This kale pesto is completely vegan and comes together in just a few minutes in the food processor. It pairs perfectly with pasta, and is completely customizable based off of what you have on hand.
How are we feeling about body image on social media these days? I don’t know if it is because I just published this post, or because it’s that time of the month and I’m all in my feelings (sorry, TMI), but some of the things I have been seeing women saying about their bodies and others’ bodies really has me feeling some type of way.
For example, I have followed Juli for what feels like forever now. She makes awesome recipes and has been really open on her blog about her body image struggles over the years. I have always admired her honesty. These days, girl is looking FIT and isn’t afraid to show it. I think that is totally cool. If she has it like that, and wants to show off a little bit, more power to her. All I know is when I see her post a photo in a sports bra or bathing suit I’m thinking “That’s so cute and I’m so glad she linked where’s it’s from cause I want it right now.” But when I read the comments of some of the photos, all I see is things like “Do the abs come with the swimsuit?” or “Body Goals AF” thousands of times over. Comments like that break my heart.
I’m going to be frank here – her abs, or anyone else’s abs, have nothing to do with any of us. Yes, her abs would come with the swimsuit if her DNA did as well. But that is simply not how it works love, and comments like that do far more harm than good. You don’t need your abs to look like hers or anyone else’s to feel good about them. I get it, some bodies are in transition. If you are on your personal fitness journey and are working towards getting stronger and more fit, that’s awesome. In the meantime, dress your body in a way that plays up your features and makes you feel confident now and as your strength increases and journey evolves, adjust as needed. For the love of Pete please just stop saying “body goals.” Someone else’s body should never be the goal.
And after that touching body love message, I’m about to undo it all and make a confession that is going to make me sound like a terrible “healthy living blogger.” I just haven’t been that into veggies lately.
I KNOW, I KNOW. But these things happen. Yes, I am all about health. Yes, I am eventually going to be pursuing a career in nutrition. Yes, I know how important eating plants is.
But I’ve just been kind of over vegetables, and have been very much into eating all of the carbs. You know, just over here being a human. Don’t mind me.
I love a good kale salad, but after years of near-daily kale salads I’m a little burned out. Roasted brussels are the shizzzzz but maybe not every. Single. Night.
So I hit a wall. I kept buying my same typical veggies and then just haven’t been really eating them. After a few sluggish, veggie skimping weeks, I needed to work some more greenery into my diet but wanted to get creative about how I did it. The other day I really wanted pasta (basically a daily craving), but I also had some kale in the fridge that was on its last leg and needed to be eaten like yesterday.
So obviously like a normal person, I took my food processor straight into my bedroom and made some pesto (if you follow me on Snapchat, you know what I’m saying).
Basically, I made my new favorite thing. It is packed with garlic and lemon, and is a great way to sneak in some extra kale when you just aren’t feeling it. I served my pesto with Banza pasta which is basically my new favorite thing. It is pasta that is made out of chickpeas, and has an amazing texture and flavor. Basically you get all the pasta yumminess with the protein and fiber of the chickpeas, minus the gluten in regular pasta.
You can also customize the pesto however you would like. I used pine nuts to keep a more traditional pesto flavor, but you could also use walnuts or almonds. If you don’t do nuts, you could even try sunflower seeds or hemp seeds. Get creative with it, yo.
- 2 Cups of Roughly Chopped Kale
- 2 Cloves of Garlic
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- ¼ Cup Pine Nuts
- ¼ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Place the kale, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until kale garlic, and nuts are finely chopped.
- Turn the food processor to low, and slowly stream in olive oil until emulsified. Stop the food processor to scrape the sides as needed.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, and continue processing until smooth.
Your Turn:
- Thoughts on body image and social media – GO.
- What is your favorite way to keep your veggie intake up when you just aren’t feeling it?
Disclaimer: I received pasta from Banza to try out. I was not compensated, and all opinions are my own. I only share products I use and trust. Thank you for supporting The Balanced Berry. <3
This looks great! I have not made pesto in a while and love the kale in here
you just read my mind, I was looking for a vegan pesto this week. Have to do it now!
Such a great point (and a great recipe!). Ultimately, we have to be ourselves. Our best selves, but ourselves, nonetheless.
I totally agree with you, and I think it’s hard to really know where the line is between inspiration, motivation, and taking things too far. I follow a lot of fit people on Instagram because it motivates me to go to the gym on days when I’m feeling lazy and reminds me how important it is to fuel my body right! But some days I know I don’t need to see that because I’m having a bad body day haha. I think it depends on your state of mind!
Also, that pesto looks amazing 🙂
Girl, I 100% agree with you that someone else’s body shouldn’t be your goal! The more we compare, the less we actually can grow, but the more we encourage, the more we can help each other grow in their own health journey. And yes, I don’t feel like veggies all the time either, and I think that’s just how the body works. 🙂
I TOTALLY agree with this!
Ahhhh I just want to stuff my face with that pasta. Looks SO good.
This is a great variation on pesto. I’ve also made pesto with spinach! We try hard to get veggies in and smoothies work really well for that.
I love that you used kale instead of basil, that sounds delish! I’ll have to try banza too!
I love this post, Les. You must have read my mind because a lot of people I know in real life have been critiquing their bodies (and wishing for a change) and it’s just a bunch of negativity that I don’t want to be apart of. I’ve followed Juli for a while too and, yes, she has an amazingly fit body, but it’s her body and doesn’t make me dislike mine as a result. Easier said than done (I know from past experience) but once we can find peace and love ourselves it’s kind of an incredible feeling.
Oh, and my sister requested pesto for dinner this weekend (why she gets to decide I have no clue) so this looks perfect for that 🙂
I’ve never made pesto before. I often have my veggies mixed into dinner so I’m always getting some.
Using other’s pictures can help you define your goals but just as with anything it can be taken too far.
I SO loved this post! I’ve struggled with body image issues all my life, and a lot of what you’re saying really resonated with me. I always have that little voice in my head that’s all, “Once you fit into a size __, then you’ll be good enough.” That whole, “I’m fierce and awesome and I know it” trend is tough for me to join, but I’m loving that people like you GET it and are spreading the word about it. So much love.
I love making homemade pesto and with kale is one of my favorites.
The dreaded comparison trap and the fact that very few, if any, of us see what might be happening in the real lives of the people we compare ourselves to. It’s a tough combination to not get sucked into.
I’m going through yoga teacher training and a few months ago I chose a meditation, my beautiful self, and it has carried over into living my yoga.
I was just trying to think of something I could do with my kale besides a basic ass salad and you just solved my probs. Making this tonight!!
“Someone else’s body should never be your goal.” THANK YOU for saying this! I’ve recently become extra frustrated with the way social media is causing so many people around me to feel negatively about themselves. As a college student, I constantly overhear girls comparing themselves to other girls they see on Instagram, and it’s so so saddening. Everyone is beautiful in his/her own way, and half of what is on social media isn’t real anyways! Wish we could get everyone to truly love themselves. Love your thoughts on the subject. XO
GIRL. That is exactly what I was thinking when I made this. And thank you so much for that – you are incredibly mature and wise to be so young! Thank you for your thoughtful comment xoxo