What Are You Reading Wednesday?

(Wild Foods and Foraging Edition)

Hi buds!

I’m trying something new here on the Deep Woods Dietitian blog: a weekly post called What Are You Reading Wednesday? (Wild Foods and Foraging Edition). I’m a bit of a bookworm, and I’m pretty much never without several books on the go—at least one of them about wild foods or foraging. So, I thought, why not share notes?

This week, I want to talk about “Dandelion Medicine: Forage, Feast, and Nourish Yourself with This Extraordinary Weed” by Brigitte Mars.

Topic: Dandelions (and how awesome they are)
Author: Brigitte Mars*
Size: Pocket!

What a nifty little book! I have to say, I’m a sucker for books in the pocket-size category. (Although, let’s be real—what kind of pockets do they think we have? Women’s clothing generally has little to no functioning pockets… but I digress!) I do love a book that fits well in the hand and tucks easily into a bag.

Most books cover several plants, but this volume sticks to our one truly resilient and useful friend—the dandelion!

Even though there’s snow outside, this lovely little book has me excited for dandelion season. I’m already dreaming of all the ways we’ll be using them this spring. I’m planning to order my very own copy of the book in anticipation! It's packed with lots of recipe ideas:

From a geeky RD perspective, I really appreciate that the author included nutrient breakdowns for the different parts of the dandelion. I might find myself digging a little deeper into the specifics of those constituents—it’s just too fascinating to pass up! What’s clear, though, is that both the author and most experts agree: dandelions are one of the most nutritious foods in the world.

So, how wild is it that people spend so much time, money, and chemicals trying to get rid of them? It’s a little mind-boggling when you think about it!

If you’d like your own copy and want to support Deep Woods Dietitian projects, please use this affiliate link, or, if possible, grab a copy from your local bookstore. And remember, public libraries are always a fantastic resource—borrow a book and take it for a test drive! 😄

But this isn’t just about me—I want to hear from you! Have you read the book? Let me know what you thought of it. What’s been inspiring you this week? If you’ve got a book recommendation you think I should check out, drop it in the comments—I’m always looking to grow my reading list!

And if you’d like me to do a video or a deeper dive into any of the books I mention here, just let me know. I’d love to hear what you’re most curious about!

Let’s keep learning and growing together, buds! See you next Wednesday! 🌱

*Note: Please remember that just because you read something in a book doesn’t necessarily make it true.  It’s always a good idea to check across other references, and to take a peek at the credentials of the author.  This is particularly important today, when there are reports of books created with AI that have led to harm. 

Many authors have content or views that do not align with best dietetic practices. Please don’t assume I endorse any author fully—but do keep learning with an open and questioning mind!