Two days ago I ran out of all provisions I had bought from town. I had either the choice of going to buy more or give it a shot eating only things I could harvest and forage. I chose the latter and let me tell you, it is very time consuming! You kind of spend most of your daily energy collecting what you need to eat, and in my case, the firewood to cook it. But it's just because I'm not used to it. Some time ago I would practice this but I wouldn't worry about eating my fill, if I was still hungry I would meditate. This time I've been trying to keep up with my hunger.
A lot of time goes into taking care of the plants while harvesting, removing the decayed leaves and adding soil on top, so that's some extra time involved.
Sorry no colorful visual post today. I hope to deliver that tomorrow. For now, just a little update to not lose momentum and keep things flowing. I've also been so focused on this new way of eating that I forget to take pictures. All I can share for now is one I took of my breakfast where I fried apples from the tree. Yeah, why not? People eat fried eggs, whats wrong with a fried apple?
I'm also trying to make progress on the greenhouse, which is what is seen on the cover picture. The first frosts have fallen and by miracle my cannabis plants survived, though the tomatoes might not make it. I'm preparing the next forest life journal on that project and hoped to post it today but all the harvesting and foraging just ate away my day.
Some people would immediately say: "see, living off the land is inneficient". But this is not true, the place where I've established had poor soil, mainly clay, so abundance is developing but not quite there yet. However, like anything in life, its a matter of patience until you can create the right conditions for plants of high nutritional value to settle. Then its better tha money: you will not have to spend on doctors, medicine, food, building materials... It'll all be growing right there in the yard. In my view of life, this is highly efficient.
Also, if it feels inefficient its because our lack of experience and the disconnection we're experiencing due to the educational system and tech adiction. If we had more practice we'd be much faster at selecting whats useful to us from Nature and processing it adequately. But we've become very sluggish and are extremely focused on what the mind talks all day. A true Buddhist nightmare.
Have you ever tried going on for a day with only harvested and foraged foods? I would love to know your experiences. Till next time!
