Kale Salad with Cashew Pesto

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1 bunch of kale
1 cup cooked butternut squash
1/4 red onion 
1 avocado

Pesto:
2 cups cilantro, packed
1/2 cup cashews
4 cloves garlic
1/2 cup olive oil
salt & pepper to taste
1 lime, juiced
pinch red pepper flakes

Directions:
Cook the quinoa, per the instructions on the box. Make the pesto: combine cilantro, cashews and garlic in a food processor. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, lime juice and red pepper flakes. Blend until smooth and creamy. Combine the warm quinoa, chopped kale, butternut squash, red onion, avocado and pesto. Mix well with a big spoon and season to taste with salt and pepper, if necessary.

My Love Language

2014, was a year filled with weddings, babies, birthdays, a new sister, a new job, trips, anniversaries, engagements... the list goes on. But one thing I became sure of was my love language. Over the course of this past year, I was fortunate enough to have my dinner table filled countless times with the best friends I could ever ask for. Whether is was celebrating an engagement, trading "Handy Man Dan" for his work, or simply drowning a bad week in buttery chard, my heart was full. I've learned through all of these gatherings, that there is nothing I enjoy more than feeding the ones I love. As I look forward to the year ahead, I can't wait for full tables and full bellies, celebrating the many accomplishments in store. MANGIA!