Hi guys!
Well, Ryan and I went out to pizza tonight as planned with a couple friends and…..I ordered the “vegan cheeseless” and LOVED IT! I think the reason I loved it so much was because I really didn’t think of it as pizza. It was more like a thin, crispy flatbread covered with tomato sauce, caramelized red onions, shredded cabbage, grilled portobella mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and spinach. Wow! I ordered the “personal size” pizza (the picture makes it look HUGE..but it was only 10 inches and without cheese, was not as filling as my usual greasy pizza!!!) and I actually ate the whole thing. And, after I ate it I really didn’t feel all gross and heavy like I normally do after eating 2 slices of cheese-laden pizza. Ryan stared at me in awe when I finished the pizza and rubbed my tummy so I felt sort of like a pig…..but the crust was thin and all that gave the “pizza” substance was the grilled veggies! It was more like a big yummy salad! I would def. order this again and I can’t believe I really didn’t miss the cheese. That’s a first!!
After pizza, we went to our friend’s engagement party and I had a small dixie cup of red wine when we got there. I think I drank it too quickly though because after drinking it I got a headache…. so I made my next drink a club soda with a lemon slice. 🙂 We just got home now and, of course, I had to have a cookie. Those things are dangerous!!!
So it would seem like I ate a whole lot of food tonight. That’s so strange though because I really don’t even feel that full! I think it must be all the veggies!!!
This afternoon I snacked on a bowl of strawberries while getting ready!
Paula
February 17, 2008 at 3:22 amWow! The pizza looks awesome!!! There is this sweet place in Dupont Circle in DC that has cute personal pan pizzas that you can have made with whole wheat dough and soy cheese! I’m totally getting one soon! If you ever make the trek to the nation’s capitol, I will def. treat you, Jenna! LoL, or anyone else, for that matter!
Also, Anne – you’re living in the DC area, too?! Where?! We should totally meet up or something!
Alex
February 17, 2008 at 3:31 amPaula,
I am also in DC – what is the name of the place in DuPont Circle? I would love to go there!
Courtney
February 17, 2008 at 3:45 amthat vegan pizza sure does look DELICIOUS!! I think it’s really cool that you’re trying out the vegan lifestyle, and it’s interesting that your body feels so good after eating, and not totally weighed down. I really admire you because I don’t know if I could go vegan for even a day, I love my milk and cheese products, but I’m still a meatless girl. I can’t wait to see what recipes you try out, I think I just might have to try being vegan for a day or two! have a relaxing Sunday!!
Erica
February 17, 2008 at 3:54 amThat pizza looks delicious! I have a pre-made whole wheat pizza crust and I think i’m going to make a vegan pizza similar to this one… YUM!
Jenna, I have another (sorry!!) quick question.. I like to have a snack between breakfast and lunch (naturally), but aside from fruit or a half of a bar such as clif, kind, or lara, i’m not sure of my other options. Do you have any ideas for me? Keep in mind that I like my between breakfast/lunch snack to be fairly light (around 120 calories, say). Thanks!!
VeggieGirl
February 17, 2008 at 3:56 amJenna, I am BEYOND thrilled that you tried (and loved!) the vegan cheeseless pizza – I’m telling you, cheese is just not necessary on pizzas!! With all those vibrant, delicious vegetables overflowing on the crust, you feel satisfied and no guilt whatsoever, and get to enjoy your meal :0)
enjoy your Saturday night!!
Grace
February 17, 2008 at 4:06 amI love cheeseless pizza! I always hate the grease cheese creates. I think its the tomatoes/tomato sauce that makes pizza tasty!
Mallory
February 17, 2008 at 4:50 amHey Erica! There are tons of snack ideas on the FAQ page!
Paula
February 17, 2008 at 5:02 amAlex, it’s Pizzeria Paradiso (http://www.eatyourpizza.com/pdfs/menu.pdf) and it’s SOOO good! I went to the one in Dupont, but I’m pretty sure there is one in Gtown, too. It was super busy when I went, and that was on a week night, so I think they get a lot of traffic. But it’s worth the wait.
Where are you in DC? It’s so fun to have some DC area people on this blog!
Ashley H
February 17, 2008 at 5:44 amI think that looks so great I wish every pizza place offered this!! It would make ordering pizza much healthier!
Ashley H
February 17, 2008 at 5:44 amIs the vegan cookie recipe still up? If not can someone put it up? Thanks!
Ashley H
February 17, 2008 at 5:47 amErica- I know your question was for Jenna but I thought I would add my two cents. 😉 I think it would be a good idea for you to have a snack of whatever food group you didnt have much of for breakfast. So if you have fruit and toast for breakfast for example you could have some kind of dairy like yogurt. Hope that makes sense and helps.
pinklilly7
February 17, 2008 at 5:54 amErica – I agree with Ashley H. I usually snack on a yogurt between breakfast and lunch. It’s light, satisfying and tasty!
Jenna – The Gourmet Pizza Kitchen is walking distance from my apartment. So happy you liked it – I just might have to try a cheeseless pizza soon! I’m feeling very tempted!
Erica
February 17, 2008 at 6:03 amThank you for your advice everyone! Only problem is I basically hate yogurt (eck!) as hard as I try to like it! My breakfast staple is usually oatmeal with the works (flax, banana, etc.). Any other suggestions other than yogurt? 🙂
Christie
February 17, 2008 at 11:15 amVeggiegirl,
WHat is a substitute for cheese that you use since you are a vegan, I know there is soy cheese. I am considring giving up dairy because of how it makes me feel, I kow there is soy cheese but I have a family history of breats cancer so I do not want to over load on soy… if anyone else has any anwsers just lt me know.
Thanks
VeggieGirl
February 17, 2008 at 2:10 pm**Christie:
If you are looking for a vegan soy-free “cheese,” I highly recommend the VeganRella brand, which is rice-based “cheese.” It’s AMAZING – my parents and I love it (my parents are omnivores, so it MUST be an amazing “cheese” then, haha – satisfies both herbivores and omnivores alike!).
Hope you see this comment!!
Alex
February 17, 2008 at 2:12 pmPaula,
I’ve heard of that place – one of my friends RAVES about it every time she goes. I just moved here in August, so I haven’t experienced most of the fabulous food DC has to offer, but I will definitely give this place a try.
I actually live in Arlington (by the Ballston metro), but I’m a law student at GW so I spend pretty much all of my time in Foggy Bottom… law school = the reason I’ve not gone restaurant-exploring yet.
Where are you living?
Becky
February 17, 2008 at 2:19 pmHey guys, random question- I’ve had the flu for the past 4 days and I have no appetite. I’m not eating too much, but I’m not really exercising (aside from a little abs) either since I sort of feel like I’ve been hit by a truck, haha. Should I be forcing myself to eat? And what effect will this have in my metabolism?
VeggieGirl
February 17, 2008 at 2:50 pm**Becky:
I was in the same predicament recently (flu, no appetite, no energy) – the mere THOUGHT of eating was nauseating; however, I knew that I had to eat because otherwise my body would not be able to heal itself, and my metabolism would basically shut down (not good at all, since that would mean that your organs would start to shut down as well – you need to keep your body up and running!). I highly recommend Larabars, since they’re easy to eat and supply a good source of nutrients, high-quality fats/protein, and calories in a smaller amount (so, as I said, it’s easier to eat). I also recommend bananas (easy to digest/eat; good for managing your potassium levels), oatmeal with nut-butters mixed in (another easy way to get a lot of nutrition into your body without having to eat a huge amount), and drinking a lot of fluids (especially water). This all helped me, and I was back to my healthy self in no time (it took four days to fully recover). Also be sure to get a LOT of rest – this was hard for me, since I’m very active, but I knew that I had to just tough it out, get enough nutrition, and let my body rest/heal.
Hope these tips are helpful!! Get well soon, Becky!
one food guy
February 17, 2008 at 3:24 pmCheeseless pizza is one of my favorites! There is a pizza place by me called Goody’s that makes a cheeseless veggie special for me, his sauce is great and the veggies always cook up great in his oven. The cheeseless pizza is not on his menu though, we have to ask for it. So good!
Ashley H
February 17, 2008 at 3:58 pmErica- do you like any kind of dairy? because I think that would be your best bet. but of course fruit would be a good choice maybe with a little pb.
Anne
February 17, 2008 at 4:28 pmHey Paula and Alex — I love Pizzaria Paradiso! So tasty. I live by the Ballston metro too, Alex! How random! Paula where are you? We should totally all meet up!
pinklilly
February 17, 2008 at 4:58 pmErica: How about raw veggies – maybe with a tbsp of pb on them? Or, you could try throwing together some trail mix?
Lauren
February 17, 2008 at 5:18 pmHi Jenna,
I’m not vegan (or really a vegetarian, for that matter, as I do eat fish), but since I have a hard time with dairy, I never order (and rarely make) pizzas with cheese. Since I’ve become something of a connoisseur, lol, I can say that the pizza you had last night looks absolutely fantastic! I think that pizzas taste great without cheese — I’ve come to prefer them that way most of the time. You’re absolutely right that they don’t taste heavy, and they really allow for the flavors and textures of the vegetables to come through.