Paleo Wraps - yay or nay?

So, I have been looking for something gluten/dairy/soy-free to use as a wrap for certain recipes.  Lettuce works, but not for sweet stuff.  I wanted to make the cute almond butter and banana wraps like I saw on Pinterest, but that's a little difficult when you can't have wheat!  So, when I saw these guys at Whole Foods, I decided to give them a whirl.

So, first thing's first.  They are expensive.  It was a little over $11 for 7 wraps.  Yes, you read that right.  Now, they are pretty big - I actually use 1/2 of one at a time, usually.  And they tear in half very nicely.  So, you're looking at more like a little under $1 per serving for me.  I like a good bargain, and this isn't it.  But I still think they have their place, and have bought them multiple times now.  I just don't have them every day.

The texture is a little chewy/sticky on your teeth.  Kind of hard to describe.  Definitely not like a grain tortilla, but then again, these are made with nothing but coconut.  So, can't expect them to be the same.  Here is the nutrition label...

Very clean ingredients, totally free of gluten, grains, egg, soy, dairy...basically all the major allergens.  And they hold together, which is always exciting (if you've ever tried making your own grain free tortillas, they sometimes fall apart on you).  And very low carb, if you're into that (and we are at my house).  So, big points there.  Here is what I make with them...

What a whole wrap looks like

Torn in half, add some almond butter, banana slices and coconut flakes

Wrap it up and feel accomplished

This is one of my fun, snacks on the go, or desserts some days.  It's not perfect, but it's pretty tasty and makes me feel like I'm getting to participate in the fun, pinterest goodness of wrapping my food up in a cute package.  So, I'm down with these.  Yay for Paleo Wraps!  Stay hopeful, friends!

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If the glove doesn't fit...

I have amassed a ridiculous collection of white, cotton gloves over the years.  Why is this, you ask?  Am I trying to be like Michael Jackson?  Mickey Mouse?  Who else wears white gloves....anyway, I digress.

All through my last pregnancy, and for months post-partum, I had a horrible case of dermatitis on my hands.  It was one of the most painful and truly depressing conditions I have ever had.  You don't think itchy hands are a big deal...until you have them.  I would do ice packs, steroid creams, oral steroids, vinegar rinses, essential oils, rubbing a banana peel on it...you name it, and I had tried it.  I would slather on my steroid ointment at night, followed by these gloves, so I didn't get ointment all over the place.  It hurt do do a lot of normal things, like fold clothes, so I wore them then, too.  Sometimes, I would still accidentally pull them off in my sleep, and wake up to see that I had scratched until I was bleeding.  So, I would get up at 3am, get an ice pack, and try to find a comfortable position to rest my hand on the ice until I could fall back asleep.  Many tears of pain and frustration were shed over this condition.  And of course, pregnancy hormones did nothing to help.

It wasn't until I changed my diet that I was able to beat this.  Once I was diagnosed as immunologically sensitive to dairy (and to a lesser degree, gluten and soy), I found relief for the first time in years.  It took about a month of being on a very strict, paleo type diet to really see a difference.  And now, I have been largely symptom free for almost a year.  Such a blessing.  I kept these gloves for a while, just in case.  But, I am confident now that I will not be needing them again.  So...buh bye gloves!  You served me well, but I am so glad to be done with you!  Stay hopeful, friends!

Need help with your health and fitness journey?  Contact me HERE!