2 Healthy Pizza Recipes + Powerful Immune Boosting Supplements

Who doesn’t love pizza? I had a love-hate relationship with it for many years because of the very unjoyous things it did to my digestion. I will spare you the details! But now that I’m a nutritionist, I know why. Back in the day when I was eating delivered pizza (which the brand shall remain nameless) it was most likely GMO white flour, plus some sort of cheese-like concoction and a truckload of salt. Now that I know better, if I’m going out for pizza, I go to the best pizza place in the city of Toronto — Pizza Libretto, or I make my own.

So that’s just what I did this past week, made my own. I was shopping at Whole Foods Market, picked up some spelt pizza crust and made two different pizzas with the bare essentials in my fridge and guess what? No negative side effects of course, yippee! Now if you avoid gluten, then you can just buy brown rice tortilla shells or if you are lucky, your grocer might have brown rice pizza crust. Of course you can make the crust yourself and if you want to do that, here’s a recipe that my good friend Dee gave me. Just swap the flour for your fave gluten-free variety.

Ingredients:

For my pizza crust, I used this brand: Shasha. One of the reasons I love this crust so much is that it is “sprouted”. Grains that are sprouted are much easier to digest. The enzyme inhibitors in the grain have been neutralized (which means your belly can better break it down) and the protein content and B vitamins are increased!

Pizza 1 Topping: Tour de Italia

• 1 large tomato sliced
• 1/4 red onion, chopped
• Handful of chopped spinach
• 1 tsp dry Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme)
• 1/2 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)

Optional: Freshly shaved high quality parmasen.

Method: Combine the seasoning, garlic, olive oil in a small bowl. Drizzle over the pizza with a spoon to make sure the whole area is covered. Add more EVOO if necessary. Decorate with your tomato and red onion. Sprinkle with a touch of cheese if you like.

Pizza 2 Topping: Kale Pesto Magic

• 4-5 large kale leaves, washed, stems removed (kale health benefits here)
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4 walnuts or almonds
• 2-3 tbsp EVOO
• 1/4 sulfite-free sundried tomatoes (You will have to buy these at the health food store)
• 2 tbsp soft goat cheese (raw if you can get it – easier to digest)

Method: Place the kale, garlic, nuts and EVOO into your food processor. Blend until a pesto paste forms. Spread over top of your pizza. Then sprinkle your goat cheese and sundried tomatoes.

Cooking: Bake at 375F for 10-12 minutes on a pizza pan if you have one, or a cookie sheet. Every oven is different, so watch it carefully. Then increase temp to 400F and cook for another 5-7 minutes. Watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn!

Serves 2 with leftovers for lunch. I had this with a nice big salad too.

Lasty, I was on the Global Toronto Morning Show this week (you can watch the segment here) talking about immune boosting foods and supplements. Many of you have emailed or tweeted asking me what I mentioned, so here is the list! Please note my disclaimer: Supplements are “supplemental” to a good diet, so it’s of utmost importance to eat whole foods (lean protein/good fat) and tons of vegetables and fruits for a healthy strong immune system.

1. Immune Support by AOR. This supplement has 4 magical (but not that kind of magical) medicinal mushroom species and 3 other plant-based extracts for superstar immune support including rice bran, olive leaf, and wild yam. Scientific studies have shown that each of these ingredients are potent modulators of the immune system. If you can’t get this brand where you live (It’s a Canadian brand) just ask your health food store for something similar.

2. Vitamin C + Bioflavanoids. Vitamin C is one of the most widely used antioxidants in the body and extremely important for a healthy immune system, liver and adrenal gland function. It is antimicrobial and increases natural killer cell activities and lymphocyte proliferation (translation: Makes your white blood cells work harder to kill those bugs!). Vitamin C is extremely important to the actual integrity of your cells and keeps them protected. Brand: There are so many brands out there. I don’t really have a favourite, so long as it contains at least 750-1000mg and has bioflavanoids.

3. Probiotics. My personal favourite supplement for a strong immune system is probiotics, and this brand: HMF Forte by Genestra. It has 10 billion active live bacteria per capsule, it’s batch tested for quality and purity. If you want to learn more about the power of probiotics then have a read of this article: The Bugs In Your Body. Most of your immune cells are within your gut, so it only makes sense to beef up the probiotics as they aid in keeping your immune system strong.

4. Vitamin D3. Not really a vitamin, it’s a pro-hormone. And every time I turn around there is yet another study on vitamin D and immune health. Not only has it been linked with breast cancer prevention in studies from the University of Toronto, but it’s very effective at preventing colds and flus. Vitamin D deficiency also manifests as dry skin (scalp, heels, hands), depression, osteoporosis and more. I recommend liquid vitamin D for better absorption over tablets or capsules. There are many great brands available, but this is the one I reco: AOR D Drops.

As for dosage recommendations, I actually prefer not to advise here because every single person is completely biochemically unique, so it’s best to talk to your healthcare practitioner for advice on this!

• Last week to register for our Mexico Retreat. We’ve got amazing bonus gifts for you too! Check it out here: http://www.joyoushealth.ca/mexico-2012-retreat/
• Want to stay in town? Then register for our 6wk yoga+nutrition course! Over 2 years running and very successful!! http://www.joyoushealth.ca/eat-well-feel-well/
• Also, I’m teaching 5 workshops at 889 Yonge starting this month. Want to feel fabulous in 2012? Then learn more here: http://www.889yoga.com/special_events_889_yonge-303.html

Joy McCarthy, Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Health Coach of Joyous Health, loves to inspire others to eat well, live well and be happy.

Joy has clients from all over the world and consults via phone and Skype. Contact Joy today and take the first step to achieving joyous health. REASONS TO HIRE A HOLISTIC NUTRITIONIST.