Callie Blount grew up in a Southern home and was taught that hospitality is a fantastic way to show love. Carrying those traditions forward, Callie talks in this interview about how to be hospitable while still maintaining time for self care, yet not being afraid to be vulnerable and allow people into her home. Callie teaches, "People aren't going to remember what your house looked like. They're going to remember how you made them feel." Callie loves beauty, people and creating, which she uses in her career as a food stylist. She blogs at Luv-Cooks.com. She lives in Nashville with her husband Jake and their cute dog Bigsby. 

Nuggets of Wisdom from Callie:

"Life is either a grand adventure or nothing else." ~Helen Keller

"I was raised in a very southern household with a very southern mama who I absolutely adore. I grew up in this culture of - whether it was a wedding or a funeral or a baby shower - her motto was 'Well, ya gotta eat!' so you might as well be eating at her house. This culture of beautiful tables and beautiful spreads and this enjoyment of food and of people.... There's something about this love of food, love of people, and love of beauty that resonates in my spirit and brings me such fulfillment."

"My mom modeled for me this culture of hospitality. For her it was her way to love us well."

"The best way to love somebody is to cook for them."

"Hospitality is more about the people who are sitting in your living room than it is about you looking fancy or like the coolest hostess in the world. It's about loving them well and making them feel special."

"It's about having a good time and celebrating life with the people around you. It's really more important the way people FEEL when they're in your home than the way your home appears to them."

"Today is the day that I have. Today is my grand adventure. I'm not promised tomorrow. Today is my chance to love people, to be kind to them, to have a good time with whatever situation I'm in and to let my intention be TODAY."

"At the end of the day, land on the side of relationship."

"People who can celebrate food are the best people!"

Some of Callie's Favorite Things:

Personal habit: "I pray all the time. I try to still myself and maintain a place of peace in my spirit."

Easy meal: Roasted Veggie and Quinoa Bowl with Creamy Asian Dressing (See below in the Resources for the recipe)

Favorite Kitchen Gadget: "Buying a Vitamix Blender has changed our world!" (See below in the Resources for Callie's Chocoholic Smoothie recipe)

Callie's Favorite Book: Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

Best advice received: "The enemy of good is perfect."

Callie's Happiness Formula:

"Encourage, Feed, and Inspire People."

A Challenge from Callie:

"Go out there and practice hospitality. Choose to land on the side of community!"

Resources

Luv-Cooks.com

Turkey Pumpkin Chili

Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

Callie's Pump-Me-Up Chocoholic Smoothie  

Roasted Veggie and Quinoa Bowl with Creamy Asian Dressing

For the vegetables:
1 sweet potato, diced
1/2 pound okra, sliced into thin circles OR 3 carrots, sliced on the diagonal
1/2 head broccoli, sliced into florets
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

For the quinoa:
1 cup quinoa
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth

For the Asian dressing sauce:
3 tablespoons Sun Butter (or peanut or almond butter)
2 teaspoons soy sauce (or more to taste)
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Green onions, sliced (for topping)
Toasted sesame seeds (for topping)

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