Pomegranate Pear and Kale Salad with a Lemon Maple Balsamic Dressing

We're having some very warm weather these days so a heavy dinner and spending time in the kitchen with the oven on is not how I want to spend my evenings. A simple salad also wouldn't do, I needed something hearty with lots of flavor. I grabbed some kale, pomegranate seeds and a pear, tossed that with some pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds and whipped up a simple yet delicious dressing that rounded out the dish. The lemon in the dressing gives the salad a great burst of freshness while the nuts make it hearty enough that you feel full and satisfied. It's a beautiful salad that's festive and would be the enjoy of the Christmas dinner table. 

Thai Peanut Pasta

During the holiday season I'm always looking to make easy and quick recipes that have fresh flavors that won't make mealtime boring. Something that isn't too heavy but filling enough where I don't feel the need to snack all the time. My Thai Peanut Pasta is a perfect light pasta dish that incorporates unique flavors but lots of vegetables to light up the dish so it's not too heavy. It's great served hot or cold and a variety of proteins can be added to create a fuller dish.