Don't worry about tossing that first bowl. You will find a number of bowls during your explorations, and they all do the same things.

Bowls serve two potential purposes: 1) they can act as a container (similar to a sack or backpack) that can only hold food, and 2) a bowl (any bowl) is needed to make Rotworm stew. Once a particular bowl is used to make stew, it can no longer function as a container.

And when it comes to healing: on the first levels of the abyss are several (one per level) fountains of healing. Some are hidden, some are in hard to reach places. If you drink from them you get a message like "you feel new strength coursing through your veines" and then you know you've been healed, even if you've already had max hp at that time. Mark those fountains on your map and come back to them, when in need of healing.

Another method of healing is sleeping. Try to get a sleeping bag (or find a free bed) and use it. Be careful: if you're starving, you won't recover hp during sleep. Make sure to check your hunger status and eat something before going to sleep.

Then there are magical means of healing. You could find healing potions or simply use healing spells, provided you have the necessary runes, casting skill and mana points. Mana also regenerates during sleep (and slowly on it's own during your adventure).

Thanks. I havent made much progress lately, Ive been a little distracted by Might and Magic 7.

Also an excellent game. :)