A lot! This was my "uber-veggie wrap" that I just finished eating. I love this kind of lunch. Energizing with plenty of veg, rather than something fully cooked or carb-heavy, that tends to make you feel sluggish soon after.So, what do I have in there? This time round, it was diced celery, diced green pepper, grated carrots, grated beets, sliced and lightly broiled zukes, and broccoli sprouts. Normally I'll julienne some greens like spinach or baby lettuces, but we were plum out. Not sure if I would have been able to squeeze them in today anyhow - this wrap was STUFFED! Some tahini sauce and Balsamic Maple Sauce (from ed&bv
) for dipping/drizzling on the side. You can also smear some mustard, olive tapenade, pesto, or tahini on the wrap before layering in the veg, to help keeps things together and add extra flavor. You can also sprinkle some hemp seeds or chopped pumpkin seeds in with those veggies for extra crunch and a boost of healthy fats and protein (I had a lil' of both in the morning, so didn't feel like including them in my wrap). As for the wrap itself, this was a sprouted tortilla by Ezekiel. They are nutritious and have a deeper nutty flavor, but are a touch pricier than other wraps and not quite as pliable. So, if you want to opt for a standard tortilla, just be sure to check the ingredients. Most (really, most) have hydrogenated oils and plenty of additives. Also, most of those 'spinach' and 'tomato' varieties are disguising themselves as healthful wraps - check the label - again, most have hydrog oils, and are made with white flour. Look for whole-wheat tortillas instead of the multi-colored tortillas (but again, check the ingredients to avoid trans fats).
Milk proteins, milk sugar, fat, and saturated fat in dairy products pose health risks for children and encourage the development of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. (source: PCRM)
This is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! And if they only bread like product I ate for the rest of my life was ezekiel wraps, I'd be happy. LOVE.
ReplyDeleteI would love to eat something like that, but I don't know that I'd have the patience, time, or energy for all that prep work. Couldn't the food fairy come over and make it for me? I wonder if I could prep in advance and then throw it all together *scratches chin*
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is conclusive evidence that milk or milk sugar are the culprit for diabetes and obesity. Low and nonfat dairy products are moderately healthy.
People have been eating milk products for well over a century if not longer (I don't know exactly when that began) but the rise in diabetes and obesity is recent. The rise began right around the same time processed junk foods became readily available and fast food places increased their portions. No coincidence there. I really think that things like simple carbs/refined sugar are worse for your body than milk.
That said, a low fat vegan diet has been shown to reverse type II diabetes, and that has been proven. I don't think it's just because of the lack of milk products but rather the lack of saturated fat products overall and of course the increase in vegetables. I am in complete agreement that vegetables are probably the healthiest thing you can eat and the vast majority of people do not get enough. I've always appreciated your healthy recipes that incorporate health foods like hemp seeds, whole grains, and veggies in creative ways.
I love wrap xx. it's very popular in Vietnam too. Cause vnese like to use may kinds of veg in their meal. You should try my tip sometime: vietnamese vegan noodle - I’ve been looking forever for something delicious and quick to make that's vegan. So thrilled to come across this Vietnamese noodle soup Happy Pho. It takes 15 mins for me to cook & has super healthy ingredients, so it’s tasty and doesn’t make me feel terrible afterwards like a lot of Asian prepackaged products. I found it at Whole Foods Berkeley but I think they’re at a bunch of other stores too http://staranisefoods.com/find-us.aspx
ReplyDeleteWow! That wrap is no joke!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Those wraps are gluten free too, right? Looks so good, especially with your "sauce" ideas of tahini, etc.. yum!!
ReplyDelete~ Candi
The wraps look amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks you guys!
ReplyDeleteTalula, the prep can be fairly quick if you have the veg all washed and waiting in the fridge for you. Plus, the carrot/beet can be bulk grated (food processor) and kept for a couple of days for more than one meal, if that helps with food prep... but, yes, I wouldn't mind a food fairy dropping in on my kitchen once in a while too! As for the milk issue, there have been studies to show the correlation between milk consumption and diabetes and obesity, and even if milk isn't solely responsible (I fully agree that our recent consumption of processed foods has wreaked havoc on our overall health), I think it is unhealthy enough for many other reasons (osteoporosis, allergies, certain cancers) to justify never drinking it in any form (low-fat or not) or consuming its derivatives (eg: casein). There's no need. I think our current culture has a double whammy of all the refined carbs and processed foods, as you mentioned, along with the meat and dairy consumption. That all adds up to very unhealthy consequences.
Annie, thanks for that info and link, will check it out!
Focus on Health, these particular wraps are not gluten-free, or even wheat-free. But, I'm fairly certain that they do a brown rice wrap that is gf (but I don't think it's sprouted). thx!