Caprese Zoodles

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It's been a while since I've posted a recipe, huh? Lo siento. I've noticed a pattern (you notice patterns in your life when you blog for a couple years). My recipe posts tend to drop off in the summer and pick back up in the winter. This is likely not a surprising little factoid, but, creating and posting recipes is something that I have to consciously think to do in the summer. The warm weather makes me crave salads, grilled protein, and lighter fare that would likely get very repetitive and a bit boring. Anyway, I have an easy dish that is light for summer and includes a creative spin on a caprese salad.

If you've been following my blog for a little while, you know that one of my favorite salads is caprese salad with avocado added! Tonight's dish is a warmer version of a caprese that's a bit more hearty and comforting.

NEED:

- 2 Zucchinis for Zoodles
- 6 Organic Chicken Tenderloins
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- Juice of 1 Lemon
- 3/4 Pint of Organic Grape or Cherry Tomatoes
- Handful of Italian Flat Leaf Parsley or Basil or Both
- Buffalo Mozzarella (as desired)
- Evoo
- Salt and Crushed Red Pepper to taste

STEP 1: Zoodle the noodles and set aside.

STEP 2: Half all the tomatoes and saute with lemon juice, garlic, salt, crushed red pepper, and evoo

STEP 3: Add chicken and herbs to pan and cook throughly. The tomatoes should be softening and creating a nice light sauce.

STEP 4: Tear most of the mozzarella and add to pan. It should get a bit melty.

STEP 5: In a separate saute pan... add the zoodles with a drizzle of evoo and cook until slightly softened (about 2 mins).

STEP 6: Mix together and top with more herbs and a little more cheese, plate and serve!

That's it! A light summer meal full of vitamins and protein. Did you know that zucchini is an excellent source of potassium, vitamin C, and B vitamins? I had no idea how high the potassium levels were which is great because zoodles are a PERFECT post workout meal.

I hope you are all having a great week! xo

QUESTIONS: Do you have a spiralizer?
Do you love caprese salad as much as me?
How was your Wednesday?

Weekend Sunshine XXXIV (Dennis!)

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Heyyyy friendssss! I hope you all had a great weekend! Mine was filled with friends, laughs and sunshine in Dennis, MA (located in Cape Cod, for you non-locals). This is the second year in a row that my friends and I have booked this perfect little home located just steps from the beach. Once again, our trip did not disappoint. Even with some rain and clouds in the forecast - we played board games, hung out in the hot tub, and enjoyed some peace and quiet. Here's a photo dump from the trip!

The best sight on a Cape road trip.

The best mudslide in the world. Fact.

Running on Chapin Beach with my best Gals. Thanks to Rachael for taking all of these beachie photos during our run!

Backwards running. (Does it look like we could be running forward?)

So. Many. Kite. Surfers.

The three best friends that anyone could have!

#CCCPR15

The boys came back from a golf tournament that included multiple beverages and came back to play lawn games.

As we were leaving for dinner on Saturday night, I saw the most gorgeous sunset so Rachael and I SPRINTED down the path to the beach to take pics. (Rae and I are kinda obsessed with the beach. No shame in it.)

Amiright?

Told ya.

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Perfect weather Sunday.

#FFF_Travels. Where to next?

Have a GREEEEAT WEEK! xo

Garden in the City (Year 4!)

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Hey guys! Friday Favs is OUT today and Garden in the City is IN! May was a beautiful month filled with 80 degree days (10 total) and sunshine, but, this week was mostly rain and a ton of work so my iPhone had a serious lack of photos. That being said, I planted my "City Garden" two weeks ago and have been meaning to get this post up. For those that have been following this little blog 'o mine for a while know that every year, I utilize pots and planters of all different sizes to grow a variety of herbs, veggies, and some flowers.

To recap:
Patio Garden (the blog was so new then omg.)
Garden in the City
Garden in the City 2

This little garden provides me with veggies and herbs that last throughout the entire year. Yes, the entire year. I freeze or dry the leftover herbs at the end of the summer and then use them throughout the winter months.

I find that year over year I plant more herbs and less flowers. Here's what I have:
- Basil: Caprese, pesto, pasta, oh my!
- Sage: Necessary with butternut squash ravs
- Italian Flat Leaf Parsley: Um, everything!
- Rosemary: Potatoes and the best rosemary butter cookies
- Dill: Chicken and chicken salad
- Lettuce: All the salad
- Kale: I planted this by seed this year!
- Rainbow Chard: Delish quickly sautéed with evoo and salt
- Spearmint: Mojitos!!

For flowers, I stuck with the hearty and easy: geraniums, pansies, and gerbera daisies.

(note to mom: yes, I separated the basil plants :))

That about wraps it up. I've already harvested some of the lettuce due to last week's intense sunshine! It was delicious.

Remember, it is SO EASY to start a little herb garden, even with a small amount of space. Basil, parsley, and rosemary are always a staple in the kitchen so start small! If you want tips and tricks on where and how to being, just click on the past posts that I linked to above.

Have a great weekend! I hope you all have something fun planned. Be on the lookout for some #fff_travels posts on instagram -- we are off to the Cape for the weekend! Yippeeee!

xo