"Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth."

- Henry David Thoreau

Today's lesson is about taste.  There are many things that you can eat from outside but there are also many things that can be harmful to you.  We do not want anyone to misidentify a plant and potentially harm themselves so we are asking that you bring a drink and a snack (like trail mix, berries, an apple) with you on your walk.  

**Before you start your journey, please watch the video Don't Eat Nature. **

What you will get out of it: 

Sometimes we eat so fast that we do not take the time to taste or savor our food.  Today you will slow down and notice how food affects your body.  Think about how much energy went into producing that food for you and how much energy is being used by your body to process that food.  

Have you ever thought about your taste buds?  Do you taste the same way as your friends and family?  How does our sense of taste differ from animals?  Check out this article,  Does Food Taste Different to Humans and Animals?  and then watch this video on Human Taste vs Animal Taste.

Are you a supertaster?  Can you taste subtle ingredients in your food?  Check out this video on Why people taste things differently and take the test to see, Are You a Supertaster?

What you will do:

Today you will take a walk in nature and practice making observations using your sense of taste. You will not need to taste things from nature.

• • • Listen to a spirit podcast, keeping your eyes open for things in the forest you think may be edible.

    • Take part in __ minutes of mindful reflection.

    • Engage in 17 minutes of movement

    • Sketch three natural items you think could be edible in your journal and document your reasoning.

    • Reflect on your hike today and the things you have learned.

Recommended Nature Walk:

Easy:

• • 1. Coventry Pond Trail (NJ) .9 miles one way ( Coventry Pond  Directions, Coventry Pond Trail Map)

    2. McDade: Bushkill Village Trail (PA) 1.7, one way ( McDade Trail Directions, Bushkill Village Trail Map)

Medium Long:

• • 1. Upper Ridge Road Trail (NJ) 2.5 miles one way ( Upper Ridge Road Directions, Upper Ridge Road Trail Map) 

Difficult Short:

• • 1. Coppermine Trail (NJ) 2 miles one way ( Coppermine Directions, Coppermine Trail Map )

*We recognize that nature walks are not possible for everyone so, while the hikes are highly recommended, they are not required. Spending time in nature, even the nature found in a park or your own backyard, is absolutely fine.

"woman in blue long sleeve shirt holding chopsticks"   by Nate Johnson