What is it about manual labor that makes you crave a hardy breakfast?
I’m talking thick slabs of bread.
Eggs made easy side up with just the right amount of runniness.
And don’t forget bacon. NEVER forget bacon!
So why have I been craving a hardy breakfast all of a sudden?
WWOOFing
What the heck is it?
Almost every country has its own dedicated WWOOFing website, where people can scan requests for volunteers at organic farms. In return for working a certain amount of hours, you get a free room and food. Not a bad tradeoff if find the right gig.
And did we ever find the right gig.
Based on the glowing reviews by my friend Allie, we decided to join her and her boyfriend, Jim, in the Tuscan countryside to get our hands dirty, save some money, and live just about as local as we can get.
We work about 4-6 hours every day with duties ranging from office work (not exhausting) to hiking the extensive trails on the 500 hectare property and clearing them of vines while marking them with spray paint (very exhausting). While the trail work can be tiring, it is also exhilarating.
Long hikes in the Tuscan woods + machetes in hand = awesome fun.
But all of that hiking, slashing, and trail blazing leaves us drained of energy. Which is where the hardy breakfast cravings come in.
After a few days out in the woods, we all decided we need to step up our breakfast game.
Fresh eggs from the chicken coop behind our cottage? Check.
Homemade bread from the brick oven on the farm? Check.
Gigantic slices of heirloom tomatoes? Check.
And thin slices of bacon from the local butcher? Double Check.
Drizzle a little of the ridonkulous Umbrian olive oil we still have from our Umbria trip on top and no doubt about it… our hardy breakfast cravings were surely satisfied in a delicious breakfast sandwich.
Your Turn: What is your go-to breakfast when you know you have a hard day of work ahead? Is bacon involved?
Quit his job to try actually following his dreams for once... and is currently loving it. He is working hard to to make this life-style permanent by writing about his adventures and brainstorming money making opportunities with his partner-in-crime, Meg.
Working before breakfast, what what what!!
Abigail
TheVanGelders.com
http://dinnerwithnomads.wordpress.com
Farm life!
ill be honest, im not really a breakfast eater. i dont normally get hungry until around lunch time. but living in scandinavia, they make open faced sandwiches for breakfast and i have reallllllly learned to enjoy that for a breakfast meal. otherwise, i just eat fruit
but really, anything with bacon in it is ok in my book.
I’m right with you, Megan! I was never a breakfast eater but Meg has showed me the light. Totally changes my whole day and makes me a much nicer person… I used to be quite grumpy before lunch!
And when is bacon not good? Totally agree!
WWOOFing has always sounded so cool to me, so I’m really jealous you guys are actually doing it! And that sandwich? Also making me jealous.
We have always talked about WWOOFing but never pulled the trigger until the stars aligned and we got invited to join a friend who was already doing it. So much fun! Definitely hard work but hey… we’re living and eating in the Tuscan countryside. Not that bad!
When gearing up for an active day, I like to have either scrambled eggs or an omelet with some turkey sausage and some bacon!
I’ve not heard of WWOOFing before. Will have to check into that!
Turkey sausage AND bacon? I like the way you eat breakfast!!!
WWOOFing is a great way to see the world cheaply since a room and food is covered… just can’t be afraid to get sweaty!
yes!! Well said Tony – Sono molto felice that I was able to partake in that sandwich as well
If that is the breakfast for your outside work what do you plan for your office day
That sandwich makes me hungry right now at 7AM in the states
Oh yeah… never read a food article before you’ve eaten… terrible for your cravings!
Despite being a vegetarian, I do love the photos above and the entire concept of WWOOFING. Great job!
Thanks, Charu! WWOOFing has been a great experience… couldn’t recommend it more highly! We have heard horror stories from other people but one week in and we are having a blast! Have you ever done it?
When I first saw the title of this article I thought you were talking about Ryan’s start up company on The Office and I got excited, then I was somewhat disappointed, and then I got to the part about bacon and I was excited again. This article was a roller coaster ride of emotions.
Tony I noticed you didn’t comment on Allie’s post. I’m 99% sure this is because you couldn’t understand the Italian in her post. “Sono molto felice” means she’s happy… you’re welcome. Now go respond to her.
I went to pick strawberries on a farm on Sunday and it is now Wednesday and my hamstrings are still tight. Farm work is no joke, but I love what you’re doing. I think WWOOFing would be my go to move if I traveled the world. In bocca al lupo! (one day you’ll get that)
While Ryan from the office had a genius idea with Woof… it’s nothing compared to WWOOF. Next time you’re bored at work, browse some WWOOFing options and be prepared to have hours fly by.
Thanks for the help with Allie’s comment… You caught me with my Italian awkwardness… usually I just respond with Ci or No depending on the tone of someone’s voice. Works 90% of the time!
Strawberry picking is brutal! All of that bending kills ya. There are a ton of different WWOOFing options though so you should definitely check it out.
Thanks for the all time classic comment, Kipp!
Great article! My husband and I are planning a WWOOFing trip and were very iterated in going to Tuscany. Your experience sounds pretty awesome. How can we contact them? What are their names or WWOOFing page?
I appreciate your help!
Definitely browse the offerings at http://www.wwoof.it/en/, which is the website for the italian portion of WWOOF. If anything looks good, you have to pay an annual fee to get the contact details.
Our stay was at Barbialla Nueva. I’m not sure if they are looking for more work right now, but you can always contact them through their website to find out!
Definitely try WWOOFing once. Some people have terrible experiences, but we truly loved it and would do it again. Good luck!
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