Easy Thai Lettuce Wraps

This delicious recipe was inspired by my sister-in-law and her Thai Au Pair.  We made these when they came to visit last week, and they were such a huge hit I have recreated the recipe twice since then.  Everyone who has tried these amazing lettuce wraps (even the preschoolers) has loved them.  They are light and crisp, yet the high in protein making them filling enough to keep you satisfied through the afternoon.  That is, if you have enough self-control to not finish the entire pan.  :)

Here is my eyeballing recipe for these super easy one pan lettuce wraps:
1 Head of fresh organic romaine lettuce (green or red leaf would work, too)
Thai red curry paste
Coconut Oil (optional)
2 lbs Ground organic turkey meat
1 Package of mushrooms (I've used portobella, shitake and button.  All work well)
1 Bunch of green onions
A few cloves of garlic
Limes

Optional garnishes:
Cilantro
Mint
Thai Basil
Avocado
Hot Sauce

Additional optional veggies that I have to be delicious when added:
Organic zucchini
Organic yellow squash

Below: lettuce for wraps and green onions and mint for toppings

 Heat a large skillet with a bit of coconut oil and about 1-1.5 tablespoons of red curry paste.  Add ground turkey meat and season with salt and pepper as desired.  Add diced mushrooms.  Cook until the meat is about halfway cooked and add the garlic.  Continue cooking for a few more minutes and some sliced green onions (as desired and reserving some for garnish).  Cook until meat is cooked through and veggies are soft.  Zest a bit of lime and squeeze some of the lime juice onto the meat (reserving some for garnish)

 Place a few rinsed and dried lettuce leaves onto a plate and place the meat on top of the lettuce like a taco.  Garnish with green onion, slivered mint leaves and a lime wedge. (Hot sauce adds a nice kick as well).

Enjoy!

Healthy Tip - Spaghetti Squash

November is here, and it has arrived with a bang!  Freezing temperatures around the US (even in the normally mild Southeast) have many of us craving warm, comforting foods.  One of my favorite healthy winter foods is spaghetti squash.  When cooked the flesh resembles noodles, hence the name spaghetti squash.

The next time you are planning to whip up a batch of spaghetti use spaghetti squash instead of noodles.  It is a nutritious winter squash full of nutrients like Vitamin C, Folic Acid and Potassium.  It is also low in carbohydrates and calories.  We love spaghetti squash this time of year.  Not only do we use it with spaghetti sauce (see my healthy meatball recipe HERE), we also enjoy topped with chili or stew.

Spaghetti squash is also easy to prepare.  Simply use a sharp knife to prick some holes throughout the squash and bake it (on a baking sheet) in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes to an hour (turning the squash halfway through the cooking process) or until the squash is tender.  Cut the squash lengthwise, scoop out the seeds (and set aside) and fork out the noodle-like flesh (this is the part to eat).

(photos courtesy of MarthaStewart.com)

This is also a great way to get your kids eating more vegetables especially in the winter.  My son cleans his plate when we serve spaghetti squash!  He loves it!  Enjoy!

Amazing Almond Butter Smoothie (gluten and dairy free)

Every year when the weather begins to warm up, I get on a smoothie kick.  This year is no different.  While we have been having temperatures in the mid 70’s, my son and I have been enjoying smoothies on a daily basis.  In fact, many days we have more than one.  Lately we have been experimenting with new recipes, hence the recent influx of smoothie recipe posts.  I am always looking for healthy, dairy-free, gluten-free, kid-friendly smoothie ideas.  Recently Gwyneth Paltrow’s new cookbook, It’sAll Good, has been a great source of inspiration.  You can view it and buy it HERE.  This smoothie is a spin on one of her many delicious recipes in the book.  It is packed with protein, satisfying, sweet and great for kids.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

My two-and-a-half year old son absolutely LOVES almond butter.  He eats it by the spoonful so this smoothie is his new favorite.  It is great for breakfast, an afternoon snack or even dessert!

1 Frozen Banana

1 ½ Cups Unsweetened Almond Milk

2 Tbls Almond Butter

1 ½ Tbls Cacao Powder

1 Tbls Sweetener of your choice (Agave, Honey or Pure Maple Syrup) or 1 Date

A Few Dashes of Ground Cinnamon (to taste) (Helps regulate blood sugar)

A Handful of Ice (to desired consistency)

1 Tbls Organic Gluten Free Oats (optional) (Great for nursing mothers or after a workout)

For Garnish:

A Sprinkling of Bee Pollen (optional) (for added allergy protection…great in the spring and fall)

A Sprinkling of Gluten Free Oats (optional) (for added hydration…great for nursing mothers)

Serves 2

Place of the ingredients into a high-powered blender and combine until smooth.  Pour into glasses, sprinkle on garnishes and enjoy!  You can buy BPA-free stainless steel straws (like pictured) HERE.

More Delicious and Healthy Recipes:
Low glycemic index smoothie recipe
"The Best" Smoothie Recipe
Healthy Low GI "Chocolate Shake Smoothie
Gluten Free Meatball Recipe
Green Juice Recipe
Homemade Healthy Cereal
Dairy-free, low glycemic index soft served ice cream recipe

“The Best” Smoothie Recipe

This smoothie recipe is named “the best” because that is what my two-year-old son said after he tasted it!   Not only is this smoothie kid-friendly and delicious, it is also vegan and packed full of nutrients. 

1 Frozen Banana

1 Large Handful of Organic Girl Super Greens: A mixture of red and green swiss chard, tat soi, arugula and spinach (or greens go choice)

3/4 Cup Frozen Organic Blueberries

½ Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk

2 Tbsp Ground Flax Seeds

1 Tbsp Chia Seeds

1 Tsp Cacao Powder (Unsweetened)

1/4 - ½ Tsp Cinnamon (depending on taste)

Place all of the ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.  Add more almond milk to make smoother or ice cubes to thicken to your preference.

Enjoy!!

More delicious recipes:
Amazing Almond Butter Smoothie (dairy and gluten free)
Low glycemic index smoothie recipe
Low GI "Chocolate Shake" Smoothie - Dairy free 
Gluten Free Meatball Recipe
Green Juice Recipe
Homemade Healthy Cereal
Dairy-free, low glycemic index soft served ice cream recipe