I have to admit, this whole quarantine thing is really bringing me to a place mentally that I haven't been to in years on top of giving me totally new anxieties. Every other hour I go from being okay to convinced I have or am going to catch this virus. All this during spring allergy season when my breathing is already sub-par? Ugh. And don't get me started on thinking about my friends and family at this time. It feel like everything is just so out of my control! And in a way, it is.

     There are a few things I find comfort in during this time, however. Knowing I'm not the only one experiencing these overwhelming feelings of anxiety and depression. Reintroducing calming self care like yoga and meditation back into my daily routine. Cooking for and therefore caring for my boyfriend and his dad (I LOVE cooking in general, but cooking for the people I love is my absolute favorite). This time has allowed me to get creative with what's on hand knowing that a grocery store run isn't so easy to do. And while we may be stuck inside for who knows how long I refuse to let it stop us from enjoying every meal.

     I've said it before and I will continue to say it again and again - I LOVE the bounty of fresh produce available at farmer's markets during the summer! Today I bought so many beautiful things...heirloom tomatoes, peaches, peppers, apricots...and of course the 2-in-1 treat of radishes with the greens still attached. Many people toss the leaves out not realizing they are edible and insanely delicious too!

      Last weekend was one of my favorites of the year - greens are back at the farmers market! A true sign of spring and summer vegetable bounty. I bought some baby collards and baby kale and of course I got some ramps!

     I have missed fresh greens so much. I had to have them raw in a salad. I bought some good quality steak and decided to make my own dressing. If you haven't made your own salad dressing before then this delicious eye-opener is for you - I only use dressing I've made at home. It's healthier, prettier, and yummier!

     You ever feel like you just need more greens in your life and there isn't enough ways to get them? After all, you can only eat so many salads. This calls for getting creative. If there is one thing I love to finish to the last drop it is sauce of any kind. I will lick a plate/bowl clean to get it all. This green sauce is PACKED with good for you ingredients plus it's raw so no cooking is involved!

     It's also super versatile. You can use it as a sauce, a dip, a dressing, a marinade - you name it! Plus the color is so amazing and vibrant...it is a great way to get kids and picky eaters alike to eat their greens.

     There are so many reasons why I always make my own tomato sauce. One simply being comfort - after all, the aroma that fills your home is amazing. Another being flavor - the focus is on the tomato much more than that grocery store jar stuff. And another, perhaps the best reason, is health - you know exactly what is going into it without the preservatives or added sugars of most pre-made tomato sauces.

     If you have never made your own tomato sauce then what better time is there than now to try it? It is SO simple and once you get the basics down (as this recipe is) you can play around and add all sorts of flavors (like oregano, basil, mushroom, etc). I promise you'll find yourself making sauce all the time!