Morning, friends!
Sorry for my weekend hiatus. I needed a break from the internet. I’m back though, and with some exciting stuff for your Monday morning. Weekend update to be posted later this week.
If you’ve been following Fitness & Feta for a while, you may remember some of my previous posts about Naked Pizza (click here and here), or seen them on my Bars & Restaurants Page. I really enjoy ordering from Naked, so I was pretty excited about the chance to work with them for some promotional opportunities!
You might be asking yourself what Naked Pizza is all about. Well, I got to find out on Friday night by visiting Naked at their Brighton location – right down the street from me! For all you Boston folks, they offer a Brookline location in Coolidge Corner as well. I learned that the company actually began with the name “World’s Healthiest Pizza” when it was founded in 2006 as a means for providing affordable and healthy pizza to Hurricane Katrina survivors in New Orleans. Since then, they’ve obviously changed their name and also opened 23 more locations throughout the United States. The franchise has plans to open 3-4 more U.S. locations in 2012.
Naked Pizza first caught my eye back in February 2011 when it opened its Brighton chain. Clearly I was intrigued by the signs boasting all natural ingredients and the marketing tactics geared toward consumers seeking healthier alternatives. Healthier pizza? Could it be?
Okay, maybe the giant green sign flashing the word naked at me had something to do with grabbing my attention too.
Anyways, chatting with Sarah at Naked Pizza on Friday during my visit was really cool. Not only was she super nice and welcoming, but I could tell she takes pride in working for Naked. That definitely says a lot about a company. Sarah gave me the run down on why exactly Naked Pizza is a better food choice over some of your other typical za joints that strip the nutrition right out of their highly processed pies.
First of all, “naked” means natural. As in, there aren’t any additives, preservatives, colorants, or chemicals in their crust, sauces, or cheese. They also don’t add sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or hydrogenated oil to any of their products. The restaurant claims that their pizza is “simply an honest diversity of all-natural, whole food ingredients that taste better and ARE better for you.”
How?
- CRUST: Contains 10 different grains, including oats, brown rice, buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth, teff, spelt, tapioca, and 2 types of wheat. It’s also made up of prebiotic agave fiber and probiotics. They offer their regular Ancestral Blend®, the skinny Ancestral Blend® crust, as well as a gluten-free option for all you Chronie’s/Celiacs out there.
- SAUCE: The all natural tomato sauce is spiced and herbed, with no added sugar or citric acid.
- CHEESE: The real Wisconsin mozzarella cheese is 100% natural and rGBH-free.
- MEATS: The pork, chicken, and beef are free of any type of growth hormones or antibiotics.
- VEGGIES: All natural with no additives!
This was really interesting to learn because obviously I knew that pizza made with all natural ingredients is a healthier option than Domino’s, but I never knew all these details behind it!
Aside from pizza, Naked also sells breadsticks and salads, but I had never tried either before. Tim and I have had the Sonoran and the Superbiotic pizzas, but on Friday we left with a large “Rajin’ Cajun” skinny crust pizza (Sausage – only on half, Chicken, Garlic, Bell Pepper, and Onion) and a side of Cheesy Breadstixx (Tasty mozzarella and cheddar, chewy Ancestral Blend® pull-apart bread with prebiotics and probiotics). I think I liked the toppings on the Superbiotic more (Artichoke, Spinach, Bell Pepper, Mushroom, Garlic, Red Onion, Cilantro), but definitely a bigger fan of the skinny crust!
While we were waiting for our pizza to be made, I got to take a little tour of the kitchen! One thing that really stood out to me was the care going into the pizza making. I noticed the fresh dough and how clean the toppings station was. I don’t think all pizza places can claim the same!
Tim and I were really excited about our food and a lazy Friday night in. Thanks, Naked Pizza!
See? Told you I was excited. 🙂
But enough about me.
Now it’s YOUR turn to be excited for Naked Pizza’s FREE GIVEAWAY:
Naked Pizza has generously offered to give away a $20 gift card to one lucky reader of this post! Pretty awesome, huh?
I’m offering a few different ways to enter this contest. You can choose to do one step or all of them, but you have to leave separate comments for each entry in order for them to count. And you have to do #1.
- Go to the Naked Pizza website and decide what you think your favorite pizza would be, then leave a comment on this post telling me what your ‘za of choice is!
- Subscribe to my blog via the “Follow Me!” section in the right sidebar.
- Like the Fitness & Feta Facebook page here.
- Like the Naked Pizza Facebook page and/or follow Naked Pizza on Twitter.
- Post about the contest on your own Facebook page, Twitter, or blog and include a link to this page.
I will be announcing the winner on Wednesday morning. Good luck!!
P.S. Since I took my weekend hiatus from the internet, here are three days worth of Be Thankful Challenges: I am thankful for spontaneous weekend getaways, great sales, and of course – good pizza!
I had their pizza once and really liked it! we just went with a half cheese, half pep, but if i had to choose again, I’d do the mediterranean (minus the olives- yuck!) on regular wheat crust (none of that thin crust stuff!).
Gotten their za 3 times, they have gluten free options which is awesome! Next I will try the Smokehouse. YUM! I like their facebook too! That cute little winky face. -Cait
My boyfriend and I have been obsessed with Naked Pizza since you first blogged about it, and our favorite pizza to get is thin crust with mushroom and feta!
I already subscribe to your blog!
And I already “like” your facebook page!
Now I’ve also “liked” the naked pizza facebook page.
Alright, I went ahead and posted it to my facebook too – can you tell I really want this one? haha
I love Naked Pizza! My girlfriend and I regularly order their pies. My favorite has always been the Farmvil.
Athena-
The Mediterranean looks amazing- all of my favorite things. Thanks for teaching us more about Naked Pizza- I loved my first pie that I got last month with sun dried tomatoes. It was great! I also “liked” your Facebook page- didn’t know you had one. 🙂
Pineapple pizza!!! 🙂
I already love your post!!!
and I want to try Naked pizza soo bad. PICK ME!!!! I would get the greenhouse minus the onions 🙂
Mediterranean!! Definitely have to try this place!
love the superbiotic!
i already follow Naked on facebook : ) (plus the Mediterranean is quite appropriate, don’t you think)
Naked sounds so good. Also, I am 12 and giggle a little at the name. I would definately get the pima. I’ve been on a spicey foods kick lately, so jalapenos for me!
The pizza looks amazing and I am jealous of your private tour
Mushroom and Feta sounds so good!! And the breadsticks sound yummy!!!
I am with Monique, Mediterranean sans olives, yum!
The Superbiotic and Sonoran are my top choices! The superbiotic because I LOVE all veggies, and the Sonoran if I’m craving a little grilled chicken with my veggies.
I subscribed to your blog, I’ve already liked your fbook page, I liked the Naked Pizza FB page, and posted this contest on my FB page! 🙂
My favorite is the Ragin Cajun but I am looking forward to trying the Smokehouse next.
No farmvil for you!
I would definitely try the Mediterranean! probably with a salad,too.
Hiii! I liked Naked Pizza’s page! I am your number one fannnn, (reason alone you should enter my name in the contest 387378 times) so I already subscribed to your fab blog and liked your page! I would get the superbiotic pizza and ask them to leave the cilantro off! Pick meee pick meeee!
Long time reader, first time comment leaver, I have only had Naked Pizza one time, but I thought it was really good. I would say after reading the blog and reviewing the menu that I would have 3 favorites:
1. Smokehouse
2. Omnivore – Minus the Black Olive
3. Farmvil – But I would add green Pepper to it.
I already follow your blog, and Liked your f-book page, Liked the Naked Pizza page and shared your link on facebook and a few of my co workers already asked me about it and clicked on your site. Hopefully you get a few more reader or followers.
I already follow your blog
Liked your f-book page
You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down
Liked the Naked Pizza page
shared your link on facebook
The Sonoran hold the mushrooms looks great!
I have already done most of what you have included in the contest because I am a loyal reader not just trying to get free things like Geoff here. My pizza of choice, if no one was watching and I was eating alone, would be the following:
14 inch Skinny crust, with red onion, mushrooms, garlic, jalapenos, and hamburger.
Hey Athena, I would definitely go with the Rajin Cajun or the superbiotic. I’ve driven by Naked in Brighton (that sounds weird) and saw that it was supposed to be “All-natural” and “healthier”, but i said “Noo waaay, I don’t believe it.” I’m definitely a believer after reading your blog though! Look forward to trying it!