Polly Katherine Hilton

It’s almost swimsuit season… oh my gosh… it’s almost swimsuit season… Around this time every year I start to panic, along with millions of other women, in fear of my first trip to the pool or to the beach for the summer. I put off shopping for swimwear as long as humanly possible. I even avoid browsing online for fear of being sucked in by Modcloth’s seemingly flattering swimwear offerings, which once ordered are destined to make me feel like a beached whale. 

5.7.TW

Plagued with insecurity, as most of us are, in years past, I believed that the fastest way to achieve a socially acceptable bathing suit worthy body, was via denying myself my favorite foods for months leading up to summer. I’d say goodbye to Chinese cuisine (too much salt), so long to ice cream (too much sugar), later gator to burgers, fries, pizza, and shakes (too much fat) and I would switch the milk in my lattes to strictly skim (it’s important to note that this last “sacrifice” is actually quite practical as it doesn’t change the taste of lattes at all and is a preference I have now implemented permanently). Of all these denials however, none hurt me to the soul more than the decision to give up eating Italian food all for the sake of sporting a two-piece. Between the rich sauces, the gooey cheeses and the calorie-loaded breads and pastas, I firmly believed that Italian cuisine was a no-no right before summer.

However, after reading the incredible Portia De Rossi’s book, Unbearable Lightness, I discovered I was approaching my body’s image and my pursuit of self-acceptance in the completely wrong way. Getting physically fit is not about denying yourself or about negative mental energy wasted on what we believe to be our bodies imperfections, but rather, more focused on achieving a balance of diet and loving yourself, flaws and all. In Unbearable Lightness (which I cannot advocate enough), Portia explains how after overcoming years of eating disorders, she has found her most successful diet hinges upon not denial but of acceptance of cravings as long as you eat only until you are physically satisfied and you pair that diet with enjoyable physical exercise.

For example, if I am craving a taco, I should allow myself to eat that taco knowing that I will not crave another one again for some time, and knowing that if I am physically full after eating only a few bites, I can stop eating (American portion control anyone?). If we chronically deny ourselves from what we want, we are more likely to overeat or over-crave the “naughty foods.” This revelation of allowing myself to enjoy foods I want to enjoy, lead to me collecting a number of delicious and healthy recipes that capture Italian flavors without packing on the fat. So while all my insecurities are not cured for good, and while I still remain a work in progress in regards to finding my optimum diet and exercise regime, and while swimsuit season is still coming… I find myself happier and feeling great because I am not focusing all my energy on negative reinforcement and denial but rather on flavorful solutions, such as the recipe below!

My go-to, mindful, Italian recipe is a variation of the flatbread pizza. I’ve served this at parties, made a single portion for myself for lunch, and shared this personal favorite with friends and family, and it’s always a delicious crowd-pleaser without a ton of added calories. All the ingredients can be found at your local grocery store (there’s nothing worse than finding a delicious sounding recipe and then discovering it calls for a spice that can only be obtained by selling a piece of your soul on the black market), and the prep and cook time is super quick (I promise).

The Ingredients:

  • Naan aka Flatbread (it can be bought both in white and whole wheat depending on your preference)
  • Pesto (if you do not like pesto, Trader Joe’s has a FANTASTIC low-fat, red-pepper eggplant spread that also works as a substitute in this recipe)
  • A Onion
  • Arugula
  • A Tomato
  • Cooked Chicken Breast (Or substitute with asparagus for a vegetarian option)
  • Feta Cheese

The Instructions:

Completing this entrée is as easy as simply layering the ingredients on top of each other. Evenly spread the pesto to cover the surface of the naan. You do not need too much, as pesto is very flavorful and a little will go a long way. Then layer on top of the pesto your arugula, chopped onion, tomato, and chicken breast and finish it off with the feta cheese. All of the ingredients can be added to taste, so for instance, if onions are not your cup of tea, simply don’t include them. Pre-heat your oven as if you were making a piece of toast and then proceed to bake your personal flatbread pizzas. For my oven at home, I pre-heat it to 350 degrees and then bake it for about eight minutes or until the flatbread appears crispy and the cheese appears to be melting. If you want an extra kick of flavor, consider adding a splash of balsamic vinaigrette to the baked pizza or a hint of crushed red pepper for spice.

Don’t deny yourself in pursuit of the “perfect” summer body. Check out this delicious and shameless recipe and experience flavors that are uplifting to the soul.      

 

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