New Pre-Spring Break Diet Recipe! Lowfat Pizza

There are two foods that I absolutely am madly, passionately, despairingly in love with. The first is a good burrito (the healthier, Chipotle-style or the legit greasy Mexican kind), and the second is Pizza. I have been in love with pizza for as long as I remember, and there is never a time when I am not willing to stuff it in my face. This is mainly because I love anything loaded with cheese, but it is also because Chicago is one of the best cities in America to get great pizza (and not just deep dish, you whiny bitches!). That being the case, it's incredibly hard to avoid getting a waft of the heavenly aromas billowing out of a fantastic pizzeria on your average stroll around town.

Normally, this is the point where I would have to make a choice: indulge my insatiable craving for the cheesy, bready, greasy goodness, and hate myself later, or stick to my pre-spring break health regimen, and hate my life now.

However, I have recently come up with a solution that can't replace a good slice of pizza, but certainly helps kick my cravings down a few notches. Below is my Bagel-Pizza creation:

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1/2 of a Thomas' Plain Bagel (or any brand you prefer)

8/10ths of an Ounce of Freshly Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

About 2 Tablespoons Marinara Sauce

Handful of Chopped Bell Peppers

Pinch of Freshly Torn Basil (never take a knife to basil!)

After piling everything on top of the bagel, I bake this at 450 for about 8 minutes, give or take. And I've now had this for dinner twice already. You can also vary it by trying grilled or sauteed chicken, turkey sausage, or some shredded parmesan cheese as alternate toppings. Its only about 280 calories per pizza, depending on what you put on it.

It sure isn't Pequod's or Lou Malnati's, but it'll do for now...