little healthy bellies: Sounds Strange, but try it! TAB Wrap

S and G's TAB (turkey apple & avocado broccoli) wrap

We've all had a BLT (bacon, lettuce, tomato) sandwich...right? I love the fact that sandwiches and wraps are so easily modified. Some make a TLT sandwich (turkey bacon, lettuce tomato). Or maybe a BLP (bacon, lettuce, pepper). This idea of modification is especially true, and helpful, for kids.....well, I must admit....thinking outside the box in regards to food is pretty darn awesome for adults too. Your child doesn't like bread? ....well, the crust part at least? There's no sandwich making rule that says you must just use bread. So try a whole wheat tortilla, English muffin, whole wheat bagel or whole wheat dinner roll. Not a meat-eater? Try adding some cheese slices or legumes. Legumes are the starchy beans and peas you hear a lot about lately, especially in the vegetarian and heart-healthy worlds. Some examples are pinto beans, lentils, garbanzo beans/chickpeas, navy beans, kidney beans, etc. Legumes are a fantastic source of protein, especially for vegetarians. Not to mention they are super high up on the fiber list too.
I often like to add both a vegetable and a fruit to my wraps. Therefore the same idea applies to my kids' wraps and sandwiches as well. I add a little more of the stuff they like into it, such as more apple slices, or sliced strawberries, or pears. (please beware: I am a big fan of food mixing such as mixing fruit in a sandwich or salad! I like to see all the different colors and feel the different textures in my mouth :)
And for the vegetables, if I know they really dig them (like carrots--see this post), then I'll add a fair amount to their wrap or sandwich. But if I get the vibe that day that they may see some green and flip out, then I just add a tiny bit to the wrap in small chopped amounts. Not so tiny that they won't see it because I'm not a big fan of "hiding" vegetables in a kids' food. I want them to see it. I don't want my child to think they are eating a super yummy sandwich because it doesn't have vegetables. If this were the case everyday (i.e. that they thought they weren't eating vegetables), then they would never get used to the idea of them being on their plate. And then, most definitely, they would freak out if they all of the sudden saw green in their sandwich. Because it had never been there in the first place! They wouldn't be able to appreciate the presence of a vegetable and how tasty it can be. You just have to work with it slowly...baby steps. chico baby steps.

When I'm in a time crunch for the kiddo's lunch, I try to make a wrap for the kids with what is in my cupboard and fridge. The other day I used some broccoli that I had just picked from our garden. (side note: This was the first year that it actually grew very well and produced recognizable broccoli! Real broccoli. Green and looked like little bunches of trees. It was awesome. I was so excited!)
I digress....back to the wrap. I also had cheese and turkey on hand that needed to be used up. So I knew I would incorporate these into the wrap as well. Then, I always add a "glue" (especially for the little tikes) to the tortilla or bread slices so that when their little hands pick up the wrap, it doesn't all fall apart. Because if it did fall apart, then they subsequently lose it and have a fit. You know what I'm talking about. "Mommy!!! my sandwich break!! IT BREAK! Help!"..... enter the tears, etc.....you know we have all been there. (Humor me please and just say yes...).
The glue could be something like a little mayo, avocado, hummus, cream cheese, peanut butter, or if making a hot sandwich it could be cheese. when cheese melts it holds the whole thing together. Lastly, I add a fruit. Sometimes I use fresh apple or pear slices, strawberries (sliced), bananas, or peaches. Alternatively, I use dried fruit such as craisins or raisins. All of these foods add a whopping display of color and great texture to the sandwich. If we have time, then I let them choose what type of fruit they want on their sandwich. They love to make their own little concoction up. Below is what we came up with last week. And I must say, S. and G. were big fans of these wraps. Not to make them oddly piggish, but these three-yr olds both ate 3 wraps (3 halves, that is..)! Nonetheless, they ate them. Green parts and all.

Ingredients:

4 oz Turkey--sliced (could be from deli or from a roasted turkey)
4 oz cheese--sliced (I used cheddar)
1-2 TB Mayo
1/4 of Avocado--mashed
1/2 cup Broccoli--only the florets and chopped finely
1 apple--sliced thinly
2 Whole wheat tortillas

In a bowl mix the mayo and and avocado until all mixed together. Take one totilla and spread 1/2 avacodo mayo all over it. At one end of the wrap, layer about 1-2 TB chopped broccoli. Then add 1 oz turkey (typically about 1 deli slice), 1 oz cheese (which you may need to break it up and crumble it on the turkey), Finally add 1 to 2 thin apple slices. Fold the outer side parts of the wrap in, holding them in place while rolling the tortilla away from you. Cut on the diagnal.

Let's call that a "wrap"people! (excuse the cheesiness....I get that way sometimes :)

It's done and ready to be eaten :)