Yesterday I continued my cooking experimentation 
Of course Pizza was on my list of post-competition foods I must have. But I figured why not try to make a healthier and perhaps more fun version myself. So I basically ended up using Thanksgiving leftovers and this is what I ended up with.
Spinach Pesto, Ham, Goat & Parm Cheese Butternut Pizza
Trader Joe’s Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
Pesto Sauce: I just food processed the following ingredients..
2 c fresh Spinach
2 Garlic cloves
1/3 c Vegetable Broth
1/4 c Olive Oil
1/8 c Pinenuts
Salt & Pepper
Toppings: Parmesan Cheese, Goat Cheese, Baked Ham, Butternut Squash
I am so happy with the results! Back in the day I use to make pizza using bread machine pizza dough, store bought sauce and fat-free mozzarella cheese. Needless to say it was not the tastiest item and the cheese had the tendancy to turn to rock. I am so glad I made another attempt at it. I only ended up eating half and I still have half the TJ’s dough left for another pizza adventure!
Balanced Eating & Menu Planning
This is my declaration and commitment to menu planning both for budgetary and dietary reasons. Right now I have a ton of food stocked up, both leftover from Thanksgiving and newly cooked/baked goods. The majority of it is pretty healthy but apparently the sheer variety and resulting extent of choices is overwhelming. The last couple days it seems no matter how much I eat I’m too full. Maybe it’s just my stomach adjusting to foods it hasn’t had in a long time. I must admit it has been quite carb-tastic. But no matter the reason I’m already tired of being uncomfortable. I froze quite a bit of the Thanksgiving leftovers along with this weeks baked goods so I can be sure to enjoy it all over an extended period and not feel the urge to binge or feel deprived (if I just threw it all away). Additionally, as I mentioned in the previous post, I am in major money-saving mode. I know myself, and I know my pickiness when it comes to food choice and quality will not be changing (ie my loyalty to Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Sprouts), so it’s even more important that I plan my shopping list and not let anything go to waste. I find so much inspiration from your blogs, I just want to try everything, but I have to remind myself that I get to eat variety for a while now, so no need to rush
Your Recommendation?
On a related note, I bought my first Kabocha Squash yesterday and I’m planning to have it for dinner tonight! As I know you all are experts, how should I cook it up for my first experience?!
Oh and be sure to check out Healthy Ashley’s Sweet Stand Against Cancer Online Vegan Bake Sale going on today!
Fun Links
Butter nut squash on a pizza sounds great!
Thanks so much for including the bake sale in your post!!