The whole point of foraging, at least in my opinion, isn’t simply to cut down on the cost of your monthly food bill. The time and effort required to get a full and varied diet from foraging is extensive and wouldn’t leave a lot of room in your life for other pursuits. I feel that the point of foraging is to teach yourself to notice more while out in the country.

So often in this fast paced, instant gratification lifestyle we have built for ourselves, we overlook and take for granted certain things that were once viewed as an important lifeline for our ancestors. When walking off your Sunday lunch, how often do you look up and notice the seasons’ effects on hedgerows and undergrowth? Perhaps you prefer to gaze downward noticing nothing more than the same well trodden path that you saw last weekend?

Allow yourself the time to appreciate your surroundings

There is so much that nature has to offer us and yet we have forgotten how to appreciate these gifts – many of them we needn’t even ingest to appreciate. Wild thyme, found in sandy soils or rocky outcrops, is the perfect example of allowing yourself the time to appreciate your surroundings. Pinch a little sprig off the plant, rub between your fingers and spend the rest of the walk enjoying a periodic sniff. It will only take a second, but when you inhale that herby fragrance, empty your mind of all your distractions and just enjoy the moment.

Our fast paced lifestyle isn’t a bad thing, mind you. Business is booming for humanity ... but every so often, before we completely alienate ourselves from this world, we need to appreciate that everything we need has always been here. Thyme for you to get out there and start rediscovering your planet!

If you’re not 100% sure that what you’re picking is safe for human consumption, don’t pick it. If you’re prone to food allergies, or pregnant, always seek medical advice before consuming anything foraged in the wild.