Perhaps it is no wonder then that this time of year brings to mind cooking pots (as I write this I’m reminded I need a new slow cooker). The cauldron is one of those items perhaps most associated with witchcraft, magic and fire.

Food connects me to my family, to my ancestors, to a land distant but important nonetheless. This is what is meant by soul food, the food we share with those we love. Memories made without even trying. The every day made magic. Spanning cultures and times.

Indeed there is something spiritual about working with the land, of running your fingers through dark, fertile soil, of working in sync with the cycles of the season.

Food is more than just nourishment for our bodies, it links us to people, to places and while, when we think of food insecurity, the more obvious losses from not having enough to eat come to mind, there is also a loss that comes with food insecurity that is deeper than hunger. Food is the thread that weaves through the tapestry of life, bringing people closer together.

A good meal can bring families together and forge bonds, there’s a reason why the kitchen is often called the heart of the home. Foraging for food is an almost forgotten skill and is a great way to begin to connect with the natural world or deepen the connection you already have.

Here we will explore folk remedies using everyday ingredients, many of which can be found at home. In the first of these articles we will explore the medicinal qualities of common foods. I will say here that foods benefit us most from the ingesting of them, but it's useful to which foods can help which ailments. Ingredients can also be used in the making of tinctures, poultices and compresses to help ease external wounds and irritations.

The gospel of compost is isn’t a story of the permanent triumph of life over death, but of the eternal interconnectedness of life and death, of joy and defeat, of loss and fulfillment. And ultimately, it is a story of love. Love for the world right here, right now, in all its glorious messiness.

I also think that people are just unsure about how to prepare and cook foraged foods. Berries and fruit aren’t a problem, for the most part you can just eat them as you find them. Plums are so good fresh from the tree, sun warmed and bursting with sweetness! As July comes to an end and August is about to begin, it is the perfect time to get out there and find some tasty treats. Here then are some ideas on what to do with your foraged finds.