McDonald's Anyone?

Pssh! Why buy the grease from McDonald's when you can make something a lot healthier at home? I will never understand why our nation relies on fast food so much. Yes, it is convenient, and yes, it is cheap, but even with a hectic schedule and a budget, you can still eat healthy and nutritious foods. Eating well should be a priority in people's lives and it saddens me to think about all the people that are so apathetic about what they put into their bodies.

I have been striving to make healthy eating easy and accessible for even the most stubborn of eaters, and I think I may have finally bridged the gap. Introducing: the McDonald's Snack Wrap- Vegetarian Edition!

Boca Burger (cut in thirds), multi-grain wrap, guacamole, red onion, tomato, and sprouts, all rolled up burrito-style. In total, I think this lunch took me about 5-10 minutes to assemble and a lot less to devour it. 

I used a Boca Original Vegan burger, but you could use any kind of meatless burger (like black bean) when creating your own. If you eat fish, you could easily cook up a salmon burger, it would just take you longer. And if you're a carnivore, I would recommend a chicken or turkey burger if the thought of a veggie burger makes you a little nervous. 

My Snack Wrap was pretty unconventional by McDonalds' standards, so if you wanted something a little more traditional, fill your wrap with whatever you would normally put on a burger.

Easy, accessible, fast, and familiar. Now you really don't have an excuse for going through the drive-through when you can make something healthier in the comfort of your own home!

Wrap It Up

With being so busy from my new job (manager at a frozen yogurt shop), I've had to make a great effort to make sure I'm still eating right when I'm on the-go.

I got this idea for a snack when I was in need of some food before work.

Veggie Lettuce Wrap

I simply took two big leaves of romaine lettuce (I only used the dark, leafy green parts), spread two tablespoons of hummus in the center of them, and filled the wrap with tomatoes, peppers, onions, broccoli, and alfalfa sprouts. Then all I did was fold it up burrito style and chow down. 

I had lunch earlier than usual, so this was the perfect snack to hold me over until my snack at work (a Kashi bar), and then I would finally eat dinner when I got home around 7:30. 

This snack wrap would also be good with some avocado slices, or some guacamole. 

Lunch in a Pinch

When I was dieting in college, most of my meals in the dining hall consisted of steamed vegetables, brown rice, beans, and salad. My saving grace for variety came when my school added hummus to the salad bar. The day I made that discovery, I felt as though the Mediterranean gods had smiled upon me, and I was forever grateful for that gift. Well, at least until the semester ended and I could just get hummus when I moved back home.

I began making different variations of hummus sandwiches at least a couple times a week. Even some of my non-dieting friends would look at my creations with envious eyes and be forced to abandon their plates of  cookies and cake for their own hummus sandwich. This vegetarian sandwich is now my go-to  quick lunch, and it keeps me satisfied for hours. I always toast whatever bread I use for this sandwich, otherwise it's just like biting into a mushy mess. You can use a deli-flat, an English muffin, or a slice of whole-wheat bread for an open face sandwich. Recently, I decided to try something a little different and make a hummus burrito.

Hummus Burrito

• 1/4 c. Hummus (I use Sabra)
• 1 Whole-wheat or multi-grain tortilla (I use
• 1 Thin slice of red onion
• 2 Baby bell peppers, sliced
• 3 Slices of tomato
• 1 Small handful of leafy greens (I used spring mix and baby spinach)

1. Heat the tortilla in the microwave for a few seconds so it becomes flexible.

2. Spread hummus, thickly, in the center of the tortilla. Top hummus with vegetables and greens.

3. Fold burrito-style, and presto! You've got yourself one quick lunch. 

Nutrition: (One burrito) Calories: 275, Total fat: 12g, Sat. fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 348mg, Total carbs: 36g, Fiber: 14g, Sugars: 8g, Protein: 13g

Pair this healthy burrito with a salad, baked sweet potato, fruit salad, or vegetable and you've got the perfect lunch, without the fuss. You could easily make this ahead of time and wrap it in foil for a quick meal when you're on the-go.