I was a hiking machine this weekend. Between Saturday and Sunday I conquered 18 total miles of pure nature bliss. Hiking season is here.
Along the way I found Sasquatch.
Ah, nope that’s just me. I assure you this balancing act was much harder than it looks. I debated walking across the log for a whole second and quickly shoved that idea south. I decided I wanted to live.
Post Sat. hike I came home and made myself the most epic pizza. I had been craving pizza for WEEKS, and finally got around to “sorta” kinda making some. I say sorta because this was a “semi” homemade pizza.
I usually like to make my dough from scratch, but I also like to try new things. I snagged this gluten free flatbread on my last trip to TJ’s and OH MY it was good! I was pleasantly surprised. I mentioned a while back that too much wheat causes my stomach to rebel, so I limit my intake on breads. Next time I’ll try making my own GF dough.
Most people can’t live without cheese on their pizza, for me it’s potatoes. Two years ago (I love blogging because I can dig back in my archives for moments like this) I was introduced to potatoes on pizza and I never looked back…ever. I’ve had them on every pizza since.
First time using sweet taters, and all I have to say is yes. Just yes. I baked my sweet potatoes, my beets, and my garlic in the oven before my hike to ensure they were ready when I came home ravenous.
For this I just sliced them thin, wiped my pan with coconut oil, topped with a little sea salt and baked at 375 for about 45 min – an hour. The garlic will need to come out after about 20 minutes. I also cheated on this pizza and used a store bought sauce! All kinds of crazy over here.
I am in love with these Bolani sauces!! They are amazing, and they are LEGIT using minimal ingredients. I love making my own sauces/pesto and as a vegan I usually have to, but these are a fun treat and I totally approve of the nutritional stats/ingredients. Random Costco find!
I could have definitely eaten two.
Q: Who’s embracing the hiking season!?
47 thoughts on “Green Mountain – Par Baked”
brittanylesser
Potatoes on pizza.. GENIUS. That avocado, too. Yummm. I must re-create this 😉 That hiking picture is absolutely hilarious too hahaha
thefaithfulrunner
I love this post! What beautiful (and funny) pictures! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I like to embrace the hiking season through you because this way I don’t get dirt in my nails. Actually I don’t mind a little dirt so long as I’m prepared for it (i.e. yard working), but toss me in Mother Nature in a pair of heels, and we might have a problem.
The pictures are beautiful and the pizza is stunning. Costco finds for the win.
Brittany
I never would have pictured you as one that didn’t like to get dirty!? After your run, wild soul, and mad monkey loving I would have thought you had a rugged side!! I would make you a natural Mother Nature lover!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I know, I’m some kind of strange oxymoron/Rubik’s cube deal.
I can do rugged so long as it’s planned. And I have a nice clean shower when it’s done and a soft pillow to rest my head. I do love digging in the flower beds, mowing the lawn, and watching my garden grow though.
Lou
Oh man – hiking AND pizza!? Perfection! Have you tried using spelt flour for a pizza base? It’s not completely GF but it’s a lot easier to digest than regular wheat flour – plus it’s super good for you – I use it all the time and it is super good.
Brittany
You know I have thought about this, but I have never actually done it!! I must give it a try, thank you!
P
I’m sure that pizza tasted like pure bliss! Have you tried the actual Bolani breads? They are perfection! I have yet to try the sauces, but I believe I saw a sampler pack at my local Costco.
Khushboo Thadani (@KhushbooThadani)
Potatoes on pizza? That’s not a combo I’ve tried but it sounds pretty damn awesome- who am I to say no to carbs on carbs ;)!
Amalia
I’m such a hiker. All summer, all the time. It just sucks because I work the weekends and my boyfriend works the weekdays so unless I head out alone (sans car) its unlikely that I will ever see a hiking trail! I’m hoping we can take a couple weekends this summer to do a few big ones. I feel I will plan all our weekends away without the actual time to do anything!
Luv What You Do
I want to be a hiking machine! Looks like a great weekend!
Matt @ Runner Savvy
I love hiking! And pizza 🙂
Amy
YUM! For me, my favorite part of the pizza is the crust and tomato sauce. Then the toppings. The cheese always comes in last, and I’ve seriously debated just making my own without it! Unfortunately, I think my guy would rebel… And since pizza (and french fries) are two of the only foods we agree on, I probably shouldn’t tempt fate. Too much. 😉
Brittany
Ohhhh yes, good (CRUNCHY) crust is important for me!
apartmentwife
love when you post hiking photos on instagram, and enjoy your ‘fuel for the trip’ recaps just as much. i just took down a pizza bianca, but i’m thinking another pizza (with potatoes) could be in my near future:)
Life After Swimming
It’s completely flat where I live, so hiking is at a minimum. So jealous, though! Those look like awesome workouts/explorations!
PNWRunner
Girl! Where was the invite? We must go hiking! I’d love to hike over in your neck of the woods. The trails by my house were covered with people. Ugh! I’m in dyer need of a long hike!
Brittany
AHH, I SO should have texted you yesterday. I wanted to go hiking for a THIRD day in a row, but my friend tapped out at two days. DAMN!
jessielovestorun
I’ve neve had potatoes on pizza before, but it souns EPIC! I want a slice!!! Will you bring me some? I’ll pay for your flight & surprise you with food goodies too 🙂
Davida @The Healthy Maven
I wish there was hiking around here! I’m saving it all for yellowstone this summer. Cannot wait!
Brittany
I am so ridiculously jealous of your upcoming Yellowstone adventure. Take me with you, I’m only a couple states away.
Laura @ the gluten-free treadmill
Pictures are beautiful – and that pizza looks delicious! I need more TJs in my life!
kathy@vodka and soda
girrrrrl i am ALL over hiking/trail season!! every sunday morning we meet at 630am. at 4am my eyes pop open and i’m impatiently waiting for 615am to roll around so i can leave for my beloved trails. if ever i’m in your hood, we are going to hike the shit out of your trails!!
Brittany
I NEED TO HIKE WITH YOU. It’s going on my bucket list. I don’t actually have a physical bucket list, so if I make one right now you will be the FIRST ON THE LIST..VIP BITCCHH.
Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy
I miss Cali! We went hiking every weekend! I have yet to go hiking in Canada, but hopefully we will soon 🙂
Change of Pace
Obviously the hiking photos are amazing, but the pizza photos are stunning- way to work the camera 🙂
Hiking hit me full on this weekend when we were in Radium. Wow though- hiking when you’re not really running vs hiking when you’re training for an Ironman is a lot different. I was out of breath almost the entire time 🙂
Food, Booze, & Baggage
WOW 18 miles!! That pizza looks so colorful and unique. I’ve had pizza with potatoes but I’m pretty sure it had cheese too. I love avocado on anything!
lucie
This looks like such a beautiful place to go hiking! I love to go on long walks across the hills and beach although we can’t embrace the weather so much here in the UK as its always raining, ha! Also, loving the look of that pizza – looks so colourful and delicious!
http://journeysthroughmeadows.com
ahellams
Damn thats a lot of hiking!! I think my legs would be about to fall off after all that!
The Vegan 8
You are amazing with all of your hiking! Ok, that pizza bread sounds amazing, I so need to get some! I also love the sound of that pesto. I have never had sweet potatos on pizza, but you know what, I LOVE sweet potatoes, so I imagine it tastes like perfection. Seriously, could these photos be any more beautiful!?!
Lauren
I wish I had places to hike. Of course, I could go out and FIND them, but I’d rather just hike to the bar, my cottage, or a patio somewhere, haha! That pizza sounds amazing. I keep hearing about sweet potato on pizza – I think I need to try it!
Rach @ This Italian Family
Haha! I love blogging for that same reason! It’s so nice to be able to find the exact story/picture you want to share. 😉 I should try potatoes on my pizza sometime!
Also, I went on two hikes this weekend! Though, they were both pretty tame (read: paved trails with my in-laws). But hey, at least we were out in nature. I do love hiking!
Megan
I need to get out hiking ASAP. I haven’t been since my last adventure with you. How horrible is that?! Your pizza also looks awesome. I will have to give the Par Baked a twirl.
Brittany
I want to come search for blue markers with you guys again, that was such a different way of hiking for me. HA. GET OUT AND HIKE!
Choc Chip Uru
You deserve that pizza after all that incredible hiking, it makes my knees wobbly thinking about it!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Amy @ A Desert Girl
My next trip to Costco is going to yield me some of that Bolani sauce. Fo shizzle. It looks so tasty!
As always your hiking pictures make me want to relocate to the PNW. Gorgeous!
northernambitions
18 miles (I had to look that up in km), good on you! Hiking is one of the best parts of summer. And that flat bread looks amazing! I’m such a big fan of colourful dishes, maybe because they’re so pretty. But beets, yams and avocado is definitely my kind of meal. You’re so smart to bake them ahead of time. I just got home from a hike today and am ravenous! I have no patience to cook so my meal is a thousand times less appetizing then yours at the moment 🙂
Alisha's Appetite
1. Love the new blog look and you are adorable in the new profile pic 2. We are hiking soulmates and I would love nothing more than to go hiking in your neck of the woods (literally..ha) with you!!
kristen
how have i never seen that dough at TJs before?! will have to snag it next time i go. love all your pictures, i am not a hiker but these make me want to be! i wouldnt have gone very far on that log haha.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
Put Bolani Eggplant Pesto on a certain SOMETHING… And I will suck it all night longggggggg and day too! LOL!
The Zen Kat
Potatoes on pizza? I gotta try that! Especially if it means less fatty cheese for me. 🙂 The hike looks so fun! Cool pics!
Ashley
potatoes on pizza sounds cool! My bf hates cheese so I’ve been trying to wean myself off cheesey pizza for him… its tough though! hah
karla @ finding my fit
I have the most chaotic june/july schedule but I really am craving some hiking. There’s a ton of state parks out by me and I want to explore and take photos. Unfortuntaley moving and army takes precedence.. they’ll be there for me in august and the fall though 🙂
Hannah
I loooove potatoes on pizza! Get it, girl!
Melissa @ Al Forno Mementos
Mmmm looks delicious! I wish we were real life friends. I would be having so much fun eating and hiking with you!
kadeecramer
Sweet potatoes on pizza = the best!! I also love pizza toppings IN a sweet potato. Basically all things pizza or sweet potato. 🙂
Mara H
Thiss is awesome