How ’bout this as a new series? Better yet, how ’bout this for lunch? I figure most of us are not only packing lunch on weekdays, but trying to keep our eats a bit interesting, too. So here’s my contribution to society: filling, super-tasty mid-day meal ideas that are healthy and 400 calories or less. I’m already packing them in Mom’s lunchbox, so why not share them here?
Now, this wrap. Nothing fancy by any means and barely a “recipe,” but still, it’s worthy of sharing. We should start by discussing the wrap itself: Joseph’s Flax, Oat Bran, & Whole Wheat Lavash Bread. Only 100 calories and massive. It’s larger than most standard tortillas, and for a mere fraction of the calories. Let me tell you, it makes for a whopper of a roll-up.
The filling, too, cannot be beat: sliced [all-natural] turkey breast from the deli counter, avocado, bacon, and creamy Laughing Cow cheese in French onion flavor, which I’ve loved forever.
It’s a cinch to throw together and easily portable for on-the-go lunches, but the best part? It’s delicious and filling. The fact that it clocks in at a reasonable 360 calories isn’t too shabby either. Pair it with a cup or two of fresh seasonal fruit or cut-up veggies (broccoli florets, carrot sticks, cucumber slices) for an even more complete meal.
Turkey, Bacon, and Avocado Wrap
Ingredients
- 1 Joseph’s Flax Oat Bran, & Whole Wheat Lavash
- 1 French Onion Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge
- ½ medium tomato sliced
- ¼ medium avocado sliced
- 2 ounces sliced all-natural turkey deli meat 2 thick slices or 3-4 thin ones
- 2 slices bacon
- 2 large leaves eaves romaine lettuce
Instructions
- Lay the lavash bread on a clean work surface with the long end facing you. Spread the Laughing Cow cheese in a line down the center of the bread, length-wise. Arrange the tomato slices on top of the cheese, followed by the avocado. Lay the turkey slices evenly over the avocado. Lay the bacon slices end-to-end down the center of the lavash, on top of the turkey, so that the bacon will be in each bite you take. Top with the lettuce leaves. Fold one of the long sides of the lavash over the filling and carefully begin rolling, using your fingers to tuck in the filling if you notice it falling out. Cut the wrap in half, wrap tightly in aluminum foil, and refrigerate or keep cool with ice packs until lunchtime.
If I don’t eat pork, what would you suggest as something that would could replace it, and still be flavorful? I’m going to need to keep an eye out for the Lavash, because it sounds great for wraps! Where do you buy it?
Hey Diane!
I’d say: if you can, try turkey bacon–there are some great all-natural ones on the market these days. If not, then a good option for max flavor would be to swap out the Laughing Cow for a bigger portion (1/4 cup= 1 ounce) of a sharp or tangy/pungent cheese–either extra sharp cheddar or something on the order of feta/blue/gorgonzola. Something that’ll really pack a punch. Hope this helps :)
Andie
Where do you buy those wraps?
Hi Susan!
I live in Massachusetts (greater Boston area) and have found them at Shaw’s, Star Market, Market Basket, and Stop & Shop. If you can’t find them locally, here’s a link to order them on Amazon for $2.99: http://www.amazon.com/grocery-gourmet-food/dp/B0079OUVF4
Andie
thank you! I am in So Cal but haven’t seen that brand…I will check it out on amazon…
I know that Trader Joe’s has some lavash! I think it comes in around 110 cals.
They sound so tasty. I like to see other people still enjoying a tasty diet and looking after their calories. I have also never seen a can of diet coke with that design on – looks good. x
Mmm! Do you order the lavish bread? Or can you buy it in stores?
Hey Laurel,
I’ve found it at a number of my local chain supermarkets near Boston, so I assumed you could get the brand/product everywhere, but if not, try ordering them on Amazon (only $2.99): http://www.amazon.com/grocery-gourmet-food/dp/B0079OUVF4
Andie
You can buy them at Market Basket and other grocery stores in MA/NH that I am aware of. I’ve had them before and they are great. They do also have an online store: http://www.josephsbakery.com/
Thanks for the info and link, Tiffany! Market Basket is where I get them!
I love this idea, as lunches tend to be most difficult for me.
This looks awesome. You are right about the lunch part, but I’d eat this for dinner, brunch , late night snack, heck I’de eat it for breakfast!
True! Mom ate it for dinner one night (I added caramelized onions to the inside), and I thought about mentioning in the post that this might make a good breakfast option.
Andie
Oh I wish we would be able to get those kind of wraps over here, but unfortunately healthy tortillas are quite hard to find! :( This wrap looks amazing ! Anything with avocado is a good wrap to me! :)
I love everything you do in your “Putting Mom on a Diet” series. My mom has finally decided to lose weight and is just a bit older than your mom. I sent her to your site hoping she will find inspiration and encouragement.
Love. Love. Your blog.
Love your attitude on food.
Love that you find balance and moderation.
Love it!
Just re-read my reply. Lots of love in there. Guess I got carried away…
love YOU
Hi Andie, maybe you’ve answered this before, but I have a question for you. I’ve seen a few of your recipes where you just use a quarter of an avocado. Do you have any tips for storing the leftover avocado so that it doesn’t turn brown before using it in another meal? I’m usually cooking for one person and I’m not very good about planning when I’m going to use an ingredient again, so my avocados don’t always make it to another meal. :-)
The wrap looks wonderful, I’ll definitely be trying it!!
Hi Lindsay!
I don’t have any stellar tips, because I’ve recently read a lot about the myth of keeping the pit in the avocado as a means to prevent browning (it really doesn’t, but, as a side note–in the case of making guacamole, the acidity of the added lime juice does help to keep the avocado greener). What does prevent browning is tightly wrapping the remaining avocado pieces so that the skin is not exposed to outside air–thus preventing oxidation (the cause of the browning). So, when I cut the avocado, I just wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, then place the wrapped portions in an airtight container and refrigerate until I’m ready to use them again.
Hope this helps!
Andie
I love avocados and we started using our food sealer to keep them fresh and it works SO well!!!
I saw this on Pinterest that you can also freeze avocado too, so that may help with the unused part if it’ll be a while between avocado usage for you.
I bought a whole bunch of ripe avocados several weeks ago on sale. I cut in half, took out pit, and lightly sprayed exposed area with Pam. Then I put on a cookie sheet and set in freezer overnight. Next day I dropped them all into a plastic bag and back in freezer. Works beautifully, they are pretty and green, still. To use them, I would smash them up and spread on the wrap – they don’t slice pretty like when first cut. Don’t peel before freezing..
SO HELPFUL Arlene! Thank you!!! I’ll try it!
Andie
Thank you!!
Yes!! I know I’m always looking for weekday lunch ideas. This wrap looks amazing and so easy. Great series idea, Andie!! xo
I love everything about these — especially that lavash. :)
Can’t wait to see more of your new lunch series!
Thanks Ali!! I’m psyched for the series, too :)
Andie
Great looking wrap! I do something similar, but I leave off the bacon. In 2012, I would have sidled up a Diet Coke next to it, too, but since then I have scaled back on the soda tremendously and switch to Honest Teas. I actually found that I ate more when drinking diet soda. I know there are so many studies out there about diet soda, but my own experience sealed it. I lost 4 pounds after skipping the soda and feel better. I still have the occasional soda, but it has become a rare event.
Great advice for a Packed Lunch I’ll use this for sure, thanks
Lindsey, I rewrap the leftover avocado back up like I never cut into it and then put it in a ziplock. The pit keeps it from going bad. Although, Andie might have a better idea.
Your saving my life and my time! I hate to say it but I need “simple” ideas like this so I hope that this in fact does become a series on the blog!
You’re awesome!
This is awesome! I’ve been trying to get more protein, and man! How perfect?! XO
Yup, same here and it really helps that the nutrition info is laid out right there.
You have inspired me!! I am so happy I found your site. I cannot wait to try all of your recipes and keep up with your mom’s progress!! :)
Looks like a great lunch idea? How long does it take you to make this as I really don’t have much time in the mornings.
Hi Niki,
If you cook the bacon beforehand (the night before perhaps?), this wrap takes 5 minutes to put together!
Andie
Love it! Looks so good! Due to inspiration from you and your mom, I’ve stared seriously working on myself. I know it sounds dumb, but when faced with a tough choice about food, I ask myself, “What would Andie tell me to do?” So far you have made mostly good, healthy choices. :) Thanks for being my imaginary friend!
This made me so happy :)
Andie
Is that a soft drink in the background? Might want to avoid those because of all the high GI sugars.
Ben, I hear you. I’m not promoting Diet Coke, just acknowledging that I, myself, like it (that’s why it’s in the photo of a lunch I ate).
I’m very excited—their online search said my local Walmart actually carries these wraps! Amazing! I, too, love this lunch series. Lunch is the meal of the day which I prepare for the least…in turn, it’s normally the most unhealthy and highly caloric food I eat. Having fun, easy options motivates me to prepare. Thank you! :)
Flax seed is really healthy, its nice to see it finally incorporated into a popular dish again. Thanks for sharing the recipe! You can never go wrong with a wrap.
This sounds like such a great meal, it is very balanced and tasty at the same time. I am a little jealous :-)
Hi! So the avocado holds up well until lunch time, or do you use a little lime juice on the sandwich? I usually want to add some avocado to my sandwiches for lunch, but was never sure how it would hold up..this is great!
Thanks!
Lori
I love this for a lunch idea!! Especially with an ice cold diet coke:) New to your site, and love it!
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Hi Andie,
Love this recipe! I have fixed it multiple times this week! But, I use a honey dijon mustard instead of the cheese. So easy & so quick. I eat it for dinner too!
Love your blog & your positive attitude! Keep up the great work! Good luck to your mom too!
Hey Andie, I found your site when your mom’s diet popped up in a search (by the way, she is super awesome, and inspiring, and I hope this week is going well for her!!). I currently work full time, am in grad school full time, have a 2 year old, and a husband who is opening a restaurant. Needless to say, time and money are short, and I need ALL the help I can get on lunches, so this new topic is a hit in my book! Thanks for putting the time and effort in to this :)
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Do you think these wraps can be made the night before, or will they get soggy?
Yes, I made a hummus/tuna/vegetable wrap with Joeseph’s lavash bread, I usually eat them immediately and enjoy them. However I made one for work and it was soggy the next day, stored in a glass pyrex container.
I made a wrap with these for the first time last night and packed it for lunch today. I had half already and while it was definitely nice and filling, I found that the wrap itself was unpleasantly soggy. I did add some thing slices of cucumber which might have upped the moisture factor, but do you find that storing the wraps overnight in the fridge makes them soggy? Any thoughts on how to combat this if I need to pack my lunch the night before?
This makes for a delicious lunch! So filling I didn’t even eat any chips!
Hi! Just found your blog and I can tell already it has some great recipes. I have a question or two. Does the wrap you use taste anything like flat out bread or the wheat tortilla? I am like your mom very picky lol. I know flat out bread is popular but I don’t like it. Just recently I don’t like the wheat tortillas either. Also, what would be a good subsitute for the cheese? I’m not a fan of cold cheese….(told ya I was picky). Thanks for your help!
Almost two years late to this party, but have been making this for lunch recently with the Pepper Jack Laughing Cow and my goodness, it is a delight. Thanks for making work day lunches at my desk more enjoyable!
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