Things I willingly digested in college (and yes, I’ll admit it, these indulgences were often made around 2am… make your own conclusions…): Sara’s Burritos from the hole in the wall burrito stand, Capri Pizza (pepperoni please!), Froglander’s frozen yogurt (don’t let this deceive you, I have an affinity for reese’s pieces M&Ms so you could sometimes see the frozen yogurt if you looked closely), and an occasional California burrito from Santana’s (read: potato filled, cheesy goodness). And somehow I wondered why my jeans fit better a few months post graduation?? Needless to say, that level of indulgence simply is not conducive to my health. So, when I find a particular food item that takes me back to those college nights (um, mornings?) I try to make them healthier, maybe even nutritious.

Flash forward to graduate school. A waffle sandwich shop pops up caddy-corner to the campus. The smell emanates. Thank goodness it’s 2 pm and not 2 am and all logic is intact. Intact enough so that I am able to rationalize how I will feel after a few of these savory, and oh-so delicious sandwiches. My higher level of reasoning (which is now, thankfully, fully developed) tells me that there is a healthier way to re-create these tempting morsels. And so I bring them to you in the hopes that you can enjoy, guilt-free, too!

The HEALTHY Turkey Club Waffle Sandwich

Ingredients:

2 frozen Kashi 7 whole grain waffles (loaded with 7 grams of fiber, whole grains, and all natural)

1 wedge of lite Laughing Cow creamy swiss cheese

1 teaspoon parmesan pesto mix (or if you can’t find this use some minced garlic)

1 strip turkey bacon

4 slices of shaved turkey breast (I prefer the nitrate free brand from Trader Joe’s)

2 tomato slices

1/4 of a small avocado

1 handful of arugula

Directions: Cook waffles according to directions. Mix the Laughing Cow Cheese with the pesto mix (or minced garlic) and then spread on one waffle. Cook bacon according to directions. Assemble sandwich and enjoy the savory goodness!