Happy Sunny Friday!

Hello sunshine! I am not sure about the weather near you but for me, this week has been absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to get outside this weekend and enjoy the sun (I have been missing my vitamin D).

Try to get out this weekend, soak up some rays, go to a farmers market or take a walk through your neighborhood. Do you have any plans yet?

The Local Harvest

I am constantly emphasizing my belief to buy locally. Not only is the produce minimally exposed to chemicals (and thus better for your body), but the product is fresher and your local farmers benefits from your purchase. For an interesting opportunity to buy local food, check out if there are any community supported agriculture (CSA) opportunities in your area. Local Harvest is a great resource to find these types of organizations.

A CSA is basically a way for a farmer to sell his grown products to the public. Consumers can purchase a share of the farmers crop and in return they receive a box or basket of seasonal produce each week. This is a fun way to get produce that is in season while supporting your local farmers.

This summer we received produce every week from a CSA farmer, and although it is nearing the end of growing season, we received the most beautiful fall vegetables recently. I love all the colors and strong flavors of root vegetables and fall fruits. Pumpkin pie anyone?

Happy Fall

I recently went home for the weekend, and got my first glimpse of fall. Beautiful leaves, baking apple pie, and bundling up against the crisp air. 

Take advantage of these beautiful autumn days. Get in your last few outdoor runs, take a trip to an apple orchard to pick your own seasonal produce and look up creative recipes for squashes and pumpkins. Also, get ready for some fall themed posts coming your way! 

Omelets for Lunch

Lately I have been a big fan of making omelets for lunch. I use seasonal vegetables, extra egg whites, and a small portion of cheese. This lunch provides everything I am looking for a high protein, vegetable rich meal earlier in the day.

Omelets are great for using up items in your refrigerator. As long as you have eggs, you can really add anything you want. I start off sautéing garlic and onion with a teaspoon of olive oil in a small pan. I then add cubed vegetables (my favorites are zuccini, peppers, yellow squash, and sweet potatoe) and cook until tender.

Meanwhile I beat together 1 egg, 2 additional egg whites, pepper and milk and pour into a larger pan on low heat. After the egg has cooked through, I add the vegetables and a bit of cheese, then fold over the other half of the egg and I have a delicious high protein meal.

You can add tomatoes, avocado, spinach, or anything else directly into your omelet. It is a perfect way to be creative and use up whatever you have.

I mentioned previously we were growing tomatoes on our front porch. We grew these gems despite the fight the plant had with the storms this summer. Needless to say the actual tomatoes look much better than the plant itself and were the perfect addition to my omelet.

Last Days of Summer

When I woke up this morning and checked the weather for the next week, it appears as if today is going to be the final nice day for a while.

On the flip side, I am excited for fall. The fruits and vegetables that come with fall provide ample opportunity to create new delicious seasonal meals. I am looking forward to apples, root vegetables, and of course pumpkins!

Goodbye summer, you were perfect. Hello fall!

Homegrown Tomatos

As the green leaves gradually turn into colors, our green tomatoes might finally ripen into delicious homegrown treats. The tomatoes we have been growing on our front deck have been pokey all summer and maybe these last few sunny days will redden them up. Tomatoes are one of my favorite foods as mentioned here for a multitude of reasons. They are extremely versatile in recipes and loaded with health benefits.

One of the most known health benefits is that tomatoes contain lycopene. Lycopene is an anti-oxident that helps cleanse the body of free radicals and thought to ward of various cancers.

Tomatoes also contain various vitamins such as vitamins A and C.

Tomatoes are the basis of many recipes, including BLTs, lasagna, tomatoes and mozzarella, salsas, and countless more. Search anywhere for tomato recipes and I am sure you could find something you would enjoy.

Check out some of my posted recipes that use tomatoes and look forward to more to come as soon as our tomatoes ripen!

Zucchini Rosti with Tomatoe Corn Relish
Vegetarian Lasagna
Vegetarian Panini
Tomatoes and Mozzarella (my personal favorite!)

Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend!

Have a beautiful Labor Day weekend. Try to get outside and enjoy the end of summer. Stay active, eat healthy!