Rest Day & Arugula Pesto & Ricotta 'Za

When I was younger I didn't believe in rest days, and I actually used to go to great lengths not to take them. In fact, I got so anxious about rest days, that when my family and I were on vacation, or we would have a holiday, I would need to make sure to work time into my day to workout. Even if that meant taking time away from them. If I didn't work out, I would fixate on that fact and inevitably be in a bad mood until the next time I could work out.

Now THAT is unhealthy.

Taking rest days are essential to being fit and healthy. After a hard workout your body needs time to recuperate and re-build muscles. Even olympic athletes build rest days into their training routines so they don't run their bodies and immune systems down to the point where they can't train effectively. Rest days mean something different to everyone - For me, a rest day is a day off completely. For some, a rest day may mean doing yoga, or cardio instead of weights. The important thing is to listen to your body and not to fixate on NEEDING to exercise, but being balanced and healthy.

That being said, Monday was my rest day. I had an extremely long day at work and had to do even more work when I got home. Instead of trying to squeeze in some sprints at 8pm, I gave myself the night off and decided to cook some comfort food, too. This is another dinner inspired by Giada's Weeknight's with Giada.

Argula Pesto & Ricotta Pizza

• Store bought pizza dough
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese (she suggests smoked mozz, I went with regular part-skim mozzz)
• 2 cups arugula 
• Olive oil
• Cherry tomatoes 
• 2 cloves garlic smashed
• 1 tsp salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Pre-heat oven to 475. In a food processor combine the ricotta, garlic, and salt until smooth. Add the mozzarella and arugula mix until combined, but still chunky. Roll out the dough and drizzle with olive oil. Cook dough for 7-10mins. Remove the dough from the oven and cover it with the cheese mixture. The cheese mixture is a little difficult to spread, but the hot pizza dough helps. Top with sliced cherrie tomatoes. Cook for another 15 minutes until crust is browned and top is golden.

Pizza is one of my favorite comfort foods, and there's so many delicious combinations that are easy to make! It might not be the healthiest meal I make, but I like knowing exactly where my ingredients come from (and which I choose to use) and there's plenty of ways to incorporate veggies and healthy components that taste good (like the arugula in this recipe!)