New Mann's Rainbow Salad!

Mann's Rainbow Salad










I've had a love affair with Mann's Rainbow Salad for as long as I can remember. I love cauliflower, and found that the addition far exceeded Mann's Broccolislaw in every way. Well, the people at Mann's has recently improved their Rainbow Salad, adding more prominently shredded cauliflower, broccoli florets, much finer shreds of carrot, and red cabbage. The result is fantastic. The Rainbow Salad is much easier to chew than the tougher shreds of the Broccolislaw, and it is absolutely fantastic when microwaved for about  8 minutes. All the vegetables get very soft and tender when microwaved, and it only has 100 calories per bag; it is so easy to incorporate into your diet. From stir fry's, to soup and even as a filler in meatloaf/burgers/ casseroles, and veggie patties, this product is fantastic in everyway! It picks up flavoring really well (great with Bragg's Liquid Amino's or sugar free pasta/ BBQ sauce-- like Walden Farms BBQ sauces or their new pasta sauces). I recommend picking some up. It is a wonderful, versatile, nutritious, convenient, and tasty product!

Health Nutrient Rich Rainbow Bowl of Cheesy Comfort

Comfort food is always something we lean towards, regardless of what we are encountering in our lives. Recently, I have been craving salty and sweet bowls of warm and easy to eat comfort, without putting my heart and health at peril. This recipe can be done MANY ways, from the "cleaning out the fridge-kitchen sink" method, to a more planned one, to a thematic take on a culture and cuisine. I have eaten variations of this most days for the past week, and I have yet to grow tired of it (due to the variations one can incorporate).

I have tried this recipe with various cheeses (from fat free Kraft singles, laughing cow, cottage cheese, ricotta, Gruyere, Asiago, Gouda, cheddar, Parmesan, Romano, Havarti, and homemade Alfredo, feta, baker's cheese, to vegan takes on all the above) and they have all been amazing.

The essential aspect of this amazing meal comes from the variety of tastes and spices you add to it. I find that adding green onions to it (fresh) give it a distinct and Divine taste, while bell peppers and tomatoes provide color, sweetness, vitamins and Lycopene!

Regardless, this bowl ends up being a cornucopia of nutrients and comfort. From the anti-cancer properties of the cabbage/cauliflower/broccoli Rainbow Salad base, to the veggies and spices you choose to add. For a Middle Eastern take, I recommend adding Curry and lots of Turmeric (also potent antioxidant, anti cancer and anti bacterial/inflammatory benefits), cauliflower, goat cheese, and chick peas.

My favorite variation thus far have utilized green onions, tomatoes, orange and red bell peppers, Mann's Rainbow Salad (Broccolislaw can be used as a substitute), baby carrots, cauliflower,wax and green beans,  crisp romaine, Low Sodium Soy,hot sauce, and Kraft fat free singles in Cheddar/Mozzarella, and Shirataki noodles, whole wheat pasta, fresh linguine/fettuccine (brown rice/soba/quinoa pasta , and gluten free pasta all work well!), or Fiber Gourmet. The key is to douse the Rainbow Salad with either Walden Farms Asian/or theirBBQ or Soy Sauce, and microwave for approx 10min. Season with any spice you like (I used Johnny's Seasoning). In the meantime, chop up your veggies and drain/dry your shirataki noodles and any other add ins (for a Hawaiian take, add pineapple/papaya or Davinci SF Pineapple Syrup and for Mexican, add plum or Roma tomatoes, salsa, and crackers/tortilla's at the end- guiltless gourmet and especially falafel chips are great alternatives-SEE REVIEW ON FALAFEL CHIPS HERE). Next, add Shirataki noodles to the Rainbow Salad, seasoning, add marinade or dressing, baby carrots and microwave for another 5 or so minutes (until carrots are soft). Add as many slices of cheese as you want (I ripped about 4-5 up and made sure to distribute them throughout the bowl). Cottage cheese works great, as it will melt nicely and cover the items in the bowl. Microwave until cheese is either melted or bubbling.
Add fresh veggies to bowl and mix.

For Mexican add tortillas, salsa, lettuce, onions, ground turkey or veggie crumbles/tofu. You can also make your own tortilla chips by browning/crisping tortillas/wraps such as Mama Lupe's, La Tortilla, or any of the healthier Low Carb wraps or Flat out wraps/pitas/lavash out there. Feta, Garlic, Lemon, Tomatoes and Onions and Olives give it a great Greek spin, with Olive Oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano. Asian, add sweet peas, snap peas, baby corn, water chestnuts, mung beans, bok choy, onions and mushrooms.
Adding Squash/Zucchini, Garlic is fantastic as well. I always add GG Scandinavian Crisp Bread to my bowl, and douse the entire bowl with more Kikkoman Low Sodium Soy, and any dressing I feel like at the moment.

I then pour a bowl of my famous Salsa/Mustard dip, grab about 20 sheets of Nori Sushi Seaweed, which I then tear up into 4ths, and wrap the contents of the bowl in the Nori (like mini wraps). Delicious. Adding Mushrooms and Basil/Oregano are highly recommended!

Besides tasting like something out of a 5 star restaurant (souffled type flavor- even better when broiled in the oven if you have time), it is quick and easy to augment and prepare. This is a great way to get your veggies in, clean out your fridge and get some added nutrients and fiber into your diet. Above all, it is satisfying, warm, delicious and comforting! Perfect for winter or anytime!
I recommend serving and eating this from a huge glass bowl- the colors are beautiful!

Thursday/Friday Recap in yummy pictures.

Hello Darlings!

Sorry for the  lack of posting! I have been taking pictures and literally got overwhelmed with the amount I need to share with you! Working with annoying co-worker was tense since last Friday's event. I made me think of Julie's post on 'Fake Smiles". A lot of silent air filled with irritation. Oh well... moving on...

I got to sample the new Probiotic Gum- The flavor literally lasts about 3seconds and they tell you to chew it for 5-10 minutes... Ugh..okay, it's like chewing a blob of unflavoured gum! That being said, the flavors (when they last for 3 seconds) are fantastic!

I rarely take pictures of my nightly (without fail) GG Scandinavian Bran Crispbread Messes, but I have a whole package EVERY.SINGLE.NIGHT with my shake as dessert.

The trick is to crumble them into little pieces. Then drown them in ANY flavor of syrup you want (I use Davinci Sugar Free Syrups, Walden Farms Pancake Syrup, Walden Farm's Jam and Syrups, Starbucks SF syrups, Monin etc). I then add my Sweet and Low, cinnamon and a scoop of PGX granules per bowl (a 10 pack of crackers makes 10 bowls).

I then stir, stir, stir and add water etc as needed and pop it in the microwave for 1.4 minutes. You can also let it sit a bit and the PGX with 'congeal' or absorb the water. I always add some more fixings on top (Walden Farms Jam, Chocolate Dip, Peanut Butter, Protein Ice Cream etc). Excuse my ugly thumb! I dipped that piece into Walden Farm's Calorie Free Chocolate Dip. The rest have the Walden Farms Strawberry Jam, and are mixed with Davinci Sugar Free Kahlua Syrup, Davinci Blueberry Syrup, Coconut etc.

I have this with my nightly Protilife Protein Ice Cream/Shake concoction.

And YES, I do dip the GG Crispbread Crackers in their too and pour it on top of my GG MESS.

Friday Morning at the gym I savored every bite of my Cookie Batter/Fiber Mess made with

- Fibersmart

- PPES Whey Isoburst in French Vanilla (protein powder)

- Sweet and Low and Water.

And here is part 1 of my nightly dinner ( you cannot see the whole bag of Broccoli slaw, 340g of microwaved Cauliflower, 4 cans of Yellow and Green Wax Beans, 1 Tomato, Red Pepper, Green Onion and 300g mushrooms with a WHOLE 907g bag of Dole Chopped Romaine Lettuce)

This takes 2 HUGE mixing bowls, copious amount of seasoning and spices, Mustard, Salsa, and Kikkoman Low Sodium Soy Sauce (often a bit of Davinci Sugar Free syrups-pineapple, blueberry, huckleberry, raspberry, strawberry, coconut etc)

For the RECORD: I do PREFER Mann's Rainbow Salad Coleslaw over the Broccoli Slaw!

It has Cauliflower in it too and is easier to chew!

HAVE A WONDERFUL SATURDAY AND LONG WEEKEND!!!!!

I plan on doing a 'Supplements I use' type post soon! Is anyone interested in that? I am in the 'industry' so I do know about formula's, company's etc.