|
|
|
Handbook of Edible Wild Plants and Weeds, Vol 1 by
Fern J. Ritchie
"In times of strife, economic or disaster, the need for
food doesn't diminish, but the usual sources may not be
available. Some wild edibles are nutritious to some
degree, while others are highly nutritious. If you are
really hungry, either way, they will provide food. You may
learn about the food sources that surround us, and they
present new possibilities for your eating pleasure. A
person need not go hungry under these circumstances if
there is a willingness to learn beforehand. When camping,
most people take all the conveniences and necessities with
them as if the wilderness was another planet. Lost in the
woods, the edible things about them have no meaning. It's
time to wake up to the natural possibilities available.
The need is closer than you may think. One main purpose
for this book, indeed, the entire Incredible Edibles
Series, is that whatever situation you find yourself,
there is always food available. It's always good to know
what is edible in an emergency, for refreshment on a hike,
a camping trip, or just as a new experience...." |
|
The Neighborhood Forager: A Guide for the
Wild Food Gourmet by Robert K. Henderson Unique,
practical guide for the wild food gourmet! In
The Neighborhood Forager: A Guide For The Wild Food
Gourmet, Robert Henderson demonstrates that
foraging for wild edibles is not difficult, nor does it
require special equipment or traveling to some distant
swamp or forest. Indeed, there is a bounty of harvestable
foodstuffs to be found in the suburbs or the city.
Profusely illustrated throughout, The Neighborhood Forager
is organized into chapters based on plant type and is a
complete "how to" introduction for the novice wild edibles
gatherer covering hundreds of widespread, delicious,
nutritious species of plants within easy reach of
everyone. Henderson provides complete harvesting and
drying tips; dyers notes for making natural dyes from
plants); foraging advisors (identifying poisonous plans
and "look-alikes"); more than 30 creative recipes; details
on preserving and cooking; traditional and medicinal uses
(with instructions for making herbal teas and other
tonics), and more. From Mediterranean Turkey with Conifer
Tips, Spruce Beer, and Marigold Vinegar, to Elderflower
Champagne, Wild Greens Rockefeller, and Walnut Pickles,
The Neighborhood Forager is a unique and practical guide
for the wild food gourmet." Reviewed by Midwest Book
Review from Oregon, WI |
|
Wild Fruits: Thoreau's Rediscovered Last Manuscript
by Henry
David Thoreau
"It's
really about fruit!... everything you ever
wanted to know about every kind of fruit the New England
landscape has to offer: when it blooms, where it can be
found, texture, color, everything." A reader from
Richmond, VA "After reading this book, I was much
more aware of the fruits of my own native Michigan fields
and woods-- blackberries, rose hips, elderberries, wild
grapes, and viburnums were all there this summer, more
numerous and beautiful than ever before. I found
myself collecting and tasting plants I never would have
thought to try before, Henry's words openened a whole new
world to me. Then, in August, I made a pilgrimage to
Massachusetts, looking for and tasting the fruits of New
England, even the fabled huckleberries, on Cape Cod
National Seashore and in the Walden Woods, as I sauntered
along the railroad tracks into Concord from the pond. Even
this fall, when I came back to my university in Colorado,
I discovered and gathered the fruits of the prickly pear
cactus, and have saved the seeds, hoping to possibly
propagate them. Read these last sweet words from our
friend Henry-- let him teach you to love the simple
natural joy that can be found nestled among the shrub-oaks
and pitch pines: our free, wild American fruits...."
Brandon Zwagerman, Boulder, Colorado
|
|
Edible Wild Plants: a North American Field Guide by
Thomas S. Elias
"... Wild Plants is divided by seasons, and what is
edible just in case you are surviving in nature's
wonderland without fast food places just three miles down
the road.... The color photographs show the shapes and
colors of the leaves and berries, which makes describing a
meal easier. A map of the U. S. is coded to show you where
the plants are likely to grow. Additionally, there are
many details about the plants, such as what part to eat
and whether it can be a full meal or just a salad. One of
the most important details included about the plants is a
list of poisonous look-alikes... I give this five stars
for photography, information, and an easy to use reference
book. " Victoria Tarrani CA |
|
The Encyclopedia of Edible Plants of North America by
Francois Couplan, Ph.D., James A. Duke
"unbelievable! Although it lacks color pictures,
it is by far the most complete listing of edible plants
that I've ever seen (over 4000 plants covered) and tells
you how to identify and use EVERY part of a plant from the
Flower to the Leaf to the Bark to the Root (and any other
part that may be usable) If your into long term survival
or just want a snack on the trail, this book has it
covered." Reviewed by Phil Ashman from Hamilton, Ohio |
|
Basic Essentials: Edible Wild Plants & Useful Herbs, 2nd
Edition (Basic Essentials) by Jim Meuninck
"Author's Unabashed Review.... This second edition has
color photos. There are detailed recipes and
identification tips. We cover Native American medicine,
Chinese medicinal uses and modern pharmaceutical uses. The
book is called the basic essentials because there are many
edible wild plants out there that are not fit to eat! In
this book I focused on plants worthy of your cooking
efforts. The book, unlike others, is organized by how you
stumble across wild plants: geographic context. Or, more
simply, they are organized in the environment that they
are found. Thus, plants in wet areas are treated
separately from meadow plants. And plants of the forest
have their unique section separate from the seashore and
mountianous plants. Yes, we have added plants from the
seashore and tidal zones as well as my favorites from
mountainous areas...We didn't leave the sunbirds out
either. There are several desert edible included. There is
a important section on poisonous plants and poisonous look
alikes. There are more recipes, better recipes and lists
of my top ten favorite wild plants and my top ten favorite
edible flowers. With color photos and attention to plants
that are quality food (vitamin, mineral and phytochemical
content) this new field guide is a great value for under
ten dollars." Reviewed by Jim Meuninck from
Edwardsburg, Michigan |
|
A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central
North America (Peterson Field Guides) by Lee Allen
Peterson, Roger Tory Peterson
"This book is very well written. it contains over 400
drawings and 78 color photos, to help in the
identification of the mentioned plants. Each entry
contains information on habitat, when they flower, a
description and the uses. Also contains any applicable
warnings. The line drawings are very accurate and are more
than enough, when coupled with the descriptions, to be
able to identify just about any plant. But if you have any
doubts, check the color photos. Also, at the back of the
book, it contains the various types of plants divided up
into habitat, and then each habitat divided into what
plants can be harvested there during various seasons. "
Huntress Review, SC
|
|
Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in
Wild (And Not So Wild Places) by Steve Brill, Evelyn
Dean "This is a
fantastic book. Very thorough information about finding,
identifying, harvesting, preparing, and uses of edible
wild plants. The plant drawings are fantastic and much
easier to use than color photos. I enjoy his emphasis on
finding edibles in your lawn or other "not so wild"
places. Also includes lots of invaluable information on
poisonous plants to avoid and poisonous "look-alikes" to
beware of. He has a great sense of humor and an
entertaining style. I bought the book and then had to
immediately by another as a gift. I just got lunch by
weeding my driveway... " Tanya, West Chester PA |
|
The Foraging Gourmet by Katie Letcher Lyle Edible plants
grow wild along roadsides, in country fields, and in urban
parks. All manner of leafy greens, mushrooms, and herbs
that command hefty prices at the market are bountiful
outdoors and absolutely free for the taking. But to enjoy
them you must know how to recognize, when to harvest, and
how to prepare and eat them. The Foraging Gourmet
concentrates on the most commonly found of these wild
comestibles, going beyond a field guide's description to
provide folklore and mouth-watering recipes for each
entry, such as wild asparagus pizza, fiddlehead soup,
blackberry mousse, and elderberry pie. This fully
illustrated guide is the perfect companion for hikers,
campers, and anyone who enjoys eating the good food of the
earth. With The Foraging Gourmet in hand you'll never walk
through a field again without casting your eyes about with
dinner in mind. |
|
Foraging New England: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing
Edible Wild Foods and Medicinal Plants from Maine to
Connecticut by Tom Seymour
Through the seasons, this forager's paradise offers a
continually changing list of wild, harvestable treasures.
From Beach Peas to Serviceberries, Lamb's-Quarters to
Lady's Thumb, Hen of the Woods to Mugworts, Foraging New
England guides you to the edible wild foods and healthful
herbs of the Northeast. Organized by environmental zone,
this valuable reference guide will help you identify and
appreciate the wild bounty of New England. Inside you'll
find: detailed descriptions of edible plants
and animals; tips on
finding, preparing, and using foraged foods; a glossary of
botanical terms; eighty-seven color photos. |
|
Wild Roots by Douglas B. Elliott "Book
should be called Wild Roots from Eastern United States!
First of all, I enjoy any book about plants. So I have
to say that Wild Roots is a nicely illustrated book about
plant roots, tubers, corms and rhizomes. But, I was
dissapointed when I found that over half of the plants
discussed grow in the eastern and northeastern United
States. The title claims that the book is about plants
that are found in North America so I expected to find a
variety of information about plants in my neck of the
woods, which is in the western United States. Had I known
that most of the plants grow nowhere near California or
the southwest, I probably would have not purchased the
book. Yes, the book discusses plants which are widespread
such as dandelion, wild carrot, chicory and cattail but
there are several books that talk about those plants at
length. I guess I was expecting to read something
different. If you live east of the rockies, then this is a
fabulous book about plant roots, tubers, corms and
rhizomes." Reviewed by Sheri Lubin from Idyllwild,
California |
|
Tom Brown's Guide to Wild Edible and
Medicinal Plants by Tom Brown Jr. Plant
information not found elsewhere... In this Tom Brown,
Jr. Field Guide, the reader is connected to plants in ways
not explored in more scientific field guides. Mr. Brown
shares stories, feelings and energies connected to various
plants. In addition, there are medicinal and edible uses
you WILL NOT find in other guides. These uses come from
the Native American traditions so thoroughly explored by
Grandfather Stalking Wolf and Tom Brown, Jr. himself. If
you are a wild plant enthusiast, add this book to your
library. If you have read Tom Brown, don't pass this one
up." Reviewed by Doug Kramer from Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada |
|
Stalking the Wild Asparagus by Euell Gibbons "An American
Classic from a natural naturalist... Euell Gibbons became
a household word after the 60's because he did a famous
cereal commercial "Tastes like wild hickory nuts." Now
most of us have never chewed on hickory nuts, but we were
captivated by Euell's down-home charm. And during his
heyday, we were getting back to nature, being hippies,
reading the Foxfire books and re-acquainting ourselves
with nature after the cosmic-rocket styles of the 50's.
This book is fun to read because of Euell's way of writing
as if he were walking beside you in a field, pointing out
the bounties of nature to you personally. His praise of
the humble cat-tail, seen in any marsh or even in highway
medians is nothing short of a miracle. I think he could
survive on cat-tails alone for weeks. Perhaps Euell felt
so strongly about wild foods because as a teen during the
Depression in the Texas dustbowl, he provided for the
family during a particularly lean time, by gathering wild
foods to supplement their diet of mostly pinto beans. He
wandered many states later on in his life, finally
settling in Camp Hill, PA with his wife Freda, but he
never lost his love of wild foods and his feeling that, no
one need be hungry if he is a friend of nature. This book
is especially poignant if you have read Into the Wild by
Krakauer, the account of a young man who strikes off into
the wilds of Alaska to test his mettle, and perishes from
a fatal mistake in botany. I recommend all of Euell
Gibbon's books, but especially this one, as it was written
straight from his heart. After 30 years, it still never
fails to enchant." Reviewed byJoanna Daneman from
Europe |
|
Stalking the Healthful Herbs by Euell Gibbons "One of Euell
Gibbons best, back in print... The original "Stalking the
wild..." editions went out of print some years ago and
that was a shame. Nobody but a character like Euell
Gibbons could write such a downhome book that passed on
folk wisdom and botany in a delightful way. I actually
prefer this book to "Asparagus" because it is a bit more
useful. For example, if you live nearly anywhere in middle
America, violet leaves pop up in your lawn and garden.
They're readily available and easy to find. And he gives
uses for cucumber-scented borage, which you can actually
plant from seeds. This herb now is a top seller for its
healthful oil-rich seeds that contain linoleic acid. If
borage doesn't grow in your fields, you can put it in your
herb garden. He gives great ideas for violets, borage,
mint and other herbs either readily found or available to
grow.
Careful however; some of the wild herbs look alike; most
dangerously hemlock and parsley, angelica and other
members of the carrot family look alike with their
feathery fronds. Best to take a course in plant
identification at the local community college if you are
collecting these." Reviewed byJoanna Daneman from
Europe
|
|
|
More Books:
Healthy Natural Homes, Healing Home Decor
Herbs for
Health and Beauty
Immortality, Rejuvenation, Life Extension, Longevity
Juices and Juicing
Loving Relationships and Lovemaking
Metaphysics and Spirituality
Natural
Beauty and Cosmetics
Natural Fitness, Spiritual Bodywork
Natural
Health and Healing
Natural Remedies
Organic
Gardening and Permaculture
Personal Growth
Raw Food Lifestyle and Theory
Sprouts and Sprouting, including Wheatgrass
Uncookbooks
Wild Food and
Foraging |
|
|
