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10.31.06
With November beginning, the holiday season is quickly approaching. This is definitely one of, if not the most, challenging times of year to keep your body weight in check. I have some good news and some bad news… It has been generally regarded that the average American gains somewhere between 5 and 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s (without a scientific study to back up this assumption). A study performed in 2000 by the National Institutes of Health showed that the average weight gain for there 200 person study to be just over one pound per person. So what is the bad news you might ask? The good news is that Americans do not gain nearly as much as previously assumed. The bad news is that these adult Americans did not generally lose this extra pound of body weight over the rest of the year. Add this up over a couple of years, and it becomes pretty apparent why our nation is getting fatter and fatter. Are you aware that more than half of the U.S. is now considered overweight? Being “Smart and Simple” during the holiday season could be an easy way to combat this yearly increase in body weight. You should not feel guilty indulging for special celebrations, but lets try not to indulge just for indulgences sake. Choose your indulgences wisely, while staying in check the rest of the holiday season. I tell my weight loss clients to shoot for maintenance of body weight during the holiday season. Maintaining body weight instead of allowing the average pound plus increase is like losing a pound because it is a pound that we do not have to lose throughout the rest of the year. With a few calculated moves you can enjoy your holiday season in a “Smart and Simple” way.
10.31.06
Mäni’s famous seasonal pumpkin yam pie is back by popular request. Come by and enjoy our pumpkin pie, by the slice, $5.95 with your favorite tea or coffee or as a whole pie, $20
This wonderful fall and winter treat is a vegan classic at Mäni’s on Fairfax. Enjoy this festive pie with coffee or a favorite tea, such as a Matcha Latte, Chai Tea Latte of one of our White Teas, Velvet teas and more.
Posted by Larry Maiman in
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10.31.06
 We heard you loud and clear! You spoke and we listened. Here it is back on the menu. The Red Beet Salad is back and we even improved it. RED BEET SALAD: Marinated chicken breast, red beets marinated in balsamic vinegar, with goat cheese croutons. Served on bed of baby arugula with tropical fruit kiwi, mango & pineapple.
10.26.06
 This item is awesome. It is called the Garden Patch and it is on the Smart and Simple 400 Calorie menu. Larry turned to me yesterday and said, “I should probably order something else, but I really want the Garden Patch again.” Then later in the day, I was taking a bite of my very own Garden Patch at my desk when Cassie laughed out loud. I turned to see what was so funny. She said, “You want to hear something funny. You, Larry, and I all ate the Garden Patch for lunch today.” Warmed pita with roasted turkey breast, tomatoes, cucumbers & sprouts, topped with turkey bacon bits & ranch dressing.
As I was walking out last night with a quart of Minestrone Soup for my 3 year old son who is home sick, Cassie looks at me and says, “Guess what I just ordered to take home for dinner?”
10.24.06
"Smart and Simple” advocates please tell me what substitutions you want to make? Your ideas and preferences are very important to Mäni’s. Your substitution ideas might be able to help us with the maturation of the “Smart and Simple” menu (possibly making existing items better or developing new items in the future). I don’t want to know just what substitution you want to make, but why this substitution is important to you?
Posted by Garrett Cooke in
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10.24.06
As most of you probably know from posting your comments and reading the comments from other guests, YOU have been involved in this issue. Here’s the official tally as of today: 19 people support substitutions on the 400 calorie menu and 7 said no, leave it as designed. We’ve decided that overall customer satisfaction is more important than having something be exactly as we developed it. Since we’re here for you in the first place, being overly rigid, is really not our intention. We want to expose healthier food and nutritional ideas to people, not force anyone to follow a specific regimen. So within the next week or so, we’ll be working out ways to accommodate substitutions for a modest charge of $1 to $2. Here’s some excepts from comments: Speaking as someone who has allergies to certain foods - such as carrots - and being a vegetarian, I always appreciate it when places make substitutions for me... Offer the choices and let the customer order what he or she wants. That way, he or she will be happy. If someone wants the 400 cal balanced version, great. if they want to substitute, great too. I think the 400 calorie menu is great! I like going to restaurants that offer me this sort of healthy option. I say keep it as it is. There are alot more comments written at the end of the original post. Click Mäni’s Smart & Simple Menu (400 calorie) Question We’re going to look at our overall substitution policy on our regular menu as well and see how that can also be changed to make it easier to satisfy our guests, our kitchen, and our servers. We’ll continue to make quality, healthier food and bakery goods. Food that’s good and good for you, so let us know what you think. Thanks for your continued support. All of us at Mäni’s appreciates your business, the time you spend at our blog, and coming to Mäni’s on Fairfax.
10.20.06
Monday - Chicken Noodle
Chicken broth, Chicken Breast, Onions, Carrots, Celery, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Chives, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Egg Noodles. Tuesday - Divine Corn Chowder
Vegetable Stock, Olive Oil, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Yellow Corn, Potatoes, Celery, Carrots, Onions. Wednesday - Minestrone
Vegetable stock, Carrots, Celery, Zucchini, Cauliflower, Parsley, Basil, Mushrooms, Tomato, Tomato Paste, Pasta, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Oregano, Garlic, Cumin, Olive Oil, Red Beans. Thursday - Sweet Pumpkin Yam
Vegetable Stock, Roasted Sweet Pumpkin, Roasted Yams, Onions, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Sea Salt. Soy Milk. Friday - Cream of Broccoli
Vegetable Stock, Celery, Onions, potatoes, Broccoli, Spinach, Cashew Cream, Sea Sal, Black Pepper, Tamari. Saturday - Spicy Tortilla Soup
Vegetable Stock, Onions, Celery, Jalapeño Peppers, Cilantro, Tomatoes, Corn Tortillas, Tamari, Garlic, Olive Oil, Sea Salt, Cumin, Cayenne Pepper, Paprika. Sunday - TOMATO LENTIL
Vegetable stock, Green lentils, Cilantro, Celery, Cauliflower, Zucchini, Onions, Tomatoes, Garlic, Canola oil, Sea, Salt, Black Pepper.
10.17.06
Last week, in my Traveling “Smart and Simple” Experiment blog, I expressed the objectives of our little experiment. My results are as follows: New Mayan (still great up to 6+ hours after preparation) –
I find that taking the “New Mayan” to go and eating it refrigerated adds an interesting dichotomy to the wrap because of it’s mildly, spicy tang (eating a spicy dish hot possesses a whole different dynamic than eating that same spicy dish cold). Personally, with my schedule, I eat about half of my meals cold and half of them hot throughout the week. The “New Mayan’s” dichotomy effectively creates two similar but different wrap options depending on if it is consumed hot or cold. P.S. Sogginess was not an issue Al Carciofi (still great up to 6+ hours after preparation) –
“Al Carciofi’s” integrity is not compromised if you don’t decided to consume this wrap right away or all at once. “Al Carciofi” is served cold (except for the multigrain wrap being grilled), so take-out is almost exactly the same as dine-in with this item. Because “Al Carciofi’s” multigrain wrap does not get soggy and fall apart, I highly recommend this item for take-out, dine-in or a combination of both. Pita Stop (20+ hours later/next day) –
The “Pita Stop” possesses that hot or cold option. Both the “Pita Stop” and “Garden Patch” performed superbly largely because of the pita pocket. The pita pocket didn’t have any problem with getting soggy or drying out. Obviously the garden burger was cold when I ate it, but I honestly might like the garden burger better cold than hot (haven’t decided yet, this was the first time I have consumed it cold). Fountain of Youth (20 hours later/next day) –
I wasn’t sure how the “Fountain of Youth” was going to hold up with the moisture created by the tuna and yogurt combination. Surprisingly it held up much better than I thought, but it was rather messy by the time I consumed it 20 hours after preparation. The multigrain wrap was damp, but it was not even soggy enough to start falling apart. This was the first time that I had tasting the new fall “Smart and Simple” items. I was very impressed with the taste even after 20 hours of travel in a mini lunch cooler. Garden Patch (24 hrs. later/next day) –
I am pleased to report that the “Garden Patch” performed good as new in the Traveling “Smart and Simple” Experiment. I was in such a hurry to get to the airport that it didn’t dawn on me to pack the vegan ranch dressing on the side while transporting this item. Even with the vegan ranch dressing in the pita for 24 hours, we couldn’t even cause the pita pocket to get soggy and messy. No Stada (20 hours later/next day) –
The “No Stada” was incredible. The “No Stada” could probably perform just as well after another day. We made one preparation change to the “No Stada,” and that was to postpone squeezing the fresh limejuice onto the item until time of consumption (definitely worth the effort of freshly squeezing the lime yourself). I was really impressed.
10.16.06
We need your help. We’re having a bit of a conundrum about menu substitutions on the Smart & Simple 400 calorie menu. Please help us decide our policy on menu substitutions. Here’s the issue: If we accommodate substitutions on the Smart & Simple 400 calorie menu, then those substitutions change the calorie content and the mix between balanced macronutrients… carbs, lipids (fats) and protein. So please help us decide how to proceed. Do we or don’t we allow menu substitutions on the Smart & Simple menu?
Your feedback will greatly help us decide how to proceed!! Use the comment link to give us your opinion.
10.14.06
That must be why it is on our Mani’s Smart & Simple - 400 Calorie Menu (Balanced Meals for Balanced Living) menu. GARDEN PATCH: Warmed pita with roasted turkey breast, tomatoes, cucumbers & sprouts, topped with turkey bacon bits & ranch dressing.
10.13.06
 Can I tell you the truth? I got so excited about this new BBQ Chicken Ranch wrap that I just picked up half and started eating. Then I realized I was supposed to be taking pictures… Please imagine the other half sitting on the plate with this half. Oh, by the way, my excitement was valid. This wrap will keep you coming back.
BBQ CHICKEN RANCH WRAP: Marinated chicken breast with a light organic barbeque sauce, house made ranch dressing, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, lettuce & tomato. What have you tried on our new menu? Or what are you looking forward to trying? Let us know your thoughts in the comment area below.
10.12.06
 Check this out! Chef Jose has created an awesome new pita that is the perfect comfort food for a cool fall meal. Curl up and enjoy this warmed whole wheat pita bread filled with curly carrots, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, turkey bacon, cucumbers, green onions & our ranch dressing.
Are you vegan? Then ask for the veggie bacon and the vegan ranch dressing! Yes, you read that correctly, Chef Jose created an absolutely amazing vegan ranch dressing. I couldn’t even tell it was dairy free. It is kind of like the vegan soups he creates which change every two weeks. Isn’t he awesome?
10.10.06
Chef Jose and his talented staff are whipping up the tastiest menu ever. Stop by anytime for breakfast, lunch, dinner or late night snack and choose any of our popular menu items or select one of our featured new creations. 
During lunch the team works pumping out customers’ favorites, and new items of our expanded 400 calorie selections, now referred to as Mäni’s Smart & Simple - 400 Calorie Menu. There’s something for everyone, either on our regular breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, or our new Smart 7 Simple menu. 
Here’s our new No-Stada… Yummm! It’s a baked corn torilla, stacked with black bean hummus, mango and black bean salad, jalpeno peppers (not overpowing at all), lettuce, tomato, and feta cheese. Amazing and only 400 little calories! 
Ask for our Smart & Simple menu C ya all soon at Mäni’s on Fairfax
10.09.06
We are going to find out how our "Smart and Simple" pita and wrap items keep during a day of travel. Do they get soggy? Are they too fragile to transport? Do they taste good cold? etc. I am traveling to Canada this weekend because one of my cousins is getting married. Why should you care? The part of my weekend that you might be interested in actually concerns Mäni’s “Smart and Simple" pita and wrap items. I want to know first hand how these items taste and keep when they have been transported and refrigerated for up to a day. Results will be in next week.
10.06.06
Update: We cannot seem to get the poll to work on the blog. Please use this link to take our quick, one question poll. Thanks!
10.06.06
Monday / Chicken Noodle
Chicken Stock, Chicken Breast, Onions, Carrots, Celery, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Chives, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Egg Noodles Tuesday / Yellow Corn Bisque
Vegetable Stock, Celery, Onions, Yellow Corn, Sea Salt, Black Pepper Wednesday / Minestrone
Vegetable stock, Carrots, Celery, Zucchini, Cauliflower, Parsley, Basil, Mushrooms, Tomato, Tomato Paste, Pasta, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Oregano, Garlic, Cumin, Olive Oil, Red Beans Thursday / Cream of Broccoli
Vegetable Stock, Celery, Onions, potatoes, Broccoli, Spinach, Cashew Cream, Sea Sal, Black Pepper, Tamari Friday / Divine Corn Chowder - NEW
Vegetable Stock, Olive Oil, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Yellow Corn, Potatoes, Celery, Carrots, Onions Saturday / Julio’s Enchilada Soup
Vegetable Sock, Canola Oil, Garlic, Pinto Beans, Onions, Kalamata Olives, Peeled Tomatoes, Organic Yellow Corn Tortillas, Enchilada Sauce, Cilantro, Sea Salt Black Pepper Sunday / Black Bean Soup
Vegetable Sock, Canola Oil, Tomatoes, Black Beans, Carrots, Celery, Onions, Garlic, Cumin, Cayenne Pepper, Jalapeno Pepper, Chili Powder, Cilantro
10.05.06
 Announcing our Fall 2006 Menu! It is an exciting menu that you will be able to see next Wednesday, October 11th. Come and join us…
Posted by Larry Maiman in
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10.03.06
Early last week, I advised one of my personal training clients to start using Mani’s SMART AND SIMPLE 400 CALORIE menu items for the foundation of his daily nutrition. I suggested that he have the Pro Green Shake after his workout at the gym and order a wrap or two for later use in his day. He quickly dismissed my suggestion because he was worried that the wrap would be soggy by the time he ate it later in the day. Upon my return from mine and my mother’s birthday celebratory hiking trip down Havasu Canyon, my client very enthusiastically told me that he had been frequenting Mani’s everyday of the week since I left for my trip. He couldn’t get enough of the Pro Green Shake and the New Mayan wrap. To his (and my) surprise, the wrap did not become soggy before he ate it later in the day. I was very pleased to hear that the wrap worked well as a prepared portable meal solution (and even more surprised that this client actually listened to my advice for once).
10.03.06
If you ever get a voice mail from me, you will notice my signature hum just before I say, “Bye-bye.” Well, get ready for a virtual reenactment. This calls for reader participation. (Yes, I am talking about you.) Out loud and all together: Ready, 1, 2, 3: “Mmmm… Bye-bye Summer Grain Salad!” Very good! (Yes, that was almost too hokey for me too. But fun.) Now join me is saying, “Hello Autumn Chop Salad.” (Hey, you are catching on nicely.) You are going to love this new salad Chef Jose has put together to please your taste-buds this fall. NEW! AUTUMN CHOP SALAD
Grilled chicken breast over chopped carrots, cucumbers, scallions, fennel, butternut squash, & red beets tossed with french lentils & long grain brown rice, on a bed of green kale. Served with a fennel vinaigrette. Oh, did I mention that this is all happening next week? Check back tomorrow for the exact date…
Posted by Larry Maiman in
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10.01.06
 NEW! BALI WRAP
Spicy marinated chicken breast with brown rice, peanut sauce, steamed veggies, & mixed greens, in a whole wheat wrap.
If you like peanut sauce you are going to love this wrap! Any thoughts? Can I hear a cheer?
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