This is an easy to fix dish that provides a nutritious and satisfying meal, and helps reduce nausea that some women experience during pregnancy. For more information about the Shannon Miller Lifestyle Healthy & Balanced Pregnancy Cookbook, check out http://shannonmillerlifestyle.com/products/healthy-balanced-pregnancy-cookbook

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http://www.karenrothnutrition.com Today I am talking about one of Americas favorite foods. Pizza! We have a love hate relationship with pizza, because it tastes so good, but we know deep down most pizzas contain a thick crust of refined carbohydrates and trans fats, while the toppings ranging from cheese to sausage are loaded with fat from unhealthy animal sources. So I want to share with you some of my ways of turning this delicious temptation into a healthy meal without sacrificing flavor. This is an easy fast recipe to making your pizza.

I start with a flour tortilla. I’m lucky enough to be able to find raw uncooked flour tortillas at my Whole Foods market. If you have a health food store, look for them there. Because starting with the crust is where you can save on a lot of harmful fat because you cook it yourself. You simply heat 1 tortilla in a non stick pan until its cooked on both sides. No oil needed. The tortilla is 120 calories. Once cooked, place on a pizza pan while you prepare the toppings.

Next sauté fresh or frozen vegetables with a little olive oil and crushed red pepper for some heat. Any vegetable will do. I always have in my freezer, a bag of frozen spinach and artichoke hearts. Both great pizza toppings. Other favorites are chopped onion, tomato, mushrooms, broccoli florets and asparagus tips. Very few calories in this topping.

The pizza sauce is important. I use a fresh one made that I find at my local Trader Joes that is made from fresh tomatoes and seasonings. Be careful of the pre-made versions in a jar as they may be high in sugar and full of artificial flavors and colorings and especially the artificial preservatives. So think fresh and look in your deli section. I like to add extra sauce, and less cheese. The flavor is really in the sauce. So once you’ve topped your tortilla with the sauce, sprinkle some mozzarella cheese, and top with the cooked veggies. Then I sprinkle with just a little more cheese, you don’t need much. Then bake it in your oven for about 10 minutes until the cheese has melted.

Now this whole pizza runs about 350 calories. And in comparison to a popular chain pizza joint, you would consume approximately that same amount of calories in just 1 slice of a veggie pizza. Its all that dough and cheese!

So to make this meal even healthier, consider cutting it into 4 slices and share it with another person. Make a side salad and have it with your 2 slices. If you are gluten intolerant, you can use corn tortillas, or if you just want a mini pizza for one, corn tortillas are perfect. They tend to be crunchier.

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My daughter had her 2 year check up yesterday and the doctor said her weight is in the 60th percentile. She weighs 27.5 pounds and is 83 in. He said her weight is up slightly because toddlers are supossed to be really really thin. I don’t give her fast food often and don’t give her lots of snacks. I cook mainly preety healthy. It is winter and we are inside and I know she probably doesn’t get enough activity but doesn’t watch hours of tv ethier. How can I provide more acitivity for her? I chase her around some and play hide and seek.

Find some activities in your area for 2yr olds. The local gym and rec. center offer free if not very cheap play groups. Usually located in a gym filled with toys, ride on vehicles, trampolines, slides, arts/crafts and more. The one I go ranges from 0 – 5yrs. Swimming is also great. My local pool offers parent/tot times which are specifically for 0 – 5yrs. It’s great because the kids make a lot of little friends and some pools have the tot indoor water parks. There is plenty to do in my little community. Try going on to google and doing a search for your area attached to Recreation Guide. If that doesn’t work look up your community website and see if they have options for families on it. You can always just dress appropriately for the weather and head out in the backyard. You don’t have to go far from home and you don’t have to stay out long. =)