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 Natural in Slovenia! That’s the word my neighbors often told me. Natural is the best. No additives, no fuss, just eat what you have on the land, what nature brings us. 

In the autumn, many of my neighbors go into the forest. They search for the most delicious mushrooms to eat. In spring, they also go into the forest, searching for the delicious wild strawberries. 

In the fields, on the dry grass plains of the Gora region, there are delicious herbs. Yes, the Slovenians use these herbs a lot, adding them to their dishes as spices. 

They love good, nutritious food. Potatoes are a staple in every family. In spring, when the frost is out of the ground, all the farmers start working their land. This needs to be done quickly in May, as the good weather with growth temperatures starts late. It’s definitely a month later here than in the Netherlands. 

For me, it was a bit of a change and also a bit strange at first. But as the seasons passed, we also started to realize. In the mountains, at an altitude of over 800 meters, it can still be quite cold in April. In the first year, I enthusiastically started planting tomatoes in the third week of March. I thought, this will work. I brought them inside at night and during the day my seedlings were outside. The neighbors were amazed, wondering what the neighbor is doing with all those plants. I persevered, worked my land in April, transplanted my shrubs, and put everything in the ground. When I told them about this, they looked at me with surprise. 

“You can’t do that, neighbor. You’re not allowed to work the land in April, because it’s still cold and not good for nature.” Now, after experiencing the seasons with extremes, I have to admit they were somewhat right. It can still be quite turbulent here in April. The temperatures remain low and there’s usually snow as well. Now it’s a given, everywhere in the world, the climate is changing, even here. 

The neighbors say, there used to be a lot of snow, especially 15 to 20 years ago. It was normal to have 50 cm of snow, and often people couldn’t go to work and had to clear snow all day. 

But I’ll tell you more about that later, now let’s focus on natural life. 

They love food without additives, straight from their land! Planting and harvesting potatoes is a family activity. At first, we were amazed, a family gathering… a feast on the land, with father, mother, children, and even grandchildren. And as a finale, a picnic, for Dutch standards, a barbecue, only without all the fuss. Grilling tasty cevapcici, or often roasting a pig on a spit, especially for special occasions or anniversary celebrations. 

No sauce is added here, just white bread and sometimes a salad from the land… natural food! 

We once threw a party here, but even then, Slovenians find it difficult to try something different, because what could be in that margarita food? 

When I tell the neighbor what all I make with just a pumpkin from the land, they don’t know what to do with it. 

Natural is the best, and also a natural life! 

I have become much wiser over these years. I no longer plant tomatoes in April. I wait until the end of April to work the land, depending on the weather, because with a warm spring and the neighbors admitting that the climate is changing! 

But they hold on to their strong traditions, and that’s good. They are a proud people with strong values, rooted in the past, traditions that hold them together, the soul that finds peace in this restless wartime, potatoes that are very important. Nutritious, without additives. 

But also beautiful aspects in families, always ready for each other, helping where needed, no fuss, just natural!