With a dash of imagination, a pinch of culinary skill, and a heap of flavor, Green Giant Seasoned Steamers™ are giving you a new reason to enjoy eating your vegetables. Shake up your vegetable routine with these flavorful, chef-inspired options that are seasoned to perfection, without a drop of sauce. Now, more than ever, you can leave your family craving more vegetables with every meal and break through meal monotony with a new palate-pleasing vegetable option for everyone! With new Green Giant® Seasoned Steamers™, eating vegetables just got easier and more delicious! I absolutely love Green Giant corn.

• Available in six different varieties, Green Giant Seasoned Steamers™ are one of the first sauce-free seasoned vegetables to bring unique chef-inspired seasonings and premium cut vegetable blends to your dining room table
• These tasty Seasoned Steamers are bound to spice up any meal with six varieties including: Mediterranean Blend, Tuscan Seasoned Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts with Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper, Honey Roasted Sweet Corn, Honey Dijon Carrots and Backyard Grilled Potatoes

Right now you can save $1.00 off the purchase of one package of Green Giant Seasoned Steamers. Be sure to share this coupon with your family, friends so they too can take advantage of the savings and try Green Giant Seasoned Steamers™ too! AND, as if that wasn’t enough, during the month of October, there will be a “Love it, or your Money Back” offer available at GreenGiant.com!

I have to share one of my secrets to cooking with the steamers. After they are done cooking, I put them in a bowl with a few teaspoons of Nakano Seasoned Rice Wine Vinegars (any flavor works) and it adds the most amazing taste to them! Give it a try!

ENTER ON THE RAFFLECOPTER BELOW TO WIN  A FABULOUS GREEN GIANT PRIZE PACK! It will include the following items:

• (1) VIP coupon for one free package of Green Giant Seasoned Steamers™
• Apron
• Green Giant Serving Spoon
• Mixing Bowl
• Bag of Green Giant Seasoned Steamers™

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A few years ago I picked up some Nakano Rice Vinegar on clearance at Kroger. I had know idea what it was for but I figured for $1.00, I’d wonder around google and find out! I was very glad that I spent that buck because it made me learn a whole new level of cooking with a product I knew nothing about.

Seriously folks, for flavor like you’ve never experienced before, try Nankano Rice Vinegars.  Offering an All-Natural and a variety of Seasoned Rice Vinegar flavors, Nakano is perfect for splashing on sensational salads, amazing appetizers and scrumptious center-of-the-plate entrees. It also makes for an excellent marinade for proteins! They have a sweet, light flavor that dress up any dish. Simply splash it on everything from salads to pasta to meat and vegetables! Of all of the flavors that Nakano offers, John and I kill through the Italian Herb Red Wine Vinegar. We are big sandwich eaters and this stuff is AMAZING on Turkey and Swiss. It’s really delicious on every deli meet and cheese I have tried but the Turkey and Swiss is my favorite. We probably use 2 bottles a month of this stuff. It is a fantastic substitute for mayonnaise!

I really hope that you will venture out to your local store and try some of these and come back and tell me if you loved them! It’s okay if you don’t like them too. You can tell me!

Nakano Comes in Seven Full-Bodied Flavors

1. All Natural Rice Vinegar: A natural, mild vinegar flavor that brings out the flavor of everything it touches. No added sugar or salt makes it a healthy alternative
2. Original Seasoned Rice Vinegar: The most versatile of our seven flavors whose lightly sweetened mild vinegar flavor is perfect for splashing on meat, shrimp, pasta or almost anything else
3. Basil & Oregano Seasoned Rice Vinegar: A sweet and light blend of basil & oregano herbs that is ideal for enhancing red sauces and salad dressings, or for  splashing  on cold pasta salads
4. Red Pepper Seasoned Rice Vinegar: Lively flavor with a kick of crushed red pepper. Great on baked chicken, broiled chicken breasts and Buffalo wings
5. Roasted Garlic Seasoned Rice Vinegar: A sweet, mellow roasted garlic flavor that’s excellent for splashing on white rice and roasted, baked, mashed and French fried potatoes
6. Balsamic Blend Seasoned Rice Vinegar: A light, sweet alternative to traditional Balsamic vinegar.  Great for dipping fruits and vegetables or in any recipe that calls for balsamic vinegar
7. Italian Herb Red Wine Vinegar: Premium red wine vinegar makes this perfect for enhancing sauces and stews

What is the difference between Rice Vinegar and Seasoned Rice Vinegar?
These all natural Rice Vinegar is unsweetened with no sodium and is to be used in a variety of recipes. Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegars are lightly sweetened and lightly salted to be used in recipes or as a “Splash On” condiment.

I can suggest you go out and try Nakano but why take my word for it. How is this for some spectacular reasons! Delicious AND healthy for you!

Health Benefits of NAKANO

Nakano is made from real, whole grain rice and is naturally brewed in the traditional Mizkan manufacturing process that began in Japan more than 200 years ago.  These are all-natural, sodium and sugar-free, has zero calories and no fat, and is 100% gluten-free and contain no preservatives. They also contain 50% less sodium than the competition!

What can NAKANO^® Seasoned Rice Vinegars be Splashed On?

Original Seasoned Rice Vinegar: Great substitute for mayo or mustard for a lively sandwich spread or the perfect infusion into barbecue sauce to create tangy sweetness
Basil & Oregano Seasoned Rice Vinegar: A perfect complement to pasta dishes and mixed salads
Red Pepper Seasoned Rice Vinegar: Adds a nice kick to marinades made for protein, especially seafood
Roasted Garlic Seasoned Rice Vinegar: As garlic is a nice addition to any dish, this rice vinegar goes great with veggies, dips, delectable appetizers such as potato skins and more
Balsamic Blend Seasoned Rice Vinegar: Fantastic with fruits and veggies alike, it also pairs nicely with chicken
Italian Herb Red Wine Vinegar: This is the rice vinegar to turn to when looking to add some spice to Italian dishes like spaghetti as well as stews and soups

For awhile now, I have been making much better choices but I still refuse to eat a plate of plain lettuce and call it dinner. I am also trying more and more to get better eating habits instilled in the boys. They are still little boys but I do what I can I happy to report that I have officially lost 10 lbs! Healthier eating is playing a huge part in that. This is a hard obstacle  for me since I really love food!

As I have mentioned in the past, I am a Mizkan Blogger Advocate, and in the time I have been partnering with them, I have falling in love with the line of Nakano Splash products. Because of this, I am so excited to tell you about their new summer challenge! It’s called the Nakano Splash it On, Step it Up.  This new campaign is to help you move your butt a little more this summer and make healthier eating choices. I am not a big vegetable eater but they want to help me too! I would love to say that I want to make Mom proud and eat my vegetables but, it’s very difficult to me. I am an extremely picky eater.

Are you a picky eater too? Do you want to eat healthier? Need a kick in the butt? (You know you do!) Head over to the Nakano Facebook Page and check it out! Like them for the latest on the sweepstakes. It’s your chance to win great prizes including a year  long gym membership or 6 personal training sessions. Join the thousands of people who will be tracking their steos on the Step It Up Step-O-Meter!

Disclosure: I’m a Mizkan Blogger Advocate and was compensated in some form for this post.  Any views and opinions expressed on this post are solely my own and is the property of MAK Media, LLC. If supplied, any products mentioned did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. I was under no obligation to write a positive post. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

I am a lover of meatloaf but for some reason, I will only eat my own! The other night I was just feelingin the mood for meatloaf and madhed potatoes. I didn’t feel like running to the store to get ground beef so I tried this recipe from Nakano. Meat loaf without meat! Just the tasty flavors of vegetables, mushrooms and crunchy nuts laced with herbs. A food processor makes fast work for all the chopped ingredients – nuts and bread crumbs too! Please let me know what you think if you try this!

NOTE: Vegetables, nuts and bread crumbs should be finely chopped, but not minced.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 Tbsp. butter
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped mushrooms
• 1/4 cup Nakano Roasted Garlic Seasoned Rice Vinegar (Print a $.50 off coupon!)
• 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed
• 2-1/2 cups fresh whole wheat bread crumbs
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF
2. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan
3. Melt your butter in a large skillet
4. To the melted butter add your carrots, celery, onion, mushrooms, seasoned rice vinegar, soy sauce and herbs. (YUM!)
5. Cook this on high making sure to stir occasionally until liquid is absorbed This takes about 9 to 10 minutes.
6. Move your veggies to a large bowl and stir in the bread crumbs, nuts and eggs.
7. After it’s well combined, spoon it into your prepared loaf pan
8. Pat it down and make sure the top is smooth.
9. Bake it for 50 minutes or untilthe  internal temperature is 165°F
10. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes
11. Use a spatula to remove the loaf from the pan
12. I love mine with mashed potatoes and corn!

NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegars are a versatile and flavorful product that is traditionally used for salad dressings, recipes, or is splashed on protein, vegetables or red meat giving the finished meal a unique, delicious taste. They are made with real, whole grain rice and are naturally brewed in the traditional Mizkan manufacturing process that began in Japan more than 200 years ago . The light but full-flavor condiment is a great replacement for fatty or high-calorie condiments, such as mayonnaise. For those with a passion for food, NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar is the secret ingredient that enhances but never overpowers food. NAKANO exclusively makes its own vinegar to guarantee a quality condiment that delivers a tantalizing taste. All NAKANO^® products are gluten-free and have 50 percent less sodium than the competition!

For flavor like you’ve never experienced before! The Vinegar used in this marinade has a sweet, mellow roasted garlic flavor that’s excellent for splashing on white rice and roasted, baked, mashed, and French fried potatoes. When making this recipe, make sure you use only the ginger called for. Ginger has a very over powering flavor if youy put to much. If you try it, come back and let me know what you thought!

Give this marinade a try! It will go great on a pork roast!

Per serving (1 Tbsp.): 25 calories, 0g protein, 4g carb, 0g fiber, 1g fat (0g sat. fat), 0mg chol, 250mg sodium

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar – Roasted Garlic
• 1/2 cup frozen apple juice concentrate
• 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 3 Tbsp. ketchup
• 1 piece (1×1-1/2 inches) fresh ginger, minced
• 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 lemon (grate the zest and juice the lemon)

This year for Valentine’s Day we stayed in. Since I am not big on this holiday to start with, I was happy with this. My son ended up with the Flu and home that night (and the rest of the week off school) so we made it work. My boyfriend made me a delicious Valentine’s Day dinner. I’m a chicken and pasta addict so the man fed right into that addiction! He has a background in cooking so I thought it was time the man cooked for me. Here is the recipe he used with a few of his own little tweaks.

Ingredients:

• 4  boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into thin strips or cubes
• 1 pound Mueller’s linguine cooked al dente
• 4 teaspoons McCormick Cajun seasoning
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 thinly sliced green onion
• 2 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon Nakano Red Pepper Seasoned Rice Vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Nakano Basil & Oregano Seasoned Rice Vinegar
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Place chicken, vinegars and Cajun seasoning in a bowl and toss to coat.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté chicken in butter until chicken is tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
3. Reduce heat add green onion, heavy cream, tomatoes, basil, salt, garlic powder, black pepper and heat through.
4. Pour over hot linguine and toss with Parmesan cheese.

Disclosure: MAK Media, LLC was not asked or paid in any form to share this information. Any Brand names that are listed are for the sole purpose of specifying a product used. It is still okay to post something simply because I wanted to share it with my readers right?