On the pulse

Day 124 #365DaysWild

We don’t eat meat. Let’s get that out there. 

Fava beans

Trying to be more plant-based.

Better for the planet.

About 70% of the earths productive land is used for meat production. It takes 25kg of feed to produce 1 kg of beef.

Better for animal welfare.

Compassion in World Farming says: 

Around two in every three farm animals are factory farmed (that’s over 50 billion every year!). These intensive systems put production above all else, creating vast quantities of seemingly cheap meat, milk and eggs. They are reliant on regular use of antibiotics and their waste is contributing significantly to the degradation of rivers and seas.

Better for our health.

The British Heart Foundation says:

Pulses are one of the highest fibre foods – just one portion of pulses provides about a third of the fibre you need for the entire day. That means they can help lower your risk of heart disease stroke, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer. Their mix of protein and fibre means they are digested slowly, making you feel fuller for longer.

And just to push it further we grow as much as we can and grow it organic and no-dig.

One of the hardest parts is growing enough pulses - dried beans and peas.

But we try..

Ambassador peas

Borlotti beans await drying

Czar beans await drying

Growing beans and peas isn’t just good for us. 

Their flowers are great for pollinators.

And their roots contain tiny nodules which contribute fertility to the soil.

We collect healthy beans and peas each year as our seed for the following season. In doing this, over time, the seeds we sow become plants that are better-suited to our conditions, more productive and healthier.