This is another favorite in our house. The last time my husband made it, the kids and I ate it all before he had any. He wasn't happy. So I decided to find the recipe, tweak it a bit to reduce the calories, and see if I could create the same magic. The result is cold, crispy, and sweet with just the right vinegar bite. I make enough for an army so the amount here would be perfect to bring to a bbq or to feed a large family. If your family doesn't scarf it down like mine, you could definitely cut everything by half and have enough for a dinner and leftovers.
Ingredients:
1 small head of green cabbage, shredded (12 cups)
1 small head of red cabbage, shredded (12 cups)
1 fennel bulb (3.5cups)
3 granny smith apples, cut into matchsticks (6 cups)
3 pink lady apples, cut into matchsticks (6 cups) -- you can use any sweet, crisp apple
3/4 cup canola oil (I found a non-GMO one at Sprouts)
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup + 1 Tbs no sugar-added apple juice
1/3 cup honey
Cut all the veggies and combine. I used a trick that I learned from my Aunt Kathy who loves to entertain and cook for crowds. I put the veggies in a clean trash bag and shook it all around. Then, I whisked all of the wet ingredients together, poured it over the veggies and shook it again. This can be done in a bowl instead, but then you don't get to dance around the kitchen shaking a trash bag full of cole slaw :)
This is fantastic for anyone with an egg allergy or who is vegan. It is also a safer salad to take on a picnic as the dressing is not mayo based. Plus, it's yummy and healthy!
Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Weight Watchers Points Plus Value: 3
Nutrition Info:
Calories: 114
Carbs: 14
Fat: 6
Protein: 1
Sodium: 24
Sugar: 10
Next time I will probably reduce the oil a bit which will bring the fat and PPV down. I think the nutrition values/PPV are also a little high because if you let the slaw sit in the fridge for a bit, a lot of the dressing settles at the bottom of the container so you're not actually eating it. But, if you're trying to manage your weight, it's usually better to OVERestimate your calorie consumption.
I hope you enjoy it! Please let me know what you think. If you tweak it, please let me know how it comes out :)
Weight loss is hard. Maintenance is even harder. I keep thinking that some day I'll reach the "Finish" space on the weight gameboard and be able to spend more time and energy on other parts of my life. I've been playing this game for the last 25 years and it's pretty exhausting. In December I landed on a dreaded chute space and got sent about halfway back to Start. So now, I'm up about 7 pounds and none of my jeans fit without my waist looking like an overstuffed sausage.
Even though I feel discouraged to be in this place again, I know that I am in control of what happens from here. I know that I need to cut some things out of my diet (refined sugar and peanut butter) because my brain doesn't seem to get "moderation". I know that I need to drastically increase my consumption of leafy greens and cruciferous veggies. I know I need to drink more water (maybe it's time to revisit my Healthier You Challenge). I know I need to keep up with my exercise routine. I know what to do. I just have to actually DO IT. EVERY DAY.
Even if I only spin a 1 each day and move sloth-like across the gameboard, I will be moving in the right direction. I've also realized that I will fall down more chutes and will have to work my way back across the board over, and over, and over again. That is real-life. I'll never reach the last space. The difference for me now is that I'm catching the weight gain when it's 3 or 5 or 7 pounds instead of 30 or 40 pounds. While Saturdays at Weight Watchers haven't been fun for me lately, I've still stepped on the scale and faced the music each week. The truth can be difficult but I am being honest with myself which is instrumental in regaining control.
I will lose this weight and I will try to avoid the behaviors that land me on the chute spaces in the future. I will also focus on the ladders on my gameboard: my husband who will cook me healthy food, my parents who help with my kids, my reliable workout buddy Jennifer, my in-home exercise studio, and my kids and amazing students who keep me inspired to be the best *me* I can be.
