I think we can all agree that entertaining, especially for a large crowd, is not for the faint of heart. As pleasurable as parties and events can be, the preparation and anticipation is often completely nerve-wracking and stress inducing.

Imagine throwing a lunch gathering in your home, where all 30 of your guests are deeply immersed in health and wellness…from nutritionists to food bloggers to authors to established authorities on clean living.

Now, imagine that the purpose of this event is to join an important conversation about food itself.

Yes, I had the amazing, yet terrifying opportunity to host a lunch & learn for Environmental Working Group - one of my favorite nonprofits. I was ecstatic to be a part of this, but also a bit panicked.

Suddenly, The pressure was ON. In fact, my anxiety coiled itself around me like a snake. My perfectionism that was long buried started to bubble to the surface, catapulting me into a tailspin of self-doubt.

What should I make to please everyone?
What will they rave about?
How can this lunch exceed creativity and taste – for the very people who we admire for their advice and guidance on what to eat?

The tremendous pressure to create the most crowd-pleasing menu (on earth) was now resting on my tense and tired shoulders.

Then it hit me.

I’d lost complete perspective on the real reason behind this lunch & learn. This self-imposed search for the “perfect” meal was only taking away from the joy and excitement that this lunch was supposed to provide!

Instead of worrying about every dish, I needed to embrace our common interests - our similar goal of improving the health in our communities.  And stressing about the food, or spending my time in the kitchen when everyone else was part of the experience, would have defeated my own purpose for hosting the event in the first place.

I began to realize that as long as the meal I was creating was a product of my passion and love for what I do, it didn’t matter whether someone who was grain-free decided to skip the quinoa dish or the strict vegan passed on the animal protein.

So, I took a step back and came up with a combination of dishes that had something for everyone – a menu filled with beautiful, fresh and colorful food that I could prepare in advance… and then I simply LET GO.

From my kitchen to yours, here’s a crowd-pleasing menu that will take you from jittery to joyful while creating a stress-free and seamless entertaining experience.

Easy Gazpacho with Avocado.  I greeted each guest with a shot glass filled with this refreshing & cooling summer soup, which hits the spot when it’s warm outside.

Kale Chips. My friends over at Gouter make the best kale chips EVER. While they keep the recipe under wrap, their secret ingredient is nutritional yeast.  I’m working on getting them to share, but for now, you can try this one.

Sliced Kale & Brussel Sprout Salad.  I decided to test out one of my newer kale recipes.  Since my guest list was comprised of a kale-loving crowd, I went for a more innovative way to serve my favorite leafy.

Quinoa with Dried Fruits & Nuts offers plenty of plant-based protein, plus the variety of colorful fruits & veggies look gorgeous on the table.  Admittedly, this dish requires a lot of chopping, so it’s definitely more of a special occasion quinoa, not my go-to everyday version.

Chili Lime Chicken with Fruit Salsa.  I went back and forth on whether to serve animal protein.  In the end, since I was having over 30 guests, I wanted to offer the variety.  Plus, the mango, strawberry & avocado salsa is delicious on its own.

Simple Chia Seed Pudding.  The mini martini glasses are the perfect size for this nutrient-dense dessert.  Top it off with vibrant berries to end the meal on a colorful and satisfying note.

Raw Chocolate Bark with Goji Berries.  Last but not least, I couldn't serve a kale-filled meal without…. chocolate!

I can’t wait to hear from you. Do you stress so much over what to serve that you miss out on the reason why you're getting together? Share your stories below and let’s help one another put the ease back into entertaining.