Explore, Dream, Discover!!!

Hey! Are you all having a SOUPer week? I hope you are taking advantage of this great fall weather and enjoying those soups that are filling and low in points and energy density!

EXPLORE, DREAM, AND DISCOVER!! Don't forget to schedule your meeting this week and see why self-discovery is one of the most rewarding journeys you can take!! It's time to look at your Winning Outcome again! It's time to visit the habits: Prepare Yourself, Ask for Help, and Learn from Experience. Most importantly, it's TIME TO TAKE TIME FOR YOU!!!!!

Be sure to really take good care of yourself and have a great week!

One more Souper Soup!!!

One more for the road!!! Please keep sending them!! :) YUMMY!!!

Curry Pumpkin Soup
Keri Glazier
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp cumin
3 cups fat-free, low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
1 12-ounce can evaporated fat-free milk
Freshly ground Black pepper to taste
Preparation:
Heat oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add onion
and garlic and cook until softened. Stir in curry powder
and cumin and cook for 1 minute. Add chicken broth and
pumpkin. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Add
evaporated fat-free milk and cook for 2 minutes.
Transfer soup to a blender and blend until smooth.

Serves 6. 2 POINTS per serving

Per Serving: Calories 112, Calories from Fat 25, Total Fat
2.7g (sat 0.5g), Cholesterol 2mg, Sodium 101mg,
Carbohydrate 15.6g, Fiber 2.9g, Protein 6.1g

Souper Soups!

Here are 3 soups to get ya'll started! Enjoy!!! Thanks to Merry Lynn & Raquel!

Slow cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Raquel Painter
1 lb shredded, cooked chicken
1 (15 oz) can Crushed tomatoes
1 (10 oz) can red enchilada sauce
1 medium onion
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chili peppers
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 cups Water
1 (14.5 oz) can chicken broth
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 (10 oz) package frozen corn
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Place chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, green chilis, and garlic into a slow cooker. Pour in water and chicken broth, and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir in corn and cilantro. Cover, and cook on low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours. This whole thing has 23 points.
Top with sour cream, cheese, and baked tortilla chips. You will need to add points for how much sour cream, Cheese and tortilla chips you use.

Quick Homemade Tomato Soup

(serves 6) MerryLynn Lifferth

2 Tbsp. Butter

2 Tbsp. Olive or Vegetable Oil

1 medium Onion, chopped

1 stalk Celery, diced

1 medium Carrot, trimmed & diced

1 lb. Can Crushed or Mex. Tomatoes

2 (13 1/2 oz.) cans Chicken Broth

1 Tbsp. Chopped Basil

1 Tbsp. Parsley leaves

Salt & Pepper to taste

Melt Butter and oil in a 2 quart saucepan. Add onion, celery and carrot. Cook over low heat 10 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Add tomatoes and broth. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat, simmer, partially covered, 30 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients. Serves 6. 2 Points per serving. (If you omit the oil and butter, it would have Zero POINTS) From Grandmother Byers

Pearl Barley, Potatoes & Beef

Marion McClellan

POINTS® Value: 2 Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 1 pound(s) uncooked barley
• 1 pound(s) 95% lean/5% fat raw ground beef
• 6 large whole uncooked white potato
• 4 cup(s) reduced fat bottled spaghetti sauce
• 12 cup(s) water
• 4 serving(s) chicken bullion cubes, knorr - Food I created

Instructions

Cook in large crock pot on high for 6 hours. These are 1 C servings

Autumn Chowder
4 lg potatoes
4 strips bacon, sliced, cooked to a crisp and grease drained and bacon blotted
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced
6 garlic cloves, pressed
2- 14 oz chicken broth
1 t salt
1/8 t cayenne
1 c fat free half and half
1/4 C chopped fresh parsley
1 C frozen corn
Cook bacon to a crisp, drain grease and blot dry. Cook the potatoes in broth till tender. Add remaining ingredients, except the half and half & parsley. Simmer 5 min. REmove from heat and add the half and half and fresh parsley. 4 points per serving, 6 servings, servings size 1.5 Cups.

Learn from the Past!

Hello!
I don't think there is anything that beats this beautiful fall weather! My friend Kim and I found a wonderful trail that took us on the most beautiful adventure. Take advantage of these great temperatures and get out there. Maybe go for a walk or a bike ride. Who knows where you'll end up :)
This week in meeting we are going to be looking a ways that our past experiences can help up attain our current weight loss goals. We have all had successes and mistakes in our past that can help us succeed RIGHT NOW! Please come in this week and learn how our past flubs are not failure- just feedback!
Be sure to stop by a fruit stand and take advantage of all of the wonderful peaches and apples. WOW are they good. My favorite peaches right now are the Diamond Princess. They are WONDERFUL!!!
See you soon!

Peach Cobbler

Was POINTS® Value: 7 Now POINTS® Value: 3 Servings: 8 Preparation Time: 18 min Cooking Time: 26 min Level of Difficulty: Easy

Take advantage of sweet summer peaches with our delicious cobbler. It's even more flavorful when made with white-variety peaches.

Ingredients

• 6 medium peach(es), peeled, pitted and sliced
• 6 1/3 Tbsp sugar, divided
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 3 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine
• 1/2 cup fat-free skim milk

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375ºF.
  
  
• In a large saucepan, combine peaches, 1/3 cup of sugar (5 1/3 tablespoons), cornstarch, lemon juice and cinnamon; toss to coat peaches. Set pan over medium heat and bring to a boil; cook until mixture thickens, about 1 minute. Remove pan from heat; transfer mixture to an 8-inch square baking pan.
  
  
• To make topping, combine flour, remaining tablespoon of sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Work in margarine with a fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add milk; stir until flour mixture is evenly moistened.
  
  
• Drop 8 tablespoons of topping mixture over peach mixture. Bake until topping is golden brown and filling is bubbly, about 20 to 25 minutes. Cut into 8 pieces and serve.

Notes

• You can enhance the peach flavor of this recipe by swapping 1 teaspoon of almond extract for the lemon juice. And stir 2 tablespoons of sliced almonds into the topping, if desired (does not affect POINTS value).

Let's Dance!!!

Happy First Day of Fall!
Yes, for real, summer is over, and now it's fall. Should we have a moment of silence ;)
Hey, I think I hear something... is it music? Yeah, it's music! LET'S DANCE!!! Come in this week and see how music and dancing can really motivate us all to move more and have a GREAT time!
Have a wonderful day and enjoy this beautiful fall weather! Have a try at the two yummy recipes below! They sound so YUMMY!!!

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

Points -5

Servings-6

Ingredients
3 medium raw eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 medium sweet red pepper(s), chopped
4 small tomato(es), plum, seeded and chopped
4 medium garlic clove(s), peeled and chopped
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp table salt, or more to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper, or more to taste
9 serving dry lasagna noodles, 9 noodles, cooked and drained
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• In roasting pan, combine vegetables and garlic with olive oil. Bake until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Place half of vegetables, salt and pepper, and 1/2 cup water in food processor and process until smooth.
• Spoon 1/2 cup of vegetable purée into bottom of a 9 X 13-inch baking dish.
• Place three noodles over purée. Top with 1/2 cup of purée, 1/2 of remaining vegetables, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers and then top with remaining 3 noodles, purée and cheese.
• Bake until bubbly, about 40 to 45 minutes. Slice into 6 pieces and serve.
  

Mama Mia Vegetable Pie

Points- 3
Servings- 6
Ingredients

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 medium bell pepper(s), chopped
• 1 small onion(s), chopped
• 3 medium portobello mushroom(s), (equivalent to 1/2 cup) chopped
• 12 oz canned tomato sauce
• 6 oz firm tofu, drained and crumbled
• 1 sprays cooking spray
• 2 cup cooked spaghetti
• 3/4 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375ºF.
• Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pepper, onion and mushroom; sauté until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and tofu (be sure to thoroughly drain the tofu before crumbling it up and adding it to the sauce). Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer mixture, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, coat a 9-inch-deep pie plate with cooking spray. Arrange spaghetti in bottom and up sides of pie plate. Pour tofu mixture over spaghetti; sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake for 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing into 6 pieces.

Team Never Surrender!

The 2008 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Event is coming up quick, October 11th at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. We would love for you to join our team or make a donation if you like :).
I was having some kind of a brain freeze and the T-shirt order is due today! EEK! If you would like a t-shirt, it is $6 and I need your size and money TODAY! EEK again :) You can still walk with us on October 11th without a t-shirt. To join the team or make a donation, please click the link below. Please email me with any questions you may have.

Hola!!!

I had to say "Hola" because my good friend, Kim, made the best salsa yesterday. If you are looking for a fun new flavor, try roasting your tomatoes, peppers, garlic and onions on the grill before you make it. WOW it was unbelievable! We have been making the same salsa for years and this new twist made a huge difference. She also substituted lime juice for the vinegar and Holy Smokes! So, there is your recipe/tip for the week! Don't forget that salsa makes the best 0 POINT salad dressing!
This week in meeting we are going to be tackling the voice inside our heads! It is helping us or hindering us? Come to meeting this week and see how learning how to talk and treat ourselves can make a bid difference in out weight loss!
Don't forget if you would like a team t-shirt for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Event, I need your t-shirt size and $6 by tomorrow! Please click on the link below to join our Team Never Surrender!

Zero Isn't Zero???

Hello Weight Watchers!
I hope this email finds you all well and rested for the week! I love Sundays! Great day to regroup for the week a head. I sure hope in all of your planning and plotting, you have taken the time to make sure you have scheduled your weekly meeting! If you have maybe lagged behind a bit and let your membership laps, we have the New Monthly Pass now! The Monthly Pass comes with FREE registration, FREE eTools and the flexibility of attending how often you choose! It is a great new option to help us meet YOUR needs better than ever before!!! Come on in and get back on the program! We miss you!!! Current members & paying Lifetime members may also chose the Monthly Pass as well. Please ask the meeting staff for details!
This week we are going to be talking about the ever infamous ZERO point foods! Why does zero plus zero not always equal zero? How do I figure the POINTS for multiple servings? Come in and get some GREAT answers to these baffling questions that will help to reboot your weight losses!!!
Speaking of losses! How is your Lose For Good, going? Have you created a monument to yourself of dry canned foods? Don't forget to pick up a pamphlet and sign up for this WONDERFUL program that not only helps you lose, but helps to feed the hungry of our world and community!
Now this week I will be having a sign up sheet for the t-shirts for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Event, October 11th in SLC at Liberty Park. We had a wonderful time last year and really would love to see you there! The t-shirts are light blue this year and $6. Please make your checks out to the ACS. To sign up, please click the link to the side. This is a great family event, so feel free to sign them up and bring them for the walk. It is VERY low key and SUPER fun! There is no cost to participate, and the t-shirts are optional, but cute :)
I think that is all! Phew!! Please send me some of your favorite zucchini recipes! I think there is more of that stuff around than ever before! Take care and SEE YOU IN THE MEETINGS!!!

Lose for Good

Hello my Dear Friends!
I just realized that I skipped last week. I guess with school getting back in session, I have lost a bit of time :)
I hope you have been able to embrace the last two meeting topics. Learning how to set small goals, stepping stones if you will, make every journey much more enjoyable and attainable. Making interim goals keeps success very close and much more motivating. You are never far away from the next success!
Last week we talked about the "zones" we find ourselves in. Have you learned to live in the Comfort Zone, not too full or too hungry? Have you learned to spend less time in the sedentary zone, and get out and enjoy this beautiful weather? Take some time to read pages 52-59 of your week one Eating Wisely booklet and really learn more about living in the Comfort Zone!
Now this week we are introducing a wonderful new program to Weight Watchers that will not only help you to "Lose for Good," but this campaign will help the weight we lose, help others for good! This is really exciting and very timely! Come and join us in a great movement to help yourself and others all over the world!!

Roasted Green Beans and Fresh Tomato

POINTS® Value: 0 Servings: 44

Sometimes simple is best. Just a few fresh herbs are all you need to accentuate the natural flavors of sweet tomatoes and roasted green beans.

Ingredients

• 3 sprays olive oil cooking spray
• 4 cup green snap beans, trimmed
• 2 cup grape tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes, cut in half (or quartered, if large)
• 1/4 cup basil, fresh, cut into ribbons, divided
• 2 tsp minced garlic, or less to taste
• 1/2 tsp table salt, or more to taste
• 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, or more to taste

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 450ºF. Coat a large roasting pan with cooking spray.
  
• Place green beans in a single layer in prepared pan and coat with cooking spray. Roast until desired doneness, stirring once or twice, about 10 to 15 minutes.
  
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of basil, garlic, salt and pepper; set aside.
  
• When green beans are finished, remove from oven and spoon tomato mixture into pan; toss thoroughly. Serve hot, room temperature or chilled, topped with remaining 2 tablespoons of basil. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

Notes

• This is the perfect side for a burger, grilled chicken or steak. It's equally delicious served on mixed greens drizzled with balsamic vinegar, with herbed brown rice, or added to marinara sauce and then tossed with pasta and topped with shredded cheese.

The Dream Team!

Hi- all of my dear friends!!
Is anyone staying up as late as I am watching the Olympics? I didn't even turn them on last night as to make sure I got to bed BEFORE midnight. I am pooped out from all the excitement!
Speaking of excitement- this week in meeting we will learning some exciting ways to help us on our way to "go for the GOLD"- our goal weight. Come and see how your very own Dream Team can be your best support!!!
I hope that you all are enjoying this last month of summer and all of the beautiful weather. Don't forget to click on the link below and join our "Dream Team" at the making strides Against Breast Cancer event, October 11th. We need each and every one of you to make this a success!!
See the YUMMY recipes below from WW.com. They are so tasty looking and use the fruits that are in season right now! Eat them up YUM!!!

Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

POINTS® Value: 2 Servings: 36

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 3/4 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large egg(s)
• 2 1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal
• 1/2 cup dried cherries

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together in a small bowl; set aside.
• Place room temperature butter into bowl of a mixer and mix with a paddle attachment until smooth, or beat with an electric mixer. Slowly pour granulated sugar in an even stream into butter and mix on high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Pour in brown sugar, mix until incorporated and then scrape mixture down from sides of bowl.
  
• Slowly beat in each egg one at a time until incorporated. Slowly beat in flour mixture until incorporated.
  
• Scrape mixture down from sides of bowl and stir in oatmeal and then dried cherries. (Note: Freeze dough at this point or continue to step 6 for baking.)
  
• Scoop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough onto a nonstick sheet pan, a pan lined with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat about 1 1/2 inches apart.
  
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are set. Cool completely. Either serve cookies or stack between sheets of waxed paper in an air-tight container and freeze for up to two weeks before serving. Yields about 1 cookie per serving

Raspberry-Peach Cobbler

Point Value 3

Servings 8

Ingredients

• 6 medium peach(es), halved, pitted and thinly sliced (about 1 3/4 lbs)
• 3 Tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 cups raspberries
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 Tbsp sugar, granulated, divided
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp table salt
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold
• 1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  
• Place peaches in a medium bowl; toss with powdered sugar until sugar dissolves. In an 8-inch square baking pan, arrange peach slices in several layers; sprinkle raspberries over top.
  
• In a large bowl, combine flour, 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut butter into flour mixture and work in with a fork or pastry cutter until flour resembles course crumbs. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix with a fork until dough comes together.
  
• Place clumps of crumb mixture over fruit; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tablespoon of sugar.
  
• Bake until top is golden brown and fruit begins to bubble, about 40 to 45 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving. Yields about 1/2 cup per serving.

Notes

• Feel free to substitute thawed, frozen fruit for the fresh fruit, if desired

"You've Come a Long Way Baby"

Hello!
I am hoping this email finds you all well and enjoying your weekend! Are you getting inspired by our olympic Athletes? I am! I am going to bike to the Great Wall of Goshen! Don't forget to siphon some enthusiasm from these great athletes. Next, I am going to set up the Volleyball net!
Have you noticed the changes over the years to the Weight Watchers programs? I always say that all good ideas evolve into even better ones! The same holds true for Weight Watchers! Over time, the Weight Watchers programs have changed to better serve it's members, YOU!!! Come this week to talk about these changes, and to learn more about the food plan you are on, to boost YOUR success!
Have a great day and see you in the meeting!!!
***Don't forget to sign up for The American Cancer Societies 2008 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Event, October 11th at Liberty Park. Just click on the link below to sign up for my team. WE NEED YOU!!! It costs nothing to participate. The t-shirts will be $6 again, if you'd like one. I will have sign-up sheets for the shirts in Provo and Payson next week. If you'd just like to make a donation, click the same link. Thanks so much!***

Game Point!!

Wow, what a great weekend! We have been really busy and enjoying the great weather! Hopefully, all of our friends are doing alright with the fires going on down here in Payson and Santaquin. I truly have never seen anything like these fires. Many of our friends were evacuated and are doing well, with the exception of a really smoky house and lots of ash in their yards. We are ever so grateful to our wonderful fire fighters and other emergency personnel who have truly been heroes! Thank you!!!
Last week, Joyce, in Payson's meeting, shared a great strategy for keeping control in tough situations. She shared that when she is faced with a difficult food situation, she asks herself, "How do I want to feel when I am done?" "How do I want to feel on the scale tomorrow?" These questions really help her to make better choices, the better part of the time. Her wonderful insight has already helped me, personally, a TON!!! You just never know where you are going to hear the next little bit of advice that will just make all the difference in the world! Hey, that was in a meeting I heard that, right? GET INTO A MEETING !!!
The Olympics are on their way and to honor this, this week in meeting we are going to be talking about the fact that how we FEEL about the activities we do really can make a big difference for us. Our attitudes about activity are what help up to keep going!
I hope you all are continuing to have a great summer! Take care and see you soon!

Margaret's Poem

Margaret gave me this poem after the meeting tonight in Payson. She wrote it in 1980! It is wonderful, and really hits the nail on the head!

Evening is the time of day
When mornings commitments fade away.
And losing weight must be steady
So I must get my mindset ready.

So when these cravings come past three
I want to remember the "Morning Me."
Who sets a goal and sees the end
Let "evening me" be "morning me's" friend.

Remember what choices will fill the bill
Use that wonderful, selective will.
I'm the only person who can make me win
So choose the food to make me thin!
~Margaret Leckie
1980

Get In Control!!! :)

Hello Weight Watchers!
Did ya'll try any of the Slimming techniques from last week? How's the posture? It is SO important for us to know that we can look our best at ANY weight! You are all beautiful women and men and the 10 tips we learned last week can really help to bring out our trimmest lines . Our weight loss journeys may be a bit long, but by looking our best along the way- we can really keep the motivation up, up, up!!!
This week we are going to talk a bit about the power of the mind! There are people out there who seem to do things flawlessly and with out effort. The secret to their success is meticulous planning and practice! Come this week and see how we can use their secrets of success to help you with achieving success on your weight loss journey!
Below we have a few yummy desserts from Lynne, a Lifetimer on Monday mornings! The Chocolate muffins are Lynne's favorite night time treat along with a Healthy Choice fudgesicle- all for 2 POINTS!!! Yumm! It's her evening ice cream brownie sundae! Yeah Lynne and thanks for the great recipes!!!

Chocolate Bran Muffins 1 Point
Pam Wilson & Lynne Christy
Mix and let sit for 10 mins:
3 cups All Bran ( cereal)
2 1/2 cups warm water or coffee (regular or decaf)
Add:
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 box Krusteaz Fat Free Brownie Mix ( prepare as directed on the box)
Bake @ 350 for 30 minutes
makes 24 muffins. They are best if they sit in fridge in baggie over night.
I have also put a packet of splenda in the chocolate ones.
I have used the Fat Free blueberry and the Cranberry-orange mixes. I add extra fresh or frozen blueberries to the blueberry and extra cranberries to the cranberry.

Carolyn's Gelatin Cheesecake
1 (12-ounce) container low-fat (1 percent) cottage cheese
2 (0.3-ounce) boxes sugar free strawberry gelatin, plus 1 box (recommended: Jell-O)
2 ready-made light graham cracker crusts
1 pint fresh strawberries, plus extra for garnish
1 (8-ounce) container frozen light whipped topping, thawed

Put cottage cheese in a blender. Make 2 boxes of the gelatin, using 1 cup of hot and 1 cup of cold water. At once, before it jells, add to cottage cheese. Blend until smooth. Pour evenly into crusts and refrigerate until set. Cut up fruit and place on top of pie. Make remaining package of gelatin as per instructions on box. Pour it on top of fruit and put it in refrigerator until set. Put whipped topping on top. Garnish with more fruit. This makes 2 pies. 3 to 4 POINTS per 1/8th of the pie.

Look Slimmer TODAY!!!

Hi All!
How is your summer going? We are having a GREAT summer. Lots of fun and sun :D
Do you want to look slimmer TODAY? I know I sure do . This week in meeting we will be discussing 10 ways to look simmer NOW! There are so many great tips and ideas to look and feel great right now, TODAY! Often times we tell ourselves, "when I get to goal" or "when I get a size smaller"- well, "when" is today, "when" is now! Come and join with us and find out how to make some little changes that will make a big, big, difference.
I can't wait to see you all! Have a fabulous day & week!!!!

Eating Patterns!

Hi Everyone!
Summer is just cruising by and I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful weather!
This week we are talking about our different eating patterns. The deal is, that regardless of the eating pattern you have, it is perfect, so long as it affords you the control and satisfaction you need! Remember "Monitoring Yourself" and "Preparing Yourself", from our Helpful Habits, will make a big difference with this one :D
Hey, I mentioned a website in the meeting that allows you to add your pantry items in to it and then it spits out a list of recipes you can make from the ingredients you have on hand. It is supercook.com Let me know how you like it.
Have a GREAT week!

Beautiful Butterfly!

"How can I become a Butterfly?" she pensively asked. "You must want to fly so much that you're willing to give up being a caterpillar."
~Trina Pallus

212 Degrees!

Happy Hot One!
Boy it is really heating up nicely for us, isn't it? I hope you all had a super nice 4th of July!!!
This week we are talking about heating up our weight loss. We all can remember the times we have been "hot to trot" with regards to our weight loss. We are tracking, we are measuring, WE ARE LOSING! Come this week and learn two secrets to successfully rekindling the fire that keeps us going!
Don't forget the Watermelon Margaritas! Frozen watermelon, lime juice and diet 7-up. Blend , blend, blend! WOW!! Diet drinks blend great with tons of different kinds of fruit. Be creative. Remember to freeze some watermelon for a mid-winter treat when the watermelons are all one bye bye! :(
See you soon and have a GREAT week!
"By perseverance, the snail reached the Ark!"
~Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Summer Grilling

Hey Friends!
I hope all is well with everyone!
Are you looking forward to this great long weekend? It is going to be a ton of fun. Be sure to get to your meeting this week. Remember all of the meetings will be closed for the 4th. Summer grilling can be a great way to spend our summer evenings. Come to meeting this week and find some new ideas to put a spark into your summer dining!
This link has great grilling tips from WeightWatchers.com http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=6061&sc=3022
See you soon!
"Your biggest break can come from never quitting. Being at the right place at the right time can only happen when you keep moving toward the next opportunity." ~Arthur Pine

Why I am Walking!

I have a hard time putting into words the reason I am walking (running, probably). I have seen, in the women who face breast cancer, a real courage that is not seen very frequently. They live with such conviction, and their ability to fight ,and not give up, inspires me so much.
Last year, the week after the event, my sister-in-law's mother died after a 17 year battle with breast cancer. She never quit fighting, but more importantly, she never quit LIVING. At her funeral, Elder David A. Bednar spoke and quoted Elder Neil A Maxwell's comments about what he had learned during his battle with cancer. He told Bednar, "It is far more important to NOT SHRINK, than it is to survive."
So many of the wonderful women in our lives face this disease, and they live each day, and fight each day, with such honor and courage. Let us honor them and fight along side of them.
Please come walk with us and share in this great celebration of their courage, beauty and lives!

Making Strides is Back!

Hey guys-
We are gearing up for the American Cancer Society "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Event" again this year, October 11, 2008. There is a link below to sign up for my team. This year we are going to be called "NEVER SURRENDER!" This is in honor of our many loved ones who are currently fighting breast cancer and those who have fought so hard and are no longer with us.
The walk last year was GREAT! The t-shirts will be $6 again. If you cannot participate, please feel free to make a donation if you would like to. To sign up or make a donation click the link below.
Let's have the biggest team there and really support our sisters, mothers, daughters and friends in this great cause to find a cure for breast cancer!

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCBlueprint?px=2730792&pg=personal&fr_id=11683

I Scream, You Scream, We ALL Scream For Ice Cream!!!

Here is a link to a great article on ww.com about making great choices with our frozen treats!
http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=54121

Tasty Dips

Here are some great tips for dips! Let me know which ones you like ;)

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=55811

Trick Yourself!

Hello Everyone!
I hope all is well with ya'll! This weather is sure warm . You will not hear a complaint from me, though. It feels so good to be warm all the way through!

This weeks meeting topic is so great. We all have had times when we were wishing our tummies are a bit fuller. This week we will discuss ways that we can "trick" ourselves into feeling fuller, thinking we are eating more, etc. You will come away from this meeting with some ideas in hand and a step up on our battle for a healthier life.

Have a great week and hang in there!

"You can NEVER fail if you NEVER quit!!!"
~ by me ;)

Destination- Weigh Loss!

Aloha!
What a great weekend we are having! I hope ya'll are enjoying this beautiful "finally" summer weather!

How is National Self-Indulgence Week going? It is so important to take care of yourself on a regular basis and it is very important to remember that you can do it within the guidelines of either the Flex Plan or the Core Plan. Working in the yummy num nums into your plan will really keep your satisfaction level up and the world a better place. Don't forget our "non-food" ways to self indulge, a massage, a bubble bath or especially, a good book! If it has been forever since you treated yourself in a "non-food" way, look back to the past for a few reminders.

Now... in case you went a little overboard with the whole "self-indulgence" thing- be sure to hit a meeting this week to discuss how we can bring ourselves back on track. This road we travel to a healthier life can meander a bit . Join us to re-set your course and make it to your destination, a healthier you!

See you soon and Congratulations to all of you BIG LOSERS on our weight loss challenge! Keep up the good work. If you missed the challenge, you can read them all below! Let me know how it goes for you.

Challenge Tip #8

Tip # 8 DO THIS CHALLENGE AGAIN FOR SEVEN MORE DAYS! (did you see that one coming?)

So... how much did you lose? Be sure to email me your losses! IF you wanna know how much I lost, your gonna have to come to meeting this week and ask me . (yes, I lost , bravo star for me!)

Challenge Tip #7

Tip # 7 GO TO YOUR MEETING THIS WEEK! You know you wanna! You are dying to come! Here is your personal invitation- PLEASE OH PLEASE COME. How else are we going to know what you've lost by following this challenge! I want 150 replies to this email telling me your scale results this week! K?

Speaking of meetings... this we we are going to be honoring "National Self Indulgence Week". Come see how the crazy indulgences we long for can be a healthy part of our lives!

Challenge Tip #6

Hello Friends! How goes the CHALLENGE? I am loving this!!

Tip #6
Do you like dessert? I do! My tip for you is to share the LOVE ! We all have our favorites, no need to call them by name, anything with chocolate will do, OK- anything with sugar will do, ALRIGHT- anything that fits into my mouth will do! So what can we do? Here's the tip- if you are having dessert tonight, invite enough people over to eat the whole thing, your kids friends, family or neighbors, so long as they will eat, they will work. This will do two things for you, #1- you get some of what you have been craving, #2 you can have fun with your loved ones. If you are too shy to invite people over, pack up the leftovers and take them to a neighbor or someone you don't even know, you can even door-bell-ditch it If all else fails, just TOSS it in the trash after you have had your tasty morsel!

*** WARNING WARNING WARNING- if having a dessert around is just way too much for you- SKIP THIS CHALLENGE! If you will eat the whole thing before you even know what happened, then save this one for a time in the future, when you are ready :) There is NO SHAME in that at all, not one little speck! ***

Challenge Tip #5

Are you ready for #5- (ready or not...)
I want you to "move it". Yep- get out there and get going. Turn on the radio and shake it for a few songs. Put on the roller blades and cruise the neighborhood. Dust off that bike and feel the wind in your hair (that is under a helmet :). Pull weeds for 20 minutes (or 20 hours if it is my garden). I don't care what you do- just do something a little out of the ordinary, a smidge out of your comfort zone maybe. "I like to MOVE IT MOVE IT, I like to MOVE IT MOVE IT!" You know the words- lets get MOVING!!!

Anna's Favorite Jello Salad

POINTS® Value: 2
16 - 1/2 Cup servings
Ingredients:
1 small pkg dry, powder Jell-O Sugar Free any flavor
2 cup Crushed Pineapple In Its Own Juice, drained WELL!
1 cup canned unsweetened mandarin oranges, drained well
24 oz fat-free cottage cheese
8 oz Cool Whip Free Whipped Topping
Mix all ingredients together well, except cool whip. Fold in Cool Whip last. Refrigerate. Ooo La La!

Challenge Tip #4

Tip #4 Know BEFORE you go!!
If you are headed out to dinner this weekend- have a game plan IN ADVANCE! Go to your Dining Out Companion, E-tools, or the restaurants website. Make a plan and stick to it. Restaurants are FINE and a great place to eat, but they can be VERY tricky. Knowing the POINT values before you go will help you stay on track. Knowing the POINT values before you go will let you feel comfortable and able to enjoy your meal, worry and guilt free.

*** Don't be afraid to ask for a doggie bag when your food comes- the serving sizes are HUGE and most can be split in half and saved for lunch (or dinner) the next day ***

Challenge Tip #3

I am hearing from some of you - please let me know how you are doing? Feeling good?

Ready for tip #3?
BANISH the BLT's! And I am not talking about the sandwiches! I am addressing those nasty little "bites, licks, and tastes!" EVERYTHING we put into our mouths has a POINTS value. EVERYTHING!!!! So here is the challenge- mark one POINT for EVERY blt you take. I mean it- one little bite of your sons PB & J, one nibble of a cookie or taste of tonight's dinner. Mark 1 POINT gone forever :) This is the only way to combat this habit- If you BITE it you WRITE it! No justifications, no pretending that it was so small it has zero POINTS (even if it is).

***exception to the rule- if your rabbit will eat it, you can too- no POINTS :) ***

Challenge Tip #2

Alright- how is it going? Are you feeing Better, Stronger, Faster than before? Are you ready for Tip #2? Here goes.

Tip #2 Shake up those POINT values!
If you always eat 4 POINTS for breakfast, eat 6. If you always have 8 POINTS for dinner, have 6. If you eat a 6 POINT snack at night, make it a 2 POINTer. If you have a one POINT snack at 10 AM, make it a 2 POINTer. If you already vary your POINT values from meal to meal and from day to day, then try dividing your Daily POINTS Target by five. Have five meals, spaced evenly throughout your day. Do ya get my drift? This is just one more way to throw a curve ball at ourselves. This not only keeps our bodies guessing, but it really brings some life back into our sometimes monotonous routine.

Challenge Tip #1

For those participating in the challenge-
Tip #1 EAT SOMETHING NEW AND DIFFERENT!
We become very complacent and routine in what we eat. By eating something new or different we will measure this new thing. We will calculate the points. We will also give our body the challenge of eating something different and new. Our bodies are very clever and conservative. They really get good at dealing with the "norm". Shake things up a bit. If you always have oatmeal for breakfast, have an egg on whole wheat toast or a smoothie.
Try something new TODAY!! :)

Challenge June 2008!

I'm sending out a challenge that another WW leader sent me! This is for you and for me, because I want to stay on track this summer as much as you do.

Your Challenge, should you chose to accept it is: Let's (you and me) follow the plan perfectly for the next seven days. I mean it - perfectly. AND, lets do some sort of movement/activity/
exercise for six out of the next seven days. Let's stay within our points budget, drink enough water,
have two healthy oils and and two servings of milk every day, and have 5 servings of fruits
or veggies every day. Do you think it's possible? Can we do it?! How many of you are
willing to take this challenge? Starting tomorrow, June 3, let's see how much this newsletter
group can lose in 7 days.

So, if you come to my meeting on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, try to come to my scale and tell
me how it's going. If you have to come on anther day, email me and tell me how it's going and how much you've lost. There are ~150 people on my mailing list right now, so do you think we can lose 150 pounds by next Tuesday/Wednesday? I've got the paper clips, do you have the guts?
What do you say???

Chicken Salad

POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 6
Ingredients
3/4 pound cooked chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup celery, finely diced
1/3 cup dill pickle(s), or sweet gherkins, finely diced
1/4 cup reduced-calorie mayonnaise
2 Tbsp reduced-fat sour cream
2 Tbsp parsley, fresh, chopped
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a large bowl; mix until blended. Yields about 2/3 cup per serving.

Tex-Mex Bean Salad With Creamy Salsa Dressing

8 POINTS® Value, 4 Servings
Think of this ingredient-packed salad as bean nachos with the works. Serve the chips on the side or crumble them on top for crunch. You can also serve the bean mixture on its own as a dip.
Ingredients
1/3 cup salsa, medium or spicy
3 Tbsp reduced-fat sour cream
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed (about two 15.5 oz cans)
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
3/4 cup canned yellow corn, or fresh, cooked kernels
1/2 cup avocado, diced
1/2 cup scallion(s), sliced
1/2 cup cilantro, fresh, chopped, or less to taste
6 cup romaine lettuce, shredded
2 oz Cabot Pepper Jack, or other brand, cubed or shredded
24 items baked low-fat tortilla chips
Instructions
In a large bowl, stir together salsa, sour cream and vinegar until blended. Add beans, tomatoes, corn, avocado, scallions and cilantro; toss to mix and coat.
Place 1 1/2 cups of lettuce on each of 4 serving plates; top each with 1 1/2 cups of bean mixture. Sprinkle each serving with 2 tablespoons of cheese; arrange 6 chips around edge of each plate. Yields 1 salad per serving.

Sustaining Motivation

Hello Friends!

It really feels like the nice weather is here to stay! Yeah!! My watch tan line is even returning :)

This week in meeting we will be looking at many great ways to keep our motivation alive during our relaxing summer festivities. We all know (by doing our homework last week) exactly what we want to have happen by Labor Day in September. We have developed our Winning Outcome and have come up with the steps we need to take to get there. This week we are looking at one of our Helpful Habits and one of our Tools for Living that will help us to keep our motivation where it needs to be to fulfill our Wining Outcome.

I hope to see you all in the meetings this week and have a great first week of June :) I leave you with my favorite quote about motivation :)

"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing-that's why we recommend it daily."
~Zig Ziglar

Loosen Up, Lighten Up... and Lose!

Hello Everyone!

What a great day today is. I have to admit, I really liked last week too. I love the rain! I hope you all have a safe and great Memorial Day!

Have you ever wondered how you can have a relaxing vacation without relaxing your weigh-loss efforts? Come this week to meeting and learn some great tools for clarifying your goals and finding ways to keep on track throughout our leisurely summer!

Have a great holiday and see you in the meeting! I leave you with this great anonymous quote:
"A diamond is a lump of coal that stuck with it."

Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger

Lynne Christy saw this recipe on Oprah and said it is DIVINE! Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
1 T canola oil
4 pounds ground turkey breast, extra lean
2 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. black pepper
2 tsp. chipotle Tabasco™
1 lemon, juice and grated zest
1/2 bunch parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup Major Grey's Chutney, pureed
Sauté the scallions, celery and apples in the canola oil until tender. Let cool. Place the ground turkey in a large mixing bowl. Add sautéed items and the remaining ingredients. Shape into eight 8-ounce burgers. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Season the turkey burgers with salt and pepper. Place on a preheated, lightly oiled grill. Grill each side for 7 minutes until meat is thoroughly cooked. Let sit for 5 minutes. Serve with a side of Major Grey Chutney and your favorite toasted bread, pita or hamburger roll.
Makes 16 burgers, 3 POINTS per burger.

Summer Grilling Ideas

Here is a great page from WeightWatchers.com that has many links to many great articles for grilling this summer! Please bring your favorites to the meetings to share! Enjoy!

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=3&art_id=53211

Families, Friends and Holiday Eating

Alright- now, I know I whined all winter about the cold temps- so now here comes the praise! Yippee and woo-hoo! The sun is out and I am one happy camper! I even mowed the lawns (ours and the neighbors) yesterday just out be outside! Yeah yeah- you think it's gonna stay?

Any-who, this week we are hitting right into the crux of many of our weight-loss trauma- the family parties! Ba na! We love to get together with our friends and families all summer long and just munch and crunch and whittle these beautiful days away! Now just because we are getting together, we don't have to toss all of our newly formed (and forming) Helpful Habits. {subliminal message coming... take the Habit Profile in your week three materials :} Our food related get togethers are fun and an important part of our lives. Come to meeting this week to really focus on some things we can do TODAY to help us manage these little bumps on our journey to a healthier self!!!

Oh, and don't forget- all of your leaders (especially me :), want to hear about your most creative ways to get in that little bit of "moving more" this week!

Remember the following quote when you don't think that your insight and comments in meetings make a difference! You never know when the things you share may be the answer to another members problems!!

"If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito."
~ author unknown

See you soon!!!!

Mandarin Asian Salad

Grilled Chicken, sliced and cooled (3 POINTS per BS breast or thigh)
romaine lettuce, ripped or cut bite size
Mandarin oranges, unsweetened and drained (1 C is 1 POINT)
1 can sliced water chestnuts
1 T sesame seeds
green onions, chopped
red bell peppers, sliced
sugar snap peas or snow peas (3/4 C- 0 POINTS)
Dressing:
1 C fresh mango peach salsa (2.5 POINTS)
2-4 T balsamic vinegar
1/2 t sesame seed oil (.5 POINTS)
2 t soy sauce
Blend in blender to mix. (I used this much dressing to serve 8 adults - 0 POINTS )Pour over salad ingredients, feel free to swap ingredients. The point value will change depending on how much chicken and mandarin oranges you use. This can be very low points and SUPER yum! My teenagers rated it as a 8 or 9 on a scale of 10. We ate it ALL!!!

I just love this poem!

Mother Teresa hung a copy of this poem on a wall of the orphanage she founded in Calcutta. Its source is unknown.

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be Kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It is never between you and them anyway.

At my sister-in-law's mothers funeral last fall, David Bednar quoted Neil A Maxwell's lesson he had learned from fighting cancer, he stated. "It is more important to not shrink, than it is to survive."

Many times in our lives we will only do things if we are assured that the outcome will be exactly what we want it to be. If something seems hard or there is a possibility that we won't succeed, we wont even try. Our character is not based on our successes, but on our valiant attempts! Our character is based on our integrity and the choices we make each day.

I realize that this is a blog for weight loss and motivation- I realize that your weight loss journey, like mine, is probably different than you might have planned. But here is the deal, by continuing to plug along, making the best choices you can each day (and of course attending your meetings :) you will make progress. Your life will improve in quality EVERY DAY!

We can't always see the outcome of our daily choices, but we can rest assured that every good choice we make is a success in and of itself. Every day we work toward a positive goal is a day well spent.

Hang in there and have a GREAT day!!

Actunities

Hello!

I am so excited to be back to an "almost" normal week with almost normal weather!

And what a great meeting we have going this week. I hate to give the topic away... so I won't ;) But be sure to come this week and see how you can increase your activity levels in little ways all throughout you day!

Be sure to check out the blog for recipes. I have been posting them straight to the blog to save a little time :) There are some great substitution ideas for your favorite recipes.

Have a great week! I am off to celebrate my Hubbies 40th birthday!! See you in the meeting!!!

Ingredient Swap

Here are a few ingredients that you can swap for a lower POINT value one. There is virtually no difference when using the light versions of these favorites. The Fat Free versions are nigh undetectable in many recipes. A little experimentation is really useful. You will find that some ingredients are not worth changing, while others don't make the least bit of a difference.

Sour Cream:
Regular 14 POINTS per cup
Light 7.5 POINTS per cup
Fat free 3.5 POINTS per cup

Cream of "Whatever" Soup:
Regular 8 POINTS per can
98% Fat Free 3.5 POINTS per can

Cream Cheese:
Regular 22.5 POINTS per 8 oz pkg
Light 12.5 POINTS per 8 oz pkg
Fat Free 4.5 POINTS per 8 oz pkg

Cheddar Cheese:
1 Cup 12 POINTS
1 C low fat 8 POINTS
1 C fat free 3.5 POINTS

Mayonnaise (Best Food's or Hellman's):
Regular 42 POINTS per cup
Light 19 POINTS per cup
Reduced Fat 9 POINTS per cup
Fat free 3.5 POINTS per cup

Funeral Potatoes
Regular 9 POINTS per serving
Using the light substitutions 5 POINTS per serving
Using the fat free substitutions 4 POINTS per serving

Thank You Thank You Thank You

I just had to say thank you, to all of those who have expressed their sympathies to me and my family this past month. With the passing of my Grandmother and my dear friend, Tammy, in the past few weeks, your love and concern has really buoyed me up.

You know, with each tough situation we face in our lives, we are able to see many of our strengths and some of our weaknesses. These times of trials can be great blessings and opportunities to grow.

Thank you again, so much for your love and concern!

Here is my new favorite quote by Thomas Alva Edison:
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

Baked Apple Oatmeal

1/2 cup of your favorite hot cereal (oatmeal, 6 grain, etc) 2 POINTS
1 fresh apple, cored and diced (peeling is optional) 1 POINT
amount of water your cereal calls for
a pinch of salt
---Microwave for 2-4 min (depending on how mushy you like it :) Put a little plain or brown sugar splenda on it and ENJOY! (2.5 teaspoons of Splenda Brown Sugar is 1 POINT) This is a very filling and yummy breakfast. I love it!

Weight Management: What a Bargain!

I hope ya'll are having a great weekend!

I have a few moments, so I thought I'd send you a note on time (well, a little early) this week.

Sometimes we think that it is too costly to pay our membership fees and buy the healthy foods we need, but hey- what is the real cost of healthy living? The real costs come from UN-healthy living. Come to meeting this week and join in our discussion of the many great ways that living healthfully saves us money now, and in the future!

See you soon! Remember that each opportunity we have to choose healthy living is there for the taking. Make one more good choice today- make another tomorrow, and before you know it, your life will be strewn with healthy habits you didn't even know you had :)

"Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell."
~anonymous

Better Late Than NEVER :)

Hi friends!

I am so sorry my email is late this week :(. Life has been a little "fuller" than normal and I am just catching my breath :) I hope all is well with all of you!

This weeks meeting topic is HOT!! How many times do we head out for dinner or order in take-out because the clock just hit 6:30 and everyone is going to STARVE??? This weeks we will be discussing strategies for overcoming the "what's for dinner?- and I mean NOW!" syndrome. With a few tricks up your sleeve, and a little planning, this "problem area" can see some major improvements- PDQ.

Now- last week I told you about a devil of a fantastic cake that was 8 POINTS per slice. I worked it down to about 3 POINTS per slice! Yes- bravo to me! It is posted on my blog, along with the black bean brownies. There is also a new link to all of the recipes that have been posted to the blog on the top right.

Have a fantastic week and see you in the meetings!!!

Back by Popular Demand!

Black Bean Brownies Kayleen Howard
1 box- family size brownies (9x13 size)
2 egg whites
¼ C water
1- 15 oz can black beans
2 t baking soda
In the blender, puree the black beans (DO NOT DRAIN) and ¼ C water. In a mixing bowl add brownie mix and 2 t baking powder, mix well. Then add the pureed beans and water and the eggs. Mix with a wooden spoon until just mixed. DO NOT OVER MIX. Bake in a greased, 9x13 glass baking dish at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Do not under bake. When the brownies are done they will pull away from the sides of the pan. Let cool for about 10 min and them cover tightly with plastic wrap and let finish cooling. Cut them 4x5 to make 20,- 2 point brownies. YUMMY!!!

To DIE For Cherry Brownies
2 pkg, Hershey’s Kisses Brownie Mix (2 - 1 lbs 4 oz mixes) Costco has a 6 pack
1 - 15 oz can black beans w/ liquid, pureed in the blender
4 egg whites
¼ C water
12 oz frozen cherries, cut in half (about 2 ½ C)
Puree beans in the blender with their juice, and the ¼ C water. Once pureed, add the egg whites and blend to incorporate. Pour blender contents into a bowl with the brownie mix. Mix until just moistened. Fold in Cherries. Do not over mix. Bake in a large 9x13 (10¼ x 15¼), greased baking dish, for 40 min, 375 degrees, and 10 min with the oven off. Cut into 32 squares (4x8). 3 POINTS per brownie ( vs. 5 POINTS w/o modifications)

German Chocolate Upsidedown Cake

Ingredients
1 package German chocolate pudding-type cake dry mix
3 items egg white(s)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
8 oz fat-free cream cheese
1 cup Splenda
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup powdered sugar
Place parchment paper in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle the bottom of the pan with the coconut and pecans. Mix the German Chocolate cake mix with the applesauce, 3 egg whites, and water from the box instructions. Beat well and pour over the coconut and pecans. In a mixer, mix, cream cheese, sour cream, splenda and powdered sugar. Beat really well. Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the entire cake, 1 Tablespoon at a time. Bake at 350 for about 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely. Cover and let set overnight on the counter. It tastes a TON better the next day :) Cut and serve- turning over the cake, so the bottom is on top. 24 servings, 3 Points each. (The original is by Sharla Webb and DROP DEAD DIVINE at 8 POINTS per slice :) *note from the chef- "lower the oven to 320 and bake for 20 min, then raise to 335 to finish, it takes a little longer, but the cream cheese mixture has time to sink to the bottom. Otherwise, it sometimes doesn’t go all the way through (depending on the oven)."

Mango Peach Vinaigrette

1/2 C Mango Peach Salsa of choice (from Costco)
1-2 T balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
0 POINTS
This is so great over any green salad. Add some grilled chicken (3 POINTS) to make it a meal :)

Would you like fruit with that?

Hi Everybody!

The bulbs are blooming, the grass is greening, and the air is WARMING!! Yeah! Spring is finally here! (right?)

Now with all of the beautiful weather, we are all getting ready for the fruits of summer! What a perfect time to look at ways to help those around us, help us, to keep on track with our healthier life styles. This weeks meeting topic is all about how to covertly or maybe not-so-covertly get those around us on board. Lets face it, if we are going to make changes to our lives, those with whom we share our lives, really need to be a support to us. These shifts in our relationships can be a little rocky, but with some tools and helpful habits, we can make some huge strides in getting our co-workers and loved ones, extending the support we need.

Now, I do have a recipe for you, Upside-Down German Chocolate Cake, but it is the "DEVIL" right now- about a million points per slice. My sister-in-laws, sister-in-law, made it for us over the weekend in Denver and I am going to fiddle with it to come up with a "lower-POINT" version. I apologize for the teaser- but hey... when it is ready, it's gonna knock your socks OFF!

As for last week's meeting topic, how are those excuses to avoid activity going? Did you blast any of them out of the water, per my meeting challenge last week? I sure hope so. Remember- what and how much you eat is EVERYTHING- but activity is the magic that keeps it all together. Plain and simple.

Mike Huckabee said: "When people ask, "How do you find time to exercise?" I respond, "I don't find the time, I make the time! If you wait until you find time, you will never--hear me--never find it. You must make time for taking care of your body just as you would make time to go to work, to shower, to eat, or to take in a movie."

Spring Break has arrived and I just realized- I'd better send ya'll a note real quick before I disappear into the beautiful sunshine!!

This weeks meeting topic is so timely- it is nice and beautiful outside, and time to get going. We have all made every excuse to skip the exercise, but is that really going to do anything for us? Please come to the meeting this week where we will dissolve some of our standard excuses and reasons for not moving more. We'll look at ways to regain some motivation to move more and reap the benefits!

Have a great spring break and I'll see you OUTSIDE!!!- Don't forget to take the new poll and any old ones you may have missed!

Here is my new favorite quote- it just plain made me laugh!

"You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it."
~Robin Williams

Muffins!

by: Michelle Bingham

Spice Muffins
1 C. canned Pumpkin
1 box Spice cake mix
1 C. no sugar added applesauce
Preheat oven to 400'. Mix pumpkin, dry cake mix and applesauce. Put in paper lined cupcake pans. Bake for 20 minutes. Makes 21 muffins, 7 servings, 3 muffins=1 point

Chocolate Banana Muffins
1 box Choc cake mix
1 can chocolate Slim Fast
3 Bananas
1/3 C water
Mix all ingredients together. Divide into 24 muffin tins. Cook at 350' for 20 minutes. Good for Chocolate cravings. Makes 24 muffins, 1 muffin=2points.

Choco-Pumpkin Muffins
1 Chocolate Cake Mix
1 reg. can pumpkin
Mix two together well and divide into 12 muffin tins. Bake 350' for 19-22 mins. Makes 12 muffins, 1 muffin=2 points.

Cooks.com has some good looking muffin ideas:
http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-0,low_calorie_muffins,FF.html

Lighten Up!!!

One of the my favorite things about Weight Watchers is that with a little modifications, most all of my own recipes can be tweaked to have lower POINT values. Now just so you know- there are some things that I have found ARE NOT WORTH changing. But in most instances, I have found that there are very good options that end up with a lower POINT value that we all can be happy with.

In baked goods (muffins, brownies and cakes) applesauce or pureed beans, can be swapped for all or most of the oil. The 98% fat free Cream of Mushroom and Chicken soups are nigh undetectable. In most recipes, light or fat free Sour Cream are also hard to tell from their full fat counterparts. In every instance, the Light cream cheese can be swapped for it's full fat brother, and in many recipes the fat free cream cheese works just as well. Corn tortillas are much lower in POINTS than flour tortillas.

Be sure to ask in meetings for specific substitutions you are looking for. All Weight Watcher members become quite resourceful in the kitchen to lower their favorite foods POINT values.

We are in this together- we are all looking for the most food for the lowest POINT values! Keep the ideas coming and bring them to meetings with you!

"What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?"
~George Eliot

French Toast

2 Slices of your favorite 1 POINT bread (2 POINTS)
-OR-
2 Slices of Sara Lee Delightful (1 POINT)
1/4 C egg substitute or 3 egg whites (1 POINT)
2 T Skim or 1% milk
dash of Cinnamon (optional)
dash of nutmeg (optional)
1 t of splenda (optional)
Mix the liquid ingredients well. Dip bread. Cook in a pan sprayed with Pam. Top with yogurt, syrup or jam of choice. (The sugar free versions will have the lowest or no-est points :)

High Fiber French Toast with Yogurt Topping

By Dave Larsen
POINTS® value 6.5 Servings 1
Ingredients
3 tsp canola oil, Pour into frying pan (3.5 POINTS)
1 slice high-fiber bread (1 POINT)
1/3 cup light artificially sweetened yogurt (1 POINT)
1/3 cup fat-free egg substitute (1.5 POINTS)
Instructions
Soak bread in liquid egg substitute. Fry in pre-heated pan with canola oil added. Carefully turn toast to fry evenly. Serve toast topped with artificially, fat free, fruit flavored yogurt. Add fruit as desired.

Dining OUT!

For most all of us, dining out is a regular part of our lives. We do it for convenience and mostly for fun! This article on WW.com had some great pointers about eating out! Enjoy!!!

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=45171

Episode III- Trigger Environments

What a great weekend! Nice weather! Yoo- Hoo!

I hope ya'll were able to make it to a meeting this week! What a phenomenal topic... the ever infamous Trigger Feelings! I hope you all took away some helpful strategies to begin to put a dent in emotional eating. We sure have a myriad of emotions that drive us to the pantry! Be sure to do your homework and really use the Reframing Worksheet you started in meeting. It is all about having an arsenal of ideas ready for use, at a moments notice. Be sure to let us all know how it went for you this week.

Now- this week is the third installment of our Trigger Trilogy. We will be taking a look at our environments. Are they healthy and supportive of your goals or do they need a bit of Detox? The places that we spend our time, need to be safe and friendly to our healthy lifestyles (NO SNICKERS ALLOWED :). Do we need to call in the Hazmat team, or maybe some teen aged boys, to eat up all of our leftover cookies? Maybe Extreme Home Makeover? Whatever hot spots we find ourselves in, either at work or home, this week in meeting, we will be looking at ways to make our environments as "Green" as possible. (You know, "Green", like environmentally friendly and "Green", as in green light foods- whoa, am I clever ;)

Be sure to have a fabulous weekend and a great week! See you soon!

People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success.
~Norman Vincent Peale

EBTKS Salad

By: David Larsen
POINTS® value 6 -Servings 2
Ingredients
1/4 cup canned yellow corn
1/3 cup canned black beans
1/2 cup cooked wild rice
1/2 cup spinach
1/2 cup romaine lettuce
1/2 cup tomato(es)
4 tsp olive oil
3 tsp ground basil
18 items Nabisco Wheat Thins Baked snack crackers - tomato and basil
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
Instructions
lightly crumble crackers, hold out the tomatoes, add other ingredients and mix. Garnish with tomatoes and add some parsley.