3 Healthy Pizza Crusts You Can Feel Good About

3 Healthy Pizza Crusts You Can Feel Good About

A favourite food amongst many of us is a delicious slice of pizza. However, most people think of pizza as a comfort food and can’t shake that guilty feeling after enjoying a slice or two. But what if you could enjoy pizza without feeling like you were doing your body an injustice?

One of the most effective ways to lighten up your pizza is to forego the traditional wheat crust in favour of healthier alternatives. Here are three healthy pizza crusts you can enjoy, without the side of guilt:

1. Almond Flour Crust

Gluten is proteins that make up wheat and give foods an elastic texture and helps hold the particles together. Foods that contain flour are the biggest culprits for people who get sick from gluten.

To make pizza a little more gut friendly, try a crust that foregoes the traditional whole wheat flour, and uses almond flour instead! Almond flour contains the same nutrients as whole almonds, which we know are great for nutrition. Low in carbs and high in protein, fats, and fibres, almond flour pizza crust will keep you feeling fuller for longer. For a great almond flour pizza crust recipe, try the one over at Ditch the Wheat.

2. Cauliflower Crust

This white, mild-tasting veggie is high in vitamin C and other nutrients as well as antioxidants. When used as a pizza crust, cauliflower becomes crunchy and bread like, the perfect replacement for your average crust.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust Recipe

Ingredients:

  • Head of cauliflower
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3/4 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Wash cauliflower thoroughly and cut into pieces.
  3. Pulse in food processor.
  4. Place cauliflower in microwave for 4 minutes, or steam until tender (around 15 minutes).
  5. Once the cauliflower is tender, squeeze it with a strainer or nut bag. Add in eggs, garlic, salt and pepper to taste (adding cheese into crust is also optional).
  6. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and create your desired crust shape. Bake in preheated oven for about 15 minutes, then put on your desired toppings and bake an additional 10 minutes.

3. Mini Zucchini Crusts

Using zucchini as a base for pizza is a fantastic idea! Granted, you’ll have bagel bite-sized pizzas, but it’s no less tasty, and they’re perfect for appetizers and entertaining.

Zucchini Pizza Crust Recipe

  1. Cut zucchini into disk shapes, about ½-inch thick.
  2. In a skillet, add 1–2 tablespoons of oil and cook zucchini on each side for about 2 minutes.
  3. Place mini zucchinis on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
  4. Layer on tomato sauce, cheese, and any other toppings of your choosing.
  5. Bake zucchini pizzas at 400 degrees until cheese has melted (this will not take long).
  6. Enjoy!
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The Best Fresh Flavours for Fall Smoothies

The Best Fresh Flavours For Fall Smoothies

Smoothie fever typically kicks in at the height of summer when fresh fruits are in abundance. But what’s a smoothie fan to do once the colder weather arrives? Here are your best bets for fresh and delicious fall smoothies:

Fresh Fall Ingredients

Smoothies are a great way to pack in antioxidants and other nutrients from fresh fruits and vegetables. From October to May, however, it can be slim pickings at the fruit stand, so you’ll need to get innovative if you want to maintain your smoothie habit.

Some top fruit and vegetable picks for fall and winter smoothies include:

  • Leafy greens
  • Beets
  • Carrots
  • Squash and pumpkin
  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Apples
  • Grapes
  • Pears
  • Medlars
  • Quince

Fennel can also add a liquorice-like kick to your smoothies, while ginger offers warmth on those cooler mornings. The more adventurous among you might try tracking down some nettles and watercress or even rosehips to add some wild flavours to your morning cold-weather smoothie.

Fall Smoothie Combinations

apple and rhubarbApple and Rhubarb

What flavours say Fall more than apple or rhubarb?

Throughout the Fall and Winter, you should still be able to find local apples and rhubarb. At first blush, you might not think rhubarb would be a great choice for a smoothie, but it mixes well with celery, kale, carrots, and winter greens, as does apple.

Dried Fruit and Nut Milk

Dried fruit can also be an excellent choice for smoothies made using almond milk or soy milk. Try blitzing a handful of cranberries with mandarin segments, almond milk, and chia seeds for a seasonal smoothie.

Fall GreensFall Greens

Kale, celery, apple, and ginger is a delicious green smoothie combination. It also provides an excellent array of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients including calcium, quercetin, and vitamin C. What better way to start your morning than with a tasty, nutritious green smoothie!

Add in a dash of turmeric to bump up your antioxidant intake even further!

Pumpkin Spice

If the onset of fall weather has you craving a pumpkin spiced latte, why not make yourself a pumpkin cinnamon smoothie with cashew milk and fresh pumpkin instead?

With any of your smoothies, consider adding in a scoop of PGX protein powder to lower the glycemic index and increase your fibre intake, helping you to feel fuller for longer.

 

 

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6 Best Before and After Workout Foods to Energize

6 Best Before and After Workout Foods to Energize

What you eat before and after a workout plays a vital role in your energy levels. When you’re exerting energy during exercising your body will rely on what you have eaten prior, and when you’re done working out your body will start to recover, using the food/drink that you consume afterward.

To keep your body from feeling sluggish while exercising, eat the right pre- and post-workout foods.

3 Easy Pre-Workout Foods

As a general rule of thumb, try to consume a healthy snack 45 minutes prior to your workout. It shouldn’t be heavy, as you don’t want to feel weighed down, but it should be filling enough so that you don’t feel hungry. During your snack time, also try to drink one or two glasses of water to help ensure proper hydration.

Peanut Butter Toast With Banana1. Peanut Butter Toast With Banana

This pre-workout snack contains protein, fibre, magnesium, and potassium! In addition to being delicious, peanut butter also packs protein and fibre. Bananas have been used in endurance sports for decades because they contain vitamins, minerals, sit low on the glycemic level, and have also been known to help reduce muscle cramps.

2. Fruit Smoothies with Protein Powder

Whip up a fruit smoothie with mixed fruit, frozen bananas, nut milk, and top it off with a serving of protein powder such as PGX Satisfast Whey Protein Drink Mix*, which is available in two tasty flavours!

3. Fruit With Almond Butter

Almond butter comes jam packed with monounsaturated fats (the good kind of fat), magnesium, and has also been shown to support healthy heart function. Choose fruits that pair well with almond butter, such as apples and bananas.

3 Simple and Hearty Post-Workout Foods

Getting a solid meal into your system within 60 minutes of exercising is a goal worth shooting for. Food takes longer to digest than liquids, so the quicker you can eat something post workout, the faster your body can use that fuel to replenish the energy levels that have decreased during your workout.

Salad with Chicken or Tofu and Veggies1. Salad with Chicken or Tofu, and Veggies

Salads are a fantastic healthy post-workout meal. Choose from toppings like veggies, nuts, legumes, and boiled eggs to help your body get the nutrients it needs, while your protein can come from chicken, shrimp, and nuts.

Here’s a recipe for a simple, healthy salad dressing I really enjoy:

  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh squeezed orange
  • 1 tbsp of honey

2. Protein Pancakes

These four-ingredient protein pancakes are much more than just a healthy alternative to traditional pancakes, they’re also incredibly delicious!  Complete this energy-boosting treat with a topping of nut butter and fresh fruit!

  • 1 large banana
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tbsp of your favourite vanilla protein powder
  1. Mash the banana.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the remaining ingredients, then add mashed banana.
  3. Pour the batter into heated skillet, cook through, and enjoy!

3. Marinated Protein and Sweet Potatoes

If you want something a bit heavier for a post-workout meal, a lean protein paired with a healthy carb like sweet potatoes or yams will do the trick!

  1. Cook your meat in a marinade of balsamic vinegar, lemon, and garlic.
  2. Cut the sweet potatoes into disks (about ¾ inch thick).
  3. Fill a skillet with ½ inch of water and cover the sweet potato disks. Cook until a fork can easily pierce through the potato.

*Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX.

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5 Common Fitness Fears and How to Overcome Them

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With all the benefits of regular exercise – including a stronger body, overall better health, endorphins, stress relief, lower BMI, and more – why wouldn’t you exercise?* Are your fitness fears holding you back?

Whether you’re new to working out or recently fallen off the wagon, fitness can be intimidating. But fear is no excuse for pushing aside your health and well-being. Get your workouts on track with these simple solutions to help you overcome five common fitness fears:

Fear 1: I Don't Know What I'm DoingFear #1: “I Don’t Know What I’m Doing”

Some exercises can look complicated, but those aren’t your only options. Start with something simple yet, effective – such as walking. It’s one of the simplest ways to burn calories, strengthen multiple muscle groups, support cardiovascular health, and boost your mood.

Once you’re ready for more complex activities, join an exercise class or hire a personal trainer so that you can learn proper forms and techniques.

Fear #2: “Everyone Is Looking at Me”

The right workout clothes can help boost your confidence at the gym or any other public place where people may glance your way. Find an outfit that is comfortable to exercise in and that you know looks good on you. Feeling good about your appearance may actually make your workout more successful.

Fear 3: I'm Not Fit Enough To Do ThatFear #3: “I’m Not Fit Enough to Do That”

Don’t pass up the opportunity to try a new exercise because of your fitness level. Whether you’re interested in hot yoga, taking a spin class, or joining a running club, start slow and set achievable goals that will gradually improve your fitness and abilities over time. You’ll find that most people are supportive and excited to witness your progress.

Fear #4: “Working out Is Boring”

If exercise feels like a chore, try something new. Go swimming at your local pool, join a dance class, roller blade, or jump rope in front of your TV. In addition to these, try working out with a friend. You’ll be surprised how quickly your workout passes when you’re engaged in a good conversation.

Fear #5: “I’m Not Seeing Any Results”

We all like immediate gratification, but it may take a few weeks (or possibly months) to see changes in your body mass and muscle tone. In the meantime, be patient and focus on other benefits, such as endorphins and increased energy levels.

Prior to starting your exercise journey, please ensure that you’ve spoken with your doctor and are cleared to begin.

Support your fitness and weight loss goals with PGX. Refuel after your workouts with PGX* Satisfast Whey Protein Drink Mix and keep your blood sugar stable already within the normal range with PGX* Daily Singles.*

**Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX.

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