Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the NAAN PIZZA.
Part snack, part meal, it’s a do-it-yourself, quick and dirty, gourmet-esque treat that’s fun for the whole family.

A good friend shared the concept with me a few weeks ago and as obvious of a concept as it may sound, it really hit the spot! I wondered why I haven’t been making naan pizza my whole life. And now I feel compelled to spread the message of naan pizza to the world.

Here’s how to make your very own naan pizza (what makes this so great is the ability to improvise so please don’t hesitate to add your magic touch to the ingredient list):

Step 1 – Grab a naan bread (preferably flavoured, for example garlic or onion). While naan bread is easily available in most grocery stores these days, this ingredient can easily be substituted with pita or tortilla wraps but I think the naan adds an exotic twist and it’s a little thicker than pita so it holds everything together a bit better.

Step 2 – Spread some tomato sauce or, if you don’t have any on hand, tomato juice will do the trick.

Step 3 – Add whatever toppings you may have in the refrigerator such as diced onions, halved cherry tomatoes, leftover meat, grilled vegetables, etc.

Step 4 – Don’t forget the cheeeeeeeeeese please! Hell you can even skip Step 3 and just go directly to the cheese step. In fact, why not try mixing different types of cheese such as boconccini, mozzarella, parmesan, blue cheese, goat cheese, whatever toots your horn!

Step 5 – Sprinkle with your favourite herbs or spices and place in toaster oven (or regular oven) directly on the grill (so that it doesn’t get soggy) for a few minutes until cheese begins to melt.

Ta-da! Enjoy your naan pizza responsibly (don’t burn your tongue, it’s sure to be hot and sizzling)!

So in about 5 minutes, you’ve managed to rid your fridge of any leftovers that you really didn’t know what to do with as well as prepared a healthy snack to hold you off until the next meal. And better yet, you didn’t reach for a candy bar or sugary snack.

Now that’s some friendly advice that’s worth experimenting with! Yum-my!

Maggie Richardson
Findsalonspa.com Blogger

- The tea kettle, although up to its neck in hot water, continues to sing.

No matter the kind: Sweet, bitter, bold, rich, smooth, or aromatic, chocolate has had the power to melt in our mouths and warm our hearts on any occasion. Who doesn’t like to self-indulgence in a piece of delicious chocolate from time to time? Imagine treating yourself to a piece of Godiva, making some warm cocoa, or dipping a strawberry in melted dark Lindor, without that inner voice whispering about diet and weight. The bittersweet feeling of eating chocolate can turn to just sweet because chocolate proves to be a healthy snack! Here are a few of chocolate’s health benefits…

According to Dr. Mark Stibich’s article of About.com: Health Disease and Condition content , “Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetable.” While not all chocolate is healthy, dark chocolate is a treat that Dr. Stibich does suggest because it contains the most antioxidants, and this effectively helps lower blood pressure, reduce LDL cholesterol and improve our cardiovascular system.

Milk chocolate, although it contains more sugar and unsaturated fats, is most popular and less costly. There are also chocolate lovers who find dark cocoa too bitter. Although I am an avid milk chocolate eater myself, I have found the secret in Lindor’s Dark Chocolate and highly recommend it for those wishing to transition to dark chocolate. It is slightly less bitter and rich, giving milk chocolate lovers to still enjoy it while gaining the health benefits of chocolate.

Some familiar benefits:
- it stimulates endorphin production, which gives a feeling of pleasure;
- it contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant;
- it contains theobromine, caffeine and other substances which are stimulants.

Some other interesting benefits:
- Cacao, the source of chocolate, contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay;
- The smell of chocolate may increase brain waves resulting in relaxation;
- The carbohydrates in chocolate raise serotonin levels in the brain, resulting in a sense of well-being.

Who would have thought that eating chocolate could become any more enjoyable? Making chocolate a part of your diet would be a health conscious decision. Moderation is important to keep in mind and I would suggest to stay away from chocolate candy bars; however it’s great to not have to feel guilty after treating yourself to a piece of yummy and delicious chocolate every once and a while.

This Valentine’s Day, don’t hide the box of chocolates, but do yourself the favour and enjoy every bite!

Sabrina Giancioppi
Concordia University Student
Findsalonspa.com Blogger