Hi!! I'm Tera -- the author, recipe developer, and photographer behind Roots and Radishes. I started Roots and Radishes in 2015 to further discover and share my passion for cooking with more seasonal whole foods, in order to eat in a way that made me feel my best and most energetic. When I'm fully nourished, I'm able to be present for every aspect of my life and all of the important people in it... and I wanted to share this with others who may be interested in feeling their best, too.
Related to that, I quickly became equally passionate about seasonal produce as a way to eat sustainably and support local farmers and growers. I signed up for my first CSA and couldn't help but feel excited when I got new veggies I had never even heard of. To this day I love and appreciate going to our local farmers market, gardening, and connecting with neighbors and friends by sharing food.
So if you're hoping to introduce more whole foods cooking into your life, or enjoy more seasonal produce, welcome! Here you'll find simple and seasonal whole foods recipes.
Enjoy a variety of whole foods.
Packaged meals and foods are not all inherently bad, and let's acknowledge that they are practical and affordable for many (including myself!). That said, many packaged foods are ultra-processed and stripped of nutrients we need to feel our best. Since whole foods are simple, from nature, and so easy to use for delicious kitchen creations, it's good to include them in our diets so we can feel energized and nourished. I personally feel my best including a variety of whole foods in my diet, so my recipes are intended to help you do the same!
Eat lots of plants.
And not just veggies! I'm talking grains, beans, legumes, nuts, fruit... the list of ingredients in these categories is long and delicious. While I do still eat meat, fish, and dairy, I love to prioritize plant sources of food both from a nutrition perspective (hello, micronutrients!) and from a sustainability perspective (veggies & fruits, especially if local, have less environmental impact). So, you'll find that my recipes include a healthy dose of deliciously prepared vegetables, beans, legumes, and grains.
Eat with the seasons.
Because I live in Wisconsin, a state of four seasons (and sometimes LONG winters), a lot of my cooking relies on seasonally available produce. If you have four seasons or even just one, eating with the seasons is a super fun and lovely way to expose yourself to different types of nourishing ingredients, and to eat what feels good in the moment. Think of the coziest butternut squash soup in winter or the most refreshing and hydrating cucumber salad in summer... food tastes even better when it's exactly what your body is craving.
Let's Connect!
If you're ready for all the delicious seasonal whole foods recipes, sign up for my newsletter where I share new recipes and curated recipe emails just for readers looking to eat food that makes them feel good. Subscribe here!