Honestly, plenty of the ingredients that go into pizza are healthy. Vegetable toppings, maybe a little meat, some cheeses but the reason pizza is often considered an unhealthy food is because of the quality of ingredients some of the biggest offenders employ and the method of cooking. Grease and fat are often the name of the game when it comes to ordering a pizza so how do you get a great tasting pizza with none of the fat? Simple answer: you make one and we’ll show you how.

Here’s what you’ll need:
- 12-inch pizza pan
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal
- 1 cup reduced-fat, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 medium plum tomatoes (sliced thinly)
- 1 10-ounce package of pizza dough
- 4 ounces cooked chicken cut into small cubes
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil

Here’s what you do:
1. Coat the pizza pan in cooking spray and a little cornmeal.

2. Knead the dough and press it up into the pan. Make sure it fills out the whole space.

3. Put the chicken and tomato slices on the dough with the basil, pepper and top it all with mozzarella.

4. Bake for 14 to 20 minutes at 425-degrees F or until the cheese is bubbling. Keep an eye on it but don’t let that stop you from doing other things. Pay a bill, get on the wireless internet, whatever.

5. Enjoy a flavorful and healthy pizza.

Bring the following ingredients to boil in a large saucepan:

1/2 c water
1 1/2 lbs trimmed green beans
1/4 c extra virgin olive oil
1 c yogurt
1 c chopped onion
1/2 c dill
salt, pepper, lemon juice to taste

Cover and simmer on low heat for one hour. Add 1 or 2 T of water every 15 minutes if needed. After about an hour, when all the liquid has been cooked in, serve with a sprinkling of olive oil and lemon juice. You may also refrigerate the beans in a tightly covered bowl for 48 hours, then reheat and serve either piping hot or room temperature. Because you can make this dish ahead of time, it’s not only delicious but practical!

Stuffing:
Stuffing is one of those foods you just can’t miss during the holiday season. Unfortunately this overly-buttered, bread-filled dish is full of carbs and calories. One easy way to make this dish more health-friendly is to use homemade or store bought whole grain bread rather than it’s carby counterpart. Homemade chicken stock can easily be used to help control excess salt and fat found when using the store bought variety. Make sure to use a butter substitute and load it with fresh veggies for the ultimate healthy and tasty stuffing.

Sweet Potato Casserole:
What is better than a sweet, smooth and creamy sweet potato casserole for the holidays? Nothing quite compares to this sweet and savory dish. Fortunately, there are also ways to make it healthy and sweet potatoes are an excellent source of fiber which will help fill you up and keep you from overindulging. Using honey to substitute the sugar in this dish and whole wheat flour and butter substitute for the topping will create much healthier alternative.

Baked Apples:
Apples are not only healthy and nutritious, but they are also sweet and festive. A simple recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth at your holiday get together includes baking cored apples stuffed with a mixture of brown sugar, pecans, raisins or anything else that says “festive” to you. Just a little brown sugar goes a long way and this recipe will save you from those unwanted calories and sugar found over in the holiday dessert section.

Make a quick Mexican dip. It only take 2 ingredients and a microwave. Partially melt one package of cream cheese in a microwaveable bowl, just long enough the it’s easier to stir. Dump in one can of chili without beans and mix thoroughly. Heat again, for 10 second intervals, until the cream cheese is soft. Put in a serving bowl with some corn chips next to it. So simple and it will be a hit.

This one will take a little more work, but not much. It also calls for one package of cream cheese, but will be served cold. Soften the cream cheese in the microwave for approximately 10 seconds. Chop up 3 medium sized pieces of turkey jerky into small bit. Chop up one green onion into bits. Mix the meat pieces and onion pieces into the softened cream cheese and chill for about 20 minutes. Serve with your favorite snack crackers. Simple, clever, and tasty!

Bean Dip

1 can of red kidney bean, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 tsp EVOO
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 small onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Blend the red beans and olive oil. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate in a covered dish for 30 minutes before serving. Also try using veggies to dip with instead of chips!

Lemon Garlic Shrimp

3 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/4 pounds cooked shrimp

Place garlic and oil in a small skillet and cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.Get more information here. http://www.pbpulse.com/dining/2011/10/26/divas-of-dish-halloween-tacos-filled-with-fall-flavors/ Add lemon juice, parsley, salt and pepper. Toss with shrimp in a large bowl. Chill until ready to serve.

SPICY OLIVES

2 cups pitted, whole black olives
3 tbsp EVOO
1/2 tsp each dried rosemary, red pepper flakes, dried thyme, and ground pepper

Mix all ingredients. Put them in a container with a lid and chill for an hour.

Try this trick also: switch out ground beef with ground chicken or turkey. Your guests probably won’t even know the difference!