Gluten Free Pizza Featuring Oyster Mushrooms

Today my blank canvas was a Schar Gluten Free Pizza Crust that I purchased at The Gluten Free Mall. I added fresh vegetables that I acquired at the La Jolla Farmer's Market. I enjoyed the pizza with a side salad made with lettuce from my garden and cabbage from the farmer's market.

I am excited to start using oyster mushrooms in recipes. They are high in zinc, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, folic acid, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin B-1 and vitamin B-2. These amazing mushrooms lower blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and have an anti-inflammatory effect on your body.

 

From start to finish the meal took less than 30 minutes to make.

The first thing I did was get out all of the ingredients and pre-heat the oven to 410.

Ingredients:

1. Oyster Mushroom (about 2 cups diced)
2. Diced leeks (about 1 cup)
3. Minced/Diced garlic (1/4 cup)
4. Yellow squash (diced or spiral about 1 cup)
5. Diced/Shredded chicken -  OPTIONAL (1/2 cup)
6. Cheese (1 cup)
7. Olive oil to sautee vegetables
8. Optional: crushed red pepper flakes to sprinkle on crust for added flavor
9. Pizza Crust 
10. Lettuce/Cabbage for salad ... I topped with oil and vinegar and raisins and walnuts

Instructions:

1. Wash and dice vegetables
2. Sautee for about 5-10 minutes until leeks are translucent and flavors marry
3. Spray olive oil on the pizza crust and add crushed red pepper if you wish the extra layer of flavor
4. Add the vegetables to the crust and spread to create an even layer 
5. Add chicken if you wish
6. Top with cheese and bake according to package directions - about 15 minutes

While pizza is baking you can make a salad and set the table.

Serving Size - 1/2 a pizza with a side salad. 

A Cup of Tea ... An Opportunity to Relax and Renew

I am a FAN of tea. I love the flavor of tea and appreciate the variety in the marketplace. If you are not already head-over-heels into tea, there are so many options available to you, you are bound to find at least one that you like! Whether you are looking for caffeine or herbal, fruity or spicy, black or green or white tea, there are many out there from which to choose.

Mighty Leaf currently has a summer sale. Save up to 30% at the Mighty Leaf Tea Summer Sale. Use Code SUMMERSALE to get 30% off until May 29th.

I appreciate a cup of HOT tea. The warmth of hot tea resonates in my body and warms me more than any cup of coffee or hot cocoa can. The tea provides mt with warmth when I am working late and feel cold due to physical exhaustion. The hot tea warms me when I am physically cold due to cold weather outside or air conditioning that is working all too well! To be honest, holding a cup of hot tea adds external heat; quite a soothing feeling!

If you are not a fan of HOT TEA but enjoy iced tea with a meal or on its own, you might prefer the Mighty Leaf Iced Tea Infusions.

Gluten Free may lead you to consider a Keto Diet

A fellow writer approached me to see if I could share her research based article about the Keto Diet. Her article, the Keto Diet Plan: A Complete Beginner's Guide provides comprehensive information about the popular diet. For some that are already following a gluten free diet because of health reasons, the Keto Diet may be something of interest.

Sunday Breakfast ... Pancakes with TWO or THREE Ingredients

Sunday is the day I have more time to make breakfast and take my time eating the meal. Today I used a tried-and-true recipe, with the addition of cinnamon I added antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties to my meal while also contributing to my heart health, reducing the risk of diabetes, and assisting brain function.

I added fresh seasonal organic berries since berries are on the Dirty Dozen List. Optional toppings I placed on the table included:

• Nuts
• Seeds
• SunButter
• Honey

The meal is simple to make and is very healthy. Remember the ratio is 1 banana to 1 egg. You can make the quantity you want. This is a great breakfast for one ... or a group!

Chia Pudding with a Sunwarrior Twist

I modified my Chia Cups recipe to add texture, protein, fiber, and flavor. Why did I make the change you may wonder? One reason is that I am creative and look for new ways to modify tried-and-true recipes! another reason is practical, I was looking for an easy to digest, nutritious, and healthy option for nutrition between my workout and the group fitness classes I was teaching. The chia pudding cups are perfect as they can be packed and taken on-the-go.

To make the dish more satisfying I diced a Sunwarrior Sunwarrior Sol Good Blueberry Protein Bar and added it to the top of of chia. It was the perfect addition of flavor and texture! The bars are tasty on their own, but also a great addition to a dish. They are gluten free, soy free, dairy free, non GMO, vegan , and organic ... which appeals to most consumers. Other flavors include coconut, cinnamon, and salted caramel.

Protein Packed, Antionidant Rich, Superfood Filled Breakfast

Add one scoop of Organifi Red Juice to one cup of Greek Yogurt for a Protein Packed, Antionidant Rich, Superfood Filled Breakfast. Add fresh fruit, seeds, dried fruit, or nuts for additional flavor and texture.  Use plain or vanilla flavor...control your sugar intake through the day.

NOTE: For those who are vegan, cashew yogurt alternatives work well with this also!

Sunday Pancake Breakfast

Today my husband and I had the time to enjoy a breakfast together. I made oatmeal pancakes featuring Quaker Gluten Free Instant Oatmeal Packages (Maple and Brown Sugar Flavor).  The recipe is tried-and-true, the gluten free oatmeal packet of choice for the meal is the variable.

I garnished with fresh and vibrantly colored fruits since we eat with our eyes first! I wanted the meal to look beautiful and, as a result, taste even better too!

Instead of maple syrup or honey I used Sunbutter on my pancakes. The added flavor and protein made the meal!

Options: Sprinkle with seeds and dried fruit for extra texture and flavor.