My appetite has been ravenous lately! I headed out to the gym (in my car
) and actually enjoyed the cardio machines today. I think because of the coziness of the rain! I spent some time on the Stairmaster (gosh I forgot how fun/hard it is!) and finished out on the elliptical. I was going to stay for some weights or something, but I was so hungry I decided lunch was more important!
Enter this pizza-inspired masterpiece
Flax Oat Bran (HANDS DOWN the best in the Great Harvest line!!) topped with leftover squash, canned tomatoes and tofu from last nights dinner, plus a sprinkle of cheese. I was "mmmming" the whole time!
On the side, an arugula salad with some leftover cheese, sunflower seeds, olive oil, balsamic and truffle salt (which totally amps up any dish!)
Seltzer spiked with cherry
During lunch the mailman showed up with this lovely gift from reader Emily from Dallas. They are Hungry Bars and they satisfied my hunger perfectly!
She sent me Cashew Almond Raisin Chip, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and Blueberry Walnut
I dug into the PB Choco Chip first 
I absolutely loved it! These bars are dense (and reminded me of the Earnest Foods bars) and tasted amazing – almost like a cookie! The flavor was great, and I loved the doughy texture, obviously!
Annndddd then I tried the other two flavors 
Loved them all. I had to remind myself that I’d just had a whole meal – I could have kept gnawing! I popped one bag in the freezer, and plan to enjoy the other half of the bar for a snack today. [Thank you Emily!]
I just finished up a conference call, and am getting my hair cut later this afternoon. AND hopefully some professional headshots done – if the weather holds up!
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
I love how you have cheese on both elements of your lunch – totally my style! I also loooove making pizza on a crusty bread like that. Delish!!
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) says
I haven’t made pizza on crusty bread in forever – I usually use a tortilla but this looks so much better. Yum!
Christine says
I don’t think I’ve EVER made pizza on a crusty bread. DOH! I should fix that….
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
Your pizza looks amazing — reminds me of those lean cuisine type pizzas — except yours looks 100000000000000 times healthier and more delicious 🙂
I love getting my hair cut — having someone else comb my hair is just so calming for me!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I love meals that make you mmmmm the whole time! Those are memorable and make you look forward to having it again! Have a great afternoon!
Kevin says
I’m totally making the great harvest pizza Thingy tonight. I think my GH bread is called Smokey Mountain or something. It has sunflower seeds in it.
Kath says
I wonder what the equiv. is? Maybe Dakota?
Kevin says
I’m not sure. It has sunflower seeds, millet, & sesame seeds and is 140 calories. The name was Great Smoky Mountain here in Austin.
Kath says
That’s Dakota here!
Kevin says
Well it was delish. Thanks for the suggestion!
Cookteen says
that “pizza” looked absolutely delicious!!
Madeline @ greensandjeans says
There are few things better than melty cheese on a rainy day!
amy says
My appetite has been pretty intense lately too, but anytime I go to eat, my stomach gets upset and I stop before I’ve even finished half 🙁 I’m loving the rain up here in D.C. though, such a calm day 🙂
Food & Other Things says
The Hungry Bars look amazing…peanut butter chocolate chip is my favorite bar variety!
Halie says
Your lunch eclipses my lunch today by far!
Samantha @ Bikini Birthday says
mmm I love a nice chewy cookie bar
tina says
those look amazing, emily, please send me some!!!!
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
That does look like a delicious lunch! It’s like a fancier, healthier french bread pizza.
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats says
I love pizza-inspired open-face sandwiches!!
Dorry says
So glad you linked to Emily’s blog since I’m in Dallas, too. 🙂 Those bars looks amazing. Homemade are always my favorite.
Jessica @ How Sweet says
I love maraschino cherries. I need to throw some in my water!
shannon (the daily balance) says
lovely lunch and YUMMY bars!
Claire (Low Impact Fashionista) says
Doughy bars are the best!
sweetersalt says
Yum, melted cheese! The bars look delish as well.
Laura
yummieecupcake says
i’m eating pizza too!!
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
professional headshots? how exciting!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Ooohhh, those granola bars look good. Can’t wait to hear about these headshots (and hopefully see a few on here!).
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes says
this reminds me of what we called “pizza toast” growing up…our favorite easy meal when time was short! 🙂
love,
Cathy B. @ brightbakes
Jessica@tastyandtrim says
Those bars sound delicious – yum! That pizza bread looks fantastic! I definitely need to recreate that recipe. Perhaps a buffalo chicken pizza bread? 🙂
Marina says
your sandwich melt looks awesome!
Mary Catherine says
Flax Oat Bran > Dakota?!!! I will have to pick some up this weekend 🙂
Melissa @ HerGreenLife says
I like your creativity with leftovers. I tend to just serve leftover food in the same form as the original meal. I’m not complaining, because that’s usually delicious enough, but putting some kind of new twist on the original meal makes it extra fun!
Caitlyn (A Spoonful of LIfe) says
Holy toledo that lunch looks good! I love “unconventional” pizzas! They are much more fun.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Love your lunch! The bars look really good too.. I think the PB Choco Chip would be my first choice. Have fun with the haircut and (maybe) headshots!
Casey says
What are the headshots for? Blog stuff, or are you trying to break into modeling?
Fun either way! 🙂
Kath says
Blog stuff. but modeling is fun!
Sophie says
Mmmmmmm! That “pizza” looks so so so so good.
I made granola bars last week that are similar and they are by far the best I’ve had. I love the chewy/doughy-ness.
Angela says
Every picture in this post has my mouth watering. That pizza looks seriously amazing. As do those bars. I already had lunch but now I’m hungry. 🙂
Emily says
That looks awesome!! Personal-sized veggie pizza fresca 🙂 On wayyy better “dough” that pizza crust.
Jenny says
I don’t see the big deal about going in your car. There’s nothing like blasting the radio before I go to get me pumped up.
Machines are good for rainy days =)
I don’t get how you see exercise as “fun.” I don’t hate doing it of course, and it always feels good to have endorphins running wild. But I wouldn’t put exercise in the same class as say dacning, hanging out with friends, going to the movies, etc. Don’t think any of my friends would either.
Kath says
Well clearly we don’t see eye to eye!
I think exercise isn’t AS fun as, say, drinking a glass of wine on my porch, but I don’t mind it most days.
Amanda says
I agree! I enjoy exercise and have fun too!
I finnally bought dakota bread but now I’m going to have to travel back to the closest GH (1hr and half!) to get the Flax Oat Bran soon!
Meg says
I find that exercise is a great time to collect my thoughts…and catch up with some good trashy magazines 🙂 To each her own, though 🙂
Marieke says
Why not do a dancing exercise class? Then you combine the both!
Personally, I love doing classes and enjoy them a lot, especially once I start. It’s great fun! Same as any other hobby.
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
Getting your hair cut is the best! I love how healthy my hair feels after it is cut!
Darlene says
Luch looks great! How is the Bakery coming along? Matt must be itching to get back to work
Kath says
We’re still negotiating! But we do have a location!!
Itching is an understatement 🙂
Laura says
You definitely chose the correct word when you said “masterpeice”….. wow!!!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
I’m glad someone likes the StairMaster 😉
Your pizza creation is making me ‘mmmmmm’. What a yummy day you’re having!
Emily says
Thanks Kath!! I’m so glad you like them!
Jamie @ Food in Real Life says
I was planning on going to the gym today in my car, but somehow the plan was squashed….baking got in the way!
Amanda (Eating Up) says
Those bars look great! I checked out the other flavors she offers–they all sound delicious!
Chelsea at Striking Balance says
I love making “pizza inspired” dishes for lunch and dinner. I love making them on english muffins or pitas.. I’ve never tried on toast though!
Funny thing, I’ve never been a huge cheese girl. I mean, I’ve always liked it and wouldn’t pick it off or anything, but I never craved cheese like others do. For some reason, this year, I want to put cheese on everything- sandwiches, salads, eggs, etc. I’m rolling with it 🙂
ashley says
kath!
next time youre in san francisco you should try to eat at real food co.
you know…for the real food and all. it’s a health food store with the BEST baked tofu. called real food with a pale green sign…i think of your blog everytime i’m there.
i feel like there’s a blogger conference in SF soon anyways…
Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life says
That pizza inspired thing looks great!
Laughter-Loving Stacy says
I’ve always wanted to make my own snack bars! I’m sure they’re not too difficult, just time consuming. (maybe?) One day I will give it a shot. 🙂
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Hungry bars! Pizza! So much deliciousness in one post. 😀
I adore homemade personal pan pizzas. They’re so delicious. 😀
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Your lunch looks divine! I’m making pizza today too, but I don’t think mine will taste as awesome as yours considering the crust will be grain-free, lol.
Camille says
Oh my gosh. That looks soooo good!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i love pizza toast! when i was a kid i put them on english muffins. nooks and craaaaannies
Alyssa says
That “pizza” looks amazing!
stacey-healthylife says
That pizza looks so good and I love the use of squash.
Simply Life says
oh what a fun package to get!
Ashley says
Ohhh my word. What a great quick lunch or dinner idea. It reminds me of those Stouffers french bread pizzas from back in the day. Those used to be SO GOOD. This looks much better or course. 🙂 The bars look awesome too!!! I can tell the texture is awesome.
Ashley says
I should probably say “awesome” again.
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Ohhh that pizza looks incredible!! I’m right along with you on the ravenous appetite..mines been going crazy these past few days!! Especially yesterday..but I think that had to do with the extra mileage I did.
Hopefully our bodies aren’t going into hibernation mode already!
Cara Craves... says
Lucky you!
Those bars look great!
RhodeyGirl says
Your lunch is right up my alley. Yummmmm.
Joanna says
That pizza break looks delicious! I’m inspired to try something like it. YUM, I’m hungry now.
Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun says
Mmm. Pizza on crusty bread seems so simple and delicious! Definitely something I’ll have to try when I am pressed for time and a pizza craving hits. 😉
Lauren says
Pizza bread! These are all of my favorite things into one. Crusty Bread, Tomatoes, Tofu and Spinach. What a fantastic pizza fix!
Hannah says
That pizza bread looks *amazing*! As do the bars, but I’ll try not to think of those because they’re completely out of reach 🙁
Annie@stronghealthyfit says
Yummmy lunch I’ve been craving pizza!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Those bars look so good! Not to mention that pizza lunch you made… holy cow!
Meg says
Sooo…if I tip EXTRA well, would you deliver that pizza to my place? 😉 Haha, it looks amazing! Gosh, everything you make looks amazing though!
It’s rainy here in MD too 🙁 boooo! Here’s to a SUNNY weekend 😀
Kath says
If the tip includes travel and lodging, sure!! 😉
Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama says
Those bars DO look amazing. Yum!
Kristen @ Kristen, Sweetly says
Oh my gosh. Your leftovers pizza looks like a masterpiece! My MMMs come out full force at my friend’s house, with her adorable Italian mama. The table is full of happy pasta MMMs. 🙂
Hannah says
Yay for my sister’s Hungry Bars! I have been snacking on these for months now and they have successfully gotten me through many 100+ mile bike rides here in the Texas heat! They are the best and super healthy! Thanks Kath for giving her a shout out – we both are avid readers of your blog and really enjoy all the real food you feature 🙂
Haylee says
I had never heard of your blog before but I recently read an artice in Marie Claire that was pretty negative towards it. And after a twenty minute scroll of your blog, I can’t see how the writer of that article even got the idea for your article! It was all so wrong, so false, and so so biased. I’m sure you’ve already been told this a lot but for what it’s worth, KEEP DOING WHAT YOU’RE DOING. That reporter was so off, it almost hurts my head thinking about it.
Kath says
Thanks Haylee 🙂