Friday 11 January 2013

Blog Launch and Book Giveaway

Welcome to my new blog covering all things foragey!

If you've made new year's resolutions which include:

  • Getting more exercise
  • Spending more time outdoors
  • Finding a new hobby
  • Saving money
  • Improving your diet
  • Eating seasonally/locally

then foraging may just be the perfect solution.

I can't hand on heart claim to be knowledgeable in this field, but I love to discover new things and I hope you'll join me on this journey, maybe try some recipes, go out hunting for yourself and join the wild food revolution.

Anyone can have a go at foraging, you don't need any special equipment (except maybe a cute wicker basket so you can skip through the woods like Little Red Riding Hood).  What you will need though is a good identification book.  So to celebrate the launch of this blog I'm giving away a copy of two of my favourites.  First up Gabrielle Hatfield's book 'Hatfield's Herbal'.

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Whilst its black and white sketch images mean it's not perfect for an absolute beginner, used in conjunction with another field guide or cross-referencing online,  it is still a beautiful and fascinating book.

Exposing the secret history of British plants with folklore; ancient medicinal uses and literary references this book can only enhance a country walk.

Secondly, I'm also giving away a copy of Adele Nozedar's excellent book 'The Hedgerow Handbook'.

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When I first bought this book, I devoured it from cover to cover in one sitting.  With its beautiful watercolour and line drawings, identification is straightforward.  Each plant is covered both in terms of medicinal and culinary use and there are the most mouth-wateringly tempting and original recipes of any wild food book.

How can you resist trying Red Clover Lemonade; Ash Key Pickle or Elderflower cheesecake?

So to be in with a change of winning these two books, please leave a comment below saying whatever you like!  It could be a suggestion of what you'd like to see on this blog; a mention of a recipe you've tried, or you could just wish me luck and a few more hours in the day on starting another blog!

For an extra entry, please follow this blog (you'll see a box over there on the left).  Leave a comment saying you've done so.

For a further entry, please follow on Twitter @beechesandhaws and leave a comment saying you have done so.

Terms:

Sorry, open to UK entrants only.  Winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries.  Closing date is Monday 28th January at 12:00 midday.  One winner will receive both books.  Please allow 21 days for delivery.  If the winner has not responded and provided a postal address within 1 week of being notified, I reserve the right to re-draw.