More lunch ideas

I've been scanning magazines and websites for healthy but simple lunch ideas and came up with these.



Bacon and Asparagus bake

4 Whole Wheat or 7 Grain Tortillas, organic
4 Large Eggs, organic
1C Half & Half, organic
1C Reduced Fat Shredded Monterey JackCheese, organic
1/2 tsp.crushed red pepper (optional)
8 slices fully cooked bacon
16 oz cut asparagus, organic

1. Spray each tortilla with nonstick canola spray and place it in an oven safe bowl.
2. Combine eggs, half-and-half, 1/2 cup cheese, and red pepper in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer 30 seconds. Pour 3/4 cup egg mixture in each tortilla and set aside.
3. Cook bacon according to package directions. Crumble 2 slices bacon in each tortilla. Top with 1/3 cup asparagus and 2 tablespoons remaining cheese. Cover loosely with aluminum wrap. Bake at 350F until egg is cooked to desired degree of doneness.

*NOTE: This recipe appeared in the HEB Texas Life magazine. The original instructions used microwave for cooking these tortilla cups but since I don't use my microwave for cooking, I included oven instructions. You will have to watch these babies carefully to make sure you won't burn them. I would imagine they'd be done in about 10 min or so.

You could also make these without the bacon if you want this meal to be on the leaner side.



Chicken garden salad lettuce wraps
2 Cooked, Roasted, or grilled Chicken Breasts, thin sliced, organic
1/2 cup Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing, organic (other kinds usually have MSG and you want to keep that neurotoxin away from your little ones as well as yourself)
2 Medium tomatoes chopped, organic
7 oz diced bell peppers, one color or all 3 colors, organic
1/2 cup pecan pieces, raw organic
5 oz lettuce, organic

1. Combine the thin sliced chicken breasts, ranch dressing, chopped tomatoes, bell peppers and pecan pieces in a large salad bowl. Season the salad to taste with salt & pepper, cover with plastic wrap and chill for 15 minutes.

2. Before serving, arrange the lettuce scoops on a platter and scoop 1/3 cup of chicken garden salad in each lettuce scoop.

AS you pack lunch for you, your better half or your kids, think variety. Try to stay away from the high sugar, high processed, high calorie alternatives and move more towards real food like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and high fiber options. I'm just as guilty as any other mom/dad out there of offering sugary treats as a special surprise for my little student; it's ok as long as it's only occasionally.

Gosh, how do my posts always turn into sermons??! Anyhoo, just remember that you are in charge of what you put in your body. We're all on different levels on our nutritional path but as long as you are well informed (my sermons plus your own research) I feel that you can make the right choices for you and yours. Till next time!