Apricot Rugelach

This recipe was inspired by my auntie.  It is a lightened-up version but is still decadent and delicious.
A wonderful recipe to celebrate the Jewish New Year!


Don't be intimidated by the length of the recipe - it is pretty easy, just follow it step by step.

Ingredients:
2 cups white all purpose flour
1/2 tsp table salt
2 sticks salted or unsalted butter (yes! 2 -- can you believe it?)
8 oz light cream cheese
3 tsp ground cinnamon (separated)
Flour for dusting
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup all fruit apricot preserves (that's the sugar free jam - I use Polaner brand - but whatever is your choice)
1/2 cup walnut halves finely chopped
4 TBSP white sugar
1/4 cup fat free milk for brushing

Instructions:
Using a fork or a whisk, mix the flour, salt and 2 tsp of cinnamon together.  Then with an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until it is combined.  Add the flour mixture into the butter mixture about 1/3 cup at a time and keep mixing and combining until you have all the ingredients combined and it has come together.  Flour the surface of your counter with a little dusting flour and tip the contents of the bowl onto the surface and knead with your hands just enough to form it into a cohesive dough ball and then roll it into a log and wrap in parchment paper or plastic wrap.  Chill the dough for at least 4 hours (up to 24 hours) or until firm.

At this stage you are going to work fairly fast, especially if the kitchen is warm.  You do have to preheat the oven so you will be warming up the environment.  Set the oven temp to 350 deg F.  Make sure your oven rack is in the center of the oven.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment or a silpat.

Mix the brown sugar, remaining cinnamon and chopped nuts together into a bowl and set aside.

Unwrap the dough and cut it into 4 even pieces.  Return 3 of them to the fridge while you work with the first one.  Dust your work surface really well with flour and then roll out a rectangle measuring about 12 inches wide by 8 or 9 inches long.  Make sure your dough is not sticking to the surface, if necessary add more flour to dust it.  Thinly spread 1/4 of the apricot preserve onto the surface of the dough - going all the way to the wide edges, but leaving about 1" of uncovered area at the long end - this is where you are going to seal it.  Then sprinkle 1/4 of the sugar & nut mixture on top of the preserve.  Brush the "nude" long end with milk to moisten and then roll it up like a long cigar and seal.  Place it carefully onto the baking sheet and place the baking sheet into the refrigerator.

Now continue making 3 more logs exactly the same.

When you have all 4 logs onto the baking sheet, making an indent, mark off 12 "cookies" at one inch intervals on the surface of each one, but don't actually cut the dough yet.  Now brush all 4 logs with the milk and sprinkle a tablespoon of white sugar on top of each log.  Take a fork and pierce each "cookie" with the tines of the fork at an angle about 2/3 of the way through (for decoration and to allow the steam to escape).  Now you can take a knife score each "cookie" with a deep 3/4" cut to make them individual cookies that are still joined at the hip!

Bake them until they are golden brown, will take approximately 45 minutes.  Cool them on the pan for about 30 minutes then you can slice through them to finally separate them from their siblings!

Yields 48 Cookies
2 PPV per cookie!

Warning - they're delicious - make sure the leftovers have a home to go to at the end of the festivities!

Stand Proudly and Say "I Am Worth It"

I know I get excited a lot about what we do...  But today I am totally excited to bring you this BIG NEWS!

Watch Dr. Oz this Monday!

Weight Watchers and Dr. Oz are rallying America to join a health revolution.  It's called Dr. Oz's Transformation Nation: Million Dollar You, a plan to help get America living better and stronger just by following seven simple steps.  You might even win $1 million*.  But you and hundreds and thousands will get the real prize: better health.

Dr. Oz is challenging the nation to take a look at their weight in several ways; knowing that literally millions of Americans don't even know what they weigh, let alone what their BMI (Body Mass Index) is - or indeed, what BMI means, he wants America to collectively lose 10% of their starting weight.  That is so cool.

Here is what he is going to tell people:  For more than 45 years, Weight Watchers has helped millions of people lose weight in a healthy way.  Their singular mission is to help people lose weight in a sustainable way by helping them adopt a healthier lifestyle and a healthier relationship with food and activity. Weight Watchers doesn't tell you what to eat nor do they tell you what not to eat, they provide inspiration, information, knowledge, support, tools and motivation.

You will see Dr. Oz contestants coming into our meetings to get their baseline weigh-in.  What a fantastic opportunity to welcome them and invite them to stay for the entire meeting and learn more about what we do!  Please feel free to approach them and make them feel comfortable; share your success stories and let them know they are in the right place to make a real difference in their lives.  Thank-you :)

Here is what I say:  There is no such thing as "will power".  Will power is something they created to make us feel bad because we don't have any!  There is only "WANT POWER".  The term "Want Power" is so much more potent than the term "will power", don't you think?  In essence, if you are faced with an "on plan" choice and an "off plan" choice of eating - don't think about relying on will power; go into your inner being and get in touch with your want power to assist you to make the right decision!

In fact, I feel so strongly about this that we are going to get in touch with it in the meeting this week --- do you understand what brings you to want to lose weight and live more healthily?  Give some thought to your  motivation before you come to the meeting and we'll have a fantastic discussion --- this meeting will leave you inspired and powerful! 


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NEW WEIGHT WATCHERS PRODUCTS:

Spray away!
The new Weight Watchers Oil Sprayer makes portion control easy—without the mess! It’s perfect for use on your cookware and bake-ware to prevent food from sticking, or use it to mist just about any food you’re roasting—meat, poultry, fish, and/or vegetables. 


Ten pumps add up to 1 PointsPlus^® value, so you’ll always know the PointsPlus value of the oil you use! This useful kitchen tool can also help you meet the Weight Watchers Good Health Guideline for healthy oil.
Makes a fantastic Holiday Gift for someone who has everything!         $11.95
Yummmm:
Look for the NEW! Roasted Salsa Multigrain Crisps:  Zesty, baked to perfection and not too salty!   $4.50 per box.  PointsPlus value of 3 per pouch / 6 pouches per box.
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L'Shana Tova

Honey 2 PPV per 1 TBSP
Apples 0 PPV each
Honey Cake 9 PPV per 4oz slice
Challah Bread 4 PPV per 2 oz slice
Manischewitz Sweet Gefilte Fish 2 PPV per 2 oz
Regular Gefite Fish 2 PPV per 2 oz
Dates 3 PPV per 1/4 cup
Cooked Brisket (not lean) 8 PPV  3-4 oz 


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Lose-For-Good --- A BIG Thanks to everyone that has already donated canned and non-perishable goods to share with the families at the food pantries that we're supporting.   If you're planning on bringing something there is still time.
For a weight loss update - for your meeting and others, take a look at the "Lose-For-Good" Tab at the top of this page.




Have a wonderful week and don't forget to check back here on Wednesday for your recipe of the week.


See you in your meeting.



(* Dr. Oz’s Transformation Nation: Million Dollar You Contest Abbreviated Rules:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contest begins 9/26/11 and ends 5/23/12. Entries must be received by 4/9/12. Open only to legal residents of the U.S. states and D.C. (excluding Maine), 18 years of age (or age of legal majority in state of residence) or older as of the start of the contest. To participate, register starting 9/26/11 at http://sharecare.doctoroz.com and complete the steps as provided in the official rules and on contest website. One prize: $1,000,000 and a trip for two to New York City (Total ARV: $1,003,000). Official rules containing eligibility requirements, judging criteria and prize details available athttp://sharecare.doctoroz.com/rules or upon request by mail to Sponsor.).

Baked Potato Pancakes (Latkes)

This recipe comes from Weight Watchers from the e-tools database.

Potato Latkes
These healthy pancakes are baked, not fried, and still have all the great taste and crispness of traditional latkes.

Course: light meals
PointsPlus® Value:    3
Servings:  12
Preparation Time:  15 min
Cooking Time:  30 min
Level of Difficulty:  Moderate


Ingredients:
1/4 C regular egg substitute
1/4 C matzo meal
1/2 small chopped onion
1 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
3 large potatoes (about 10 oz each)
1 large sweet potaoto (about 8-10 oz)
1 spray cooking spray.


Instuctions:

~ Heat oven to 500°F. In large bowl combine egg substitute, matzo meal, onion, salt and pepper.
~ In food processor, grate potatoes through feed tube. Squeeze out any excess moisture. Combine with egg mixture. (Note: Do not grate potatoes ahead of time.)
~ Coat baking sheet with cooking spray. Place twelve 1/4 cups of pancake mixture on sheet; coat with cooking spray. Bake until pancakes are crisp, 30 minutes, turning over after 15 minutes.

Laissez Faire or Rigorous?

Change is hard.  It can seem like the longer we spend time thinking about it, the harder it feels.  My mother used to say "The thought is worse than the deed!"  In other words -- Just get on with it!

She was always right, when it comes to making a change in ourself, it's not MAGIC, there is a defined set of steps that we take.  Mostly it happens organically, but knowing the steps can help us to take at least the first one or two to get the process going.

This post is called "Laissez Faire or Rigorous?" because when we leave it to chance, we often get a less than best results, disappointing, right?   Have you noticed how that can loosen our efforts. rather than strengthening our resolve to do better?

So here is the bottom line - resolve to make changes to behaviors associated with the program - start with one or two behaviors.  Certainly, I am not advocating that folks try to become "perfectionists", but I am saying increase your focus on one then the next then the next behavior and that, specifically, will make the difference.

The stages of change.
Here are the stages we go through when making a change:
1.  Realization- we become aware that there is a change that can be made or ought to be made to alter the outcome.  "I realize that when I shop better, I eat better and get a better result at the scale "Humphrey!""
2.  Environment- making a change in our direct environment will get the "change ball" rolling.  "Adding a small wipe off white board onto the kitchen wall allows me to start a shopping list when foods I rely on are running low"
3.  Practice the behavior- don't get mad at yourself if you don't do the behavior perfectly at first, keep doing it.  "Try and remember to jot down items you need to buy next time you are making a market run".
4.  Belief- perhaps weeks into it, at some point, when we begin to see results or we see that the behavior is giving us something in return, we begin to hone it and make it our own.  "Shopping better actually cuts down on needless eating, makes bringing snacks with me easier, saves me money and helps at the scale - I am beginning to not fear weighing-in.  Nice "Humphrey!""
5.  Identity-  Owning the behavior and seeing it as an integral part of what we do now.  "I am now a planner when it comes to shopping for good foods and I would not go back to winging it - it feels too good to do it this way and so haphazard the way I was doing it before".

............................

Someone asked me to post the  "Just one Pound" Poem.

I have - it is under the "Insider Trading" Tab.
Look at the top of this page.

............................

This is the last week of the sale of Mini-Bars, Smoothies and Oatmeal.  Take a look at the "Purchase Your Favorites" Tab at the top of this page for pricing and selection.

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A simple tweet, update or check-in by YOU will help us fight hunger 

On September 19, being social can make a difference. That’s the date of Weight Watchers^® Lose-A-Palooza, a special one-day social media event designed to increase the donation to to Weight Watchers Lose For Good^® campaign.

How it works: For 24 hours only, every approved mention or acknowledgment of “Lose For Good” by members on Twitter, on Facebook, on blogs, as well as check-ins to meeting locations on Facebook Places and our official Lose For Good Community Challenge on WeightWatchers.com, Weight Watchers will donate $1, up to $75,000, as part of our Lose For Good donation to our charitable partners.


How to get involved:  spread the good by taking as many approved social actions as you can on Monday September 19.   Visit Weight Watchers® Lose-A-Palooza for a list of all approved social actions that count toward the donation. 

............................

Want to work with us?

As I am closing this blog post, I just want to remind you that if you are at goal or within 10 LBS -  you are eligible for consideration as a staff member.  


Weight Watchers only recruits from the meeting room and we would love to have your endorsement of the program by your coming and sharing what you have learned from the journey you have taken  :).  


Ask me for more information or go to the careers website

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AND FINALLY:

Finding Time for Weight Loss 

by Pam Finkelman
We find the time
For shopping trips,
To text our friends,
Fix nails that chip

We find the time
To be a fan,
To coach a team
And drive the van

We find the time
For Facebook views,
To play a game
Or take a snooze

We find the time
To read a book
Post our pics,
Bait a hook

If we find time
To watch the ‘Wives
We can find time
To change our lives!

See you in your meeting this week :)

Check back to the blog on Wednesday for my recipe of the week...

Cocktail Noshing?

Do you sometimes wish that you could find some very low PointsPlus Values crackers or pita chips to dip into your salsa for a "cheap" after work, pre-supper snack?   How about some alternatives to nuts?  Sweet and spicy popcorn? Plus more...  


Below are 5 very tasty and simple recipes:

Garlicky Pita Chips
2 PPV per serving.
Serves 4.

~  Set the oven to 350 deg.
~  Take 4 (6" round) whole grain pita rounds and split them in half, then cut them into 1" wide strips or wedges.  Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.  Mix together 2 egg whites (beaten), 2 or 3 minced cloves of garlic, 1/2 tsp Herbes de Province, salt and ground black pepper.   Using a pastry brush brush the mixture onto the "rough" side of the pita bread and place on the cookie sheet - smooth side down.  Sprinkle 2 TBSP parmesan cheese over the strips of pita.
~  Bake until the edges are golden and the pita pieces are crispy - usually takes 8 - 10 minutes.  Remove them from the oven and cool completely on a cooling rack.  They will keep in an airtight container for 4 or 5 days.

Roasted Chickpeas
These are a delicious alternative to peanuts or cashew nuts with your glass of wine.   They are a little spicy, but you can control how much spice you add.
3 PPV per serving.
Serves 4.

~ Set the oven to 375 deg.
~ Spray a cookie sheet with raised sides with cooking spray.  Drain a 15.5 oz can  of chickpeas, rince then and dry well with paper towels and place in a mixing bowl.  Sprinkle some garlic powder, onion powder and red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper over the peas and toss to coat.  Place them on the cookie sheet in a single layer.
~ Roast them in the oven for approximately 45-50 minutes until they are browned and a little crispy, move them around on the cookie sheet every 20 minutes or so to turn them to brown all sides.  You can leave them in the oven longer for a crispier finish.  Cool them and serve.

Sweet and Spicy Popcorn
1 PPV per serving.
Serves 4.

~ Place 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels into a brown lunch bag.  Fold down the end of the bag and microwave on high for 2 to 2 1/4 minutes until the popping ceases.  (It burns quickly so be sure to stop the cooking as soon as you no longer hear popping sounds).  Mix together; 1 TBSP sugar, pinch of ground cinnamon, a pinch of ground allspice or a pinch of ground clove (or both), pinch of ground ginger or ground nutmeg (or both).
~ As soon as the popcorn is cooked and while still warm, tip into a mixing bowl, spray with butter spray tossing while spraying and then sprinkle on the dry spicy mixture and toss again to coat all the kernels.
(By the way this is one of Jennifer Hudson's favorites)

Here are a couple more "cocktail hour" quick and low PPV noshing ideas.  I have not figured out the value of these... they're not zero, it's quick and easy to figure it out based on how many you consume.

Caprese Skewers - take a cocktail stick and, in this order, place a, cherry tomato followed by a whole (small) basil leaf followed by a 1/4" piece of mozzarella cheese on the cocktail stick.  Place on the platter and drizzle with a little balsamic vinegar and a teeny bit of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Dill Shrimp - Mix together 2 tsp minced shallots, 1 TBSP finely chopped dill, 3 TBSP lemon juice, 1 TBSP olive oil and pinch each of salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl.  Take 12 - 18 large shrimp that have been peeled and deveined and toss them in the dill mixture and serve on cocktail sticks.  


This is such a tasty alternative to regular shrimp cocktail - you can add a couple of dashes of Tabasco Sauce to ramp up the heat if that takes your fancy!


Come back on Sunday for the next posting on my blog!

REVEILLE

Bugle Calls

Bugle calls are musical signals that announce scheduled and certain non-scheduled events on an Army installation.

Reveille is the "Wake Up" call used at sunrise on military installations, but we mostly associate it with a new start.  - So today I want to play reveille for YOU to help you get a NEW START on the program. 

U.S.A.  REVEILLE

Summer can bring a more relaxed following of the Program, derailing members’ healthy eating habits, activity, and weight-loss progress.  Labor Day signals the beginning of Fall.  The Fall season is the season when nature begins to clear out the old and the begin the renewal process; this is the time when the trees discard their leaves in preparation for the new growth.  

Is it time to clear our brains of the "old", more relaxed behaviors and begin the renewal process?  Time to come recommit?  Time to come and learn the new program and make it work for you?  

Is this the time to clear out our kitchen cabinets, refrigerators and freezers?  Lose for Good is in full swing - come and add your kitchen "extras" to our collection of food for the food pantries we are supporting.

Take a look at the "Lose for Good" Tab at the top of the page to see how your meeting did with weight loss this week.  Oh, and not that I am here to smack any wrists; but hmmmm can I just say --- disappointing weight loss this week...

Here is a reminder of the 4 program tools:

1.  Stick to Your Daily Points Plus Target

2.  Power Up

3.  Treat Yourself

4.  Get Up and Go.

In the meeting I suggested that the program "doesn't work" by following 3 out of the 4 tools.  I want to state it here, the members who are most effective at loosing weight and maintaining are those who embrace ALL 4! 

I also want to suggest that the third tool, "Treat Yourself", is the one that most often derails us.  Those members who understand this tool, embrace it and use it well are the ones who stick around for the long term - and sticking around ABSOLUTELY results in the best outcome.  It's the difference between using this as a "diet" or a "quick fix" and making long term changes to ensure good health, taking the longer view.

The meeting is the place where we get motivation and inspiration to follow the program and embrace the 4 tools.  Come to a meeting - Capiche?!

In the upcoming week in the meeting...

If someone asked you to describe how you follow PointsPlus, what would you say?  You can probably name the key elements of the Program, but consider: Could what you leave out hold the key to your success?  We are going to figure out what we need to do to have  "ONE MAGICAL WEEK"

......

S E P T E M B E R   S A V I N G S

$4.95 SALE   $4.95 SALE   $4.95 SALE   $4.95 SALE   $4.95 SALE   $4.95 SALE

G O I N G      G O I N G       G O N E

OATMEAL

Usually sell for $5.95      ON SALE           for $4.95

MINI BARS

Usually sell for $7.50      ON SALE           for $4.95

SMOOTHIES

Usually sell for $7.50      ON SALE           for $4.95

......

Have you heard the news?
Bragging rights ---- BIG TIME --- 
Were #1!

Weight Watchers Scores Highest in First-Ever U.S. News and World Reports Rankings of Weight Loss Programs.

Weight Watchers® is proud to have been recognized as the Best Diet Plan for Weight Loss and the Best Commercial Diet Plan in the U.S. News & World Report first-ever Best Diets rankings, published online today. U.S. News & World Report determined its rankings by bringing together an independent panel of 22 scientific experts including nutritionists, dietitians, cardiologists, and diabetologists.

An ever-growing body of clinical research supports the Weight Watchers approach to weight loss, which is built on healthful eating, physical activity, behavior modification, and support. Based on the rankings, the experts recognized how effective the Weight Watchers approach is in helping consumers achieve short- and long-term weight loss. 

...

CONSIDER THE MOSO BAMBOO TREE

The Moso bamboo tree grows in the far east. When first planted, the tree shows no visible growth for up to five years.  None!

To the eye, the tree just sits there. 

But then, as if by magic, the tree begins to grow at a rate of 2½ feet per day.  In six weeks the tree reaches its full height of 90 feet - in just six weeks!

But it isn't magic. The five years it seemingly just sat there dormant, the tree was putting out miles of roots. Just because we couldn't see visible growth, doesn't mean it wasn't growing. The root system that took five years to establish allows for this phenomenal growth.

And so it goes with weight loss!

Even if the scale doesn't show your progress that week, you are developing the habits you need for life & the results will show if you stick to it.

Don't ever give up!

.....

09/11/11  In Memoriam

.....

I look forward to seeing you in your meeting this week.


Check back here on Wednesday for another delicious recipe.

Speedy and Effortless Chicken Goujons

I know that sometimes I joke about having a chicken farm "out back", but this is so quick and so easy, it's a no-fuss 30 minute supper.  

Course: Supper / light meals
Serves: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
PPV Per Serving:  6


INGREDIENTS:


2 skinless boneless chicken breasts
1 egg
1/4 C fat-free milk
1/4 C whole wheat flour (or use all purpose if you prefer)
1/2 C dried bread crumbs
1 or 2 TBSP Mrs. Dash seasoning (I like the lemon pepper but use your favorite)
olive oil or Pam spray

INSTRUCTIONS:


~ Set the oven to 425 deg.
~ Beat the egg and milk together and place in a low sided bowl
~ Mix the flour, bread crumbs and seasoning together and place in a large sealable bag - you're going to shake the strips in the mixture in the bag.
~ Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray well.
~ Cut your chicken breast into strips - they should be no thicker than the thickness of your thumb, but any length.
~ Now, working quickly take 3 or 4 pieces of chicken at a time, dunk them first in the egg mixture and let the excess drip off before dropping the pieces into your baggie of crumbs.  Do all the chicken pieces so that you have them all together when you shake them with the crumbs.  They really should not be too wet otherwise you'll end up with a mess!
~ Individually place the strips onto the prepared cookie sheet and spray the top with more oil spray; you should get them all covered.  (if you are not quite ready to cook them - you can place them in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour at this stage but don't spray them until you are ready to cook them)
~ Cook in the oven for about 15 minutes till they are golden brown.

They go great served over a green salad or even as dippers with some BBQ sauce or spicy ketchup.  Don't forget to count PPV for any extras you add...

Check back on Sunday for my next Blog "missive"  
Stay dry and warm  -  PS Summer is coming back next week.

What is LOSE FOR GOOD?

This is a super long newsletter / post this week, but I have lots and lots of news!

Read on!

What is Lose for Good?

Great Question! 

This is the 4th Annual Initiative.  Weight Watchers is teaming up with meeting members and charitable partners to help fight hunger.  As you lose weight and participate in activities this year you can help us to donate up to $1,000,000 during the campaign.  Good Luck!


More Information on the "Lose For Good" Tab above.

Each week, I'll post the meetings successes:

I'm setting a target for the 7 weeks: 18 meetings (2 are likely to be added within the next 2 weeks) so lets aim for a total weight loss of 2,800 LBS for the 7 weeks!

Weight Lost by Meeting - Workplace (AT WORK) meetings, you can identify your company's meeting by the first 3 letters of your company name.  Traditional meeting members, you can identify your meeting by the day you attend and the location which is italicized.

Sunday:

Newton Closed Due to TS Irene

Monday:

Newton:  8.6

Alk:  6.6

Waltham (5:30) 47.6

Waltham (7:00)  26.8

Tuesday

Pal:  19.4

Acm: 21.6

Bra:  16.6

Nua:  11.2

Wednesday

Newton:  38.8

Per:  4.2

ACE:  8.8

IBM:  8.0

Burlington:  18.6

Thursday

Adn:  4.4

Tuf:  11.6

ABT:  8.8

Newton:  31.8

Friday

Nov:  11.2

Week 1 TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS:  Tadaaaaa!   304.6  Very Nicely Done  :)

This week I am focusing on how to kick start weight loss again ... the "nitty gritties" of the program - don't miss the meeting, a lively discussion is likely!

What else is new this week?

Sale in the Meeting Room:

 

Your favorite Mini Bars, Oatmeal and Smoothies are back on SALE for $4.95

(including the newest flavors - Toasted Coconut Dream Mini Bars and Creme Brulee Smoothies).

BTW We are sampling the newest Mini Bars so make some time to come to the meeting this week for your taster!

Oh, and here is a cool thing:

Weight Watchers is currently working out the bugs on the e-tools feature, but as soon as they do, when you weigh in at a Weight Watchers Center that is computerised, you will see your latest weight automatically pop up in your personal e-tools account.  I will keep you informed as to the latest information as they are working through the kinks. 
If you don't see this happening and you'd like to call Weight Watchers,
the # is 800-651-6000. 

Call Center Hours are

M to F 7 AM to 10 PM EST

Sat & Sun 8 AM to 6 PM EST

And - did you read this?

We're Partnering with Dr. Oz.

Dr. Oz's Transforming Nation: Million Dollar You" aims to start a health revolution

In an unprecedented collaboration coming this fall, Weight Watchers will team up with Dr. Oz, the most trusted voice on health and wellness in daytime television, to kick off a health challenge that will ultimately drive new members to Weight Watchers meeting rooms.

From September 2011 to April 2012, Dr. Oz will use his top-rated program, The Dr. Oz Show, as a platform for promoting “Transformation Nation: Million Dollar You,” designed to get Americans living better and stronger by following seven simple steps. A $1 million prize will go to one lucky winner, all participants must get a Dr. Oz Official Weigh-In at Weight Watchers at the start and end of the challenge.

For current members, this is a great opportunity to join the challenge, recommit to weight loss, and possibly become a finalist for the $1 million prize!

We'll probably see an injection of new members because of this which is so exciting because, as I am sure you have experienced, lively, vibrant, buzzing meeting rooms are very stimulating and motivational. 

One More Piece of Great News:

2011 Inspiring Stories Contest.

P.S  Grand-prize includes fashion consultation with Tim GunnYou've reached a healthier weight and thrown out all of your “before” clothing. Now you need a whole new wardrobe! Wouldn’t it be great to be awarded a complimentary shopping spree? That’s just one of the prizes in the Weight Watchers Inspiring Stories Contest, which kicks off September 4 and runs through October 8. The Grand-prize winner will receive a trip for two to New York City, a $5,000 shopping spree, and a styling session with Project Runway fashion consultant Tim Gunn!  In addition, 100 first-prize winners will receive a $100 gift card to a major retailer.

Starting TODAY you can enter the contest online at Weight Watchers Inspiring Stories Contest.  You will also see mail-in entry forms in meeting rooms during the contest period.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE achieved your goal to enter the contest. You do, however, need to have lost weight at the recommended average rate (no more than two pounds per week)

To enter, you must complete an entry form and provide these items:

• Essay (400 words or less) explaining why they should be the Weight Watchers Inspiring Stories Contest Winner
• Jpeg attachment of before and after photos; or if mailed in, non-returnable before and after photos taped to a separate 8.5 X 11 sheet of paper labeled with their name, address, and phone number
• Copies of weight records noting their start weight/date; goal weight/date (if reached); and most current weight/date
  Good luck!

In closing - here's something you may like:

Be Smart Restart

By Pam Finkelman

Summer is over
Vacation is through
Board walks are empty
Fried clams out of view

Review the program
Reset our goals
Recapture our mojo
Let’s regain control

We’re Losing for Good
We’ll restart TODAY
Cause Thanksgiving is only
Ten weeks away!



See you later this week  :)

Warmly

Nina