Craving Some R & R
Hi, guys! 
I’m going to whiz right through tonight’s dinner post because I have a hot date with my DVR, specifically American Idol and Lost. There’s just so much good TV to watch! I’m also really craving some serious R & R tonight, so quick post then vegging out!
Snack
When I got home from NuVal, a big box of Uncle Jerry’s Pretzels was waiting for me on my front porch. Sweet! I’m not typically a pretzel fan, but I love Uncle Jerry’s. They actually taste healthy, but in a good way. You can tell that they are made with high quality and wholesome ingredients.
This afternoon, I tried the Extra Dark variety, which has a unique blackened, almost burnt, taste. They were so, so delicious. I’m a big fan!
After eating a couple of pretzels, I snacked on a banana to hold me over until dinnertime.
Dinner
Real Simple had another winner with their Deep-Dish Polenta Pizza recipe. It rocked!
In addition to tasting wonderful, this recipe was so easy to make. It took practically no time to prepare and just 30 minutes to cook in the oven. Although, Mal popped the pizza back in the oven for an additional 10 minutes to give the crust a more crispy texture.
The recipe called for shredded radicchio, sun-dried tomatoes, and mozzarella, but I topped my pizza with red bell pepper, mushrooms, and crumbled blue cheese.
The melted blue cheese was to die for!
This recipe was a great twist on your usual homemade pizza. It’s definitely a keeper!
Dessert
For dessert, I finished off the final two Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from yesterday’s batch.
After dinner and dessert, Mal broke out a bottle of Berkshire Brewing Company Cabin Fever Ale. I wasn’t planning to drink, but I think I needed a beer tonight.
Mal just started American Idol and I have a beer waiting for me. Time to chill with my guys! 
Enjoy your evening!
Tags: Berkshire Brewing Co. Cabin Fever Ale, Deep Dish Polenta Pizza, Uncle Jerry's Pretzels
Jules — February 24, 2010 @ 7:45 pm
Dark, burned pretzels are the best! Utz makes special dark ones…I always have to buy them for my entire family whenever I’m in MA.
That pizza looks really yummy. Enjoy your relaxing evening!
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday — February 24, 2010 @ 7:55 pm
That polenta pizza looks pretty cool. Although I must admit, I think it would probably taste better with radicchio. I love radicchio ;d
Estela @ Weekly Bite — February 24, 2010 @ 7:57 pm
I love dark pretzels!!
Have a great relaxing evening!
Food Makes Fun Fuel — February 24, 2010 @ 7:59 pm
I could go for healthy pretzels! Haven’t had those in too long
Light Delight with TouTou — February 24, 2010 @ 8:02 pm
Oh Wow. home made pizza always looks so delish – so “cheesy” !! ahaha
Melissa (MelissaLikesToEat) — February 24, 2010 @ 8:04 pm
That polenta pizza looks really good. What a unique idea. I think those extra dark pretzels would be good dipped in some peanut butter.
Lisa (bakebikeblog) — February 24, 2010 @ 8:08 pm
Great looking polenta pizza- I iwll have to give that a try for sure
Lindsey @ EatReadRun — February 24, 2010 @ 8:09 pm
I just discovered polenta this weekend and loved it! I’ll have to try that recipe. I need some vegging time tonight as well.
Shannon (The Daily Balance) — February 24, 2010 @ 8:12 pm
pretzels are my favorite snackie foods and these look fab!
great way to use polenta, too! And I like Mal’s idea of making it crispier than usual!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) — February 24, 2010 @ 8:17 pm
I need some mayjah R+R. Thank goodness my Spring Break is soon. DVR always does the trick
Katie@ Two Lives, One Lifestyle — February 24, 2010 @ 8:19 pm
Pretzels, pizza, and beer- but none of it typical fare. All a little different a lot of delicious looking!
Cynthia (It All Changes) — February 24, 2010 @ 8:20 pm
After all the wonderful recipes you keep posting I must buy this cook book soon. I love that you show your variations because I’m constantly changing up recipes.
Kelly — February 24, 2010 @ 8:20 pm
That pizza looks delicious. Enjoy Lost and Idol- I need some good lay back and watch American Idol tonight too
Nutritious Foodie — February 24, 2010 @ 8:22 pm
The polenta pizza sounds yummy
Mara @ What's for Dinner? — February 24, 2010 @ 8:25 pm
Today was definitely a beer day over here too…
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ — February 24, 2010 @ 8:27 pm
What a great pizza idea and something different.
Lacey — February 24, 2010 @ 8:27 pm
That pizza looks delish, and I’ve never thought to cut the peppers like that for pizza- it looks so much prettier that way.
Marisa (Loser for Life) — February 24, 2010 @ 8:28 pm
I really like polenta pizza, too! I’ll have to try it with blue cheese…mmmm.
Enjoy your night!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg — February 24, 2010 @ 8:29 pm
Yum– your dinner combines two of my favorite things: pizza and polenta! Enjoy catching up on tv!
Nicole @ Making Good Choices — February 24, 2010 @ 8:34 pm
I just came off of some major R&R with my school vacation last week, but somehow I already feel not rested! I haven’t tried polenta, but your pizza makes me want to!
Julie @ Pickley Pear — February 24, 2010 @ 8:41 pm
I keep hearing more and more about polenta, and think it’s time to try it! Hope you have a great night!
Annie@stronghealthyfit — February 24, 2010 @ 8:44 pm
That pizza looks yummy- I love polenta. Enjoy your beer and rest
Janna (Just Flourishing) — February 24, 2010 @ 8:47 pm
I have only had polenta once… and I really liked it! This definitely a good excuse for me have it again. I love pizza!
Sam (Merit to the Carrot) — February 24, 2010 @ 8:51 pm
1. I am a pretzel fiend. I am obsessed, so those sound phenomenal.
2. I have that EXACT recipe bookmarked to make this week. coincidence much?
Jessica @ The Process of Healing — February 24, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
Gosh that pizza sounds awesome!!! Polenta rocks.
Ashley — February 24, 2010 @ 8:56 pm
I need to start browing the Real Simple Web site more often … you always seem to pull awesome recipes from there. Looks delicious!
Tasha — February 24, 2010 @ 9:03 pm
It’s a pizza and beer kind of night.
Megan — February 24, 2010 @ 9:05 pm
Love the pizza! Are those the same brand of pretzels that you got from Sabrina?
Jenna — February 24, 2010 @ 9:06 pm
I have got to jump on this polenta pizza bandwagon. How does it compare to crust? Thinkin it’s gonna be tough to get my fiance to try it!
Heather — February 24, 2010 @ 9:10 pm
dinner looks yum! I am watching AI right now!
Lynn (The Actors Diet) — February 24, 2010 @ 9:10 pm
we just got a shipment from uncle jerry’s too! my hubby reviewed them b/c he’s from pennsylvania and considers himself a pretzel connisseur….
Emily — February 24, 2010 @ 9:13 pm
Sounds like a great evening!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is — February 24, 2010 @ 9:17 pm
Polenta pizza sounds amazing!
Andrea @ CanYouStayForDinner.com — February 24, 2010 @ 9:28 pm
I am on a roll with polenta lately. Polenta fries last night, creamy polenta and eggs this morning…so delicious! Your pizza looks awesome! Enjoy your night
Heather @ Side of Sneakers — February 24, 2010 @ 9:50 pm
Your pizza’s so pretty with the peppers cut in rings- I’m going to have to remember that to fancy up my next pizza!
Cole — February 24, 2010 @ 10:03 pm
That polenta pizza looks reall amazing.
Cassandra — February 24, 2010 @ 10:04 pm
That pizza looks so tasty!!!!!!!!! enjoy your night!!!!!!!
Vic — February 24, 2010 @ 10:07 pm
I LOVE polenta but honestly never would have thought of making it into a pizza! Thanks for this little inspiring idea!
Crystal — February 24, 2010 @ 10:10 pm
Polenta Pizza!? That is so weird yet intriguing! Hope you enjoy your evening!
Emily Eats and Exercises — February 24, 2010 @ 10:30 pm
Those pretzels look great. I love those healthy tasting kind of pretzels. There was a chocolate coated one on the website. That is one of my favorite desserts.
Kelly — February 24, 2010 @ 10:47 pm
BBC is made in my hometown, but we can’t get it by us (north of boston) so my dad has to bring out Growlers worth when he comes to visit. Steel Rail Pale Ale is our favorite!
Joelle (The Pancake Girl) — February 24, 2010 @ 10:50 pm
Gahh, I have to say- I think you need a break girl! You are running yourself crazy, even though you do enjoy your jobs. Take a vacay.
I’ve never had polenta before, but that pizza looks yummy! I had always heard polenta was tough to make but that recipe looks great!
Jamie — February 24, 2010 @ 11:11 pm
Looove homemade pizza! And I agreed that there was lots of good tv on… but no Biggest Loser this week
(OR castle! I love that show!)
caronae — February 24, 2010 @ 11:49 pm
Polenta pizza = brilliant! Hope the mid-week blues are over Tina!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] — February 25, 2010 @ 12:04 am
I hope you enjoyed your R&R. Thx for the polenta pizza idea =]
Erin — February 25, 2010 @ 12:18 am
I know you’re a big Publick House fan, and I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Roadhouse…but Roadhouse just re-opened tonight as American Craft, with a completely re-done menu and decor inside! I stopped in tonight after class..it’s definitely different and a lot more ‘chic’! You should check it out soon!
Kelli — February 25, 2010 @ 1:46 am
I LOVE Uncle Jerry’s Pretzels. The Whole Wheat kind is definitely my fave–they have an almost grainy texture, great crunch, and a liberal sprinkling of salt. Perfect pretzels if you ask me
Tara — February 25, 2010 @ 1:57 am
That pizza looks phenom. I’ll def have to try those pretzels too.
Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com — February 25, 2010 @ 3:03 am
I’ve never had a pretzel in my life! I feel I’m missing out….:/
Hannah — February 25, 2010 @ 3:29 am
Thank you for the link to that recipe! I can make it for my gluten-free mum when I’m back home from travelling! And hope you enjoyed your night
christie @ honoring health — February 25, 2010 @ 6:02 am
I have always wanted to try making polenta pizza but never got around to it.
Good for you for taking some R & R when you need it.
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) — February 25, 2010 @ 6:20 am
That polenta pizzza looks insane. I may just need to invest in that Real Simple cookbook. So far, all of the recipes you’ve tried out from it are right up my alley.
Jessie — February 25, 2010 @ 7:53 am
Yum, I love polenta! Even better with some roasted red pepper and mushrooms
Hope you had a nice night!
Heather — February 25, 2010 @ 8:07 am
I had the same issue with the polenta crust when I made the pizza. I am thinking next time I might par-bake the crust before adding the toppings. Did your’s crips up with the extra 10?
Jessica — February 25, 2010 @ 8:11 am
Interesting recipe… I’ll definitely have to give it a try. I tried to make a sort of lasagne casserole dish with polenta once and it was a total fail. I had given up on polenta, but this recipe might convince me to try it again.
Sarah — February 25, 2010 @ 8:15 am
We have a BBC here too, only it’s the Bluegrass Brewing Company, ha ha. Hope you had a relaxing evening
diana(mymarblerye) — February 25, 2010 @ 8:43 am
i can eat pizza and drink beer DAILY. Love how you always “mix up” your homemade pizzas.
Kelly — February 25, 2010 @ 8:47 am
Oooooh LOST is my fav! So addicting.
kalli@fitandfortysomething — February 25, 2010 @ 8:51 am
Yum what a great pizza……..and nothing beats pizza with beer! Have a great day….
Stina @ Girl Can — February 25, 2010 @ 9:59 am
That pizza looks great, but when I read the ingredients, I saw “red bull, peppers” not “red bell pepper” and couldn’t figure out why you would be adding red bull to a pizza!
Kristilyn (My 29th Year) — February 25, 2010 @ 10:30 am
I love pretzels – they’re my favourite treat! I really should buy some other varieties sometime. I always opt for the same brand.
K
Carolyn — February 25, 2010 @ 11:22 am
Polenta pizza! That sounds like a fantastic idea!
christina — February 25, 2010 @ 12:19 pm
i love love love that polenta pizza
Melissa — February 25, 2010 @ 2:50 pm
LOVE the Pats glass! Are you both fans?
whitney — February 25, 2010 @ 8:38 pm
Thank you so much. I have been reading your blog for a little over a year now and everytime I read it I am put in a better mood. I truly appreciate your honesty and your hard work with your blog. Your dinner looks wonderful and I love how you make such realistic meals. Moreover, your evening with a beer, your puppy, and your husband watching American Idol sounds so ideal and REAL!
I just wanted to let you know that your blog really encourages me. It’s real life, you like beer, you life fun, you like good food ( especially pizza – my favorite) and you love health. There can be a balance and your the perfect example.
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather — February 25, 2010 @ 10:39 pm
I just made polenta pizza too! It definately was a nice twist on the normal crust!
Nicole — March 9, 2010 @ 7:47 pm
This is a fantastic blog! My pal over at http://lessonsinmoderation.wordpress.com/ told me to check it out, and I can see why she loves it. Great tips, great recipes and very inspiring story re: the career change and following your passions. Congrats on making it happen! I look forward to reading more AND trying this polenta pie.