Tonight’s dinner was a new experiment.
Zucchini noodles!
Okay, so they’re not exactly noodles.
Earlier this summer, I saw a recipe for zucchini and summer squash salad that called for “ribbons” of zucchini and squash, created by peeling the squash with a vegetable peeler.
Ever since then, I thought it might be fun to use the ribbons as noodles!
To make the noodles, I simply peeled three large zucchinis. I then placed the zucchini ribbons in a pot of boiling water for about a minute. (The ribbons cooked very quickly because they were so thin).
After straining the “noodles,” I topped them with some of my semi-homemade marinara meat sauce!
A delicious combination!
As good as the zucchini “noodles” were, they definitely weren’t a substitute for real pasta. As I was eating my zucchini marinara meat sauce bowl, I found myself wishing I made some ziti as well. Note to self: Make zucchini noodles with pasta.
Nevertheless, it was a yummy dinner!
College Picture Throwback
This evening, I sorted through a couple of the remaining boxes from our big move. One of the boxes I came across included a pile of pictures from my college years that apparently didn’t find a home in a frame, photo album or scrapbook.
So why not share them on the internet, right?
I should probably explain that one, huh? It’s from a lifeguard-themed sorority social. My best friend Laurel and I went as "Baywatch Babes" and had a little help in the boob department from some balloons. I’m not gonna lie, it was pretty fun being so bosom-y for one night.
Recognize that guy? I’m lovin’ the Pauly D hair… and my beer, apparently. 
I’m pretty sure we were dancing to “Out Tonight” from Rent in that picture at around 3 a.m. Show Tunes + Drinking Games = Fantastic Night
Another sorority social in the middle of nowhere. Camo themed, obviously.
Spring break!
I hope I’m screaming about my decision to wear a jean jacket to a bar.
Oh, memories!
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So fun! I like looking through some of my pictures from my younger years. Some of them though…not all.
You were/are gorgeous Julie! And I am dying over that hair that Ryan was sporting! 🙂
Love the college pictures, Julie! You seem like the life of the party! 🙂
Oh, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who sang Rent with her friends while partying. One of my favorite college pictures EVER is of my best friend and me, on my bed, singing “Take Me or Leave Me” to each other. Ahh, those were the days!
your comment makes me want to go back and re-live college. 🙂
I still wear my jean jacket! 🙂 been trying to bring that back for quite a while now!
Haha I love old pics– show older ones!! High school/middle school perhaps?? Those are always the most fun 😉
Zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash noodles, if you had to pick?
Yay for sorority girls turned healthy living bloggers! I love that you included the silly pictures. I am always tempted but then when I look for ones to post, I’m always blacked out or look terrible and I don’t think that’s the message I wanna send… Haha
ha! those will NOT be making the blog… 🙂
That’s such a great idea, I need to try that asap!
Love the photos! You were as pretty then as now 🙂
It looks like you had an amazing time and it’s actually really nice to see what looks like loads of fun when I’m leaving for college in a week and I’m getting kinda nervous!
good luck, sophie! you’ll have a blast!
Love all the old pics! So fun! 🙂
Wow I am loving those throw back pics, so fun…makes me want to reminisce and pull mine out! 🙂
Love the pics! You looked like you had an absolute blast in college. Your smile hasn’t changed at all! 🙂
Oh dear this makes me want to look at some of my pictures! There definitely are some entertaining ones.
I have a zucchini in the fridge about to go bad and have been trying to think of something different to do with it for dinner tonight or tomorrow. I’m definitely going to give that a shot! It’s a great idea and mixed with some noodles it’d be perfect. Easy way to throw some extra veggies in!
I love zucchini pasta too, but it does leave me wishing for something more!! Love those college pictures!
That is such a neat idea for zucchini!! I will have to give that a try:)
I’m loving the old picture of you and Ryan!
Zuchinni noodles!! Brilliant! Thanks for sharing!
I always thought you needed a spiralizer to pull off zucchini noodles! This is awesome julie 😀
Love the pictures! I love seeing how people have changed over the years! 🙂
You are awesome! haha So many of these pictures look like my drunken night shennanigans with friends. I think its adorable that you met Ryan in college! It seems like so many people meet their future spouse that way!
Ryan really does look like he has Pauly D hair in that picture! Too funny! 🙂 Your dinner looks so good!
This is a great idea – thanks for sharing! You know what would work? I love voluminous meals, and I really need that bulk, so a lot of times I’ll make spaghetti squash and also make carb nada pasta, and then combine those for more bulk but less calories than if I used just pasta. Then I top it with the meat sauce or whatever I’m eating on top like some kind of meat, etc. You could do that with the zucchini too! P.S. love the pics! 🙂
I need to try that zuchinni noodle idea! So clever 🙂
Haha love the college pics! I have many similar sorority ones from our themed parties 😀
Hey Julie! I’m actually a sophmore transfer in college & have been thinking a lot about maybe rushing/pledging for a sorority, do you have any pros/cons I can work off of? haha thanks 🙂
Hey Steph! I absolutely loved my experience, but recognize that being part of a sorority is not for everyone. I lived in the sorority house and to be honest my favorite memories are the ones where we were all just bummin’ around the morning AFTER a really fun social reminicing about the night before. Also, sometimes being part of a sorority can be expensive, but luckily mine was one of the cheapest on campus and the cost of rent AND the sorority house’s meal plan was SUPER cheap – like $420 a month or something. I would recommend going out to rush and seeing what you think of the process. You don’t have to end up pledging ANY sorority if you don’t like it in the end. 🙂
I really like this comment! I decided not to rush because at my school it is pretty expensive and I’m not the type to join one (not too many cute clothes, really outgoing ect.). It seems that people who do join them have fun though and I’m happy for them; but it isn’t for everyone. Definitely try rush though and just see how you like it, each sorority seems to be a little different. I joined a bunch of clubs and met a lot of people through that. Sometimes I wish I joined a sorority for the social/sistherhood/fun of it, but I know I wouldn’t fit in.
Yummy! I bet zucchini make delicious tasting noodles and adds more flavor to your meaty sauce.
Cute pics! I love finding old college pics.
i have two massive zucchinis in the fridge from my parents’ garden. was worried they would go to waste, but i think zucchini pasta is on the menu tomorrow night!
I love that Ryan had Pauly D hair!!! That is hilarious.
We had a similar dinner tonight although I used pasta + veggies + marinara and it was incredible.
I love looking back at old pics, it brings back so many fun memories!!
And yes, zucchini noodles ARE amazing. Gotta do this again!
I miss college.
I’ve done the zucchini noodles thing (I acutally have a device that makes them into swirls of noodles) and agree that they are not a substitute for pasta but they are still good.
Loved all the old pics!!! Dinner looks great! I’d never thought to use zucchini like that. Great idea!
Those are hilarious!!
What school did you go to?
we went to the university of central florida in orlando. 🙂
haha I was never really into parties, but you and Ryan are so goofy I love it! At first I didn’t even recognize him. 😛 Your meal looks sooo tasty! All my fave ingredients
What fun! What fun!!! ….Looking back makes the heart realize how far you’ve come AND how far you’re still going to go! So much to be appreciative of!
The zucchini noodles aren’t a bad idea but I agree, they probably didn’t feel quite like a pasta substitute. Good nonetheless! 🙂
Love the pics! And Ryan’s hair!
Those pictures are really making me wish I was still in college! The real world isn’t AS fun!
I love looking back at pics from my Kappa Delta days:) I actually wish we still had themed parties every weekend.. I always loved dressing up!!
ahhhh this is making me miss my Kappa Delta college days, and all my sisters! Awww now i’m tearing up! I moved from Charleston, SC (where I went to school) straight here to Chicago a year ago and I miss my littles, grandlittles, “twin” and all my sisters so much!
Your boobs put Pamela Anderson’s to shame. And it only cost you 10cents instead of 10,000 bucks?! Bargain I say 😀
Fo’ real! 😀
haha Julie! You little party animal, you!
Those pics are really cute. I looove Rent too.
“What’s the time? Well it’s gotta be close to midnighttttt….”
Bid day shirts, I miss those!
love the pics!!! omg, ryan’s hair! i almost didn’t recognize him!
I love using zucchini as noodles!
Julie, these pictures are priceless!! – and also lead me to believe you’d be a blast to hang w/ girl 😀
Cute pic! I love the idea of posting old pics- I’ll have to go through mine!
I totally love all of the college pics! It brought back memories for me, too. I have some great High School pictures, as well 😛
Oh my gosh!!!!! Loving those college pics!! Sooooo fun:) You are totally gorgeous!
It’s weird to think that these are the pictures I’m taking now (I’m a sophomore in college) but in a few years I’ll be looking back on them.
Haha if that made sense:p
lovin’ the college pictures!!!! 🙂 and i can’t wait to try the zucchini noodles. I usually add shreds of zucchini to my pasta, but peeling the zucchini would be fun to try too!
I too was in a sorority but didn’t quite have as good an experience.
I am going to have to try the marinara recipe. Is it posted somewhere?
The Kidless Kronicles
Wag More, Bark….
Funny funny!
I loove going through old pics 🙂
hahah oh college. Those were some fun times!
I can’t afford a spirilizer (sp?) but…BUT…do you have one of these $5 gadgets?
http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Good-Grips-Julienne-Peeler/dp/B0000CCY1S
OMG- – does wonders. I encourage you to get one or use it on your zucch.to make faux noodles. So fun and good.
I miss college, too. Isn’t it funny how when you are pulling an all nighter,,,,you’re like “best years of my life say what?” BUT afterwards we realize…