Get Wild With Your Food on Wild Foods Day
By Brandi Goodman
Wild Foods Day arrives on the 28th of October. This gives you plenty of time to start making preparations and find local places to go to collect your ingredients. Wild Foods Day is a day dedicated to food growing outdoors. The fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and more you can find growing in the wild are what you should be eating. They offer lots of nutritional value and are not hindered by any processing.
Learn to Identify Safe Foods
First, you need to learn how to identify safe foods found in the wild. Not every berry or mushroom you come across is going to be safe to eat. If you still feel unsure about what you're picking, then check it against a foraging guidebook. You can also post a photo of the food online and see if anyone knows what it might be. If you're still unsure, simply avoid eating it.
Visit a Farm
Many farms offer you-pick options for various fruits and vegetables in the area. Lots of people utilize this in the fall by going apple picking. You can usually pay a small fee and fill up a bag or bucket to take home. Pumpkins, blueberries, and strawberries are often provided in these types of plans during various times of the year as well. You can check out Sweetwater Creek Farm and Gurosik's Berry Plantation in North Augusta to see which options they offer. Sometimes, pop-up Farmers Market events will also make their way to your area. You can check those out to at least get fresh produce.
Plant Your Own
Perhaps this day will inspire you to plant your own foods. It may not be entirely wild since it didn't grow there initially, but planting a garden filled with your favorite fruits or vegetables can be fun. You'll get to start your own area where picking can occur and you can enjoy a fresh-from-the-ground food packed with nutrients. You can start some indoor plants if it's not the right season and let them grow inside before you plant them once it's appropriate to do so.
Get wild on Wild Foods Day and get outdoors to pick some foods. Learn what hotspots there are for mushrooms or berries in your area, or find a local farm willing to let you pick some from their place. Healthy foods grown right in nature are far better for your health than processed and man-made versions bought in stores.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Augusta, Ga.