and to understand. Your voice needs to be heard by a wider audience. Young people should be growing food to enjoy it now, not waiting to retire. Sorry, I’ll get off my soapbox.
I really appreciate all your posts, best wishes, Pam
We are standing on the same soap box Pam. Thank you.
Yes, I’m scared.
I try to give wildlife lots of room and consideration in my own quite large garden and to talk other people out of using poisons in their gardens as a small contribution to protecting nature. I eat more vegetarian meals and save on energy consumption as well. This is financially sensible, but also reduces the my imprint on nature. My little will not save the world, but that is no excuse for not doing my bit.
I agree. We have to hope that if we all do our bit and pass on knowledge, it may make a bit of a difference
I wish your blog could be broadcast to people who think that the junk in supermarkets is food. Fast food=get sick quick. At least 8aisles can be dismissed as not real food. Sadly kids don’t have domestic science/ cookery lessons in school now and there’s a missed generation of can’t cook. How great would it be if kids could learn to forage and grow food?.
Wouldn’t it be great if they learnt about the chemicals in food in chemistry lessons.
Wouldn’t it be great if they learnt how straightforward it is to heal your body with food and herbs.
Another brilliant post. Thanks.
Thanks. Absolutely. My domestic science lessons have helped me in life more than my academic subjects. The school cooking lessons often contain convienance food now. I am still learning about the healing. If I still worked with children I would definitely be teaching about it.