Doin' Some Cookin'... Collard Green Wraps

For the past year and a half I have been following a Whole30 lifestyle 90% of the time. One thing I do not miss is bread for sandwiches. Maybe because I always used whole wheat bread and never thought my sandwich got an flavor benefit from the bread. With Whole30 I have replaced bread with vegetables.

The other day I used a red bell pepper cut in half and filled it with more veggies and turkey to pack as a "sandwich" for lunch. Romaine lettuce leaves make the perfect vessel for tuna salad. Portobello mushrooms a bun for burgers. Oh, the possibilities.

New to me was using collard greens as a tortilla replacement. I was pleasantly surprised with how easy the leaves were to prep and how you can blanch a batch ahead of time to store for the work week for lunches.

Get yours daily greens by making these Collard Green Wraps. Completely customizable to fill the leaves with whatever your heart desires. Handheld low carb nutrient packed meal for the win!

Unrelated side note... I cannot believe the school year is two weeks away for my Little Man and that I will have a 4th grader. I'm going to miss the laid back summer schedule and not ready for what feel like rushed mornings and nights filled with homework and little quality time.

However, I do have one more meal idea when packing his lunches now.

Collard Green Wraps

Adapted From: Wake The Wolves

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 4 large collard greens, blanched in simmering water for 10 seconds
• shredded red and green cabbage, to taste
• shredded carrots, to taste
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 2 cooked chicken breasts, sliced 

And Action:

Lay one leaf on a plate and layer with the cabbage, carrots, avocado, and chicken making sure not to overfill the leaf. Roll up the leaf like you would a burrito. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Low Carb Turkey Club Lettuce Wraps

Little Man has hit an age of wanting to spend hours in his room buried in blankets and behind books. I start missing him like hell. One night this week I decided to make these Low Carb Turkey Club Lettuce Wraps and when the bacon hit the pan it sent him bolting out of room asking, "Is that bacon I smell?!"

So now I know a guaranteed way to get him out of his room and into the living room to spend time with me. Thank you bacon.

All of the delicious flavors of a turkey club are rolled up in iceberg lettuce leaves and instead of mayo these wraps get their creaminess from avocado slices.

Low Carb Turkey Club Lettuce Wraps

Adapted From: Organize Yourself Skinny

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 2 iceberg lettuce leaves
• 2 slices turkey lunchmeat
• 4 avocado slices
• 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled

And Action:

Lay lettuce flat. Layer turkey, avocado, tomatoes and bacon. Roll up. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

I am taco obsessed. About once every three months we'll swing into a local taco house, Tita's, for the most authentic tacos I've ever had. It's located in Humble, TX and if you are near the area and haven't been make sure you make it there soon. I have them make me five random tacos of their choosing excluding any that include egg. Yes, five! Because I have no shame and end up not eating the rest of the day. My favorites I've had are potato with bacon, barbacoa, red pork, chicharron and their green sauce is to die for. Of course I have to wash it down with a pineapple soda too. I'm a pig but I cannot tell you how amazing their tacos are. I admit it. They make me feel like shit after I eat them and get terribly bloated but it's so worth it.

Because I'm fully committed to losing the weight I've packed on over the last four years it's imperative I focus on my diet and working out.

Healthy eating is doable with substitutions like lettuce for tortillas and turkey for beef to make a healthy twist on taco night. These tacos are so easy to prepare and a meal I feel good about feeding to Little Man as well. They aren't too spicy but have a little kick to them. If needed, add a dollop of plain Greek yogurt to tame the heat.

Best thing is that I can enjoy a plate of these without any bloating afterwards.

Healthy, quick, and oh so tasty... what more could you or I ask for?

Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

Adapted From: MyFitnessPal's Hello Healthy

Makes 4 Servings (2 Lettuce Wraps Each)

Stars of the Show:

• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 red onion, minced
• 2 tbsp bell pepper, minced
• 3/4 cup water
• 4 oz tomato sauce
• 8 large romaine leaves

And Action:

Brown turkey in a large skillet breaking it into smaller pieces as it cooks. When no longer pink add the seasoning and mix well. Add onion, bell pepper, water, tomato sauce and cover. Simmer on low for 20 minutes. 

Divide the meat into 8 servings and top the lettuce with it. Top with your favorite taco fixings like tomatoes, avocado, black olives, and salsa. If you're not following a low carb diet add cheese, black beans, corn, and sour cream. Enjoy! 

Doin' Some Cookin'... BLT Lettuce Wraps

This is an unbelievable truth... I stopped liking bacon for the last couple years. It may have been caused by the ultimate BLT that I made turning my tongue raw from a sandwich that was like a salt lick.

Here's another unbelievable truth... After watching the movie, Supersize Me, I went out and ate McDonald's. Almost too much. My excuse was wanting to win a million dollars playing their Monopoly game.

And another unbelievable truth... After watching the movie, Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, the sequel, I craved bacon after one of the rebooters (term for a person going on a juice cleanse) ordered a baconator from Wendy's.

My take away is that I need to stop watching food documentaries. I clearly do not get scared straight.

Scared enough, however, to not order a baconator and instead make these BLT Lettuce Wraps.

And yes... my love affair with bacon is back. Everything in moderation.

BLT Lettuce Wraps

Adapted From: Jackie's Happy Plate

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 4 slices cooked applewood smoked bacon
• handful of grape tomatoes, cut in half
• 2 whole romaine leaves
• 1 tbsp mayonaise
• black pepper, to taste

And Action:

Spread each lettuce leaf with a 1/2 tbsp mayo. 

Sprinkle with pepper.

Top each lettuce leaf with 2 slices of bacon and half of the tomatoes. Enjoy!