Healing Doesn't Mean Giving Up Pizza

The thing about a social media break while being homebound is, you start looking for other forms of connection. For me, that's been this blog. I've started letting you in to a part of my life I've never written about before--my health and fitness journey, even my skin removal journey.

Today, I'm 10 days post-op and craving pizza. Johnny's Chicken Ranchero add pineapple, to be exact. But as I recover from my abdominalplasty, my nutrition is more important than ever. My typical diet is protein-forward and then I fill in the gaps with carbs, veggies, and the occasional takeout order. This is how I lost 157 pounds, and it's made my recovery diet easier to stick to.

Doctor's orders? High protein. High fiber. Low sodium. Nothing fried. Lots of water and electrolytes.

Essentially, we're trying to keep the swelling down while giving my body the nutrients it needs to heal--to rebuild tissue, close an incision, reattach my skin to my muscle wall, heal blood vessels and nerves that were severed during surgery, and function normally.

There's no question my fitness level and nutrition prior to surgery has aided my recovery. 10 days post-op and if I didn't have to restrain myself per doctor's orders, and wear this God-awful abdominal binder, I'd honestly feel well enough to get back to normal life. My drains are out, and I'm ready to get back to the gym. But internally, there's still a lot of healing to take place. And so, I met my craving for pizza while giving my body the fuel it needs to perform those quiet miracles. And now, I want to share how with you.

LOW CARB TORTILLA TURKEY MEATBALL PIZZA

1 Carb Balance Tortilla - 70 calories, 5 grams of protein

1/4 cup Pizza or Pasta sauce - 40 calories, 1 gram of protein

2 slices of Sargento Colby Jack - 140 calories, 10 grams of protein

***I usually do 1/4 cup of shredded cheese for less calories, but I was out.

3 Homemade Turkey Meatballs or protein of choice - 120 calories, 20 grams of protein

***This is just what I already had cooked.

Seasonings: black pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, parsley, fennel seed

Pro Tip: The fennel seed is what makes pizza taste like pizza. Just trust me.

As you can see, I used only what I already had in my pantry / fridge. You could easily replicate this recipe with different proteins and add herbs and vegetables. My fridge is just a little sparse at the moment. But even a sparse fridge can produce a tasty, craving-satisfying dish.

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Step 1: Get all your ingredients organized.

Step 2: Brown your protein source and veggies in your pan.

Step 3: Add your tortilla to a skillet sprayed with Avocado Oil spray.

Step 4: Add your tomato sauce and dry seasonings and turn on the heat.

Step 5: After the tortilla starts crisping, add your cheese and more seasoning.

Step 6: Once your cheese starts to melt, add your protein and veggies (which should still be slightly warm)

Keep your tortilla on medium to low heat until it reaches your desired crisp or warmth.

That's it! Done and delish.

This single serve pizza recipe is perfect for kids or adults alike, or can be a good snack shared between two. And you can complete one pizza in about 10 minutes. Win, win, now where's the chicken?

By finding healthy alternatives to your favorite dishes, you too can reclaim your health and pantry. 🤍