Simple everyday swaps can make the difference in achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
NAKANO has partnered with registered dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner, author of “The Flexitarian Diet”, to help you maintain those New Year’s resolutions with tips and simple swaps, which can actually make a difference in realizing goals:
*Salad dressing vs. rice vinegar: Replace heavy salad dressing with a light vinaigrette. Simply whisk together NAKANO Natural Rice Vinegar, garlic salt, mustard powder, sesame oil, sesame seeds and canola oil. Pour over arugula and tomato halves for a delicious salad.
*Boardroom conference vs. walking meeting: Swap your sedentary internal office meeting for a “walking meeting.” Instead of meeting in a conference room for 30 minutes, make a few trips around the office building to add a burst of physical activity to your day.
*Online shopping vs. mall: Switch up the routine and head back to the store. While online shopping has made life more convenient, it has eliminated another opportunity to realize the health benefits of walking.
Another simple swap is to replace unhealthy afternoon snacks with healthier alternatives. Dawn created the low-calorie Superfood Trailmix recipe below, which is ideal for satisfying both sweet and salty cravings.
Superfood Trailmix
(Makes 2 cups)
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon NAKANO Natural Rice Vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Dash cayenne pepper (optional)
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1/2 cup raw almonds, chopped
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 cup puffed brown rice cereal
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup raisins
Directions:
In a small bowl, mix NAKANO Natural Rice Vinegar, honey, salt and cayenne. In a 10-inch skillet over medium-low heat, warm oil and add the vinegar mix, almonds and chia seeds. Cook for 6 minutes, stirring constantly, until all excess liquid is gone. Pour onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and let cool in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set. Toss almonds with brown rice cereal, pumpkin seeds, and raisins.
Nutrition (1/4 cup): 110 calories, 6g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 0g cholesterol, 60mg sodium, 12g carbs, 2g fiber, 6g sugar, 3g protein
Recipe created exclusively for Mizkan by: Dawn Jackson Blatner at dawnjacksonblatner.com.
I love NAKANO Rice Vinegar! My latest obsession is sliced cucumbers drenched in Nakano original rice vinegar. It is delicious!
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Disclaimer: I received samples of these products to facilitate this post.