Hi, I’m Paula
Hi there! I’m Paula, a passionate home cook and berry enthusiast living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my husband and our three kids. I’m dedicated to sharing the incredible versatility and health benefits of berries through recipes that bring families together around the dinner table. From antioxidant-packed smoothie bowls to decadent berry desserts, nutrient-dense salads to savory berry-glazed proteins, I believe there’s a berry recipe for every occasion and every palate.
Cooking Experience
My Story
Berries Recipes was born from my childhood memories spent in my grandmother Abuela Rosa’s backyard in Oregon. Every summer, I’d visit her cottage surrounded by the most magnificent berry bushes you could imagine—wild blackberries climbing the fence, plump blueberry bushes heavy with fruit, and neat rows of strawberries that seemed to stretch on forever.
“Mija, berries are nature’s little jewels—they make everything more beautiful and more delicious.”
— Abuela Rosa
Abuela Rosa taught me that berries weren’t just for pies and jams. She’d toss them into savory rice dishes, blend them into refreshing agua frescas, and even use them in marinades for grilled chicken.
When I started my own family in 2015, I found myself craving those flavors from my childhood. I began experimenting in my kitchen, recreating Abuela Rosa’s recipes and developing new ones that would help busy families like mine incorporate more antioxidants and natural sweetness into their meals. What started as weekend cooking sessions quickly grew into a passion project when friends began asking for my recipes after every dinner party.
By 2018, I knew I had to share these berry-centric creations with a wider audience. Berries Recipes became my way of honoring my grandmother’s legacy while helping other families discover the joy of cooking with these incredible superfruits.
Food Philosophy
I believe that berries are one of nature’s most perfect foods—packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and natural sweetness that can transform any dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
Approachable
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey
Nourishing
Supporting your family’s health and wellness with every delicious bite
Sustainable
Eating with the seasons and supporting local food systems
My approach to cooking centers around celebrating berries in all their forms: fresh, frozen, dried, and even fermented. I partner with local berry farms whenever possible and always include tips for preserving seasonal berries so you can enjoy them year-round.
Beyond the Kitchen
When I’m not testing new berry recipes, you’ll find me hiking the gorgeous trails of the Columbia River Gorge with my family, visiting local farmers markets, or tending to my own small berry patch in our backyard. I’m also a certified nutritional therapy practitioner, which helps me understand the incredible health benefits that berries bring to our tables.
Featured & Published
Pacific Northwest Magazine
Regional Cookbooks
Cooking Classes
Thank you for joining me on this delicious journey—I can’t wait to help you fall in love with berries just like Abuela Rosa helped me do all those years ago!