spaghetti squash with avocado & kale pesto

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Last night, on a whim, I decided to make dinner for Chris, which was the first time I've ever cooked for him instead of with him. He's Paleo (which I am not at all - I'm not even all that carnivorous these days) and a really good cook - so I was pretty nervous.

But it was oddly cold yesterday and he was working late and I decided it was time to go for it. I was inspired by Nicole's Avocado Pesto Sauce but, if you've ever made one of my recipes, you know I'm utterly defiant when it comes to following a recipe. I don't know if I'm a little bit more of a rebel than I realized or if I secretly think I'm going to be a chef someday or what.

That being said, here's my version of Avocado and Kale Pesto. I put it over baked spaghetti squash and added grilled chicken. The only thing I would have changed was to add more Cayenne and kale (as changed below) because the creaminess of the avocado and the sweetness of the squash begged for a little spicier. But I'm always up for more spice :)

avocado and kale pesto sauce


print recipe

  
  
Ingredients
  • 2 cups basil
  • 1 cup kale
  • 1/4 cup almonds
  • 1 whole avocado
  • 2/3 cups olive oil
  • Himalayan salt to taste 
  • Black pepper, onion powder and Cayenne to taste 
Instructions

 1. Blend ingredients in food processor
2. Add seasoning to taste
3. Put on squash and love your life


a spring weekend in atlanta

I love Atlanta weekends. They're so full of possibility and endless happiness. 

This weekend included some house cleaning to start Saturday off right, followed by a whole lot of jam-packed goodness:

Melly and Stacie's Salvage Market vintage show.


A bridal shower for Abby.


A pig roast for Katherine.





A going away brunch for Mary Jo at 246 in Decatur.

Brunch turned into a pool afternoon and afternoon patio margaritas.

Sunday night dinner made by Chris and an attempt at watching Game of Thrones (what the heck is this show?!).

I hope your weekend was lovely! 

what makes you worth more?

image source?

A friend of mine recently ended a relationship and, before doing so, said that a big part of not wanting to end it was simply that she didn't want to be single.

For the obvious reasons - yes. Because it's fun to be in a relationship and to have someone to do things with and to go on dates. But then, there was another reason. She said: 

People treat you differently when you're in a relationship.

And, honestly, I think she's right. People ask you on double dates. And get excited about your developing relationship. And ask you about your life and his life. It can feel like people find you a little more worthy of love because, in fact, someone has chosen you as the target of their love.


And as someone who recently moved from singleness into coupledness, I've felt it. I've had all of the above things happen to me and I suddenly noticed how much less scary New Year's Eve was. I don't really care what we do this year... I remember thinking.

It's not just that people treat you differently, but that you begin to treat yourself a little differently. It can be easy to believe that because someone else has selected you, you are, in fact more worthy.

But, it's really important to me that I don't let myself believe it. I don't want anything to define my worth. Whether it be a relationship 
or my blog followers 
or an engagement ring 
or Instagram likes 
or how busy I am 
or my job 
or my weight 

or anything. define my worthiness. 


I don't want to get into a rhythm of evaluating and performing and obsessing. I don't want to allow any of these things to impact how I feel about myself and my current state.

I want to live a life where I am sure in myself and my worth in Christ.  I want to cultivate a life that allows me to know I am enough, even when I'm ready for something more. A life that allows me to believe that doing my best is better than being perfect. That calls me to stand for contentedness in the present. A life that allows me to pursue my dreams and dream of all that I want, but not allow my wants to taint what I have right now. 

Because what I have and who I am is all that I need right now. 

In fact, it's enough. 

{today}

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Reading:

The Fault in Our Stars. 20 pages in and already hooked. Have you read it? I've yet to hear a bad review.

I travel along to feel lovely on purpose. I like her thoughts on waiting for the right person. 

30 things to stop doing to yourself - Love this. Especially the point on not making everything perfect in life. Life is real. 

Also, love this site. Put in a book you enjoyed and it will generate similar suggestions. Give it a minute to load ;)

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Wanting to try:

Clean, Lean & Sexy's honey almond energy bars. Ingredients include dates, almonds, raisins, almond butter and honey. Right up my 10-a.m.-snack-time-alley.


A Beautiful Mess' Thai Tea Frappe. It looks unreal. I also want to try a Thai massage because I've heard they are amazing for you. Should I go to Thailand?

The new Tacos & Tequilas that opened on Ponce. I've never been to T&T but I love a good Mexican restaurant. 
image: anyone have a source?

Wanting to buy:

This phone case. But I have, unfortunately, been quarantined in the phone case department. I am now only allowed to buy very durable cases. (RIP old phones)

Surfy Sundays mug. I love Sundays. And mugs. And mugs that say Sunday.

This America kimono. You want it too, don't you?


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Loving:

The Kettlebell Yoga class I tried at Hotlanta yoga recently. It was definitely a different experience and the studio is much more relaxed than those I'm used to. But it was different and I liked it.

The new Localleikki app. They asked me to try it out a few months ago and now it's live (&free!) in the app store. It has been great for traveling so much recently - it allows you to find running, hiking, biking (+more) trails near you. You can filter it down to how far you want to go, what you want the trail surface to be, etc. It's fun :)

The Vineyard Vest Fresh Produce sent me to wear. It's perfect to throw on when I'm going to yoga but want to look presentable or to brighten up and pull together an outfit. 

You. For reading my blog. Thanks for that. :)

Bye, now.