Pizza? Salad? .... How About Both for Lunch?

Do you crave pizza, but don't want all the calories that come with it?  Do you get tired of the same boring salad for lunch?  If you want the best of both worlds then try this amazing pizza salad!  Trust me, I won't steer you wrong.  I am a health conscious person who also still loves food!

This creative recipe syndicates the flavors of both and lets you enjoy all the satisfactions of pizza in a 100% healthy way.  This low-carb version of everyone’s desired Italian dish will make you wonder why no one thought of this sooner.

I used Parmesan, but you can use shredded mozzarella if you prefer. Like other vegetables on your pizza, like banana peppers or roasted broccoli? Both would be a great addition to this.

Top it off with some crunchy croutons that taste like pizza crust, have a seat, and enjoy!

Total Time: 15 min.

Prep Time: 15 min.

Cooking Time: None

Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:

1 tsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. red wine vinegar

1 tbsp. tomato sauce, no sugar added

½ tsp. dried oregano

Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper (to taste)

1 cup fresh arugula

1 cup romaine lettuce

10 fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces

½ cup halved cherry tomatoes

¼ medium green bell pepper, sliced

¼ medium onion, sliced

¼ cup sliced mushrooms

5 black olives, sliced

1 oz. Parmesan cheese 

1 pinch crushed red pepper (optional)

Directions:

1. To make dressing, combine oil, vinegar, tomato sauce, and oregano in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Set aside.

2. Combine arugula, romaine, basil, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, and dressing in a large serving bowl; toss gently to blend.

3. Top with fresh Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper (if desired); serve immediately.

8 Steps To Creating Effective Boundaries

Boundaries are an essential part of any healthy relationship—whether with your boss, significant other, children, or hairdresser!

You probably don’t want your boss asking you for dating advice, your significant other to leave for a trip without telling you, your children to go somewhere after school without permission or your hairdresser to do whatever to your hair!

Boundaries help safeguard none of these situations happen! They help guarantee a relationship is one of respect, support, and care.

Phases to Creating Effective Boundaries:     

                

1. Boundaries need an “if-then” statement.

2. A boundary is not a boundary without an enforceable consequence.

3. Boundaries give others liberty to own the choices they make.

4. Boundaries are for health, safety, to reward and reprimand.

5. Boundaries need transparency.

6. Boundaries often need to be recurring.

7. Boundaries need to be communicated calmly. (State your boundary as a matter of fact rather than a matter of emotion. Boundaries are more challenging to receive when conveyed emotionally.)

8. Boundaries need to be important to all involved parties.

Key Note:  Healthy boundaries are a way to express love. Unhealthy boundaries are a way to employ and misuse power. There is a big difference.

Feel free to share an example of a healthy boundary that works well for you!!!

~ J. Lynn

The Importance of “Me Time”

Oh, what we wouldn’t do for an hour during the day for some “me time.” However making yourself the highest priority is hard when you have a seemingly unending to-do list of family, friends and work responsibilities.

Taking care of ourselves is an essential part of living a full life.

When you treat yourself well, it will filter down to everything else in life—your significant other, children, coworkers etc. Whether it is sitting outside to read a book for an hour, treating yourself to a pedicure, or trying that hot yoga class, here are 8 tips to sculpt out some time for yourself!

Myself when I scheduled 30 minutes to read a book.

Schedule it

Pencil it into your calendar just like you would for any other important event. It may seem trivial, but this is how you will be able to remind yourself, and hold yourself liable, to giving yourself some alone time.

Make it count

While it may be tempting to spend your free time running errands or cleaning your house, commit to spending the time to pamper yourself. Start a new book, or enjoy a cup of coffee on your porch. You don’t have to spend a lot of time, but it has to be for yourself.

Find tasks that you can delegate

Some things are just easier for you to do yourself, but find other tasks that you can ask others to help you with. Lessen the load when you can—it will make a huge difference!

Give me 10

Even if ten minutes is all you can gather, take it! Spend that 10 minutes breathing deeply, going for a walk outside, or just praying. That can be all it takes to recharge for the rest of the day.

Say no, kindly

It is great to help out your friends and family when they ask. But if the favors they ask begin to cut into your ‘me time,’ it is okay to create a barrier. Tell them that you are glad to help, but you will need 20 minutes (or whatever amount of time) before you can do it.

Get up Earlier

Try it for a week straight, and then decide if it is for you. Set your alarm for 15 minutes before you would normally wake up. Use that time to be quiet, write in a journal, or read the bible.

Use your shower time

Taking a shower may be your only alone time during the day. Take advantage of it! Purchase some aroma therapy products that you love and treat each shower like it is a spa retreat.

Remember why it is important

Taking care of yourself can leave you feeling guilty; you aren’t spending time with your family or doing work. Keep in mind that making time for you is vital for keeping yourself healthy, and that means a happier family and more productive work life.

~ J. Lynn

How a Positive Self-Image Could Improve Your Health

Are you upset that you don’t have abs like Shakira? Or the butt of Jennifer Lopez? Even if you don’t compare yourself to Hollywood stars, have you ever struggled with accepting your stretch marks, loose skin, or your overall shape? Let’s be honest, there undoubtedly isn’t a person on the planet who doesn’t have a feature they would like to improve.

Nonetheless, concentrating on what you don’t like about your body leads nowhere, quickly. Not only does a negative self-image get you unhappy, it can also be a strain on your health. Women with higher levels of body shame also tend to have more infections. So the next time you want to criticize your arms or your lack of a six-pack, cut yourself some slack.

Those who practice self-compassion exercises feel less body shame and more body gratification. If you’re in the course of getting fit, remember, it’s a journey and not a destination. Getting discouraged with yourself along the way isn’t going to help the progression. In reality, it might slow it down.