I think it’s fair to say that we all enjoy good fruit, am I right? Of course, I am! They’re sweet and juicy, and they often look very appetising. Now, while there are many edible fruits in the wild (such as delicious wild strawberries), there are also a huge number of inedible plants which can … Read more
Cichorium intybus or common chicory is a member of the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It’s a perennial herb that typically has blue flowers – rare instances of chicory plants have white or pink flowers. The common chicory is native to Europe and the Mediterranean, and was introduced to the USA sometime in the 19th Century. There … Read more
Like soap, I’m sure we all use body wash at least once a day, right? Whether it’s in the bath or the shower, it feels good to pamper yourself with a soothing, moisturizing wash. Unfortunately, some store-bought body washes are getting a tad pricey. So, how do we get around this? Well, we make our … Read more
Hazelnuts are the fruits of the Hazel tree and are found in the more temperate parts of the Northern Hemisphere. They’re quite popular in the UK and in other parts of the world as flavorants for desserts and chocolates. A question many younger kids may have when foraging or hiking through nature is… are these … Read more
Food, glorious food, we’re anxious to try it… Okay, okay, I won’t sing anymore, but this is going to be fun and drool-inducing! I’ve been cooking since I was about 10 years old. As a cub scout, I had to cook three meals for my cooking badge (yes, that is a thing). These three meals … Read more
Hiking, camping, and orienteering were a huge part of my childhood. I was camping at least two or three times a month and on hiking trails almost every weekend. These hiking trips took me through many different game reserves, and it was great! I could watch a herd of wildebeest (water buffalo) – from a … Read more
Toys… tools that can keep your child distracted for hours at a time. Every store you visit nowadays has a toy aisle and most of them are a treasure trove of childish distractions. Unfortunately, as the years have gone on, toys have become more advanced and, as a result, more expensive. This price increase can … Read more
Beef jerky is a popular, tasty treat that’s perfect for anywhere and everywhere. Depending on whether you buy it at your local butcher or make it yourself, you want it to last. So, here’s the question: how long does beef jerky last? Store-bought beef jerky will last anywhere between 9 months and 2 years if … Read more
I’m sure we all enjoy a nice, sugary drink every now and then; maybe you like to put loads of sugar in your tea or coffee. Maybe you eat a lot of sugary foods/sweets. Whatever the case, it’s clear that humans have developed quite the sweet tooth since we first started using sweeteners/sugars in our … Read more
As a child, I used to love feeding the ducks at the park. We would toss them slugs and earthworms and watch in delight as they chased their snacks around the lake. Of course, we also fed those ducks a great deal of snacks we had in our bags – things like bread, crackers, and … Read more
Usually, when we think of milk, we think of supermarkets, plastic bottles, or cardboard cartons. We also typically think of pasteurized milk, not the raw, unpasteurized milk that comes straight from the cow. This begs the question: is it good for you? No, raw milk is not good for you. While it does have a … Read more
Canned foods are a staple in my household. We eat a can of sweetcorn or baked beans often. They’re quick, convenient, easy to make; you can’t really go wrong with them. With that said, sometimes you don’t feel like standing in front of the stove and cooking so here’s the question: Can you eat canned … Read more
Ramen… 2-minute noodles, instant noodles, whatever you call them, this is one heck of a foodstuff! This is quite possibly a hiker’s best friend, while out on the trails because it’s lightweight, it doesn’t take up much space in your pack, and it’s easy to prepare. Additionally, it’s great for household meals and snacks – … Read more
I know I’ve talked about this already but growing up on hiking trails and in campsites, there were only a few rules that we had to worry about. A crucial one was don’t touch anything! You don’t mess with Mother Nature, and she won’t mess with you. So, you’d think that with a name like … Read more
Impatiens Capensis, or the common jewelweed is a plant that’s native to North America and is found in wetlands in ditches and creeks. Another name for jewelweed is the spotted jewelweed or the spotted touch-me-not. The name ‘jewelweed’ comes from the fact that, when held underwater, the leaves appear to be jeweled. It’s often found alongside its relative the yellow … Read more
If you don’t know what it is, don’t touch it. This is a general safety rule that applies to everything and it’s especially true when it comes to plants. Some plants are perfectly safe to eat, while others seem safe but are in fact poisonous, and will make you sick. So, with that in mind, … Read more