Wraps Are the New Black

Sandwiches are so 80's (ever since low-carb diets gave bread a bad name).  Wraps are the new black.

Less mess, more security, healthier, slimmer, sleeker, and it just fits right in the palm of your hand.  For 12 years of Catholic school, my lunches consisted of a sandwich, chips, and some sort of Scooby snack - a zinger, ho-ho, twinkie, ding-dong, or suzy-q.  I've moved beyond my brown bag lunch, but just like Linus to his blankie, I miss my sandwiches.  

Here are a few of our favorites and some Wrap Ideas:

1.  Lettuce Wraps:  Take a butter lettuce leaf and scoop out some of our delicious Oriental Cashew Vegetable Stirfry.  Top with your favorite blend of soy sauce/hot sauce for a fork-free dinner.

2.  Tortilla Wraps:  We often put our Conveniently Natural dishes into an Ezekial Sprouted Grain tortilla (and perhaps top with some Daiya cheese and bake to get that cheesy goodness).  Try slicing the Rich Lentil Loaf with Tomato Basil Sauce and putting into a tortilla with some lettuce, tomato, and onion.

3.  Greek Pita:  Ditch those Hot Pockets and scoop the Masala Dahl with Carmelized Onions and Carrots into a pita pocket (with a dollop of hummus).

4.  Raw Zucchini Wraps:  Our raw food chef is preparing one of our favorites ~ slices of zucchini wrapped around veggies and a sunflower seed sauce.  Easy, convenient, and very filling!  

Repurposed Chili

     7 Ways to Eat Chili (Your Kids Will Love These)

1. In a bowl.  Grab some cornbread (or better yet, swing by the kitchen and pick up a loaf of New Traditionalist organic, vegan bread).
2. Fiesta Enchiladas!  In a baking pan, arrange corn tortillas (even tearing to ensure that the entire bottom is covered with tortillas).  Then, layer with chili, tortillas, butternut squash (already roasted for 30 minutes at 400 degrees), tortillas, tomato sauce, and finally cheese. 
3. Chili 5 Way.  Spaghetti noodles and chili (we’ve already added the onions, carrots, and celery) topped off with some Daiya Cheddar Cheese.
4. Game Night Nachos.  Line a baking pan with Scoops Tortilla Chips, and fill each Scoop with spoonful of chili and cheese.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.  Then top with Tofutti Sour Cream and avocado slices.
5. Chili Cheesedogs.  Good old-fashioned veggie dogs on a bun loaded with chili and cheese.  We like Applegate Farms.
6. Chili Baked Potatoes.  Load up a baked potato with steamed broccoli and other favorite greens topped with chili and chives.
7. The Ultimate Queso Dip.  Toss a cup or two into your favorite queso or check out our website for one of our favorites (see it under Sample Menu).  

A Happier Meal

A Happier Meal 

 

Whatever happened to Grimace, Hamburgler, and the Fry Guys?  I remember the days of sitting on the brass statue of Ronald McDonald down on the Plaza as I eagerly awaited my good old Happy Meal.  It wasn't so much the food or the toy, just the experience.  I mean, how could you not like something called a Happy Meal? Brilliant marketing...

At Conveniently Natural, we like to think we are bringing you a Happier Meal.  For those of you who like direction and guidance about how to eat your meals, we offer you the Happier Meal tutorial.  (For those of us that don't follow directions or color within the lines, simply pick up nearest fork and dig in.)

 

Step 1 ~ Choose one main dish and scoop 1/3 to 1/4 onto clean plate.

 

Step 2 ~ Choose two side dishes and scoop 1/3 to 1/4 of each onto happy plate.

 

Step 3 ~ Clean your plate.

 

Yes, we know, those 24 oz containers can be deceiving. The above picture shows you a quarter serving out of three 24 oz size dishes.  Though we don't offer you caloric or nutritional information, we do provide some guidance on the "How To Eat" section on our website.