about

Who am I?

I'm Jessica, the blogger behind Rooted in Nature. On this site, you'll find recipes that are flavorful, healthy, and easy to make - all with only natural ingredients. I put a lot of experimentation and care into the creation of each unique recipe to make sure that you'll never be disappointed with a recipe you make from me.

You'll also find information about how to move your body the way it was meant to move. Our natural movements include pushing, pulling, standing, sitting, running, jumping. Gripping. Carrying. Lifting. These are the things your body needs to be able to do well into old age. As a former functional fitness gym owner and personal trainer, I'll share tips on how to keep your body moving, and how to do it correctly.

And last (but certainly not least), you'll learn about how to live rooted in nature - or at least closer to it. From starting your first herb or vegetable plant in a pot on your porch to raising a flock of chickens, there are hundreds of ways to live closer to nature and take control over what you consume and how.

I don't believe in strict diets, or drastic overnight changes. I believe in small, incremental adjustments towards a healthier lifestyle, that eventually become habits. Trust me - I've been there. And if I can do it, anyone can.

Canned Peas, Please

I used to hate vegetables.

Growing up, my family had a joke that the only green thing I would eat was mushy canned peas (except it wasn’t really a joke, because it was true). In college, I expanded my horizons to include sliced tomatoes drowned in ranch dressing at the cafeteria. Cereal was my favorite food, which I would consume in serving-bowl sized portions.

I’ve been eating natural foods and practicing functional fitness since 2015, and it has changed my life. It made me healthier, but also happier and more confident in myself and my body. I'm grain free, dairy free, and almost always allergen friendly. I’m not crazy-strict about it, and I enjoy my processed ice cream and my dark chocolate. But I’ve learned how my body reacts to different things, and learned how to keep it in check.

Now, on most days, you can find me making a complete mess in the kitchen, lifting something heavy, or tending to my chickens.

Where to Start

The hardest part about becoming grain free and dairy free for me was just having the ingredients on hand. I didn't gather them all overnight. I stopped buying things at the store that contained grains, gluten and dairy and discovered we didn't really miss what we didn't have. Know that as you get started, there will be some things you've never heard of. It's ok, it's a learning curve!

Here are a few basics I'd recommend reading over to help you get started:

What does "Rooted In Nature" mean?

Rooted In Nature is about living a life closer to the ways that people lived a hundred years ago. Eating foods as they exist in nature. Moving functionally. Digging in the dirt, growing food, and taking control of where your food comes from, in a world where we control so little.

Don't get me wrong, I love modern conveniences, and I use them daily. But there's also something to be said for slicing a ripe tomato that you just picked or cracking an egg from your hens. I've found therapy and solace in lifting heavy things and digging in the dirt, and there's a reason for that.

We've gotten away from our roots. From being close to nature and the world around us. You might think you don't have time, or this type of life isn't for you. But here's my recommendation:

Try something new. Experiment in the kitchen. Take a leap, make a change. You might just surprise yourself.

I may earn a small commission off purchases made through affiliate links in this post from Amazon and other sellers. This helps me continue to run the blog and keep providing you fresh content. Thank you for your support!