Odds and Ends....

I'm sorry I missed last week's blog posting, I had a "heck" of a weekend and just never got to sit down for the 2 or so hours that I need to prepare a posting for the blog.  This week, we'll catch up with some odds and ends I would like to share with you, beginning with a recipe:

Chili Turkey (Soup)

A member in my meeting last week sent me this (which she got from another leader) and it sounded so good, I had to share it.  I put it though the Weight Watcher's Recipe Builder online to verify the PPV.  There are no red or black beans in the recipe.

The entire recipe came to 34 PPV (that's for the WHOLE POT), and I figured out that if you got 
8 - 12 Portions from the batch that would make it 3 PPV per serving
More than that will reduce the PPV per serving by 1 PPV.

It's a filling recipe, almost all of the ingredients are POWER FOODS - remember if you change the ingredients or alter the recipe or add beans or cheese, that will alter the PPV per serving.  To make it more "SOUPY" than casserole, simply add more chicken broth and/or a second can of chopped tomatoes.

The recipe is prepared in a 10 qt stockpot:
Saute 1 LB of 99% FF ground turkey breast (spray the pan with cooking spray)
Add:
2 medium diced onions

1 can (14oz) diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
2 med sized zucchini, chopped
2 med sized summer squash, chopped
1/2 head cabbage, chopped
2 cups chopped green beans
32 oz fat-free (low sodium) chicken broth
1 tsp chopped garlic
1-2 packets McCormicks Mild (or hot) Chili Seasoning (to your taste)

Simmer everything together until the veggies are soft.  Serve as soup with bread or, if more casseroley; with rice or on a baked potato.

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I cant believe it is the end of the month of September, wow!

This week, all week in the meeting room, we have been talking about the fact that it's 8 weeks to Thanksgiving and I have challenged members to come up with your own mini goal for each of the 8 weeks ahead based on a theme suggested by Weight Watchers Training Team.

I'll give you some thoughts about how to begin that (and the weekly themes) below, but first, I wanted to share some thoughts about how you might feel if you have some weight management success between now and then...

Research shows that we're capable of losing 1/2 to 2 pounds of weight on average per week, that means with some thought and planning you could attempt a 4, 6, 8, 10 or even more LBS loss between now and then.

Imagine how you would feel with 8 LBS gone?  That could be a reduction in one clothing size, a more comfortable jeans day, the difference between wearing a belt or not and even a more agreeable ride in the airplane seat.  It could mean some nice compliments from your loved ones or the opportunity to influence a family member who needs to get healthy and is reluctant to get started!

Now - take some paper and a pen and begin by writing yourself a mini-goal that you know you can stick to for each of the following weeks:

Week ONE
Track and review, what small goal could you set for yourself?  E.G.  If you were able to track dinner 5 nights this week, would that make a difference to your efforts?  Look over your tracker every day to see what you could learn from yesterday's efforts.  Bring your tracker to your next meeting.
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Week TWO
Friends without Food, what could you do instead of meeting up for dinner or lunch, and with whom?

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Week THREE

Evening Snacks, are you a post dinner nosher?  Do you track and keep control when you do?  Do you have a goal in mind for this week?  Write yourself a mini goal for the week.

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Week FOUR
Activity helps, find a new or renew your commitment to an old activity for just 10 minutes a day this week - what will it be?

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Week FIVE
Time for me, just how could you "steal" 5 minutes a day for yourself?  Use the time to plan what you'd like to do for yourself for your Weight Watchers efforts for the day tomorrow....
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Week SIX
Power Up, this is the week to try something new, make your goal a "power food" goal.  Do you want to try 3 new vegetables this week?  Do you want to make sure that there are at least 3 or 4 colors on your plate at each mealtime or is this the week to try brown rice or quinnoa?  You decide!

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Week SEVEN
Make a losing list, write one now and then every day in week seven you'll add to a list of why you want to lose the weight and take care of yourself.

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Week EIGHT

Lighten Up, no, not your attitude (in fact it'll be the week to take the topic seriously), write yourself a goal to work with the recipe/s that you'll be responsible for at the Thanksgiving Table; to try and figure out their true points or to find a lighter alternative.  Decide right now what you'd like to do when that week comes around!

Once your goals are written be sure to place this list in an accessible place so that you can actually plan and execute each week to achieve your goals!  

If you came to the meeting this week, bring your "Weekly" magazine with you to every meeting for the next 7 weeks - if not, I'll try to make sure you get one this week as long as my supplies hold out!

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News from Weight Watchers:

3 Fabulous new products this week:

• Raisin 'n Honey Cereal Bar (NO NUTS) for 3 PPV (5 to a box)  $4.95
• Harvest Grains Snack Cracker for 3 PPV (6 to a box)  $4.95
• Garden Veggie "Heat 'n Eat" Cup Omelette (2 to a box)  $4.95

... and don't forget the NEW Caramel Cinnamon Bun Mini Bar that launched a couple of weeks ago!

AND FINALLY:

Did you happen to hear the NPR article that mentions Weight Watchers, recently?

Boomer Women Prove They Can Dine Out And Still Lose Weight


"When women go on a diet, we tend to avoid our favorite restaurants because they are filled with temptations — bread, booze and desserts. But are we doomed to sit in our kitchens eating salad alone while everyone else is headed out on the town if we want to keep the weight off?
Take heart, ladies. A new study of women in their 50s and early 60s finds they could eat out and still succeed at long-term weight loss...."


Have a great week everyone - see you in your meeting this coming week!

It's not the minutes spent at the table that put on weight, ....

... It's the SECONDS!

I often hear from members that they eat well, work out, drink less alcohol and yet the scale doesn't move.  Many of us have experienced that, right?  What is it?  Clearly something is wrong, and we would swear up and down that it's our metabolism, medication, sodium intake, hydration or dehydration levels, but NOT a chance that it's what we are eating, because, after all, we are eating well, working out and drinking less alcohol!

Here is the bad news:  It's the calories we take in vs the calories we use that determine the scale result.  In other words, it's most often the quantity of food, even "good" food that is the culprit.

The easiest PLACE to limit portions and assist your weight loss effort is at home and when you pack meals to go.  Here are some tips that come from the Weight Watchers UK website:  (In the UK, "ProPoints" are PointsPlus)

Practicing portions at home

• Use smaller plates or bowls to downsize your portions.
• Only cook the amount you need at mealtimes. If you do have leftovers, freeze or refrigerate them immediately to discourage you from eating seconds you haven't planned for.
• Avoid eating straight from the packet - you may eat more than you realise - use a plate or bowl and make sure you track it.
• Buy pre-portioned foods or 'bag up' your favourite munchies into single serving bags or containers. You’re less likely to eat ten individual servings but it’s easy to get through a large bag.
• Fill your plate with Filling & Healthy foods, such as zero ProPoints value fresh fruit and vegetables or salad, so there's less room for ProPoints value loaded items and you're still getting a filling serving.

There is no question that when we do "overeat" it's NOT something we are doing "on purpose".  In other words, this is NOT an accusation, it's an observation of natural & normal human behavior.  Successful members report to me that their top 4 behaviors for success are:

(a)  Consistant Tracking

(b)  Active portion control

(c)  Planning meals and shopping well

(d)  Consciously moving more.

I've highlighted the Weight Watchers portion controlled "Easy Measure Serving Set".  These, in my opinion, are a must have.  Principally because they make measuring the portions we eat simple and easy.  They're a $19.95 investment, and, in the words of the Ford motor-car advertisements - "ask someone you know who has them..."  I've never had a single member whose purchased them tell me they regret their purchase!  With the holidays in sight, get them now and be ready.

I want to finish by saying:  Be sure to really ENJOY what you eat; please don't diet, but do so modestly and with awareness of how much.  That WILL make a difference on the scale!

Items on sale at the moment:

Mini Bars     Usually $7.50       ON SALE FOR $4.95

• Mint Cookie Crisp
• Chocolate Caramel
• Chocolate Pretzel Blasts
• Lemon Mousse Pie
• Toasted Coconut Dream
• Praline Nut Cluster
• *NEW* Toffee Peanut Perfection
• *NEW* Caramel Cinnamon Bun

Smoothies     Usually $7.50       ON SALE FOR $4.95

• Creamy Chocolate
• French Vanilla
• *NEW* Salted Caramel
• and, where available Creamy Coconut 

Oatmeal     Usually $5.95       ON SALE FOR $4.95

• Harvest Berries and Cream
• Maple Brown Sugar

MEMBER KITS     

• DELUXE Kit    50% off     

Usually $44.95

ON SALE FOR $22.45

• ESSENTIAL Kit    50% off     

Usually $24.95

ON SALE FOR $12.45

To end this week's blog:

Giving thought to the 4 top strategies that successful members use, it occurs to me that there are at least 4 or 5 others that members speak about often:

~  Attending meetings, Weight Watchers research shows that members that come to meetings undoubtedly lose more weight (and keep it off) that members who try going it alone.

~  Read and use the Weight Watchers collateral: the Weight Watchers Weekly Magazine, the online offerings; articles, recipes and success stories.

~  Refresh your efforts by staying after the meeting to hear the "PowerStart" Session.

~  Ask questions, share your success and frustrations and bond with members in your meeting room.  Don't ever leave the meeting without satisfying YOUR needs during that time.

~  Reward yourself for your successes - without food!

Please comment on this blog if there are any other strategies you employ to aid your success.  Thank YOU for being a part of my community; together we're Weight Watchers buddies.

AND FINALLY:

L'Shanah Tovah! ❤

Recipe Roundup

Once in a while time defeats me, I have no doubt that you know that feeling...  It seems like I have many balls in the air today and time is flying, but I do want to keep my promise to post every week and so I hope you'll accept these recipes as this weeks motivational blog post?  Thank-you!

Yummy Hash Browns

Weight Watchers Recipe

4  PointsPlus Values per serving,                      Serves: 4
Prep time:  10 min,                                             Cook time:  13 min

Vinegar adds flavor, but minimal calories and no fat, to this classic potato recipe.   Great as a side dish with everything from breakfast to dinner.

Ingredients

2 large potatoes, Idaho, peeled and shredded   

2 tsp olive oil   

1/2 tsp paprika   

1/2 tsp table salt   

1/4 tsp black pepper   

1/3 cup(s) reduced-sodium chicken broth   

2 Tbsp red wine vinegar   

Instructions

• Place potatoes in a large saucepan and add enough water to cover them; set pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Boil 5 minutes; drain and set aside.

• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add potatoes, paprika, salt and pepper; stir to coat. Sauté 2 minutes and then add broth and vinegar; cook until liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes. Yields about 1/2 cup per serving.

Notes

• Give this recipe a sweet flavor: Substitute a yam for a regular potato and then add 1/4 teaspoon of red curry powder, which is both hot and sweet tasting, along with the other seasonings (could affect PointsPlus values).

Double-Chocolate Pudding

Weight Watchers Recipe  

3  PointsPlus Values per serving,                      Serves: 6
Prep time:  5 min                                                   Cook time:  5 min

A super-rich, double-chocolate treat. This is a great dessert for serving to company because it tastes so rich and decadent; your guests'll say "I thought you were on Weight Watchers"!  Don't you just love when that happens.  Though we serve it chilled, its fabulous eaten warm, too.

Ingredients

1 oz bittersweet chocolate   

2 cup(s) low-fat chocolate milk, at room temperature, divided   

3 Tbsp cornstarch   

6 Tbsp aerosol whipped cream   

Instructions

• In a small pot, over very low heat, melt chocolate, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Add 1 1/2 cups milk and cook, stirring occasionally, to combine, about 1 to 2 minutes.

• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix remaining 1/2 cup milk with cornstarch until well-blended with no lumps; add to pan with chocolate-milk mixture. Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil, stirring constantly; boil for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low and cook until thickened, about 30 seconds; pour about 1/3 cup pudding into each of 6 small ramekins. Cover ramekins with plastic wrap, pressing plastic down onto the surface of pudding (so skins don't form) and refrigerate until chilled. When ready to serve, top with whipped cream. Yields about 1/3 cup pudding and 1 tablespoon whipped cream per serving.

And also, this came up in a meeting recently and with fall getting closer, I thought it was worth re-posting today:  

Roasted Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Serves 8  
Yields 8 cups.

PPV per serving 2

This one is from my own kitchen and it's called "BACK on TRACK Soup"!  It takes a little more work that the usual everyday filling soup, but it's worth the effort for the flavor.

Ingredients

1 medium head of cauliflower - sliced into 3/4 inch thick slices

sprinkling of garlic salt

1 TBSP olive oil

1/2 cup (1 small) diced celery root (celeriac)

1/4 cup diced red onion

48 oz low sodium chicken broth

2 tsp dried thyme

2 bay leaves

Celeriac is an untidy 
looking root.  It's 
fairly easy to peel 
with a knife.

ground black pepper

3 TBSP grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

~ Preheat the oven to 450 deg and prepare a baking sheet by covering with aluminium foil and a coating of olive oil spray or other non-stick spray.

~ Slice the cauliflower into cross-section slices about 3/4" thick and lay them on the pan, spray with the olive oil spray and sprinkle with garlic salt.  Roast in the oven, turning the slices over to cook evenly for about 20 - 25 minutes until soft and with touches of golden brown.

~ In a large, heavy bottomed pot, heat the oil and saute the onion and celeriac until softened and translucent.  Add the roasted cauliflower, the thyme, bay leaves, pepper and the broth.  Put a lid on the pot and cook for 30 minutes.

~ Fish out the bay leaves before blending the soup with your jug or stick blender.

~ Upon serving - once you've ladled it into bowls top off with a rounded teaspoon of grated Parmesan cheese.

Lose For Good Open Houses on Saturday 09/15.

The Newton Store and the Stoneham Store are open all day on Saturday to collect your non-perishable food donations for our annual LOSE FOR GOOD Food Drive, which this year is a one-day event.  Please drop by either center and come and stay for a while.  We are combining the food drive with a FUN Day!  Games, Raffles, Prizes, Special Joining Offers, Presentations, Demonstrations and much more!!!

BRING your Food Contribution...
BRING your other half, your sister, your mom, your dad, your bro, your neighbor, your tennis partner, your golfing buddy, your kid, your best friend AND your auntie!
BRING yourself and come and help us fight hunger.

I'll be hanging out at the Stoneham Store all day, here is our poster:

 You are invited to our OPEN HOUSE 

to support Weight Watchers LOSE FOR GOOD

Join us on: Saturday, September 15th

6:00 am - 5:00 pm

At our **BRAND*NEW** Store
in Stoneham

Redstone Plaza, 81 Main Street, Stoneham

ü  Food drive; bring non-perishable food to help our local food bank

ü  Special Offer one day only, for you and a friend

ü  Meet one on one with WW staff

ü  BMI calculations and “healthy weight” conferences

ü  Connect with other members

ü  Help us to FIGHT HUNGER

ü  Presentations, Games, Raffles & Prizes!

Scheduled Presentations

1:30-2:15 pm       Presentation: “Healthy Eating on a Budget”

2:30-3:15 pm       Meet Cathy who lost 84.2 pounds on Weight Watchers in 2010 and changed her life!

3:30-4:30 pm       Demonstration and Recipe: Knife Skills “Slicing Fruit is Easy”! Plus a recipe from “Tastier than Takeout” cookbook

4:30-4:45 pm       Appearance by a representative from the food bank

4:45 - 5:00 pm     Raffle Drawing and Close

All are Welcome ~ BRING A FRIEND

• Members                • Prospective Members               • Non-Members

Come and Meet “Bernie 

the Banana” – He’s “Free”!

And Finally:

“An open mind leaves a chance for someone to drop a worthwhile thought in it”

Mark Twain

Lose Weight and Help Make a Difference!

It's LOSE FOR GOOD time again!

This is the fifth year that Weight Watchers has challenged us, the members, to lose weight for the opportunity to make a difference in the world.  And those of you who know me well, know that this is one of the WW initiatives that I throw myself into wholeheartedly!  Please join me in doing so.

THESE ARE WORDS FROM WEIGHT WATCHERS:

"The goal for our fifth annual Lose For Good® campaign, running September 2 through October 20, is: As members shed pounds, Weight Watchers® will donate up to $1 million to our charitable partners, Share Our Strength® and Action Against Hunger, to help fight hunger here and a round the world. But in 2012, we’re going about it differently".  

Here is what you can do to get involved:

#1  LOSE WEIGHT

As in previous years, we are encouraging all members to make the most of this 7 weeks challenge to lose as much as possible (up to 2 lbs per week).  Your weight loss will be added to the total for members across the country and Weight Watchers pledges to match your weight loss in $$, up to $1m, in donations to help fight hunger here in America and in the world.

If your membership has lapsed, or your motivation has waned, or your attendance has faltered - here is a great opportunity to "renew your vows"!

#2  DONATE FOOD 

STONEHAM STORE IN
REDSTONE PLAZA

This year we're doing the food collection slightly differently, we are holding a ONE DAY event in all our "fixed location" stores, Newton, Woburn and the newest location that we opened this week ... Stoneham (in Redstone Plaza).  The event will be a combination Open House and a Food Drive and I'd like to personally invite you to come along to any of the three locations to spend some time with us.  I'll be at the new location in Stoneham all day.  All three locations are planning fun and games!!!  

~ "Live" inspirational weight loss story presentations from successful members,

~ E-tools and ActiveLink demos,

~ PowerStart Meetings,

~ Smoothie Tastings,

~ Knife Skills Demos,

~ Acceptance of non-perishable foods (in the past I've asked members to consider donating their weight loss total in cans or other non-perishables -- one can being close enough to 1 pound).  

PS - if you have a "reluctant" potential joiner and you'd like them to get a GREAT impression of what an fun and upbeat community we are - this is THE PERFECT opportunity to bring them along to meet us.  There will be no pressure for them, just some fun and motivation!

Alternatively, if you can't make it to one of our "fun days", please make your food donation directly to the local food pantry in your community.  You can oftentimes do this at the local supermarket.  Or click here for a website to help you locate one.

#3  DONATE DIRECTLY TO OUR CHARITABLE PARTNERS 

If you'd like to consider donating directly to one of our charitable partners, here are the links to their websites.  Share Our Strength® and Action Against Hunger.  You may want to consider a donation to match Weight Watchers' of $1 per pound you have lost :)

#4  LOOZA-PALOOZA DAY 

LOSE-A-PALOOZA is a one day social media event for the Lose For Good campaign.  There are many ways to participate in Lose-A-Palooza on Sept 18 this year.  The website is www.loseapalooza.com.

I hope you'll join me and "make a difference" this year :)

More news from Weight Watchers:

We’re excited to announce a host of new restaurants recently added to our eTools food database. Bon appetite! New listings include:

• Chop’t
• Chuck-E Cheese
• Cinnabon
• Cosi
• iHop
• Jamba Juice
• Just Salad
• Krispy Kreme
• Panera
• PF Chang’s
• Pinkberry
• Popeye’s
• Quiznos
• Red Robin
• Ruby Tuesday
• Tossed
• TGI Friday’s

Please help us keep the databases working for all; report any issues by emailing ReportAFood@weightwatchers.com.  Thanks!

SOUPER HUMAN QUALITIES...

As summer cools down, soup season heats up! Now you can indulge in two new rich and creamy flavors of Progresso® Light soup without splurging. They’re just 2 PointsPlus values (100 calories or less) per serving!

Creamy Potato with Bacon and Cheese boasts pieces of potato with savory bacon and cheese flavor.

Chicken Pot Pie Style goes home-style with cuts of white-meat chicken, hearty potatoes, and classic vegetables.

And Finally - about "all or nothing thinking"...

I should mention that I had an epiphany this week (being an all or nothing gal, myself); there is NOTHING wrong with this line of thought provided it's correctly directed... for instance:
I can give my ALL in the 10 minute walk that I have time for; I can run/walk instead of just walking.  
I can give my ALL in the 15 minutes that I have to make a healthy lunch, by taking a minute of the 15 to ask myself - if I wanted to be "on plan" what would be my strategy right now?  
And, I can give my ALL at the time for appetizers at the bar of my favorite restaurant when I don't want to be triggered;  I can ask the server to suggest the best and least "fattening" option and order without even looking at the menu!

Giving our ALL in short bursts can make ALL the difference when we feel challenged.  Please Please don't use it as a chance to get mad at yourself for NOT giving your ALL!  

We are closed on Labor Day - have a fabulous long weekend - see you next week.