Contempt or Content:

What's your Weight Watcher's Experience?

from Merrium-Webster.com and from Dictionary.com:
CONTEMPT: (n)

a : the act of despising : the state of mind of one who despises : disdain

b : lack of respect or reverence for something

CONTENT: (adj)
a : pleased and satisfied : not needing more

b : satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.

If you're feeling less than satisfied with your weight management I wonder if it has anything to do with the way you "see" yourself carrying out the day to day tasks of your weight journey?  What happens when you slip up?  In which situations do you tend to berate or scold yourself?  Does talking to yourself that way tend to motivate you to find your way or does it send you off on a deeper path?  Do you believe that being kind to yourself is selfish?

Remind yourself that ups and downs are a natural part of weight management and they're bound to happen to all of us.  That means when you scold yourself after eating the 5th cookie from the sleeve, you're actually berating yourself for something that is NOT going to be changed by that rebuke!

So, how do we make the change?  Good question!
First, we have to try to understand what keeps us from being compassionate to ourselves and secondly working to find specific ways to cultivate self compassion, such as:
1.  Use a positive mantras to counteract Automatic Negative Thoughts (A.N.T).
2.  REFRAMING:  Look for the positive intent behind the negative behavior,  acknowledging it then find an alternative way to achieve the positive intention.  (e.g. Take a hot shower for comfort instead of eating comfort food)
3.  Invoke the help of one or more of our 5 new BFF's whom we met in the meeting this week:
~  The Security Blanket
~  The Answer Lady
~  The Straight Shooter
~  The Self Carer, and
~  The Adventurer
4.  Remember that food is for "Nourishment", not "Nurture-ment"
NURTURING COMES FROM WITHIN.

And, finally for those who asked me:
BEING NICE TO YOURSELF 
By Linda Wilwert
WW Leader

Today I overheard a conversation, and it made me very sad.
You see it was about the very best friend I ever had.

They said that when she looked in a mirror the only thing she’d see
Is where the little was too big and where the big just shouldn’t be.

She’s critical of every little thing she ever does– right to the letter;
She blames herself for all that’s wrong – after all, she should know better.

They said she hates her body – but of course, why wouldn’t she?
“What is there to love,” she’d say, “when you have a shape like me?”

They said they’ve heard her say awful things about herself– so many, such a shame;
But when they ask her why, she said, it’s herself who is to blame.

She never seems to lose her weight or if she does, she gains it back.
Just when things are going well, she sabotages every snack.

She heard them say she’s sorry but there’s nothing she can do
They see her cry and never laugh and always look so blue.

She knows she is responsible for everything that could go wrong
She looks at life so sadly and sings the same sad song.

Today I overheard a conversation and it made me very sad.
You see it was about the very best friend I ever had.

The conversation that I heard, I heard before getting out of bed.
The conversation was the one I heard from deep inside MY head.

So today’s for starting over; starting over fresh and new
Today is for forgiving myself for silly things I do.

It’s about letting go – for changing things and for saying “I BELIEVE”
In all the big and little things all along the journey I’ve ACHIEVED!

I’ve missed so much by looking down; I could have looked so far ahead,
Today is for changing that and being NICE TO ME instead!!

Today’s a day for saying “ I can do this too!”
Today SOMEONE deserves the best of everything
PLEASE MAKE THAT SOMEONE YOU!

IN YOUR MEETING ROOM NOW:

Tastier Than Takeout

We’re excited to release our newest cookbook, Tastier Than Takeout. You’ll recreate dishes from your favorite diner and deli, including BLTs and Turkey Burgers.  With Tastier Than Takeout you can prepare restaurant favorites at home in 30 minutes or less and save not only on money, but on PointsPlus^® values, too!   Priced at 9:95 - get them while we have them!

BOGO - Buy One Get One Snack Bars—Just $.50 per bar!

With our three delicious flavors—Oh, So Nuts! Snack Bar, Aloha! Almond Snack Bar, and Berry-licious Cashew Chew Snack Bar—you're sure to find a variety that satisfies your cravings.
Packed with real almonds, peanuts, cashews, and real fruit, these bars offer natural satisfaction—with no artificial flavors or colors!

Normal Price $4.95  (5 bars per box)
Sale Price $5.00 gets you 2 boxes!
Mix and Match Flavors

We ♥ Yoplait Light!

Weight Watchers endorses 37 delicious yogurt flavors

It’s time to spoon up some new yogurts! We're phasing out production of Weight Watchers Yogurt, we’re pleased to announce Weight Watchers endorsement of 37 varieties of Yoplait Light yogurts.

Starting in June, look in your local market for updated Yoplait Light packaging with the Weight Watchers shield and PointsPlus value icon. Our Yoplait Light endorsement will have broad distribution and allow Weight Watchers members to find Weight Watchers endorsed yogurt in supermarkets, and in a greater assortment of flavors as well!

Consumers and members have started to notice that our Weight Watchers yogurt is no longer available at retailers.  We are still working through details with our new partner, and will provide more details, such as specific PPVs of the Yoplait Yogurts, as soon as they are available.

Please note that this announcement only affects our yogurt. It does not affect any of our other dairy products including Weight Watchers cheeses.

E.Y.G!

E.Y.G:  Eat Your Greens!

I was sitting down to write this weeks blog on how to include more veggies and fruit daily in our eating plan (and enjoy them), when I decided to first take a look at how the Weight Watchers team was tackling the topic.  (This has been the topic in the meeting room all week).  I came across this article on the Weight Watchers Website and I thought to myself that could not say it better - truly, this is great!

I need to eat more fruits and veggies!

Article By: Leslie Fink, MS, RD

Need ideas for coping with restaurant buffets? Want some good snack ideas?

In our Q&A series, WeightWatchers.com nutritionist and food editor Leslie Fink, MS, RD, answers questions about food, nutrition and weight loss.

Q: Do you have any ideas for fitting fruits and vegetables into my diet? I find it hard to eat them during the day, and then I try to cram three or four servings into my dinner.

A: Some people are lucky enough to like cherries more than chocolate, and carrot sticks more than chips (yes, people like that do exist!). For others, though, eating a salad can be an arduous task. The best way for those people to meet their fruit and veggie requirements? Sneak them in! Or, center meals around them.

9 Stealth Strategies

1. Use vegetables to add bulk to individual foods and meals.
Fill out a turkey wrap with roasted red peppers (water-packed), rely on sliced mushrooms and diced onions to add volume to omelets, and shred carrots and zucchini into tomato sauce.

2. Plan for meals that include lots of vegetables.
Try chicken fajitas, shrimp and vegetable kabobs or a tofu stir-fry.

3. Keep small packages of dried fruit in your desk drawer or car.
For nutrient-dense, midday pick-me-ups, look for 1/2-ounce boxes of raisins or divide a large pack of dried apricots among small plastic bags.

4. Purchase prepackaged low-fat stir-fry meals.
Find those that contain vegetables, sauce and seasonings in your supermarket's freezer section. Simply cook with the lean protein of your choice.

5. Think of fruit as a dessert.
Top yogurt and ice cream with blueberries, halved seedless red grapes or diced bananas. Or, top a low-calorie brownie with sliced strawberries and nonfat whipped topping.

6. Drink your fruit.
Whip up smoothies by blending together fruit, low-fat yogurt and ice.

7. Keep fresh, cut-up veggies in the fridge for between-meal snacking.
Enjoy celery sticks with mango-peach salsa or sugar snap peas dipped into roasted red-pepper-flavored hummus.

8. Rely on salad bars to get fresh, ready-to-eat vegetables in a hurry.
Buy sliced peppers, broccoli and onions for a stir-fry or diced tomatoes and spinach for a last-minute omelet or frittata.

9. Don't be afraid to mix your fruits and vegetables.
Toss diced apples into a salad instead of fatty croutons, and rely on dried fruit to give your salad texture and a color boost. One of my all-time favorites is mixed greens, thinly sliced pears, goat cheese and dried cranberries drizzled with a light balsamic vinaigrette.

7 Spring "in season" veggies in your store
We talked a lot about what's in season at the moment in the meeting this week and I wanted to give you a rundown of what's around and a brief idea of how to use them:

1. Pea shoots
Tender and sweet, best in stir-fries or salads.  I eat them raw as a snack, they're more filling than you imagine.

2. Garlic scapes
These are fun: and have a short season, they're the flowering stalks of garlic plants. They're sweet and mild, use then when you use onion and garlic as an alternative.

3. Fiddlehead ferns
Just when they start to rise up from the forest floor, some varieties of ferns can be a delicious, sophisticated treat, especially when paired with heat (as in chilies) and/or acids (as in lemon juice or vinegar).
4. Ramps
Grow wild and are a type of oniony, leek-y veggie.  They're revered among foodies. Aromatic and tender, don't use them in complicated dishes.  Let them shine through.  Use the bulb and the leaves.

5. Fava beans
Very popular in mediterranean cooking.  They're delicious in veggie soups - try making a minestrone or cooked and fork mashed as a side alternative to potatoes, rice or polenta with your pork or lamb chops.

6. Rhubarb 
Is prolific right now and is a pretty pinkish green stalk, known as a fruit.  But it's perfect with red onion and herbs in pork or chicken stir-fry.
7. White asparagus
We eat so much green asparagus.  Have you tried the white ones?  They're kept in the dark to prevent them from turning green and are delicate and delicious.  Roast them or grill them, just as you do with their green counterparts, but keep the preparation simple to make the most of the flavor.

Are you looking forward to a fitness challenge?

Sneak Peek - coming in May look out for...

Walk. Jog. Dance. Swim. It doesn’t matter!  LiveLifeActive, replaces last year’s Walk-It Challenge and takes it to a new level, it'll run from May 27 to July 14.  
I can't wait!

LOCATING WEIGHT WATCHERS PRODUCTS:

There is a helpful section of the WW Website that is dedicated to supermarket products; those labeled as Weight Watchers, such as ice creams, breads, cheeses and plenty of others, our partner products, such as Smart Ones and also endorsed products, such as Progresso Soups.  Click on this link to get you there:  www.WeightWatchers.com/shop.


Occasionally a member will ask me to help them locate a supermarket that carries a particular Weight Watchers product.  Did you know that you can do that online yourself?  Weight Watchers has a product locator website.


This week I was asked if I knew whether the Weight Watchers yogurt was still available.  I plugged it into the product locator and "found" WW Strawberry Yogurt at a local supermarket.  

And, Finally...

"A vegetable garden in the beginning looks so promising and then after all little by little it grows nothing but vegetables, nothing, nothing but vegetables."
Gertrude Stein

Recipe Roundup

Three Quick and Easy Recipes!

Make it a delicious, easy to execute "on plan" day.  A recipe each for breakfast, lunch and supper for under 26 PPV for the whole lot!  

Yummy Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

5 PPV per serving
Serves 4


3/4 C dry buckwheat pancake mix
1/3 C water
1 med fresh apple, peeled and grated
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Cooking spray
4 TBSP reduced calorie maple syrup
1 C unsweetened apple sauce

To make batter, stir together pancake mix, water, apple and cinnamon.  Coat a large, nonstick skillet with cooking spray and warm it over medium-low heat. Ladle out batter in small batches (2 to 3 tablespoons). Cook pancakes until nicely browned on both sides.  Top with syrup and applesauce and serve. Yields 4 two-pancake servings.

Spicy Thai Shrimp and Rice with Pineapple

5 PPV per serving
Serves 4

I TBSP margarine or light butter
2 TBSP chopped scallions - white and green part
2 cups cooked brown rice (Trader Joe's sells it ready to use)
1/2 C canned pineapple, packed in juice, chopped (sub out fresh pineapple if you like)
2 TBSP Ponzu sauce (light soy will substitute with a squeeze of lemon juice)
1/2 tsp Sriracha sauce (Thai hot sauce)
1/4 C (or less, as needed) warm water
4 oz thawed (small sized) shrimp or use canned tuna or any cold fresh cooked white fish, such as tilapia or cod
2 TBSP chopped fresh cilantro


Melt margarine in a large skillet.  Add scallions; cook until tender, about 2 minutes.  Add rice; cook over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients; cook until heated through and shrimp are done, about 2 minutes more. Yields about 3/4 cup per serving.

"Greek" Marinated Grilled Chicken

6 PPV per serving

Serves 4

1/4 cup cold chicken broth

Zest and Juice of 1 lemon

2 TBSP dried or fresh oregano

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 tsp salt 

1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper

1 1/2 TBSP olive oil

1 1/2 pounds raw chicken breast tenders (or 2 large breasts cut into strips)

The first 7 ingredients are mixed together to make the marinade.   Place together with the chicken in a strong, sealable plastic bag and marinate for at least 1-2 hours or overnight.  Cook on the outside grill or broil under the broiler until cooked through.  Yields about 1/2 chicken breast per serving.  Serve with fabulous tossed salad, add light feta cheese and plenty of chopped tomato and cucumbers plus a few black olives for authenticity.  A medium whole-wheat pita (warmed in the oven) completes the meal.  

(Don't forget to add the extra PPV:
2 TBSL low cal greek dressing for 2 or 3 PPV 
1 1/2 TBSP light feta cheese for 1 PPV
2 small black olives 0 PPV
& 1 med whole-wheat pita 3 PPV)

Total PPV for the day:

5 for Breakfast
5 for Lunch
6 for Dinner
6 for Dinner Accessories

22 TOTAL excludes snacks and drinks

I hope you enjoy these 3 recipes they're all simple and really quick to make and all of them hold up to "company" standards!

------------------------------------

I should have posted this last week:

New research links chocolate intake to health benefits

As Easter approaches and visions of chocolate bunnies dance in your head, take comfort in the fact that chocolate (in moderation of course) is not necessarily a bad thing. Chocolate has been linked with improved blood pressure and cardiovascular function^[1] in past research.

And now new preliminary research suggests that the frequency of chocolate intake may have an influence on body mass index (BMI).^[2] Results of research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine March 2012, showed that in a study of 1,018 men and women, those who ate more chocolate had lower BMIs. Those who ate 5 or more servings of chocolate per week weighed less than those who didn’t. It was the frequency of chocolate consumption that was important, however, not how much was eaten in one sitting that was related to BMI. While an interesting finding, a lot more research is needed in large scale randomized trials to confirm that a relationship actually exists as well as a greater understanding as to why it may exist.

The take-away? Chocolate has potential health benefits, but also calories, so it should be eaten in moderation to derive favorable benefits without negatively impacting weight. Use your weekly PointsPlus^® Allowance to indulge in an ounce of dark chocolate a few times a week. Enjoy!

Sizing Up an Ounce

½ bar dark chocolate (60% cocoa): 4 PointsPlus value

4 miniature chocolate candies, any type: 4 PointsPlus value

2 Tbsp. semisweet chocolate chips: 4 PointsPlus value

2 fun-sized bars: 4 PointsPlus value

[1]Allen RR, Carson L, Kwik-Uribe C, Evans EM, Erdman JW Jr Daily consumption of a dark chocolate containing flavanols and added sterol esters affects cardiovascular risk factors in a normotensive population with elevated cholesterol. J Nutr. 2008 Apr;138(4):725-31

[2] Beatrice A. Golomb, MD, PhD; Sabrina Koperski, BS; Halbert L. White, PhD Association Between More Frequent Chocolate Consumption and Lower Body Mass Index Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(6):519-521. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.2100

And Finally:

Back in February - I set a challenge to members to set a weight loss goal to get you through into the spring - here is the link to the blog page where I spelled out THE CHALLENGE.  For those of you who participated, be sure to send me your final email from last week's weigh in so that you have a chance to be entered into the drawing.

One more thing:  Will I see you in your meeting this week?  Summer is right around the corner!

Don't Pretend!

This has been a tough weekend for so many of us because there have been so many temptations around.  A lot of "trophy eating", delicacies and traditional foods we only see once in a while and lots of what my mother called "fet maak goed" - (It's Afrikaans) translated.. "fat making (fattening) foods".

It got me to thinking that in these types if situations, sometimes we pretend.  We try and fool ourselves, our loved ones and the folks at the meeting...

I can think of at least three ways we pretend:

1. We convince ourself somehow that we didn't eat the "object of our desire" this year, that we were super good and watched others enjoy it and that we vicariously enjoyed it through them.  Then comes weigh-in day - the red flag in our head says... "if you go to weigh-in, the scale will show you what you really did"  ---- so what do we do?  I'll tell you; we skip the weigh-in altogether or we go and weigh-in at another center where no-one knows us... right?  I know, I've done that!  So, be honest with yourself - don't pretend!
SOLUTION: Face the demon, it'll help you grow!

2.  We work very hard to have the loved ones around us focus on someone else and not watch us eat... "I'm fine, I'm not tempted, go and play with the children".  Then, when no-one's looking we grab a quickie bite or two.  "One or two bites won't hurt, right"?  "No one saw me eat is so it doesn't count on my tracker"!  Or how about "I am really only doing it so prevent myself from eating a whole plate-full"!


Arghhh, I've done that too!  What happens at the scale?  Yup another gain and it could be on top of a gain last week or the week before and we don't want to see another one, so "I won't go this week, yeah, now that's a great idea.  I'll just lose this weight this week and go back to WW next week"!  Really - and what makes us think that we can do that?
SOLUTION: ask for help, don't chase loved ones away, let them help us to stick with it in tough situations.

3.  How about the pretense at the meeting?  How many times, and be honest, have you said to fellow members at your meeting (or the staff)... "I HONESTLY did not eat a thing"?  "I stuck to it all week, there is NO way I should have gained this week"!  And yet the scale went the wrong way.  "It must be the scale you know"!  Or "It must be the diet... yeah, that's it, the diet has way too much fruit"!  Don't pretend at the meeting, the one thing is for sure we have all been in those same shoes.  Gosh, the one place where you can be honest and get help is at the meeting!  We, your fellow members and the staff at your meeting are here for YOU and the likelihood is that we have all, at some time, had to be truthful and had to face up to our challenges.

That's what they are; challenges to overcome, not weakness, not badness, not stupidity, not lameness and not laziness.  Let's help each other, we can laugh about the behavior or cry about it and support one another and be there for each other - come to your meeting this week.
The bottom line is that when we forsake the PRETENDING, magic begins to happen, ask a lifetime member at your meeting or ask a member who loses consistently, they'll tell you!

The $3.95 Sale:

~~ This week and next, stock up on Popped Chips (BBQ, Cinnamon Swirl and Zesty Cheese), Roasted Salsa Multigrain Crisps, Cheddar Twists and the NEW flavor in the family ... "Pinch of Pepper Pretzel Thins"  $3.95
~~ The NEW 3PPV Snack Bar line is also on sale for $3.95.  
The usual price of all these items is $4.95.

Mother's Day is May 13, 2012

I have a wonderful idea for a gift this year:

There is a new cookbook that is debuting in time for you to give one to your mom (or yourself) for Mother's Day.  Why not pre-order it from me to ensure you get a copy?

Tastier Than Takeout recreates dishes from your favorite diner and deli, including BLTs and Turkey Burgers.  The book is filled with instructions to prepare restaurant favorites at home in 30 minutes or less and save not only on money but on PointsPlus^® values, too!

Price is $9.95.

To Pre-Order, please send me an email with "Cookbook Order" in the subject line to wwnina@gmail.com.  Let me know which meeting you attend and your full name.  IMPORTANT:  DO NOT send Credit Card information in the email - this is not a secure email address.  

I will make sure your book is ready for pickup the week before Mother's Day.

DID YOU EVER THINK YOU MIGHT LIKE TO COME AND WORK FOR WEIGHT WATCHERS?

If you are a lifetime member or a member that is less than 10LBS from your lifetime goal and you'd like to find out more information about a Weight Watchers Career as a Leader or Receptionist, you're invited . . .

WE WILL BE HOLDING AN EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION SESSION on Saturday April 28, at 1:30 - 3:00 PM at the Newton Weight Watchers Center, 244 Needham Street, Newton.

Send me your RSVP so I can reserve a seat for you at the event. wwnina@gmail.com

AND Finally:  “We are what we pretend to be, but we better be very careful what we pretend.” Anonymous.

Don't Fool Yourself; Meetings Work!

Why is it that members who attend meetings lose more weight than those who don't?  Significantly so....

Tough Question - right!  After all; we know that we should eat healthy foods, we know that to lose weight we have to reduce our calorie intake and we know that too many adult beverages cause weight gain.   

We try and try to go it alone, we somehow believe that the theory of "meetings work" refers to the other guys!  I had the same belief until I was open to hearing the truth; and being open to the idea of attending meeting resulted in weight loss of more than 100 pounds.

NOW I hear it week after week from members; they tell me that when they miss a week, it is so much harder to stick with it, food becomes even more tempting and weight management becomes harder and harder as the missed weeks go by.

Here are some member comments that I found online:

This member is in VA
I really didn't think I'd like the meetings.  I'm a pretty quiet person so I don't say too much at them.  I pretty much know most of the stuff that they talk about.  However, the reinforcement of those things seems to really help me.  I lost 12 lbs the first time I joined.  Never regained it.  I joined again and I'm down another 10+ lb. and very close to my ultimate goal.  The accountability keeps me in line and sharing successes with the other group members is very inspiring.  We're all genuinely happy for each other when we're losing and genuinely commiserate when we feel hopeless. 

This member lost 75 LBS in 2005 and now works for WW
The meetings were critical for me during my weight loss because the support of other members and the leader as well as the accountability of the weigh in.  I learned how to cook for myself and exercise in ways that have really changed my life for the better in countless ways.  Though I did the hard work of losing the weight, I give the WW program credit for the structure I needed in order to learn how to do everything I have done!

This is a member offering advice to a woman who was reticent to join
Instead of thinking this is some place you are going to "get fixed" think of it as a group of friends that are like you and want to share in all their good fortune because finding WW is good fortune for you!  Believe, truly believe that at the size you are now is ok, but that you want to be even better.  You are beautiful, caring, funny, helpful and all the wonderful adjectives that everyone knows you are now.  No fat person is ugly.  I like to use the word fat because we need to make that not an ugly word. BTW, I always feel I am beautiful and I started WW at 362 lb.  I will always be beautiful and you are too!  Now, go out and meet those new friends of yours and have fun!!!!

If you've been trying to go it alone because you believe you know what you have to do without sitting through a meeting.  If you've been running in to "weigh-in and run" because you're so busy.  If you've stopped coming to Weight Watchers altogether because the last time you tried, something got in your way; you are only HINDERING yourself and making it harder for yourself to achieve YOUR GOALS.

It's time to change your thinking right now, today, PLAN to attend a meeting this week:  If you're worried or scared of the "truth" from the scale or you're concerned that I or the staff will somehow ridicule or humiliate you, or worse; that you'll beat yourself up, come in just to talk to us and let us give you a warm welcome and help you to get back on track.

IF, on the other hand, you're one of my members who come to Weight Watchers every week and stick around for the meeting; I'd love it if you'd share your success, your tips and strategies with the returners and please please help them feel welcome and supported.
SPRING is here and we deserve to feel amazing & I know a place where you can!

As we approach Holy Week and Passover, I wanted to wish everyone a Very Happy Pesach and a Very Happy Easter.


P.S. The Seder Points are on the  "Insider Trading"  Tab - look at the top of the blog page.


Oh, one more thing - I have also JUST posted an article from Weight Watchers in the "Survival Guide" Tab - "Beat the Lunch-Prep Crunch"

You're going to find some products on SALE in the meeting room this week.  Plan ahead; bring your pennies if you would like to purchase Popped Chips, Baked Pretzels and Cheese Twists or the newest line of 3PPV Snack Bars  - they're all on sale for $3.95 (usually $4.95)

New Weight Watchers Products To Look Out For In Your Supermarket.

100% Whole Wheat Wraps 
Perfect for sandwiches and Mexican-style meals. Each wrap has 120 calories, 7 grams of fiber and a PointsPlus^® value of just 2 per wrap! 

Reduced Fat Whipped Cream Cheese Spread 
Indulgence is back with this creamy, easy-to-spread goodness—at only 2 PointsPlus value per serving! With less fat than regular whipped cream cheese, plus added fiber, it's an indulgence you feel good about.

Reduced Fat Whipped Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread
This creamy, delicious whipped cream cheese freshens up breakfast with its decadent, fruity flavor for just 2 PointsPlus value per serving. Enjoy great taste and the benefits of added fiber while cutting the fat of regular whipped strawberry cream cheese.

 

Reduced Fat Whipped Onion and Chive Cream Cheese Spread 
Enjoy this savory whipped treat on bagels, sandwiches, veggies and more, for only 2 PointsPlus value per serving. It has less fat than regular whipped onion and chive cream cheese, added fiber, and all the flavor you seek.

And, by the way, if your favorite Weight Watchers Products are not in your local store - click on this link to see many of the products available - you should drop a note off the the store manager requesting that the product you want is stocked there.  (Weight Watchers has provided a link to a comment card on the website in the products page).

Girl Scout Cookies VS Weight Watchers Mini Bars!

It’s that time of year again, when cookie boxes show up at your door at the hand of a smiling neighbor, family member, or co-worker. Before you know it, you have boxes and boxes of cookies sitting around, and let’s face it, it’s tough to hold back. Sure they taste good, but have you ever calculated the PointsPlus^® values of a Samoa, Thin Mint, or Tagalong? Head to head, Weight Watchers Mini Bars are a better choice—Scout’s honor!

IN MY HOUSE - THIS IS KNOWN AS
"THE PRETZEL WOWIE"

For almost every favorite cookie flavor, Weight Watchers has an equally as yummy Mini Bar offering.  Power through Girl Scout cookie season on Plan:
~  If you like Samoas, you’ll love Toasted Coconut Dream.
~  If you love the peanut butter or chocolate in Tagalongs/Peanut Butter Patties, the new Praline Nut Cluster or Chocolate Pretzel Blast will satisfy your craving for something sweet and salty.
~  Savannah smiles but our Lemon Mousse Pie also gets you grinning.
~  Caramel deLites? We have our very delightful Chocolate Caramel Mini Bar.

• Our Mini Bars are only 2 PointsPlus values per serving while for 2 smaller cookies, you are looking at 4 to 5 PointsPlus values.
• Our Mini Bars have less sugar and more fiber.
• Our Mini Bars have built in portion control. We all know that one or two cookies leads to half a box.

It’s true that the cookie sales are for a good cause, so if you must order them, try some of these tactics: Make a straight-up donation instead of purchasing cookies altogether; Share boxes you do buy with friends and colleagues; portion cookies into individual serving sizes; and/or freeze boxes for later.

One Last Thing -
PPV for Beer and Wine
If you leave the cap on or the cork in the bottle -
BEER and WINE are FREE!


                             April Fool!                          
             Sorry, couldn't resist the temptation