I have taken many approaches trying to get my kids to eat clean. Sometimes I explain the value of the food we are eating, sometimes I dare them to try something new, sometimes I even LIE to them lol! The most effective approach seems to be getting them involved in the meal preparation. My kids both seem more interested in trying new food if they were with me when I bought the food and they helped pick it out or they helped make the meal. A perfect meal to get your kids involved in the kitchen is “make your own Pizza Night!”
This weekend, we went to friends for dinner. My friend Nicole wanted a “pizza dough tutorial”. I think it also became a fun, clean eating adventure for our kids.
First we made the dough. I have been making this pizza dough for a while. It was my go to pizza crust even before starting clean eating. I have tried different versions of the crust with whole wheat flour, whole wheat pastry flour, various combinations of white and whole wheat flours and I even tried a spelt flour version. None were as good as this recipe. Eat white flour. It tastes good. It makes really yummy pizza crust. Eat yummy things that make you happy 🙂

Pizza Dough
11/2-2 cups warm water (100-110 degrees)
1 tsp honey
2 tsp dry yeast
4 cups flour
1 tsp salt
Dissolve honey and water, sprinkle yeast and allow to foam. Mix flour and salt. Slowly add water to flour until a ball forms (you may not use all the water). Kneed the ball until the dough is smooth and elastic. (about 5min). Place in a oiled mixing bowl, cover with tin foil and allow to rise in a warm place. (about an hour) ** tip- I usually heat the oven to about 120 degrees and put the bowl in the oven to rise**
Punch down dough. Allow to rest 5 min. Shape the dough into 2 pizzas on parchment paper and cornmeal. (we doubled this recipe and made 6 smaller pizzas instead of 4 regular sized pizzas)

When shaping the dough, I don’t use a rolling pin. I gently pull the dough into a circle. Can you spot Max the Husky in the background supervising?

Top each pizza with this super clean sauce by innerathletes.net‘s Sarah Green.
1 can Crushed Tomatoes
1 can Tomato Paste
1 tsp Salt
4 Grinds Black Pepper
1 tsp dried basil (or 2 tbsp fresh)
1 tsp dried oregano (or 1 tbsp fresh)
1/2 tsp garlic powder (or 1 garlic clove, pressed)
2 tsp honey
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Mix all the ingredients together- no need to cook it! Top each pizza with the sauce and it makes a great dipping sauce for finished pizzas.

Get creative with the toppings and offer lots of variety in vegetables and cheeses. I have a 9 year old daughter. The thing with 9 year old girls is- “more is more”. It is a trend I have noticed in her clothing style- sometimes one outfit of hers can have sparkles, leopard print, leg warmers and dog shoes. If I put out lots of toppings, she will fill that pizza!
Try a combination of some of these toppings:
spinach (chop it fine and steam it quickly in the microwave), cherry tomatoes are a fun size for a pizza, artichokes, pineapple, chicken, goat cheese, feta cheese, peppers, kale, olives, fresh herbs like oregano and basil….. get creative!
Our kids had a blast making their pizzas!

An interesting note, all the kids tried at least some goat cheese on their pizzas. The kids pizzas were amazing!

The adults made a pretty sweet pizza too!

Take a chance, put your guests to work at your next dinner party. Host a make you own pizza party!

Choose happy 🙂