So, what is this "miracle" stuff anyway? Glucomannan which comes from the root of the Asian yam-like plant called Konjac (full name Amorphophallus konjac). And this means what to me? Glucomannan is a water-soluble polysaccharide that is considered a dietary fiber. It is a hemicellulose component in the cell walls of some plant species. Glucomannan is a food additive used as an emulsifier and thickener. Products containing glucomannan, marketed under a variety of brand names, are also sold as nutritional supplements for constipation, obesity, high cholesterol, acne vulgaris and type 2 diabetes. You know that commercial for Lipozene....it's glucomannan, and you can buy it more cheaply as a supplement than as a diet aid. Now you know!
The first packet I chose to cook up was the "Miracle Rice" which look more like tiny pearls (round) than actual grains of rice. I followed the directions for cleaning and wondered why it had such a fishy smell to it; seems it's just a natural smell of the plant fiber. I had already planned to make an Asian style dish with shrimp and sugar snap peas; how appropriate was the shrimp with the fishy smelling "rice"!?!
Simple recipe, took out my Wok and sautéed one pound of shrimp in two tablespoons of oil until they were a nice pink color. I then added in one and one half cups of the peas, a quarter cup of hoisin sauce and the Miracle Rice; tossed till all was coated and hot (about seven minutes) and dinner was done. 
I divided it in half with my hubby; his reaction about the Miracle Rice was, "Eh, not great, but not lousy. It absorbed the taste of the hoisin sauce well, so it's not bland." I felt basically the same way, nothing special taste wise, but than the miracle happened. I'd eaten only half of my serving and felt full; and that is what the glucomannan is all about. It swells up and gives you a full feeling, so you don't overeat, or even eat an entire portion.
The claim to "aid digestion"; well that's when the second miracle happened, spending time in the bathroom as it makes you GO! So my warning for this product is, if you have somewhere to be the next day, make sure spending time in the bathroom won't be a problem for you. ...and there's the rub, as much as I'd like to use this product for its benefits, my schedule doesn't allow for me to live in the bathroom every morning. I use it occasionally, that's fine, but on a daily basis simply can't be.
My opinion for this product is, for the benefits, I will use it when I can. For others, I say read up on the product and make sure this can be beneficial, and you don't mind being in the bathroom several times in the morning. It's definitely NOT Ramen noodles, so don't make that mistake.
Mary Cokenour
