Game- Pheasant Supper

I have been reading an article entitled: 'Is eating local produce actually better for the planet?'

The content of the article looks at all manner of things from food miles and waste, production methods, packaging, processing and transportation.

As I read the article I began mulling over last nights supper which was delivered to me on foot (no fossil fuels required), came in the feather (the best and most earth friendly packaging), created no waste (the carcass went out for the foxes) and made for a local, seasonal, fresh, tasty and highly nutritious treat.

I learnt a new word from the article: Locauores - a person whose diet consists only or principally of locally grown or produced food, which is a good description for me and the majority of those I know.

Speaking to people about having been given a brace of pheasant, their first response when I told them that the birds were 'in the feather' was a horrified facial expression followed by my being asked if I was going to pluck and gut them.

The extended horror on their faces and related sounds that came when I said that I was to do so shows how far we have come from the connection with our food('real food') - and the earth.

Another article that I read is entitled: Move to sustainable food systems could bring $10tn benefits a year, study finds - Existing production destroys more value than it creates due to medical and environmental costs, researchers say.

This one got me shaking my head as I pondered the question: Why oh why did we shift away from the sustainable systems that we already had?

It is not that long ago that gardens were full-to-brimming with fruit and vegetables...herb gardens and pots provided many flavour adding delights from chives to sprigs of thyme...Chickens laid eggs in Coops in the gardens, house-cows and goats gave milk.

Granted, not everyone could have all of these, which is why people grew and had what they needed, and then shared.

As well, depending on the season: Crab apples, wild garlic, cob nuts, blackberries and all manner of things, were 'and remain' available for foraging in our hedgerows.

People baked and blanched and bottled and preserved - some never strayed from this 'sustainable 'way' of living' without thought for it being a system or putting a price tag on something that 'in truth' (as we will come to understand all to well) is priceless.

Does it take time, effort, skill, imagination, patience and getting your hands dirty?

Yes it does-the rewards though are great - wholly 'beyond measure' - something that I personally appreciate and never take for granted.

Back to my Pheasant supper - made in the slow cooker (uses less energy), the meat simply fell off the bone. It was simply divine - and, because there was more than I needed for one meal, the rest is now frozen in batches for future meals.

When plucking the birds, as always, I gave thanks to them for giving themselves over to provide for my sustenance.

It's a kind of ritual to do so - part of the process - just as the whole experience is a part of the 'natural' cycle of life.

Pheasant is a healthy meat that is low in fat (much less that chicken or duck and certainly goose) and high in protein - not only this it is full of iron, zinc and selenium - minerals that we need to maintain good health.

So, it's healthy and delicious - and for those counting calories, pheasant has fewer calories than beef for example.

"If you were to eat a whole pheasant you’d be consuming about 280 calories. It would have zero grams of carbs, 14 grams of fat and 36 grams of protein." Via: Meadow Brook Game Farm.

Driving to my desk today I saw a pigeon on the side of the road. Sadly I wasn't able to stop and pick it up - however, I hope someone did otherwise that would be a kind of food waste!

Road kill is free food! You or a fox, someone or thing will eat it.

Our connection with our natural environment is better for us and the planet - it is sustainable and offers benefits galore.

The attached picture of my supper shows one of them - it was a delicious supper, one among many that ensures that I remain connected to life in a way that is essential, not only to me, but to us all.

We have come away from our natural roots over recent years - something that has caused so many problems that we see today.

It is time to return to nature and the natural way of being at one with the earth before we render it depleted, toxic and uninhabitable - a factor that is not as easily digestible as my supper.

"Uninhabitable: adjective. If a place is uninhabitable, it is impossible for people to live there, for example because it is dangerous or unhealthy."

My Pheasant Supper offers 'Food for thought' indeed!

Article – © Susanne Austin, 4th February 2024 (Note: all text written by Susanne personally unless lines or sections are stated as quoted text).

Susanne Rachel Austin writes on Personal and Environmental Wellbeing… 'Healthy People – ‘Healthy Environment’ - covering natural health and wellbeing, eco-build, sustainable, green and 'one planet' living as a business and daily lifestyle choice for all. Susanne is also the author of a daily ‘True Life Wisdom Of The Day’ shared upon several social media channels and is currently in the process of writing a book and putting together a series of workshops. Speaking engagements are also woven into these plans. Susanne’s new website is germinating 'Quite Naturally' in-line with this creative process and will be launched as and when complete.