Heart Healthy Beets

It’s Heart Health Awareness Month and there’s no better time to enjoy a heart healthy beets recipe.

 

Balsamic Mint Roasted Beets

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 lbs of beets (any kind will do)
  • 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup white wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp Chardonnay or any table red wine
  • 2 Tbsp Honey
  • ½ bunch of Mint, Chiffonade

Directions:

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  • Wash and dry your beets, then give them a rub down with a little olive oil.
  • Place them all together in aluminum foil and wrap them up tightly.
  • Roast for at least 45 minutes. While the beets are roasting, whisk together balsamic, white wine vinegar, the Chardonnay and honey to create a dressing. (Make sure all of the honey is dissolved into the mixture.)
  • Once the beets are cool enough to touch, gently peel away the outer layer of skin to expose the juicy red beet inside. You can either slice the beets for a thin round disc shape or you can dice as seen in the picture. (Wear gloves while processing the beets to avoid staining!)
  • Place all of your cut beets in a bowl and pour the dressing over the beets. Toss to combine and then top with the chiffonade mint.

About Seasonal Roots

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our neighborhood market managers – 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.

Winter Chopped Salad

We often think about refreshing green salads in the spring and summer, but winter is a great time to savor a hearty salad. Especially in January 2022…we can all benefit from a little extra vitamins and minerals.

If you’re looking for an easy way to enjoy the veggies from your basket, try making a savory Chopped Winter Salad!

Use ingredients like: kale, lettuce blend, red radicchio, peppers, cucumber, cabbage, tomatoes, and carrots. If you have other ingredients like sweet potato, beets, brussels sprouts or garbanzo beans toss them in! You’ll want to use hearty ingredients in this salad that you love that also leave you satisfied. While any size “chop” will do, it’s extra tasty in small pieces so you get a little bit of all the flavors in every bite. And don’t forget to massage your Kale! It tenderizes the leafy green and makes a delicious and filling base to your chopped salad.*

Toss in your favorite salad dressing or even make your own! (An empty jar works best to shake/mix your dressing and store to any extra)

  • 1/4 c. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tsp minced Garlic
  • 1 tsp Honey
  • Fresh lemon juice to taste
  • A pinch of salt and pepper

Shake the ingredients together and enjoy!

*To massage Kale, add a bit of lemon juice, olive oil and a tiny pinch of salt and massage with your fingers for a few minutes.

About Seasonal Roots

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our neighborhood market managers – 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 Roots CBS6 Cooking Segment – Taco Tuesday

Karla Robinson was on CBS6 in Richmond on Monday, January 10th. She had help in the kitchen from CBS6’s Bill Bevins and Jessica Noll preparing her healthy and delicious recipe for Spicy Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw.

Click here to watch Karla’s TV appearance.

Karla reminded us about the importance of eating seasonally to ensure the freshest nutrient-rich ingredients and best flavor. Healthy, fresh dishes are always easier when you have a variety of tasty ingredients on hand.

The great news is that viewers of the show (and readers of the blog) can enter code “CBS6” when they sign up to  join Seasonal Roots for FREE. Code expires January 23, 2022.

Karla’s recipe follows below.

Spicy Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw

Toss your choice of protein with the spice mix (below). Sauté your protein choice in a pan with olive oil. Assemble your tacos and add your favorite veggies (suggestions below). Top with the Cilantro Lime sauce (below).

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. protein (your choice: shrimp, fish, chicken, tofu)
  • 2 cups shredded green cabbage or kale (or other favorite greens)
  • Julienned carrots, beets, cucumber or zucchini
  • 8 small tortillas

Spice Mix for Protein:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl or baggie and toss the protein of your choice in the mix.

  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne (more or less depending how much spice you like)

Garlic Cilantro Lime Sauce:

Pulse sauce ingredients in food processor or blender.

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ cup chopped green onions
  • ½ cup cilantro leaves
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 4 Tbsp lime juice

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our neighborhood market managers – 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.

Winter recipes starring local seasonal produce

A few recipes to enjoy in 2022!

Winter recipes made with fresh local fruits and vegetables warm our stomachs and our hearts — at least the best ones do! We’ve all got our favorite recipes, the ones that brighten up the season. Here’s a collection of our veggie fairies’ yummiest winter-time faves…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have friends or family who want to give Seasonal Roots a try, be sure to share the code: “WINTER.” That code will enable them to join for free in January only.

 

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our neighborhood market managers – 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: Winter Edition

Enjoy healthful, delicious local food all year round!

Seasonal eating. It’s in our name. It’s who we are. And it means eating what grows locally each season of the year – all four of them. Spring, summer, fall, and yes, even winter.

Right now in Virginia and Maryland it’s cold outside. Leaves have fallen and we’ve already had snow. Other farmers markets may have closed for the winter, but with Seasonal Roots seasonal food delivery service, you can still eat local. Our stocked cupboards are never bare!

Many of our farmers are still farming – some in the fields, some in greenhouses. Our food artisans are still cooking and baking. All through the winter, the Seasonal Roots online farmers market provides fresh produce delivery right to your doorstep, plus dairy, meats, baked goods, and artisan fare – all good for you and the planet, all year long.

So settle in with our Guide to Eating Seasonally: WINTER Edition!

It’s got tips, recipes, and more to help you enjoy the local comfort-food pleasures of seasonal eating this winter.

IN THIS ISSUE

 

farm fresh seasonal eating

“Right-from-the-farm groceries — you can really TASTE THE DIFFERENCE.” — Hamilton


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BENEFITS & USES of Winter’s Surprising Bounty

Below are some of the health benefits of seasonal eating. Even in winter, it’s amazing how much local produce farming is still going on! Most of it is grown in local fields and greenhouses. Some is grown further south, but still in our region.

Because all our produce is harvested nearby for home delivery, it’s packed with nutrients and flavor and really good for you. Much better than produce that has to travel a long way to the grocery store.

Need some inspiration for turning all this local bounty into fresh, delicious meals? Check out some of the Seasonal Roots team’s favorite recipes HERE.

BEETS

local beets seasonal eating winterBENEFITS: Vitamin C, folate, potassium, magnesium, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
USES: Roast alone or with other root veggies as a side, or add to salads. Add to baked goods, like beet brownies, as a sweetener.
HARVEST: Year-round

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

BENEFITS: Vitamin K, 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

local carrots seasonal eating winterBENEFITS: Vitamin A, potassium, lutein, with antioxidant properties.
USES: Delicious raw or supercharge the sugars by roasting or grilling. Add to stews and soups. They even sweeten up baked goods like carrot cake.
HARVEST: Fall, winter, spring

KALE, COLLARDS, HYDRO BIBB LETTUCE, MICROGREENS

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

LEEKS

local leeks seasonal eating winterBENEFITS: Vitamin A, C, K, potassium, lutein, with antioxidant properties.
USES: Add this member of the onion family to stews, stuffings, and stir fries, or serve as a stand-alone side.
HARVEST: September-April

PARSNIPS

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

RUTABAGAS

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

SWEET POTATOES

local sweet potatoes seasonal eating winterBENEFITS: Vitamin A, iron, with anti-inflammatory properties.
USES: Roast like a potato or cut up like fries, add to salads and stews, puree into soups. Best of all: Sweet potato pie!
HARVEST: September–December

TOMATOES (greenhouse)

BENEFITS: Vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, phosphorus, with antioxidant properties.
USES: Add to salads, sandwiches, sauces, stews, stir fry, kabobs, pizza, or just enjoy them plain with a little salt.
HARVEST: Year-round

TURNIPS

local turnips seasonal eating winterBENEFITS: Vitamin C (roots), vitamins A, K, 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 — or mash them alone. Steam or stir fry the leaves.
HARVEST: September–April

WINTER SQUASHES

BENEFITS: Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A.
USES: Acorn, butternut, delicata and more have thick skins, 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

PLUS REGIONAL WINTER PRODUCE

regional oranges seasonal eating winterCITRUS: oranges, grapefruit, tangerines rich in vitamins C, B, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Also: cucumbers, peppers, yellow squash, zucchini packed with vitamins A, C, E, K, magnesium, potassium, manganese, beta-carotene, and more.

Read on to learn what qualifies as “regional” produce!

 

local microgreens seasonal eating winter


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ORGANIC vs SUSTAINABLE vs LOCAL – Which Is Best?

We lovers of seasonal eating all just want to eat nutritious, safe, non-toxic, eco-friendly food. But who has the time to research every item we eat?

You could go by the government’s “Certified Organic” label. That sure seems like a convenient shortcut to eating healthfully without harming the planet. But here at Seasonal Roots online farmers market, we focus on sustainable and local rather than the government designation of “organic.”

Here’s why:
1. WE PARTNER WITH LOCAL FARMERS

  • Many are multi-generational, so they care 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.
  • Many don’t spray. That would jeopardize the integrity of their land. If they do spray, it’s minimal and only as needed. This is true whether or not our farmers are organic, because the FDA allows organic farmers to use certain pesticides. Either way, organic or not, we don’t partner with spray-happy farmers.

2. “ORGANIC” DOESN’T EQUAL “LOCALLY GROWN”

  • Anything shipped long distances has a bigger carbon footprint. That’s not eco-friendly.
  • Even organic produce loses flavor and nutrients when it’s picked early and then travels for a long time to reach your kitchen.
  • An organic label has nothing to do with food safety or working and living conditions for farmers, laborers, or livestock. The only way to really know what goes on at the farm is to know the farmer.

3. THERE’S NO STANDARD DEFINITION FOR “LOCAL” OR “REGIONAL”

  • We’re upfront about how we define it: Within about 150 miles of our delivery areas.
    Most of our local partners are in Virginia, a few in eastern North Carolina.
  • To maintain a healthy variety of options during winter, we partner with sustainable farmers in Florida. We call that produce REGIONAL because it can get to us within a day of harvest without resorting to flying (a major carbon producer).
  • Seasonal eating afficionados who prefer to eat only what’s in season locally can opt out of our winter-time regional offerings, which are clearly labeled in our online farmers market — the description for every item includes who grew it or made it, and where.

 

local acorn squash seasonal eating winter


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3 Reasons Why REAL FOOD Is the Best Food

What is “real food”? To us, it’s fresh, local food. Food that’s still in its natural state, or freshly prepared using ingredients you can pronounce. Healthy, yummy food your grandmother would recognize. Real food is designed by nature for seasonal eating.

It’s important to eat real food because…

1. REAL FOOD IS BETTER FOR YOU

Antioxidants like vitamin C may help prevent or delay cell damage – but only when you get your antioxidants from real food.

Why does reducing cell damage matter? Because undamaged cells can improve your cognitive function and help fight cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses. Antioxidants may help make all that happen.

Meanwhile, unlike the antioxidants you get from real food, antioxidant supplements have not been proven to help prevent diseases.

2. REAL FOOD TASTES BETTER

Fresh fruits and veggies absorb flavor (and vitamins and minerals) from the sun and earth – right up until the moment they’re ripe.

But! Pick them early to ship long distances and they will never reach their full-flavored potential… even if they eventually look ripe. Or process them by cutting, peeling, reshaping, cooking, or canning and they lose some of their original great taste (and health benefits).

One exception is freezing. Fresh produce that’s frozen hangs onto most of its taste and health benefits, though in some cases the texture changes. That’s easy to do at home, using real food from local providers.

3. REAL FOOD IS BETTER FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND

The only way to really know if your fresh food is safe from contamination and excessive pesticides is to know your food providers.

Here at Seasonal Roots, we know our farmers and food providers… and so do you! When you shop your online farmers market, information about the source of the food is provided so you know exactly where each item comes from.

local tomatoes seasonal eating winter greenhouse


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Try This Easy NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: Eat Healthy in 2022!

(Hint: You can make or renew this resolution any time of the year.)

Healthful seasonal eating is simpler than you think. Click here to explore how to keep it easy-peasy.

sustainable farming local food

“I love that Seasonal Roots cares about sustainable farming and that they SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS who are doing it right.” – Ruth

If you have friends or family who want to give Seasonal Roots a try, be sure to share the code: “WINTER.”

That code will enable them to join for free before January 31, 2022.

Have a happy healthy new year with local food

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our neighborhood market managers – 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.

Eating Healthy in 2022!

Try this easy New Year’s Resolution

Eating healthy in 2022 is a resolution you can make any time of year, but New Years always creates some extra motivation after indulging over the holidays.

Healthful seasonal eating is simpler than you think with fruit and vegetable boxes delivered to your doorstep. Here’s how to keep it easy-peasy:

1. ORDER WEEKLY

If you haven’t already signed up for Seasonal Roots, do it now and order every week. Online ordering is quick and convenient. And delivery is free to your home or office, saving you time.

By ordering every week, you’re getting local food that’s fresh from the fields. That’s why it’s loaded with healthy nutrients (not to mention flavor!)

2. AVOID SUPERMARKET MINDGAMES

Seasonal candy displays… scent machines to lure you to the bakery… “free” junk food samples… sugary cereals at kids-eye-level… oversized shopping carts… These are just some of the psychological marketing tricks that supermarkets use to fool you into filling your cart with unhealthy food.

(Read this Washington Post article for the inside scoop.)

By getting your fresh produce and other essentials and extras delivered weekly, you won’t have to go to the supermarket as often. And before you go, be sure to eat first, take a list, stick to it, and focus on stocking up on items you can store. That will make it easier to stay out of their devious clutches.

3. EAT IT RAW

The fact is, food that’s freshly picked or just-made simply tastes better. Time is the enemy, so if it’s fresh, it still has all its original flavor along with its nutrients. You don’t have to do anything fancy to it to make it taste delicious!

4. ROAST IT

If you don’t like it raw, you can still keep it simple. Set your oven at 400 degrees, chop and toss your veggies in olive oil, season with a little salt and pepper, then spread them on a baking sheet.

Roasting releases the natural sugars inside, making everything even more mouth-wateringly delicious. Depending on their size and density, your roasted veggies will be ready to eat within 20 minutes to an hour.

5. STEAM IT

Keep in mind that some nutrients are actually easier for your body to extract and process if the veggies are cooked. For example, spinach and other greens do you more good when you cook it first.

Steaming is quick and easy. Then sprinkle with sunflower seeds and dried cranberries, a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and you’ve got instant delish.

6. USE A SLOW COOKER

Too busy to cook? Just throw everything in a slow cooker, and voila, you’ve got an easy home-cooked meal and probably leftovers, too.

So eating healthy local food made from scratch doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of time in the kitchen (unless you want it to!)

(Here are some tips on how to make a slow cooker work for you.)

7. DON’T WAIT FOR SPRING TO START SEASONAL EATING

If you think there’s nothing local and healthy to eat in the winter, think again! There are plenty of superfoods among the produce we harvest in Virginia in the fall and winter, and some of them store well, too. With Seasonal Roots, it’s easy to get local food for seasonal eating year-round.

Need some motivation? Check out our Seasonal Eating Guide: Winter Edition for information about the benefits and uses of local superfoods. It’ll remind you of all yummy ways they’ll boost your health, starting right now.

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our neighborhood market managers – 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.

5 comfort foods for contemplation

What a year it’s been!

Comfort foods and contemplation go great together. When the days are short and it’s cold outside, we crave the rich foods our bodies need.

So you curl up with a steaming bowl of soup, or a savory casserole, or a piece of your favorite fruit. And you start to relax. And you think to yourself: What a day it’s been… what a month… what a year…

We all know that we can’t control what comes at us but we can control how we react to it. Yes, of course that makes sense. Sometimes a little comfort food goes a long way to help us slow down (a smidge) and savor.

This post shares some of our favorite winter comfort foods as we reflect on 2021 and look ahead with joy to 2022.

local kale

#1: The be-sweet leafy greens

Dark leafy greens like kale may be bitter in summer, but a nip of frost sweetens them right up. That makes any leafy green comfort food an excellent role model. So if you’re bitterly beating yourself up over something, be like kale and switch to being sweet to yourself!

And it’s not just kale. Chard, arugula, collards, escarole, mustard greens – they all thrive in the chill of winter when the rest of the local produce section may look bare. They’re extra rich in vitamins A, C, and K. Collards, escarole, and mustard greens are also excellent sources of folate, which is important for women of childbearing age.

So add greens to smoothies – raw or steamed. (Pro tip: freeze steamed greens to give your smoothie some frosty fun.) Toss greens into a salad. Stir them into soups. Bake up some kale chips. Or serve them as a side! For a helpful how-to on sauteed kale, watch our own Chef Nikk on the Seasonal Roots YouTube Channel.

While you’re treating yourself to a leafy green comfort food, ask yourself:

  • What have I done to be sweet to myself this year?
  • How will I be sweet to myself next year?

local apples

#2: The beloved apple

Apples are good for your heart, so naturally they’re a good excuse for thinking about love.

Studies show that apples help lower harmful LDL cholesterol and improve blood vessel health, thanks to their bounty of fiber and polyphenols. So an apple or two each day really can keep the doctor away by reducing your risk of heart disease.

And there are so many ways to eat this comfort food! Apples are the perfect snack, side, and salad topper. Bake them in a pie or turn them into apple sauce. They’re also a scrumptious addition to savory dishes. Try any of these pork and apple recipes, or use a meat substitute.

While you’re savoring all that apple-ish goodness, look into your heart and ask yourself:

  • Looking back, what am I most grateful for this year?
  • Looking ahead, what extra joy can I bring to others in the coming year?

local potatoes

#3: The fearless potato

Potatoes may not look like much, but they don’t let that stop them. They’re so much more than just a white starch and they know it. They’re a self-confident whole food packed with immunity boosters – a whole 25% of the vitamin C you need each day and 29% of the B6.

They’re also a good source of folate, which, as we mentioned, is especially important for women of childbearing age. Plus fiber! Most of that’s in the skin, along with iron. The skin’s not much to look at, yet so delish!

So enjoy your skin-on potatoes baked or mashed. Slice or cube them, then toss them in olive oil for an oven-fry. Add them to stews and soups. Here’s an easy recipe for traditional German potato soup.

For this and other recipes (even mashed!) don’t bother peeling the potatoes, just scrub them. It’s quicker and you won’t lose the fiber benefits.

A few other tips: When you’re making any potato soup, if you’re not into cream (or if cream and other dairy products aren’t into you) you can just mash some of the cooked, softened potato chunks right there in the pot until the soup reaches the consistency you like. Add a dash of white pepper to give the soup a little nip. Or substitute a meatless alternative for the sausage.

While you slurp up the fortifying results of this comfort food, ask yourself:

  • What is one thing I wish I’d done this year but didn’t because I doubted myself?
  • Next year, what can I make more time for that leaves me feeling energized and confident, like Yeah, I got this!

#4: The hardworking winter squash

Winter squash are the workhorses of the season. We’re talking butternut, acorn, delicata, spaghetti, and any number of others. They’ve all got staying power for a long shelf life, so you can count on them to always be there when you need them. (Squash keep best in a dark area like your pantry.)

They’re high in both vitamin A and vitamin C, and a good source of vitamins B6 and K, potassium and folate, yet one cup of cooked winter squash has only about 80 calories. And they’re so flexible! Sweet, savory, main dish or side.

Speaking of sides, here’s a squash apple gratin recipe that’ll really rev you up.

While you’re scarfing down a yummy squash comfort food, ask yourself:

  • Looking back, what was the best part about the work I did each day?
  • What can I learn next year that would be a new and exciting challenge?

#5: The happy citrus

Eating citrus fruits is like eating sunshine. They’re the edible version of a bright, happy day. Best of all, lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit are at their juiciest in the wintertime – when daylight’s in short supply and you’re most likely to really, really need a little boost of sunshine.

Happily, winter is the time of year when Seasonal Roots partners with our regional farmer friends to bring the closest citrus harvest up the road to us here in the mid-Atlantic.

In addition to brightening the tastebuds, a single orange delivers more than 100 percent of your daily dose of vitamin C. Citrus is also full of flavonoids, which can boost good HDL cholesterol and lower bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

So snack on oranges or cut them up to top a salad. Drizzle your grapefruit with honey. Use lemons and limes in marinades, dressings, and beverages. Or try this savory orange chicken recipe.

While you’re blissing out on the taste of edible sunshine, ask yourself:

  • What was one (or maybe 5) thing(s) that made me happy this year?
  • What things I can do to make me and those around me happy next year?
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.

Chef Nikk’s Live Cooking Event

Holiday Prep Cooking Demo

Chef Nikk helped us dive in and get ready for the Thanksgiving holiday! We had so much fun cooking along with her and learned some helpful tips just in time for the holidays!

Just a few highlights:

  • Quiche creativity: Lots of discussion about how quiche can be adapted to create new inventions and flavors. Quiche can be made ahead and frozen – a great option when you are having guests and it can be served for any meal!
  • Veggie versatility: Chef Nikk shared some great tips on how to use the right veggies for the right dish.

We loved all of the participation from the group!

Click here to watch Chef Nikk’s cooking demo.

About Chef Nikk

Chef Nikk has been cooking since she was 12 years old and has worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years. She loves cooking with her family and often cooks with her son Avery. Two years ago she took her passion and talents to create Chef Nikk’s creations, a catering and private chef services business.

Feel free to click on the image and download the recipe for future reference.

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our neighborhood market managers – 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.

Thanksgiving Leftovers

The 2nd best thing about Turkey Day!

The #1 best thing, of course, is PIE. But leftovers run a very close second! Turkey sandwiches, snacks of stuffing, pie for breakfast… Mm mmm, the days following Thanksgiving are leftover nirvana, pure and simple.

Are you hosting this year’s family feast or Friendsgiving? If so, lucky you, you get first dibs on the extras! Try these storage tips to help you avoid wasting a single leftover morsel — whether you’re sending some of the bounty home with your guests or keeping it all for yourself. Hey, we don’t judge.

Downsize to smaller containers.

If you’re planning on keeping your leftovers, organize the food as you’re putting it away to ensure there’s enough room in your fridge for all of it. Instead of leaving the leftovers in whatever dish it was in originally, transfer it into containers that match the portion size of what’s left. That will keep it from drying out. Smaller containers are also easier to squirrel away in every nook and cranny of your fridge. 

Make new recipes!

Depending on how much you have left over, you can get creative with new recipes like Turkey Soup or Thanksgiving Lasagna. ‘Cause as much as we love leftovers, a person can only eat so many plates of turkey and stuffing if the only choices are 1) reheated or 2) cold. 

Send your guests home with packages of love.

If you don’t want to be the only one responsible for making sure those precious leftovers don’t go to waste, here are a few tips on how to share the love.

#1 Plan ahead. Buy disposable to-go boxes to send home with your guests so you don’t lose half your collection of storage containers. If possible, go green and opt for compostable or paper-based containers.

#2 Set up a to-go station in the kitchen with these boxes and some utensils. That way your guests can easily pack their own to-go box. If they’re more on the shy side, or the greedy side (hey, it happens), or leftovers are in short supply, pack the boxes yourself. With a little turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, or other tasty bits, they can still make the ultimate Thanksgiving leftover sandwich and relive the joy. 

#3 If you love feeding people and your friends and family live nearby, use the leftovers to whip up something like turkey soup and then drop it off. It’s a great way to repurpose the leftovers into something new that will make everyone love you even more! Seriously, what’s not to love about yet another meal that you didn’t have to cook yourself?

Leftovers don’t last forever.

According to the USDA, leftovers last:

  • 3-4 days in refrigerator
  • 2-6 months in the freezer

The experts recommend refrigerating or freezing leftovers as soon as reasonably possible. 

Have a happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the leftovers! (Especially the pie…)

For your reference: 

See the USDA website for additional thanksgiving leftovers tips.

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our neighborhood market managers – 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.

About the Thanksgiving Preorder

Planning, Purpose and Preorder

It’s our 4th year of offering a Thanksgiving holiday preorder. The idea all started when members expressed interest in creating traditions that were anchored around fresh, LOCAL food for the holidays. Of course, holidays require planning, so we knew we had to open the preorder well in advance of the holiday. 

The Thanksgiving Preorder is available to all members and is a great way to save some time off of the holiday prep and/or just add some items that you’d rather not make. Options including appetizers, side dishes, delicious desserts and more! All Thanksgiving menu items are freshly picked from local farms and prepared by local suppliers. 

Here’s what a few of our members have to say about the Thanksgiving preorder. Also, check out this video with another member’s thoughts about the preorder.

If you haven’t ordered before, here’s a summary of how it works.

  • Click here to place your order.  
  • The Thanksgiving Preorder menu will be open until Thursday, November 18th at 11:59PM
  • In the regular menu the weekend of November 19-21st, you’ll need to place an order for a basket, and any other items you want, to receive delivery of your Thanksgiving Preorder Items.  
  • The Preorder Menu and regular menu items will be delivered to all members on Wednesday, November 24th.

Since they are hand-crafted by local suppliers, unfortunately, we do run out. So if you do plan to order, it’s a good idea to order as soon as you can!