cooking with herbs

My basil, parsley, and oregano have taken off lately. As there's more to harvest, I'm trying to use my herbs more in every day cooking. 

One of the pasta alternatives I've tried since eating low carb: zucchini noodles. These "zoodles" are topped with meat sauce made with my basil and oregano, pine nuts, and parmesan. 

I used both green and purple basil to make pesto. 

Topping scrambled eggs with pesto really takes them to the next level!

The day before my parents' anniversary, I made them a supper of caprese salad, green salad, spaghetti squash with meat sauce, and paleo doughnuts. It was both low carb and tasty. I tried to make my dad proud by eating a slice of tomato. (I know, I am not a true southerner.)

I'm really enjoying my herb garden this summer. What should I use them for next?

fall friend supper

A group of friends invited me along on a dinner outing recently, and I asked if they would come over to my house instead.  It had been way too long since I had cooked a meal for friends.  

We ate salad, baked pasta with sausage and spinach, and pear, cranberry, gingersnap crumble.  

Thanks to my friends for letting me test a couple of Pinterest recipes on them!

farmers market this week

After my morning workout yesterday, I decided to head on over to the farmers market.  We were completely out of fresh fruits and vegetables, and I was craving more peaches.  What better to do when you're out and about in the morning and soaking up the last days of summer?!

North Carolina is not exactly known for our apples, and summer isn't what I think of as apple season, but I was really, really hoping that I would find apples.  I don't recall ever buying them at the farmers market before.  I was thrilled to find a farmer selling TWO types of apples, WITH SAMPLES.  I definitely ate one on the drive home.  Then I ate a peach after I got my haul inside.

Note: After reading this post, my dad informed me that NC is a big apple producer. During a winter time trip to the farmers market, I found many more varieties of apples. My new favorite variety is Cameo.

For lunch, I cooked a squash and the bell pepper with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and a grated bulb of elephant garlic.  It was delicious with whole wheat spaghetti and some leftover tomato basil sauce (not pictured).  Even my food is hand me down.  

How do you make healthy eating enjoyable?  What is your latest farmers market thrill?