Chris' Vibrant Mango Slaw!

Eat the Rainbow in a Gorgeous, Anniversary Issue-Inspired Bowl!

Color is My Love Language.

Always has been. And this slaw might be the most fluent expression of it yet, a bowl so vibrant it practically celebrates itself. Fitting, since it made its 2026 debut at a birthday brunch last month (a slightly altered version) and is now refreshed with new ingredients and getting a starring role in our one-year anniversary issue.

You know I love a good salad and this recipe, inspired by and adapted from Smitten Kitchen's mango slaw with cashews and mint, has become one of my new favorites for those more special salad occasions, like last weekend's FamJam Sunday Brunch. This masterpiece is a true Eat the Rainbow powerhouse that's also pure No Deprivation Zone™-inspired. It feels like a cheat meal but it's not—every single ingredient here is a nutrient-rich "Good Guy," working vibrantly together to create something seriously deliciously satisfying.

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A Continued Fiber Story.

Last month, we talked about fiber as the most underappreciated hero nutrient on your plate. This slaw doubles down on that. Between the cabbage and the mango—not to mention the fiber-rich avocado—you're getting a powerful fiber boost in every colorful bite. Bonus? The gut-health benefits that come with it including steady energy, lasting fullness, and a happier (and flatter!) gut overall.

Why This Bowl Is a Rainbow of "Good Guys".

• Golden-orange mango brings natural sweetness, fiber, and a generous dose of vitamin C

• Cabbage delivers crunch and even more fiber, the unsung hero of this whole dish

• Ruby red pepper adds more vitamin C and that gorgeous pop of color

• Vibrant purple onion brings a sassy, little bite to balance the sweetness

• Avocado contributes not only high levels of fiber, but healthy fats, which help your body absorb all those fat-soluble nutrients from the other veggies

• Cashews add healthy fats, protein, and satisfying texture (love that crunch!)

• Bright green basil finishes it off with a fragrant, vibrant lift

The Recipe

Serves 6-8 | Feel free to modify quatities of ingredients based on your individual tastes and preferences—I ALWAYS use more cashews and basil!

For the slaw:

• 2 ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted and julienned

• 1 head Napa cabbage, sliced very thinly (I've substituted Savoy when I can't find Napa)

• 1 red bell pepper, julienned

• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

• 1-2 ripe avocados, sliced

For the dressing:

• 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)

• 1/4 cup rice vinegar

• 2 tablespoons good olive oil

• 1/2 teaspoon good salt

• Optional for those who like their dressings sweet: add 1 teaspoon good honey

To finish:

• 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced (I've made it before using cilantro, or the original Smitten Kitchen recipe using mint—you do YOU!)

• 1/4 cup toasted cashews, coarsely chopped

To make it:

1. Toss the mango, cabbage, red pepper, and onion together in a large bowl (the artist in me always likes to place them in sections before tossing together!).

2. Whisk the lime juice, rice vinegar, oil, and salt together in a small bowl, then pour over the slaw.

3. Serve immediately, or let the flavors get to know each other in the fridge for an hour or so.

4. Just before serving, fold in freshly sliced avocado to avoid it browning, then top with fresh basil and toasted cashews.

Pro Tip: To optimize recipe deliciousness, your health, and feeling your best, ALWAYS use the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. Organic whenever possible. For this recipe specifically, a ripe mango and a good avocado make all the difference between a good slaw and an unforgettable one. Give them a gentle squeeze to test their readiness, ripe fruit yields slightly to pressure. Fresh, quality ingredients are ALWAYS worth it.

More Than a Recipe

This slaw is proof that celebrating doesn't mean sacrificing how you want to feel. It's vibrant, it's colorful, it's genuinely delicious, and every single ingredient has a resume that's worth its health weight in gold to support YOU. That's what a year of recipes in Your Healthiest Happiest YOU! has always been about: showing that healthy and delicious were always meant to work together.

Here's to Your Healthiest Happiest YOU! ☀️

Chris

NBC-HWC | FMCHC | Founder, BrandCraftYOU