Cheesy Broccoli, Chicken & Pesto Calzone |

Y'all is it THAT time.
For the majority, football season evokes excitement, camaraderie, patriotism and a (somewhat) healthy sense of competition.
For the minority i.e. me, football season evokes creativity...for how to spend my time when everyone else is watching football.
I've had the game explained to me countless times. I've enjoyed the "best" seats in the house at winning home games.
But.I.just.can't.get.into.it.
So what's a girl to do? Make lemonade out of lemons. Or, make cheesy calzones out of pizza dough!
Seriously though, this calzone is everything you want on a chilly, lazy fall Sunday. It's comfort food, using much higher quality and healthier versions of traditional foods: whole wheat flour for white, grass-fed REAL cheese (and bonus, goat cheese can be easier to digest that cow's dairy), homemade pesto using high quality fats instead of vegetable oils and free-range chicken. The result is something uber flavorful, easy-peasy and satisfying to the pickiest eaters.
NOTE: I totally get that some people don't have access to/can't afford the grassfed dairy and free-range chicken. No problem! Just do the best you can. Pick one or another, or neither, knowing that this is a still a better alternative that greasy processed order-in pizza. We're going for progress, not perfection!
Which is also why I'm totally cool with enjoying some gluten-FULL goods every now and again, since I don't have an intolerance or sensitivity (or, obviously, an allergy or Celiac disease). You should know if it works for YOU based on how you feel, so check in! Do you have IBS or major lethargy after eating some whole wheat bread? Might not be for you. I personally feel great including wheat based foods in my diet in moderation. You can also work with a dietician or functional MD to be tested for any and all of the above.
If you're like me, then the 99c pizza dough from Trader Joes is an EPIC easy way to enjoy yeasted bread without having to make it! I'm definitely going to play around with it as the dough for cinnamon rolls! If you don't live near a TJs, I bet your local pizza place can slice of a pound of dough for you!
Whether you're watching the game or waiting for it to end like me, this insanely delicious calzone can be a welcome addition to your Sunday routine!
Please tag me on instagram @lauraleabalanced #llbalanced to show me your creations!
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
CALZONE
PESTO
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