In times of restrictions on freedom (face masks, curfew), I’m inspired to share with you about illness and health from the food forest at De Weegbree. I don’t believe in the idea that we get sick from each other when we come close, when we expel droplets or moisture. I believe that we can exhibit symptoms of illness as humans when there’s an imbalance in our physical, emotional, and/or psychological being. This imbalance can arise and be exacerbated by stressors such as air pollution, toxins in the soil and sea (agricultural pesticides, plastics, etc.), poor-quality food, high workloads, and unfulfilling work. It’s always a combination of different factors and requires addressing the source: healthy soil. When we have an imbalance, we can exhibit strong reactions to viruses in the form of illness symptoms.
Viruses, bacteria, and fungi are always a significant part of our environment and our internal biology. Viruses are part of all life on Earth.
Viruses are constantly spreading through the air, whether we wear a face mask or not. This is uncontrollable and doesn’t need to be controlled by a face mask or vaccine. And even if we manage to control this specific form of the virus, another one will be flying around the next season. When I’m sick, I can feel where my system is out of balance. In this way, illness becomes an opportunity to heal and become more resilient.
As a person, I’d like to have the choice of whether or not to wear a face mask, in all situations. Just as I want the choice of asking friends and family for support when I’m sick.
Furthermore, I want to focus on creating a healthy living environment for myself, my family, all my relationships, and future relationships. For me, food forests—or edible landscapes—are a wonderful way to transition to a healthy living environment. They provide us with vital food, in the form of fruits, nuts, tubers, salads, and so on. Many plants have medicinal properties and contain high levels of phytonutrients, thanks to the healthy forest soil and deep root systems, thus strengthening our immunity. The air quality in a (food) forest is wonderful! Furthermore, a significant amount of CO2 is captured by woody plants in the soil of a food forest. In a food forest, we can connect with the cycles of the seasons, of life and death, of the animals that live there, and the plants that grow there. Moreover, it also helps to deepen and strengthen our connection with our inner nature and diversity.
Managing food forests promotes healthy physical activity. The diversity in a food forest helps balance plant diseases and pests. If one plant species is eaten by an animal, there are plenty of others, and usually, within one to two years, a predator will happily rein in the animal’s population.
My dream is that a lot of available land will be transformed into food forests, food forests where people reconnect with themselves, the nature that permeates and surrounds them.
If you would like guidance in starting your (shared) food forest dream, I would be happy to help you.