Fruit or veggie radicchio wraps

I've always been afraid of snakes. It started when I grew up in southern California where rattlesnakes were just apart of the desert landscape. They'd slither across the trail when I was hiking, or jump down from a cliff right in front of me. I'd scream louder than anyone, and my heart would keep racing for an eternity after one of these snake encounters.

 Later, as an adult, I lived in Thailand for one year, and the ground was practically moving with snakes. There were poisonous varieties of all kinds, including cobras and King Cobras. My screams probably could have been heard for miles the day one of these lovelies appeared in my house in Ubon, Thailand. I hurled every shoe I could find at the unwelcome guest until it finally left. For weeks, I could hardly sleep because I worried it would return and crawl into bed with me.

My kids call me the "snake whisperer" because if there is a snake around it will find me. Snakes find me when I'm backpacking, day hiking, mountain biking, running, walking or gardening. It doesn't matter what I'm doing; they find me. It's hardly a distinction but I guess I'm a human, snake magnet.

Recently, snakes have been finding me when I take my dogs to their "play area" outside our house. Yes, this is the same play area where I've taken my pups to romp since last September with no snake encounters. But the snakes have awakened and decided they like our play area too! In the past eight days, I have dealt  three times with hissing, coiled rattlesnakes and curious, not-so-bright dogs.

 "Don't they want to play?" My malamute, Nika, has no brains when it comes to snakes.

Husky boy, Misha, is a little brighter and more willing to stay back. Fortunately, both dogs have learned the command "leave it," and our snake experiences have ended with no harm to dog or snake.

Well, that was until today. Bailey, another husky, was over for a play date with Misha and Nika. The dogs were romping around and enjoying themselves when Mr. Rattlesnake decided to make an appearance. At the same time I corralled the dogs, I speed-dialed my husband who was inside the house and asked for immediate assistance. Let's just say, the dogs were safe but Mr. Snake met an untimely end.

This snake chapter is closed but with my snake charming past, I know it's only a matter of time until another crawling reptile comes visiting.

Fruit with sunbutter sauce in radicchio wrapper

If you are a radicchio fan like me, you will love this week's recipe. I love the spicy flavor, as well as vibrant color, of radicchio.

Fruit radicchio wrap

Radicchio's flavor and texture pair well with fruit.

Here's what you need to make fruit radicchio wraps:
(These are ACD-Phase 2 and up. Reduce the amount of fruit to modify for Phase 1.)

2 or 3 radicchio leaves
1 cup of mixed fruit, such as strawberries, apple slices, peach slices, blueberries, blackberries, pineapple
Note: Fresh or frozen may be used.
1 T. sunbutter mixed with 1-2 T. coconut milk (Note: Other nut or seed butters may be used.)
1/2 avocado, mashed
Optional: vegan or other yogurt for topping

Here's what you do:

Carefully pull off 2 or 3 leaves from a head of radicchio. Wash and dry the leaves. Prepare fruit of choice by dicing into small pieces. Mash 1/2 of an avocado with a fork. Mix 1 T. unsweetened sunbutter with coconut milk. To prepare wraps, evenly divide avocado mash between leaves. Next, spoon fruit into each leaf. Finally, top with sunbutter drizzle or yogurt.

Veggie radicchio wrap

Radicchio also pairs well with avocado and veggies.

Here's what you need for a veggie radicchio wrap:

2-3 radicchio leaves
1/2 avocado, mashed
1-2 cups veggies, grated, or sliced into matchstick pieces (beets, carrot, cucumber, zucchini)
1 T. raw sunflower seeds for garnish
Optional: avocado topping made by blending 1/2 avocado with juice of one lime and drizzle of water, salt and pepper)

Here's what you do:

Divide the ingredients evenly between radicchio leaves. Finish with avocado dressing and sprinkle of sunflower seeds.

Recipe contributed to: http://dietdessertndogs.com/2013/05/16/wellness-weekend-may-16-20/
http://allergyfreecookery.blogspot.com/2013/05/allergy-friendly-lunchbox-love-51713.html
http://siftstirandsavour.com/2013/05/19/5-ingredient-mondays-almond-apricot-bars-apple-pie-and-key-lime-parfait/
http://www.glutenfreecat.com/2013/05/raw-foods-thursdays-51613/

"I'll become the new grumpy cat if I don't get some treats."