Foraging as a Way of Life - by Mikaela Cannon (Paperback)

About the Book

"Nourish your family from nature's pantry. Foraging as a Way of Life documents a full year of wildcrafting for abundant local and seasonal eating. Lavishly illustrated, detailed descriptions of each plant are written in an accessible style, complemented by profiles, recipes, and tips for safe and sustainable harvesting."--

Book Synopsis

Reconnect with nature and nourish your family year-round. Foraging as a Way of Life helps you to safely identify, harvest, and prepare wild edible plants every season, turning everyday walks into meals from the land.

What You'll Learn

• Year-round foraging made easy -- Discover five edible plants each month, from roots and nuts to berries and mushrooms, for a full year of seasonal, local eating.


• Confidence in plant and mushroom identification -- Vibrant photos and detailed descriptions help you safely distinguish edible species and avoid lookalikes.


• Practical, delicious recipes -- Make rosehip soup, pan-fried dandelion flowers, birch-bark cookies, chicory chocolate bars, and more.


• Sustainable and ethical harvesting -- Learn to forage responsibly, protect habitats, and honor Indigenous and ecological knowledge.


• Hands-on connection to nature -- Ideal for gardeners, hikers, families, and anyone wanting to live lightly on the land while increasing food security.

With a foreword by ethnobotanist Nancy Turner, this beautifully illustrated guide blends herbal wisdom, practical foraging skills, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.

Shortlisted for the 2025 Taste Canada Awards: Culinary Narratives.

Start your foraging journey today and transform local fields and forests into a nourishing, sustainable pantry for your family and community.

Review Quotes

Mikaela Cannon brings a combination of personal experience and dedicated research to her engaging profiles of edible species. With detailed descriptions and photos, she brings to life native species special to western North America.
--Jared Rosenbaum, CERP, author, Wild Plant Culture: A Guide to Restoring Native Edible and Medicinal Plant Species

What sets this foraging guide apart from others is that it is arranged by months and seasons to direct you to the best plants and mushrooms to forage at any time of the year! I appreciate the clearly indicated caution boxes and "similar species/look-alikes" sections provided for each entry. This will be a fun book to plan my next foraging trip with.
--Jeanine Davis, associate professor of horticulture, North Carolina State University; author, Growing and Marketing Ginseng, Goldenseal and other Woodland Medicinals; and co-owner, Our Tiny Farm

Mikayla Cannon's passion for harvesting nature's abundance has yielded a comprehensive guide to foraging throughout the year. Beautiful photographs, detailed profiles, and numerous recipes make this book an exciting guide to reclaiming a naturally healthful diet.
--Darrell E. Frey, Three Sisters Farm, and author, Bioshelter Market Garden and The Food Forest Handbook

Foraging truly is a way of life for Mikaela Cannon, and this book captures her meticulously researched knowledge, practical experimentation, and deep respect for the earth and its Indigenous knowledge-keepers. It is beautifully illustrated, and includes recipes, medicinal uses, personal stories, detailed plant descriptions, and wise precautions.
--Remy Rodden, biologist, award-winning envirosinger, and environmental educator www.remyrodden.com

About the Author

Mikaela Cannon is an author and instructor who facilitates classes and workshops focused on responsible foraging and wildcrafting. She is deeply rooted in her community and works with a multitude of local organizations towards the goals of Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation, environmental protection, and climate action. As a homeschooling parent, Mikaela is passionate about passing on to the next generation the skills and knowledge required to harvest and prepare wild foods. She has taken various courses in herbal medicine at Pacific Rim College, as well as studying Ethnobotany, Anthropology, and Biology at Okanagan College in the interior BC. She also trained as a wilderness guide in Sweden. Mikaela and her family raise chickens, sheep, and vegetables on a small farm near Armstrong, BC, Canada.