Splash It On, Step It Up With Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar

With summer time in full swing, I am definitely feeling the added pressure to look good in my bathing suit. (Well, as good as a woman in her 30's that has had 3 cesarean sections can look without the help of cosmetic surgery!) This can be quite a challenge, since summer time is always full of reasons to eat. Barbecues and cook-outs, 4th of July celebrations, and loads of birthdays during the summer months make it all too easy for me to pack on the pounds. My husband, on the other hand, can eat and eat and eat without ever gaining an ounce! I am convinced it's a guy thing and will catch up with him eventually!

One way to keep those pesky inches off during the summer, and all year long, is to cut back on higher calorie, high fat condiments. I know what you're thinking...Low fat? Low calorie? Must be bland! Well, with the amazing seasoned rice vinegars from Nakano, this is not the case. In fact, these are absolutely bursting with flavor! With mouthwatering flavor infusions like Red Pepper, Basil and Oregano, and even Roasted Garlic, the possibilities are endless, and are sure to fit well into all of those must have dishes.

I recently received the Nakano Original Seasoned Rice Vinegar and the Nakano Roasted Garlic Rice Vinegar for my review. I love to cook, so rice vinegar is a staple in my home. It goes well on salads, in marinades, and even in sauces.Of course they're wonderful in Asian dishes, too. Rice vinegar is amazing in everything, even foods you wouldn't necessarily expect to use it in, like Carne Asada!

I have been using my Seasoned Rice Vinegars in loads of dishes lately. I have found that the flavors are well-balanced, light, and provide just the right amount of tang to my dishes. I especially love the Roasted Garlic flavor! I decided to try it in a classic summer side-dish, 3 Bean Salad. I love this salad because it is chock full of vitamins and is friendly to those who may be watching their caloric intake. My toddlers gobbled it up happily, and even my picky husband and 12 year old liked it. (They claim to be allergic to veggies!)

Want my recipe? Here you go!

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INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar Basil and Oregano or Original
1 Tbsp. Dijon style mustard
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 cans beans (15.5 oz. each), drained and rinsed (kidney, garbanzo, black, lima or navy beans) 
1/2 cup carrot, thinly sliced (1 medium)
1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced (1 medium)
1/3 cup green onion, sliced
1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional) 



DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine seasoned rice vinegar, mustard and pepper; stir well. Add beans, carrot, celery and green onion; toss to coat. Chill 1 hour or overnight before serving. Keeps well for up to 4 days.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Overall, I absolutely love the Seasoned Rice Vinegars from Nakano. They pack a flavorful punch, are easy to use, and are oh so versatile. I love it drizzled on salads, in stir-fry dishes, and even in my steak marinades and beef stew.

I should also mention that right now, Nakano has a great sweepstakes on their Facebook Page! Be sure to check it out and enter to win some amazing prizes!

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Nakano 60-Day Splash it on, Step it up Challenge:

Launching late June (June 25): Nakano is launching a 60-Day walking challenge hosted on a Facebook Application to help generate consumer buzz around NAKANO and encourage people to make healthy lifestyle choices. The challenge will encourage participants to eat more veggies and become more active.
   
The Facebook app will include fun and helpful fitness as health features such as a step tracker wrapping around a globe that will show followers the number of steps walked thus far, healthy eating tips and fitness tips.

 Prizes:
 
First prize of a one-year free gym membership. If over 1 million steps are reached over the course of the 60 days, a second 1st prize will be awarded.

Second prize winner receives six personal training sessions.

Third prize winner will receive a Nakano workout bag.

Splash for Cash

 Splash Recipe Club includes recipes and blog features
 Each month a Splash subscriber has the chance to win $150!

HOW TO CONNECT:

To learn more about Nakano, please check out their website.
You can also connect with them on Facebook and on twitter for fun recipe ideas and promotions!



***Disclosure:“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Nakano and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.”***