It’s National Work from Home Week

Work companions.

National Work from Home week is the second week in October and we all know how teleworking has grown over the course of the pandemic.

Of course, not every role allows for work from home — essential workers don’t have that option and have been working tirelessly, endlessly to help us all. Whether it is essential workers who are first responders, healthcare professionals, farmers, even the Seasonal Roots team, etc. we are so grateful.

While it’s been a complicated time for everyone, we’d like to take a walk on the lighter and furrier side of working from home.

23 million Americans brought new furry creatures into their home during the pandemic according to the ASPCA.  The Seasonal Roots team is in good company and has also added new adoptions to their mix of oldies-but-goodies working by their side (or on their laps).

One of the perks of working from home is more time with our furry friends. We thought we would share some pics of our extended team or “helpers”.

Karla’s friends Cookie, Goldie and Clancy enthusiastically support her in all of her work and certainly drive greater productivity.

Leslie’s friend Toby is a bit of a trouble maker, but when he is not eating the house, he does take some time to relax, stretch and unwind. He really needs a reboot, but the family seems to want to let him be.

Isabella’s Charlie is a serious-minded companion who sometimes corners her and questions her work. Considerable in-home therapy has been considered, but deemed too expensive.

Sam’s friend Maggie is a bit of a stalker, but he tries to overlook that reality. No really, she is a creeper and a stalker, but look how cute she is…

Landis’s friend Annie is a rather chill companion (and yet super aware of her greatness). She doesn’t let work get her stressed out. She is aware and comfortable with the fact that she rules the world.

By the way, the fact that we have all given our pets human names doesn’t mean anything. They don’t rule our houses in any way. We have many more pets within our family of Market Managers and members. We would love to feature them all, but thought it would be more reasonable to limit to just a few.

Perhaps in a future post, we can shine a spotlight on our human companions that also “help” us with our work. But that is another story entirely.

Spreading joy to our community and all of the many forms that takes – means everything to us. Love to all.

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms and dads who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

Seasonal Roots is #6 on the Fastest Growing “RVA25” List

Seasonal Roots sees growth in Richmond and beyond.

The Seasonal Roots Online Farmers Market is happy to announce it has been named the 6th fastest-growing company in Richmond in a new ranking released by Richmond BizSense as part of their 2021 “RVA 25” awards.

We are excited to be recognized with so many other great organizations in RVA. Companies were ranked by average annual revenue growth over the previous 3-years. Landis Wine (Operations Manager) and Duane Slyder (Seasonal Roots Founder) were both able to attend the Richmond BizSense event at Hardywood on behalf of the team and enjoyed the event as well as the beautiful early fall weather.

Duane Slyder, Seasonal Roots Founder pictured with Landis Wine, Operations Manager.

Landis Wine (Operations Manager), Duane Slyder (Founder)

Shout out and a huge thank you to our members.

Our members are the reason for our growth. As an Online Farmers Market, it has been such an honor to be able to provide healthy produce to homes within days of harvest. This has never been more important than during the pandemic.  Seasonal Roots members have shared their enthusiasm for shopping online year-round for farm-fresh local produce, dairy, meats, baked goods, artisan fare and more. With that enthusiasm, growth has occurred across all of the Seasonal Roots delivery areas – Richmond, Fredericksburg, Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, and the Hampton Roads areas.

And of course we thank our partners – local farmers, bakers and artisans who supply the best products and follow earth-friendly sustainable practices.

While eating farm fresh produce within days of harvest tastes great, it has a bigger impact. Simply by choosing to eat locally, season by season, you know your choices are better for the environment!

The Richmond BiZSENSE article is available here.

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms and dads who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

Warm & Cozy Fall Recipes

🍁Plus: Tips & Tricks for the Fall Kitchen🍁

Gotta have fall recipes as we transition into the fall season! With cooler temps and shorter days bringing us a beautiful bounty of fall produce, the Seasonal Roots team has gathered up our easiest, tastiest recipes to make cooking it all up a piece of cake! First, a few tips…

Clean your oven

Cleaning your oven helps prepare for fall and winter, when we eat less cold, raw food and more hot, cooked food. That way you can kick off the season without setting off your smoke detectors.

Eat produce high in vitamins A & C

They boost your immune system so it’s good and strong for fighting off the germ attacks of cold and flu season.

  • Add greens like kale and collards to smoothies, soups, and pasta dishes.
  • Other local A & C powerhouses include apples, cabbage, carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, parsnips, hard winter squashes, celery, celeriac, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Many contain more vitamin C than oranges!

Eat whole grains

The dietary fiber in brown rice, quinoa, millet, barley, and whole wheat breads aids healthy digestion. Whole grains are also full of iron for healthy blood, antioxidants to keep your cells healthy, and B vitamins to give you energy.

Snack on nuts and seeds

You’ll get some of the healthy fat your body needs, especially if you can hone your tastebuds to enjoy them raw. Walnuts contain especially high amounts of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but most nuts appear to be good for you, too. Topping the healthy seeds list are flax, chia, pumpkin, sunflower, hemp, and sesame, which all have tons of fiber and minerals. For cooking oil, use healthy liquid fats like olive oil, walnut oil, and flaxseed oil. And speaking of seeds…

Save butternut & acorn squash seeds

Don’t throw away those seeds you scoop out of butternut and acorn squashes! They’re deeeelish!

  1. Toss them in olive oil. Don’t waste time picking out the strands that come with them. The strands will shrivel in the heat.
  2. Spread them on a baking sheet and loosely cover with foil or parchment paper.
  3. Roast at about 400 degrees until they start to pop. (The foil keeps them from flying around inside your oven.) Stir them and keep an eye on them.
  4. Once they’re lightly browned, take them out, sprinkle with salt, and start snacking!

Make a homemade, nutritious stock or broth

You can freeze it and use it in soups, stews, and sauces all season long. Bone broth and vegan alternatives boost immunity, and they’re good for bone and joint health, too.

So if you’re eating local food in season, you’re eating food that’s fresher and more flavorful. Here are some ways to turn the best tasting produce into the best warm and cozy meals and sides.

When you see a recipe you like, just click on the recipe card. Then either share it to Facebook or Pinterest. Or right click on the image and save it to your phone or computer.

Fall Recipes You Have to Try!



 

 

 

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, pastured eggs, grassfed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

Seasonal Eating Guide: Fall Edition

Welcome to our Guide to Seasonal Eating: FALL Edition!

Seasonal eating is all about living in sync with the seasons. At Seasonal Roots, we’re also in sync with our community, from the local farmers and food artisans who make our food to the Seasonal Roots members who enjoy it.

We’re all connected through seasonal eating. So we have a (healthy) obsession with local produce, because it’s packed with flavor and nutrients — and easy to enjoy. That’s why our market is customizable and home delivered, Dirt to Doorstep, within days of harvest.

Now here’s the cherry on top:

Our guide to the fall produce that’s in season in Virginia and Maryland… and how to get the most out of it!

In this guide, you’ll find a little something for everyone. Because we’re a diverse bunch — chefs (official or not), foodies, newbies, vegetarians, meat lovers, you name it. So just click on the links below to jump straight to whatever interests you!

IN THIS ISSUE

local pumpkins for seasonal eating

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BENEFITS & USES of Fall’s Produce Powerhouses

Below are some of the health benefits of seasonal eating. We’ve also selected a few of the Seasonal Roots team’s favorite recipes HERE.

As we get closer to Thanksgiving, we’ll be sharing some holiday feast tips. Oh, and be on the look-out for a little fact finding mission that will reveal which Thanksgiving dishes make the favorites list, coming soon…!

APPLES

local apples
BENEFITS: Heart-healthy flavonoids in the skin, antioxidants, and 4 grams of dietary fiber.
USES: Eat raw as a stand-alone snack, in a smoothie or salad, in pork dishes, or cooked up as apple sauce or pie.
HARVEST: August-November

BEETS

BENEFITS: Red and gold beets are nutritional champs known for their high concentration of nitrates and accompanying blood pressure-lowering effects. They are also high in fiber and packed with nutrients.
USES: Beets are best enjoyed cooked and then can be used in salads, as a side, or even in a colorful dip.
HARVEST: year-round

BROCCOLI

BENEFITS: One cup of broccoli has as much vitamin C as an orange. Sulforaphane and other natural compounds in broccoli are reported to stop cancer cells from forming in your body.
USES: Enjoy broccoli raw, within a salad, with a dip, or mixed into a fantastic stir fry.
HARVEST: September-November

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

local brussels sprouts
BENEFITS: Brussels sprouts are high in fiber, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, plus folate and iron.
USES: Serve as a side or atop salads and meats, steam or roast, serve with salt or add tangy or savory sauces like balsamic vinegar.
HARVEST: September-March

CARROTS

BENEFITS: Loose carrots are a particularly good source of beta carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants.
USES: Raw with dips or in salad, roasted as a side, or that perennial favorite — carrot cake!
HARVEST: September–November

CAULIFLOWER

BENEFITS: Vitamin C and compounds that may help to prevent cancer and lower cholesterol.
USES: Raw with dips or in salad, steamed or roasted as a side, blended like mashed potatoes or pureed into soup.
HARVEST: September–June

CELERY ROOT (a.k.a.Celeriac)

BENEFITS: High in fiber and a good source of vitamins B6, C, K and minerals phosphorus, potassium, and manganese.
USES: Raw or cooked, celery root is a versatile vegetable. It can be used as a base for salads, stews and soups and also works well mashed, baked, roasted or boiled.
HARVEST: September–November

CELERY

local celery
BENEFITS: Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, beta carotene, and flavonoids, and a great source of phytonutrients which have been shown to reduce inflammation.
USES: Celery is great raw and you can eat the leaves too! It’s a classic base ingredient in soups and stews, or try it steamed or baked for a twist on this good old reliable veg.
HARVEST: October-December

DARK LEAFY GREENS

BENEFITS: Iron, calcium, vitamins A and C, and fiber.
USES: Raw in a salad or smoothies, or baked into other dishes. Cooking makes it easier for our bodies to digest its nutrients.
HARVEST: Year-round

FENNEL

BENEFITS: Vitamin C, potassium.
USES: Looks like the love child between a dill plant and an onion but has a mild licorice flavor – add to soups, sides, and mains.
HARVEST: Fall through spring

PARSNIPS

BENEFITS: Potassium, fiber.
USES: Sweeter and nuttier than carrots, roast alone or with just about every other fall vegetable.
HARVEST: October-April

PEARS

local pears
BENEFITS: Vitamin C, copper, 4 grams of fiber.
USES: Enjoy raw alone or with cheese, in salads, and baked or poached desserts.
HARVEST: August-February

PUMPKINS

BENEFITS: Potassium, tons of fiber, B vitamins.
USES: Pies, soups, and sides, plus toss seeds in olive oil and salt, then roast for an addictive snack or salad topping. Also jack o’lanterns!
HARVEST: October-February

RUTABAGAS

BENEFITS: Vitamin C, fiber.
USES: Like a cross between a turnip and a parsnip, they’re delish in casseroles, puree with turnips and carrots for soup, or roasted with ginger, honey, or lemon.
HARVEST: October-April

SPINACH

BENEFITS: Vitamins A, C, K, iron, and disease-fighting phytonutrients.
USES: Raw in a salad or smoothies, steamed as a stand-alone or baked into other dishes. Cooking makes it easier for our bodies to digest its nutrients.
HARVEST: Year-round, but it gets sweeter after the first nip from Jack Frost

SWEET POTATOES

BENEFITS: Vitamin A, iron, and anti-inflammatory properties.
USES: Roast like a potato or cut up like fries, add to salads and stews, puree into soups.
HARVEST: September–December

TURNIPS

local turnips
BENEFITS: Vitamin C (roots), vitamins A, K, and folate (leaves).
USES: Steam, roast, or boil the roots, flavor with fennel, bread crumbs, or brown sugar, adds a slightly bitter complement to sweet parsnips, carrots, or mashed potatoes. Steam or stir fry the leaves.
HARVEST: September–April

WINTER SQUASHES

BENEFITS: Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A.
USES: Butternut and acorn have thick skin and can be stored for months. Bake, steam, or roast plain or with cinnamon and ginger, add to salads and stews, puree into soups.
HARVEST: October–February
seasonal eating local winter squash


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3 More Reasons to Savor the LOCAL Flavors of Fall

Seasonal eating is good for you and the planet:

  • RIPENESS & A LOWER CARBON FOOTPRINT! Fruits and veggies absorb flavor and nutrients (like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants) from the sun and earth – right up until the moment they’re harvested. When they’re picked early to ship long distances, they never reach their full potential… even if they eventually look ripe. This is the reality of our industrial food system and it leaves many fruits and vegetables lacking in taste and nutrition.
  • REAL FOOD MATTERS! Eating local ensures that you are eating real food with real nutrients. Local food is packed with antioxidants which may help prevent or delay cell damage. When you get your antioxidants from food, studies have found it can improve cognitive function and help prevent cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses! Antioxidant supplements have not been proven to do those things. And of course fresh local produce retains its flavor, unlike those poor road weary veggies traveling from across the country and beyond.
  • KNOWING WHERE YOUR FOOD COMES FROM DELIVERS PEACE OF MIND. We partner with local farmers we know, and in our market we list who produced what. Many of our farms are multi-generational, caring for their land, crops, and animals with the next generation in mind. They use sustainable practices, what we call old-school organic, like rotating their crops to avoid sucking all the nutrients out of the soil.

seasonal eating local spinach

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Here’s Why Our NUTRITION NEEDS CHANGE with the Seasons

Seasonal eating means eating what grows naturally in each season – which is what our bodies are designed to do.

For instance, now that it’s FALL, the apple harvest is starting. Like a lot of other fall produce, apples are high in fiber and pectin that help cleanse the intestines and digest fats. And that helps us get ready for cold weather.

Because when WINTER closes in, our bodies need more fats and protein from meats, fish, nuts, seeds, legumes, root vegetables, and winter squashes. Winter’s cold, dry weather can dry us out. But foods that are rich in protein and fat restore moisture to our bodies and make us less susceptible to colds and flu.

After processing all those fats and heavier foods all winter, we really need to detoxify! So in the SPRING, Mother Nature provides bitter greens like arugula to help clean out our livers.

By the time SUMMER heats up, we’re spending more time outside. We’re more active, so we need the extra energy we get from carbohydrates and sugars. Naturally, warm weather fruits like peaches and strawberries serve up plenty of both. Plus, produce like cucumbers and watermelon help us hydrate, too.

If you’re practicing seasonal eating, you’re getting what your body needs. Meanwhile, the blossoms on those apple trees are ripening into fruit again…
seasonal eating local apple trees blooming

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How to Take Advantage of HOME DELIVERY to Stay Healthy

Home delivery is more than just a convenient way to enjoy seasonal eating. It can make a difference to your health.

As we head into cold and flu season, plus an ongoing pandemic, one of the simplest ways to stay healthy is to avoid exposure. The more you can steer clear of germ-filled public places, the fewer chances you have of catching something.

To reduce your exposure at the grocery store, customize your Seasonal Roots order with essential extras like local eggs, milk, baked goods, salsas, plant protein, meats, artisan goods, and more. Save your grocery store trips for stocking up on non-perishables. Fewer trips equal less exposure.

Our members tell us there’s also another healthy benefit of home delivery: It makes it easy to keep fresh, good-for-you food on hand. That includes more fruits and veggies in greater variety and healthier snacks. It’s much harder to avoid temptation in the grocery store aisle.

So let your neighborhood Market Manager take really good care of you and put home delivery to work for you this fall!

seasonal eating local food
— Erica, Seasonal Roots member since 2016

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms and dads who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

In the News headline with farm image

Recent news featuring Market Managers

Check it out! A few of our Seasonal Roots Market Managers – Tami and Beth – were recently featured in the news with a story about how Seasonal Roots brings the farmers market to homeowners!

We love all our Market Managers for all that they do and our members do too. We constantly hear from our members about how much they appreciate the exceptional customer service from their Market Managers.

The article from reporter Ben Mackin at WYDaily can be viewed here.

Market Managers preparing to deliver local seasonal produce and artisan goods

If you’d like to learn more about becoming a Seasonal Roots Market Manager, you can read more in this blog or on our Join Our Team page.

dogs on seasonal roots delivery day

Even My Dogs Get Excited for Delivery Day

We all love delivery day!

 

When I get the text alert letting me know that my delivery is on its way, of course I get excited. But I thought I would share some behind-the-scenes photos of some other Seasonal Roots enthusiasts.

Reese and Toby get super excited and run to the door as soon as our weekly Seasonal Roots delivery arrives with our farm-fresh produce, meats, cheese, and bakery items. Reese barks with (annoying) enthusiasm and Toby bounces up and down in a frenzy.

Sometimes I share the meat from the box. Other times we share some cheese…Oh and yes, of course there are the pet treats that we often order from Seasonal Roots.

But their favorite, paws down, is apple pieces. It is a sweet treat that they beg for. With the apple’s orchard-fresh taste, it’s no wonder that they cannot resist! I can assure you that neither can I. And it is great for all of us – packed with flavonoids, vitamin A, C, and fiber. Just make sure the dogs don’t eat the core and seeds.

Hope you enjoy your next delivery day as much as we will!

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms and dads who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

Delicious Weeknight Dinner: Pasta Carbonara!

Now that kids are back at school, summer is over…sigh. With fall activities back in session, our schedule is busier than ever. When our outside world seems to get a little hectic, embracing simplicity within our home has been the key to finding a happy and sustainable family balance.

I am always looking for new ideas and ways get healthy, wholesome meals on the table for our family without having to spend hours in the kitchen each and every day.

I recently came across a recipe that is simple, delicious and good for the soul! This Pasta Carbonara is perfect for a weekday dinner that everyone will LOVE. Plus, this meal can be frozen and saved for another night or reheated for a delicious lunch.

Easy Pasta Carbonara

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 box of dry spaghetti
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 3 eggs
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup shredded parmesan
  • 1 cup of spinach

Directions:

  • Cook your pasta in a pot of salted boiling water.
  • While it is cooking, heat a pan over medium heat with olive oil. Add the garlic and bacon and cook until crispy.
  • In a bowl, mix the eggs, salt, pepper, heavy cream, and parmesan.,
  • Drain your pasta, but keep 1/2 cup to use in your sauce.
  • Add your pasta to the pan with the bacon and mix together. Add pasta water and spinach while you’re stirring.
  • Turn off the heat and add the egg mixture. Stir constantly until the sauce becomes creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve and enjoy!
ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms and dads who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

Easy chicken recipes from Karla in the news!

Healthy eating made easy with humanely raised local chicken

Easy chicken recipes were in the news when Karla dropped by WAVY-TV’s studios for The Hampton Roads Show on August 27.

For those that would like to sign up for Seasonal Roots, be sure to use special code HRSJOIN10 to join for just $10!

Click here to watch Karla’s Hampton Roads Show interview

During the course of one short interview, Karla whipped up three quick and easy chicken recipes. (You could also use tofu or any protein of your choice.) Every ingredient she used came from Seasonal Roots, all locally grown or locally made.

First, she sauteed a panful of chopped up local chicken that was humanely raised with no antibiotics or growth hormones.

From that single batch of chicken she then made three dinner entrees. Each one is so simple that its description is the recipe!

  • Eggplant halves topped with chicken tossed in basil pesto sauce, diced mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
  • Stuffed bell peppers filled with chicken mixed with pico-poco salsa and topped with avocado-cilantro hummus and grated cheddar cheese.
  • Lettuce chicken wraps, each made in a cup-like hydro bibb lettuce leaf topped with chicken, matchstick apple slices, curry aioli sauce, and a sprinkle of chopped fresh chives.

Still got questions? Just watch the 8-minute interview, above, to see how they’re done! Or, scroll down for the full directions and ingredients lists below.

Seasonal Roots makes healthy eating easy

When you eat local food in season, you’re eating food that is fresher. That makes it more flavorful and, most importantly, packed with more nutrients. All those good things fade away the farther produce has to travel and the longer it sits on the shelf. So eating seasonally is really good for you and good for your taste buds, too.

And when you cook at home using real food like local produce and chicken, you know exactly what’s in it. No preservatives, no dangerous chemicals, no unhealthy high fructose corn syrups, no surprise allergy triggers.

Plus, eating a variety of foods ensures you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs!

More tips & tricks for eating seasonally and healthfully

Check out the tips & tricks Karla has shared in other TV gigs:
How to Eat Seasonally
Creative Ways to Enjoy Fresh Local Peaches
Max out Flavor & Nutrients with these Produce Storage Tips
Why Fresh Local Produce Supports Healthy Eating & Boosts Immunity

And now… 3 easy chicken recipes!

 

Stuffed Eggplant Caprese

Eggplant caprese recipeIngredients:

(All available at SeasonalRoots.com when in season locally)

  • Eggplant
  • Diced chicken
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Fresh mozzarella
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Basil pesto (2 cups fresh basil leaves, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 1/2 cup olive oil, 3 cloves minced garlic)

Directions:

  • Slice an eggplant in half, scoop out some of the middle.
  • Cook at 350 for about 15 min.
  • Then stuff with cooked, diced chicken, diced fresh mozzarella, diced tomatoes, basil pesto.
  • Put under the broiler until the cheese is browned, and top with fresh basil.
  • You can also cook up the scooped out eggplant and add that to the mixture to not waste anything.
  • Of course, it also makes a great vegetarian dish. Remove chicken and add Tempeh or chickpeas.

Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

(All available at SeasonalRoots.com when in season locally)

  • 3 bell peppers any color!
  • Diced cooked chicken
  • Salsa
  • Avocado Cilantro Lime Hummus
  • 2 Tbsp. Garlic, minced
  • 1 Shallot, diced
  • Olive oil
  • Grated Cheddar Cheese

Directions:

  • Cut the tops off the peppers and core them, then throw in boiling water for 3 minutes.
  • Stuff peppers with cooked, diced chicken mixed with salsa.
  • Top with Avocado Cilantro Lime Hummus and grated cheddar.
  • Be creative! You can add beans or rice, mix with refried beans and top with salsa, change up the cheese, use poblano instead of bell peppers. Make it your own.

Curry Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

(All available at SeasonalRoots.com when in season locally)

  • Lettuce
  • Cooked chicken
  • Bury Me in Curry Aioli
  • Thinly sliced tart apples
  • Chives
  • Optional add-ons whatever you have on hand: peppers, carrots, onions, grapes, etc.

Directions:

  • In a curved piece of lettuce add cooked chicken
  • Mix in Bury Me in Curry Aioli (yum!), thinly sliced tart apples, and sprinkle with chives.
  • Be creative! You can add sliced peppers, carrots, onions, or whatever you have on hand.
ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, pastured eggs, grassfed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

Delicious but simple seafood recipes!

Seafood Recipes! 🐟

If you’re looking for a little inspiration for some new seafood recipes, look no further!

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail

Delicious jumbo shrimp with homemade cocktail sauce!

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Jumbo Shrimp
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 1/2 Fresh Lemon
  • 1/2 cup of ketchup
  • 2 tsp. Horseradish
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

  • Steam the shrimp for 10-20 min. (check on them after 10 min)
  • While the shrimp is cooking prepare the cocktail sauce by adding all the ingredients but the shrimp together and mix.
  • Enjoy!

Striped Bass

Broiled Bass served with fresh lemon.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Striped Bass, thawed
  • 1 Fresh Lemon
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. Garlic, minced
  • 1 Shallot, diced
  • Olive oil

Directions:

  • Make sure fish is completely thawed.
  • Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with a non-stick spray.
  • Place fish on the baking sheet, light coat fish with a healthy splash of olive oil, salt, pepper, minced garlic, and shallots.
  • Broil on high for 8-10 minutes, making sure that the top isn’t burning.
  • Turn off broiler and let fish rest in the oven for at least 2-3 minutes. Top with fresh lemon juice
  • Enjoy!

 

Steelhead Trout with Herb Butter 

Steelhead trout is very similar to salmon and delicious when served with herb butter.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb thawed Steelhead Trout
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Olive Oil
  • Fresh Lemon Slices

Directions:

  • Make sure fish is completely thawed.
  • Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with a non-stick spray.
  • Place fish on the baking sheet, cover with olive oil, salt and pepper, and lemon slices.
  • Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes
  • Add a dollop of compound butter half way through cooking or use as a topping to serve.

 

Herb Butter 

 

Ingredients:

  • Freshly chopped Basil
  • Freshly chopped Thyme
  • Freshly chopped Oregano
  • Minced Garlic

Directions:

  • Start with room temp. butter in a bowl.
  • Fold in all the herbs and garlic.
  • Once all ingredients are incorporated,place bowl in fridge and allow butter to harden. This will take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
  • Use to cook any protein or as a topping on any protein.

The REAL cost of food

Eating seasonally and locally helps reduce hidden costs now… and for future generations

What’s the real cost of food? Altogether, we Americans spend $1.1 trillion buying our food every year. But the real cost of food is even higher than that — three times higher!

That’s according to a report from the Rockefeller Foundation that was recently featured in The Washington Post.

So whether we know it or not, we’re not just paying for the food we buy. We’re also paying for hidden healthcare and environmental costs. Those costs are also being shouldered by businesses, food producers, and the government. Unfortunately, future generations will pay the price, too.

real cost of food for future generations

The bad news: “Our food system is broken.”

That’s what our Head Veggie Fairy Duane said way back in 2011 when he founded Seasonal Roots. That’s why he pioneered what was, back then, a new way of uniting Virginia communities with their local farmers — our home-delivered online farmers market.

duane - food system is broken

And the good news…?

So the good news is, each of us can make a difference by choosing to eat locally and seasonally! Here are some of the findings in the Rockefeller Foundation study…

Rising healthcare costs

The Rockefeller researchers studied 14 aspects of food production in the United States. That gave them the data they needed to add up what our food is really costing us.

One of the biggest hidden costs of our current food system is healthcare.

Before the 1950s, hunger and vitamin deficiency were both big problems. So the goal was to develop a food system that could get lots of low-cost calories and vitamins into a booming population. They didn’t realize that such a system would eventually fuel a boom in other health problems.

Most people now get plenty of calories and enough vitamins to get by. But it’s estimated that every year health problems linked to our modern diet cost us more than $600 billion! Those health problems include diseases like hypertension, cancer, and diabetes.

We could cut those yearly health care costs (and the suffering that goes with it) by $250 billion … if we could just get our rate of diet-related diseases down to the rates you see in countries like Canada.

Two things could help get us there:

  1. The food industry could develop healthier foods and limit how they market unhealthy foods.
  2. Each of us can make healthier choices about what and how we eat.

As individuals, we don’t have much control over the first. But happily, we can control the second!

eating locally eating seasonally

Impact on the environment

Industrial-scale farming and ranching can place serious burdens on the environment. We’re talking about greenhouse gas emissions, water depletion, and soil erosion.

And when industrial farming cuts down forests and plows up grasslands, it also reduces biodiversity. These practices destroy habitats and force animals, birds, reptiles, and insects into ever-shrinking wild spaces. When ecosystems become overcrowded and unproductive, they become unhealthy. And the damage doesn’t just hurt the wildlife. Pests and disease can become a problem for us humans, too, affecting our food supplies.

Each year in America, all these environmental costs add up to almost $900 billion.

Right now, if a farmer wants to switch to using more sustainable methods that are less harmful to the environment, the system isn’t set up to help. So improving how you farm is hard and expensive.

The system has to change, but that requires high level policy changes.

In the meantime, each of us can still make a difference: We can support farmers who are taking the initiative to become more sustainable on their own.

flores farm sustainable farming

Our sustainable farmers are reducing the real cost of food

At Seasonal Roots, we partner with local farmers like Gerardo Flores of G. Flores Produce (pictured above, left, with Sam, our farmer and artisan connector, on the right.) Our farming partners rely on sustainable, humane farming methods that are good for people, animals, and the environment.

To reduce the hidden (but real!) cost of food, our farmers are tilling as little as possible and using cover crops that help build healthy soil and prevent erosion. They’re practicing integrated pest management to reduce the need for pesticides. They’re rotating their livestock between pastures to allow the grass to recover naturally.

harmony hill farm sustainable farming

Some are turning to solar power for their electricity needs. They’re conserving water. Family farmers are often working land that has co-existed for generations with neighboring wild ecosystems.

And when nearby communities buy the food they grow and make, that food doesn’t have to travel far. That reduces its carbon footprint or “foodprint.”

eat locally eat seasonally to reduce the real cost of food

While eating farm fresh produce within days of harvest tastes great, it has a bigger impact. Simply by choosing to eat locally, season by season, you’re making the world a better place — now, and for future generations!

Want to learn more? Get more details from The Washington Post story.

Or take a deep dive into the Rockefeller Foundation’s full report.

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms and dads who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.