11/08/2026
Homegrown > a bottle of booze.
This is Dr Wang, my Chinese doctor - a little intuitive, mystical, magical lady who has helped me on my healing journey over the past couple of months, mentally+ physically.
We discovered we are both ‘avid allotmenters’. We enjoy talking about our progress, successes, disasters and exchanging advice. IYKYK 🌱
This week, I brought her some little treasures from my garden: a courgette with lots of personality, purple peppers and some local honey from our apiary. A simple way of saying thank you.
Her reaction melted my heart. She was genuinely touched, and I realised she may not have received a gift like that before from one of her patients. I knew she would appreciate it far more than a bottle of wine.
There’s something beautiful about gifting something you’ve grown, cooked, prepared or preserved yourself. I love baking cakes for everyone who comes to my workshops - because when you’re in my ‘home’, you get fed! Last week’s group even got ice-creams!
These things carry time, patience, energy, consideration, care, nourishment and love. They remind us of our connection to the land, to each other and to the simple things that keep us grounded.
This tradition is naturally ingrained in so many cultures + communities. Our Lithuanian neighbours regularly share their homecooked treats with us, and when their mum visits, she brings foraged mushrooms and vegetables. We share our abundance right back.
I’ve gifted homegrown veg and preserves to people before and been met with a very confused face. 😂 I know not everyone sees the magic in a homegrown courgette - and that’s okay.
But perhaps we’ve become disconnected from these simple exchanges: knowing where our food comes from, understanding the work behind it, getting soil under our fingernails and recognising the energy that goes into nurturing something from seed.
When you slow down, step away from the noise and ego, even the smallest offering can feel incredibly meaningful.
I never expect anything in return. But Dr Wang thanked me for my “hard work” and gave me a tin of Chinese tea and little charms in return. Bless her.🥹
I’ll take homegrown squash anyday.
