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RE: This is Us...We are Eliana's Garden. Sharing, living, learning all things forest and homestead.
I'd be glad to collaborate whenever possible as well! Let me know if you have any ideas. :)
Agreed that in today's modern convenient society it is not necessary to seek out sustenance from the wild. However, that's not saying that it isn't beneficial for us or an excellent way to get dietary needs without having to empty your pockets. Chicken of the wood here, for example, is typically found in large amounts and packs a powerful protein punch of 14g per 100g of of edible matter...that's a lot of protein for something that is not animal! Lot's of mushrooms are great nutritionally and medicinally. I'll be exploring some research into all that in future posts. Thanks for the great comments @dber!
One issue I always have is not only the identity of a given species, but the concern about the mushroom picking up local environmental toxins - is this something that professional foragers consider, or is the goal just to avoid obviously contaminated areas?
That is most certainly an issue!! When foraging ANYTHING one should take into consideration the possibility of absorbed toxins. It is also an issue to make sure wherever one is foraging it is legally allowed. Good rule of thumb is to never forage in areas sprayed with any type of fungicide, pesticide, herbicide, etc. No dump sites, brown sites, sprayed lawns, under powerlines, etc. We forage predominantly in private pristine forests. When I go knocking on doors for permission to forward something I've seen while passing by one of the first questions I ask is if they 'treat' their property/lawn/trees with anything. IMO anyone with any common sense will use it when it comes to this...then again it is common for people to spray their gardens and eat it anyway. :/ Thanks for bringing up a good point! That's another great post idea!!
Agreed! Lots of good stuff for you to talk about - sorry to be so actively commenting these last few hours - i'm just sitting around at work waiting for something to happen, with little luck :)
Ha ha! No worries, kids have been down with a crud so I've been indoors today for the most part. I've enjoyed the interactions! Hopefully we'll continue to connect!