Holiday Parties

WW article with some good tips. You know, we hear the same tips every meeting and everyday, but choosing to use thesetips is a huge success! Celebrate all the samll things in not aonly your weight loss journey, but in you life!
I am celebrating! I woke up this morning and I have all the gifts wrapped and ready.

Holiday Time

I very much missed you saturday morning guy and gals! I consider Saturday asthe first day of my weight watcher week also.

Be sure to takeof yourselves this week.

Here is a Winter holiday guide from weighwtchers.com that has several recipes and ideas. ENJOY!

Let It Snow

Well, gals and guy! Looks like we might just be snowed in for the week-end. Not sure if I will see you tomorrow or not! If the roads are as bad tomorrow as they are now, STAY HOME!

My husband left our house at 4:15 this afternoon for work. I tried to get him to call in, he just called and it has taken him one hour to get 8 miles. I am super worried about him!

Holiday Cookie swap

There comes a time when you have to bake or even eat!

Click here

Weight Watchers Weekly

Be sure to let me know what you think of our new weekly newsletter, whether good or bad! Hope you enjoyed it!

Cranberry-Pineapple Minis

Thanks to Carol for this recipe from Kraft Foods:

1 can crushed pineapple
2 pkg jello raspberry jello (go for sf/ff)
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
2/3 chopped walnuts
1 apple chopped

drain pineapple, reserving juice. add enough water to juice to measure 2-1/2 cups; pour into saucepan. bring to a boil. add to gelatin mixes in large bowl, stir 2 min. until dissolved.

stir in pineapple, cranberry sauce, nuts and apples. spoon into 24 lined muffin cups.

refrigerate 2 hours or until firm. remove desserts from liners before serving.

calories 100
total fat 2 g
fiber 1 gram

points 2

link to site

Destress Yourself

Here is a link from WW that has great ideas.

Stressed? Not me!

Why is this the time of the year for us to feel so stressed? we should feel joyful and blessed.

Guess what! I am blessed and I am happy! I feel good and yes, it is worth staying on plan and on track.When I think where I was two ears ago and where I am now, I am very proud of myself and you all should be too.

But, there are many reasons that play against us in our weight loss journey, especially this time of the year. Whether the stress is family, work, buying gifts, wrapping gifts or just life in general.

"Slow down"
"Take a chill pill"
"Take a deep breath"

What a great time to sart a new hobby. Stay busy at night when you are home by yourself, or feel like you are by yourself. You will start to have more energy and you will not believe what you can get accomplished!

So, hang in there. Refer to your book 4 Helpful Habits and Reframe Yourself. Imagine where you want to be. Take care of yourself, you are worth it!

Turkey Day Down

I hope you are all feeling very thankful on this beautiful Sunday night after Thanksgiving! See, I told you that staying on your journey was well worth it! I hope you were able to take care of yourself and learn from experience on our way toward our next "eat fest". Hope you all have a beautiful Monday and I will see you sometime this week.

0 Point Broccoli

Add to a small baked potato and BAM a great 3 pt. lunch or even a late afternoon snack.

Here it is.

Week-End Travel

I know I have some friends going out of town this week-end. Read here for some great tips, or for anyone else!

What fits your schedule better, exercising one hour a day or being dead 24 hours.

Don't step on it, it makes you cry!

How to weigh yourself corectly

Click below for several great articles in preparation for the holidays:

16 Ways to Have a Healthy holiday Season

Keep Your Motivation Going Strong

Have A holiday Game Plan

Have a Holiday Game Plan: Thinking About Putting It Off?

Handy Planner

Click here and go t a very handy planner to get you through the holiday week.
Remember, PLAN, PLAN, PLAN.

Welcome to the Holidays

In my house from now until about February we celebrate! We started with Halloween then we go ito Thanksgiving, Christmas, College bowl Game Week, Super Bowl and finally Valentine's! The great thing is that I have discovered how to take care of myself. I actualy enjoy leaving a family holiday with my pants buttoned! Please remember that during this time each holiday is only one day of that week and there is no reason to go bezerk!

Opt for tasty Weight Watchers recipes
Compare the POINTS values for some traditional Thanksgiving dishes versus our sure-to-please renovated recipes:

Traditional Recipe POINTS Value Weight Watchers Recipe POINTS Value
Green bean casserole (3/4 cup) 4 Green beans with almonds (3/4 cup) 1
Candied sweet potatoes (1 cup) 8 Candied sweet potatoes(1 cup) 3
Garlic mashed potatoes (3/4 cup) 6 Garlic mashed potatoes (3/4 cup) 3
Mashed sweet potatoes, canned (1/2 cup) 2 Mashed sweet potatoes (1/2 cup) 1
Canned cranberry sauce (1/3 cup) 3 Cranberry-orange relish (1/3 cup) 2
Bread stuffing (1 cup) 8 Bread stuffing (1 cup) 2
Pumpkin pie (1 slice) 9 Pumpkin pie (1 slice) 3
Pecan pie (1 slice) 12 Pecan tartlets (1 item) 3

Know your portions
To help you size up your servings, come armed with some visuals:

1 cup of mashed potatoes is about the size of a tennis ball or your fist
3 ounces of turkey equals a computer mouse or a checkbook
1/2 cup of green bean casserole fits into a small cupcake wrapper or an ice cream scoop
1/4 cup of gravy equals 4 tablespoons; measure out some water in your gravy ladle to see how many tablespoons one full ladle holds

Go for the two-for-one side dish special
Hopefully not all the vegetables are drenched in butter. Opt for two spoonfuls of vegetable side dishes for each starch-based one that you take (and no, potatoes are not a vegetable in this case).

Plan on eating leftovers
There are usually more than enough side dishes for a few meals. Whatever you don't taste today, you can taste tomorrow.

Seek satisfaction
Think about what's worth eating and what's not. You can make yourself a baked sweet potato anytime, but your Aunt's sweet potato pie is a once-a-year specialty.

Fend off food-pushing relatives
Don't eat something just because your mom wants you to. Compliment her outfit, ask for a recipe, enquire about an old friend — anything to change the topic from why you didn't touch both her pecan pie and pumpkin cheesecake.

My Kind of Burrito

Click here for a burrito made with EASY ingredients from the pantry.

That Leftover Candy

Anyone for ideas on what to do with leftover candy:

Donate it to:

co-workers
afterschool snacks
to the classroom prize box
Homeless shelters or any place that may assist people
Lobby of where you work or any reception area
...

Just get rid of it!!

o Point Pasta Sauces

Click here for some recipesfrom weightwatchers.com. I am always looking for something to put over my meat and pasta.

Ideas for Healthy Guidelines

Help us all and bring your tips and suggestions on how yur get in allNINE of your healthy guidelines.

Caramel Apple Salad

1 tub lite cool whip
1 can crushed pineapple in its own juice
4 apples cored and diced
a small pkg. sf/ff butterschotch pudding mix

mix all together
chill at least one hour

500 Party

Way to go SaturdaY MORNING CLASS! Our class goal was to lose 500 pounds from the day I started as leader of this class. We did it as of last week, so this week we had a sort of tasting party. We brought in some great WW recipes to share. The pumpkin muffins were a great hit. I will share all recipes with you.

A HUGE thank you to all of you. Keep up the great work we are still all on our journey and doing great.

I have tried today to search for things that weigh 500 pounds. I can't get too many answers. An adult steer weighs 500 pounds!?

Guidelines to Good Health

Check out our focus for this week's meeting here.

OH NO!

You all will not believe this. Last night in the middle of the grocery store my points calculator QUIT! What does a weight watcher gal do? I about cried, you might know I was looking at some new stuff too. Well, after what seems like years of calculating points I had fairly good guesses, but man what a shock.

But, worse yet, I ran up to the WW center to transfer at least two for my church ladies and one for me AND we are out of them. PANIC again. I will try in Kingsport tomorrow.

Have a great Thursday!

Healthy Guidlines

Can you name all nine good health guidelines. Click here for the answer!

Take Care of Yourself

With the weather turning clear and crisp we need to take timeto clear ourthoughts and take care of oursleves. Please read these articles.

And this one.

As Promised--2 pt. snacks

Red Lobster Biscuit

2 cup reduced fat Bisquick
3/4 cup fat free buttermilk
1 cup fat free cheddar cheese

Mix and drop by the spponful. Makes 12 biscuits. Bake at 400 degrees for 18 minutes. Melt 2 tablespoons FF margerine and parsley flakes and brush on top of baked biscuits. Each biscuit is 2 pt.

Pumpkin Muffins

1 eighteen oz. spice cake mix
1 fifteenoz. can pumpkin
1 cup water
mix. Bake 20 -25 minutes @ 350 degrees. Makes 24 muffins.

Pineapple Upside down Biscuit
Spray 8" round cake pan with butterflavor spray. Drain 10 oz.can crushed pineapple and reserve the juice. Combine the pineapple with 1/2 cup splenda. Spread pineapple in bottom of cake pan. Place one frozen or canned cherry in the middle of each biscuit dough. Arrange biscuits, cherry side down in cake pann. Pour reserved juice over biscuits. Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 15 minutes or until golden brown. Invert cake pan onto serving plate. Enjoy 2 biscuts for 2 pts.

Weight Loss Can Be Fun & Exciting!

Explore and be creative. I Wanted to share this great article with you from weightwatchers.com

2 Points Good or Bad

We all want to think we can handle low point snacks, read this article for some good choice 2 point snacks that do not come from a 100 calorie snack pack!

Emotional Eating

57% of women over 18 who have to lose 11 pounds or more claim to overeat during emotional situations. Food and feelings go hand and hand. Read more in this article from weightwtchers.com

Apple Cider cupcakes

From Kim Bensen:

Apple Cider Cupcakes
CAKE
3 envelopes of Alpine® sugar-free spiced cider mix, dry
1½ cups hot water
1 cup Splenda®
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
½ cup fat-free sour cream
½ cup Egg Beaters®
2 cups flour, sifted
¼ tsp ground cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
dash salt
1 cup Fiber One® cereal, ground
ICING
2 envelopes of Alpine® sugar-free spiced cider mix, dry
6 oz fat-free cream cheese
½ cup Splenda®

CAKE:
Dissolve the cider mix with the water. In a mixing bowl, on high speed, beat the applesauce, sour cream, and sugar substitute, until smooth. On medium speed, beat in the egg substitute mixing well. Add in the flour, baking soda, powder, and spices, mix on low, until it is almost mixed and add the cider mixture and mix on medium, until smooth.
In lined (or sprayed) muffin tin, pour 1/3 cup into 18 tins. Bake at 375º for 25 minutes. Cool completely.

ICING:
In a mixing bowl beat together all icing ingredients until smooth. Be sure the cupcakes are completely cooled before icing them. Use 2 tbsp of frosting and ice each cupcake.

Calories: 81
Total Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 3mg
Sodium: 112mg
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 1g
Protein: 4g

Somebody try, so we will know if it is worth it! Sounds good. One point.

Am I hungry?

Trying to identify our hunger is not always easy. Read this article for support.

Figured it out!!

I have now figured out how to get my links on here. So, for now on just link the highlighted part of the text! Yea me!! Can you technologically stupid!!

Lose For Good

Please to remember to bring in your food to donate. Since the start of the Lose For Good campaign my Sat. class has lost approx. 90 pounds and the Church Ladies have lost 41 pounds. We are doing GREAT!

No Rain!!

See, the power of being positive!! The rain was in sheets the whole drive to the UT game. Once there, the rain stopped, I threw on my trusty hooded sweatshirt and stayed very comfortable the entire night. (Except the one time that OU was up by 7 points.) Not one drop of rain!! I took my poncho in case, I'm not that positive!

The menu:
(Not that great)
Broccoli Slaw w N/F mayo, fake bacon bits, N/F cheddar cheese 2 pts. per serving
Kim Bensen's recipe for potato salad 1 pt per serving
chicken
I took a rotisserie (chk. that spelling) chcken from Wal-Mart Unfortunantly Jeremy and his friend scarfed it up before I could get a bite.
Boneless wings that I figure are at least 2 pts. per piece. I had one and it was not worth it, yuk.
So, I filled up on the salads. and coffee.

I will do better next week! I would appreciate all ideas! The message board has good ideas.

Water Aerobics

The Tuesday Night Church Ladies have discovered water aerobics at Freedom Hall swimming Pool. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 pm. A real deal at just $2.50. Come out and join us. It lasts for one hour and if you could sweat in the pool we would be!!

Measure Your Success

Do not find yourself wandering around with no place to go!

Do You Have A Goal?

I hope that all of you have a goal that you work toward. We all have an ultimate weight loss goal, but have you developed short term goals for yourself. We will explore goal setting this week. At Weight Watchers we have lots of celebrations, 5%, 10%, 10# loss, each10# loss and eventually Lifetime! I want you all to think about your "Non-scale" victories and come up with a positive short-term goal to work toward.

Have a GREAT day!!

Focus?

From Kimbenson.com

Where is your FOCUS?
September 15, 2009 9:35 AM

There’s nothing we want more than to be healthy and thin. We want to throw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt without wondering if it covers our fanny. We want to pull out last year’s clothes without worrying about whether or not they’re going to fit. And P-UH-LEASE! We want LESS clothes in our drawers – but all ONE size!

So why is this goal so impossible to achieve? We have all the tools to succeed at our fingertips. Free weight loss advice on the Internet. Encouragement (and stern warnings) from our physicians. And light cooking shows on TV. Most of us have even tasted victory on an occasion or two … or four … or more. With all the statistics and all the desire – why is it so hard to rid ourselves of the burden that continues to squelch our happiness and our health?

And it’s not like we haven’t “done” it before. Most of us have felt the excitement of a new beginning. We’re going to DO IT THIS TIME! Day by day we plan and cook, look up and check off. Life becomes a series of calories, carbs or points. AND WE’RE LOSING! We’re focused. Our eye is on the goal. We feel so good about ourselves and wonder why we haven’t done this sooner! Five pounds, then ten. Whoo hoo! We’re on our way.

But life isn’t a series of peaks; there are valleys in the mix as well. Family struggles and work issues, relationships and holidays all demand a piece of us. Our focus shifts ever so slightly and we’re once again struggling. It’s not as easy as it was and we wonder why. The losses slow from pounds to ounces. Evenings seem to be getting looooonger. The war within grows. How many years has it been since we’ve had a slice of pizza! We feel miserable. It’s just not worth it. Aaaaaaah!

Then it happens – the inevitable binge. Maybe it’s a binge and maybe it’s a BINGE!. But either way, “perfection” is broken and we feel discouraged and afraid. Why is it so hard now when it was so easy before?

Actually, that’s an excellent question and there’s naturally not one answer. However, with all the time I’ve spent in weight loss meetings, I’ve seen one common theme. That is … FOCUS.

In the beginning of any new weight loss journey, no matter who we are and no matter what diet we’re following, the diet is the focus of our time and attention. We GO to the meetings. We READ the material. We PLAN our days. We set aside the TIME to do it right. As time goes on and we’re more comfortable with our relatively new way of living, our peripheral vision becomes broader. Life’s clamor is always at the outer edges of our vision, ready to take center stage.

But our previous unhealthy way of eating is still so much a part of us, that it’s easy to slip back to the familiar. When emotions are strong and we are busy or tired, if we’re not focused on our relatively new way of eating, it’s no wonder we feel the relentless tug of our old friend, food.

Being comfortable with a new healthy lifestyle definitely a goal we all are striving for. We just need to remember that with the comfort level we can’t let slip the focus that got us to that comfort level in the first place.

Welcome

Welcome to all new and returning members in the lasst two weeks! I hope that all of you can start your journey and contimue on a healthy life!

Food Triggers

What are your trigger foods?

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=35441&sc=802

Eating Out Do's and Don'ts

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=29981

You still have to cut and paste to get there!

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

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=52641

Tuesday Class

You guys are doing great! Two more 10 pound ribbons! We (you guys) are really going strong. Guess what, two members have discovered water arobics. So, about three more of us are joining in on Thursday at 6:00 at Fredom Hall pool. I probably will not be able to move on Friday morning! Can't wait!

Missed Ya'

I missed you guys in my Saturday class. I hope all went well and we will be ready to get back on track on Saturday. Thank you Karen for covering for me!

Orange Nation

I missed you guys today! I hope all went well and you are fready to bring losts of food for ou "Lose For Good" campaign!
Today's menu:

ribs (I ate one.)
Hot Wings (Ate none, you know those thingsare 2+ pts. each.)
Hot artichoke Dip -made with NF yogurt, reduced fat cheese and NF cream cheese
salsa
LF chips
carrots
BEANS
corn and black bean salad
WATER, WATER, water It was hot today

Oh yea, we saw Peyton leave the game. I bet he signed autographs for 20 minute. I just love that guy!

Learn From Experience

Learn what fits your life, and build on that knowledge.

Evaluate your progress and make small adjustments as needs arise.

Accept what’s not in your control...and accept that mistakes happen. Weight loss is a matter of “progress, not perfection.”

Reap the benefits of others’ success. What are their secrets, tips and tricks? How do they manage difficult situations?

Never give up on your goals. There’s always something more to learn, always another option to try.

The Don't Quit Poem

Track this week!

Don't Quit (Poem)

When you’ve eaten too much and you can’t write it down,
And you feel like the biggest failure in town.
When you want to give up just because you gave in,
And forget all about being healthy and thin.
So What! You went over your points just a bit,
It’s your next move that counts…So don’t you dare quit!
It’s a moment of truth, it’s an attitude change.
It’s learning the skills to get back in your range.
It’s telling yourself, “You’ve done great up till now.
You can take on this challenge and beat it somehow.”
It’s part of your journey toward reaching your goal.
You’re still gonna make it, just stay in control.
To stumble and fall is not a disgrace,
If you summon the will to get back in the race.
But, so often the strugglers, when losing their grip,Just throw in the towel and continue to slip.
And learn too late when the damage is done,
That the race wasn’t over…they still could have won.
Lifestyle change can be awkward and slow,
But facing each challenge will help you to grow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint in a gray cloud of doubt.
When you’re pushed to the brink, just refuse to submit,
If you bite it, you write it…But don’t you dare quit!

Tuesday Class

Two 10# ribbons given away! Way to go rachel and Sue. All your hard work has paid off! We had a total of 9.5 pounds, GREAT for just eight people! I hope you guys are learning and having fun. Start saving your canned foods!

Use fresh Corn

Summer Corn, Bacon and Potato Chowder Favorites Soups


POINTS® Value: 4
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 15 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Works with Simply Filling
Sweet summer corn can't be beat. Highlight it in this chowder along with buttery Yukon Gold potatoes and smoky Canadian bacon.


Ingredients

1 medium Yukon Gold potato(es)
1 spray(s) cooking spray
1/2 cup(s) celery, chopped
1/4 cup(s) onion(s), chopped (or 1 large shallot)
4 piece(s) corn on the cob, kernels removed with a knife
1 cup(s) sweet red pepper(s), diced
4 oz Canadian-style bacon, diced
2 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp hot pepper sauce, or to taste

Instructions
Pierce potato in several places with a fork; microwave on high power until tender, turning over once, about 8 minutes. Allow to cool; peel and mash.


Meanwhile, coat a large saucepan with cooking spray. Add celery, onion, corn and red pepper; sauté over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.


Stir bacon and milk into saucepan; stir in mashed potato and mix well. Season with salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce; stir to combine. Cover and simmer 10 minutes (do not allow to boil). Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.
Notes
Feel free to substitute your favorite fresh vegetables like asparagus and broccoli for the red pepper. Or to save time, substitute 2 cups of frozen corn and 1 cup of frozen, diced bell pepper for the fresh corn and red pepper.

Labor Day Ideas for Your Eats

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=77841

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=3131&sc=3046

Hidden Coffee

Rachel, this one is for you!

http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/caffeine-and-calories/

Hitting Goal Weight

OK you have hit your goal weight now what. Please copy and paste below for some GREAT info.

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=2&art_id=32181&sc=3014

Arnold's Sandwich Thins

I have asked food City for a year to start selling these. I have read abut them on the message boards. They are like thin hamburger buns. Bigger around than an english muffin.
100 calories
1 g. fat
6 g. fiber
i pt for each (two slice). Cannot wait to serve as a hamburger bun. I had a sandwih for lunch today. I am thinking:
use as mini pizza bread
egg mcmuffin (egg beaters, canadian bacon, NF cheese)
sandwiches
hamburgers
toast with WW cream cheese
oh the list goes on and on.

http://www.sandwichthins.com/?gclid=CLSI5Zz4y5wCFQ7GsgodS3Smqw

Peyton

Peyton came into the restaurant that Jeremy works, and of course he was so excited he had his picture made with him! Poor Jeremy, look at the height difference! Jeremy's biggest observation was that you would have never known that he is a talented millionaire! Gee, can you tell that we are Tennessee fans, by the way, eight days 'til football, which of course, means FOOD. We always tailgate either before or after games, so I will need food ideas! Does anyone else EAT at games or have special eat fests this fall. Let's all help each other during this time which will lead us into Thanksgiving, which will lead us into Christmas. Is it just never ending? But the good thing is, we are all developing good habits to live by!

25 Little Tips For Weight Loss

Articles referred to in class:

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=49051&sc=3039

Recovering from Vacation
http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=31171&sc=3046

10 Wayss to Get Back on track
http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=58751&sc=3046

Remember all of these articles are on weightwatchers.com. I cannot stress enough how much free information is on this website! Use it.

Lose For Good

Copt and paste for information on Weight Watchers Lose For Good campaign. If you guys are interested we will donate ourselves. I will check with the other leaders in bristol and se if they are interested.

http://www.weightwatchers.com/templates/marketing/Landing_1col_nonav.aspx?PageId=1039731

Food Cravings

Winning Over Those Food Cravings

Have a craving for something unhealthy? Want those chips NOW? Why not try some of these tips to help you deal with those unhealthy food cravings:

Don’t ever be without your water
If you’re leaving the house, make sure some healthy snacks go with you (place in single-serving size baggies)
Go for a walk; it will help with the food craving, the stress, and it will burn calories
Make sure you eat your three meals a day with a healthy mid-afternoon (when I most need the pick-me-up) snack
Keep your foods high fiber to help stabilize your blood sugar; helps control hunger too
Call a friend and have a nice visit; calorie-free and enjoyable
Write down when you have a craving and what the craving is for; tracking is a good way to help control the cravings
Never eat the unhealthy food from the package; control your portions.
Write down some healthier alternatives to your cravings; instead of ice cream try frozen yogurt, instead of chips and dip why not try some baked chips and salsa.
Let’s face it, cravings are going to come and go. With the above tips and some of your own, you can control how you are going to react to those cravings. Whatever you do, stop feeling guilty and blaming yourself for giving in to your food cravings. That will only make your mood worse and increase your need for serotonin, which results in more unhealthy eating.

That's Bristol Baby!

Well, I survived another race (food). You know people think it is all about the race, nope, it's all about the food and drink! Well, I think I made good choices this year. We had sandwiches on Friday, whole wheat bread, reduced fat cheese (nobody knew), tomato, lettuce, etc. On Sat. the big food was Ridgewood BBQ. YUM! I love those beans. So that I would not eat too much I took styrofoam cups to eat beans out of. Two reasons, the paper plates are too flimsy and I thought the cups would make me think that I was eating lots. I was also careful on how much meat I piled onto my sandwich.
Now, snacks. Those new weight watchers strawberry chews really helped. And they were guilt free! I really liked those a bunch. But I made them last. The downfall was that my skinny son liked them too.

Great Tuesday Meeting

Great meeting ladies. A 17.5 loss. Whoo Hoo!! A 5% award given, yeah! I sent the newslatter info with the following recipe:
Caramel Apple Salad -

8 Servings

20 oz Pineapple Crushed In Own
-Juice
4 md Apples,Chopped
4 Jell-O Instant Butterscotch
Pudding,1 Small Box, Sugar
-Free, Instant
8 oz Cool Whip Fat Free,1 8 oz
-Container

Mix pineapple and pudding mix together. Fold in cool whip, fold in
apples. Chill for 8 hours or overnight

Serves 8 (1 cup each)
139 calories 0 fat 2 fiber

Enjoy your week. If anyone has any great tailgating recipes, please share.

Another Stupid Comment

OK, my daughter's birthday is this week-end, so we have chocolate birthday cake. I chose to NOT eat a piece. Mostly because I really don't like cake. So the comment was, "Oh yeah you can't have cake, you count points." And my comment was "Even if I had 4500 points I probably would not eat this cake. Now give me a bag of chips and it might be worth it." But I didn't.

There were six adults at my huse (all in-laws). Five of the adults are on cholesterol medicaton and two are diabetic. Gee, is the cake really worth it? My cholesterol and sugar are all within normal limits.

GREAT week of meetings!

I have had such a good week. Both of my meetings were great. Tuesday we had a 19 pound loss and great meeting. This morning our Sat. group lost 14.5 pounds and our train cars have a total of 299 pounds lost! Yeah us!
Remember all the great ideas we brainstormed on how to deal with cravings:
Distract it
Fake it
Feed it
Dig deeper
Ask what the craving implies

Next week we will be discussing recovering from summer. Everyone hits a slow down in our weight loss at some time. As many of you have realized. It is now the time of the year to get back on track.

Also, for the Sat. class: I will not be there on that day (Aug. 21). Patty, from the Mon-Tues. class will sub for me. She normally has a class in Johnson City, but does not want to hit the race traffic that morning on her way home! I will have eleven people at my house from out of town. We have a great time, but they wear me out!

By the way, anyone have any good ideas for race food. I will take any ideas you have.

Back In the Saddle!

Finally, in a routine! I love summer, but when I know down deep that summer is only temporary, I never really make myself find a routine that I can live with during the summer. This is something I have to work on next summer, which I might add is only 178 school days away!

Now, the problem is that I have to try to stay out of an eating rut by eating the same breakfast and lunch everyday. Anyone want to share ideas? Even staying at home we can get into that eating rut and just get tired of the same ole thing.

Snack Food Showdowns

Always looking for low point snacks:

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=595&sc=3017

Salad Recipe

Here is the black Bean Corn salad recipe. I no longer have a copy of the recipe, but I kind of eyeball it and change as I need, or as my family likes it.

1 can blackbeans rinsed and drained
1 can whole kernel corn
about 1/4 cup red onion, or any kind. I have even used green onion
cilantro, if you like it about one tablespoon
mix enough fat free ranch to make it sald consistency maybe about 1/4 cup
I sort of evyeball, but measure so you will know. As far as points, you can figure pts. by each ingediant and figure a serving by dividing. Good luck I will tryto figure this out for you or you let me know what you get! It is filling and high in fiber. I know this is rambling info but I am on my way out to church and had this on my mind!

Meeting Up-Date

Our Saturday meetin will very soon meet our 500# goal! We are doing great! I do think we need to celebrate real big when we hit 300 and then really, really big when we hit the BIG one!

Our topic was "Beyond Chicken". Although we had a big number of members weigh in we had a small meeting, so this meeting was kind of like "casual Friday". Great ideas on ways to eat good points that may have been different than what we are doing. Do not get into a rut with what you eat. We seem to get in a comfort zone and then stay there. I don't know about you guys but, in my family when I hear let's eatsomething different that means let's go out and eat really bad. If I keep it mixed up everyone seems to be more satisfied.

Next week we will be discussing cravings. we all have them. How do you deal with them? What are the reasons for cravings? Do cravings sabatoge your day? We will talk and brainstorm.

Have a great day!

New Tuesday Night Class

OK, the Tuesday night class at my church has started! We had a great night. You know, it is always good for me to review the program again. Every time I have a new member on Sat. and I go over the Momentum Plan again, I, in a way feel like I am refreshed. Thank you ladies! I hope everyone is staying hydrated this week with the rather warm temperature. I have a question, I drink LOTS of water, but with all the meetings I have had this week I have not had my usual. This is because I cannot run to the restroom when I want. What does a woman do when you have to choose water or bathroom break? Hum! I unfortunantly felt like I had to choose not to drink. This is the pits. By the time our meeting was over yesterday I felt like I had the Gobi Desert inside my mouth! But next week will be better or at least when I get my bladder tained for school. MY summer bladder is so much more happy!
Have a great day. Tomorrow in the Bristol class we will be trading favorite recipes! You will see.

Site With LOTS of Information

http://win.niddk.nih.gov/

free hit counters

From Hungry Girl--HA HA!

Check this out. According to an online auto insurance agency, here are the top 10 foods you should avoid while driving...

1. Coffee ('cuz it's hot)
2. Hot soup (like we said, HOT)
3. Tacos (volatile structures)
4. Chili dogs (high risk of drips)
5. Hamburgers (grease = slippery steering wheel)
6. Ribs and wings (potential finger-licking interference)
7. Fried chicken (again, grease)
8. Jelly donuts (the draw of the oozy center is apparently distracting)
9. Soda (fizz leads to sneezing)
10. Chocolate (warm hands cause melting; slick steering wheels cause swerving)

I think you should pretty much avoid eating most of these even when you're NOT driving. (Unless they're guilt-free versions, of course.) And, um, Ie don't really recommend eating ANYTHING while driving.
But seriously, don't you love building your new healthy habits and not stopping at greasy fast food places! See, it is safer and healthy!

Nice Video

Stair Stepping

OK, after our meeting this morning I left for Knoxville to help my oldest move. Now, here is the deal. He moved out of an apartment that is on the 3rd floor, every apt. is two floors. It was 54 steps up so 108 steps round trip. I didn't start counting for several trips. Made 22+ round trips 108 steps for 22 trips is 2360 steps, and that is carrying a load every trip down. I was soaking wet with sweat. I was a little embarrassed! His apt. he moved into is on the 2nd floor with 14 steps. We made as many trips up those steps as the apt. he moved out of! That is at least another 616+ steps. How many activity pts. would this equal? I think several!
But, his current favorite restaurant is Hooters. YUK! There is not very much there to choose from so I went with the club sandwich on whole wheat w/o cheese. Heated. No fries. I also drank countless ounces of water for the day! Did you know that each wing is 2-3 pts. each. Talk about adding up! So I skipped those.
OK, off to soak in the tub. My son had better take care of me when I am too old to walk by myself! (Of course how many times has my mom helped me move?)

7 Ways to Dump the Diet Mindset

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=76851&sc=66

Copy and paste this address for a great article on weightwatchers.com

7 strategies that work:

1. Eat your weekly Points allowance
2. Attend weekly meetings
3. Read up on fitness and health topics
4. Refuse to get stuck in a food rut
5. Don't be an obsessive scale hopper
6. Focus on behavior change
7. Don't quit

We will be discussing tomorrow.

Vacation!!

Well, surprise, surprise! My husband surprised me and e left this past Sunday for North Myrtle Beach. We are leaving tomorrow. This afternoon is the first time I have made time for the computer. We have had a blast! I have actually controlled my eating! This motel--Best Western, Ocean Sands has a continental breakfast so I have had my cereal and whole wheat toasst and we have had our lunch in our room. I discovered the greatest tuna salad. Made by Starkist already mixed up and only 2 pts. We have eaten out at night but I have been very reasonable. I have walked/ ran at least 4 miles every morning. Ain't nothing better than being on the beach at 7:30 in the morning. It is beautiful!

July 25 Class

OK, to recap our GREAT meeting where we lost a total of 20 pounds. Yes you read correctly!
"Lack o activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it." Plato.

Fun in th Sun--Kick the can, beach games at home-badminton, frisbee, volleyball, walks, team sports, croquet.

Better Safe than Sizzled-
Slow down the intensity if the sun gets too hot, sunscreen, stay hydrated, eat!

Watch the Clock-early morning and evening are the coolest times.

Drink UP

Sunshine on your Shoulders--Again, sunscreen

See YOU

WW Health Salad

From the message boards. You know I love to look at allthe recipes and hopefully find something that soundsgood. I think I will make this for tonight. We are eating at the in-laws and as you all have heard she does not cook very healthy! I have everything in the fridge except the fresh dill and my cucumber is the usual not english, so we will eat seeds. OH, oh I made the Berry Crumble from the WW site yesterday, YUMMY!
Health Salad

POINTS® Value: 0
Servings: 16
Preparation Time: 14 min
Cooking Time: 0 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Works with Simply Filling

Like slaw, but better. This recipe is wonderful with burgers, chicken kabobs and grilled fish. A fantastic side dish for a summer crowd.

Ingredients
4 cup(s) shredded red cabbage, or green cabbage
1/2 medium English cucumber, thinly sliced
1/2 medium red onion(s), thinly sliced
1 large garlic clove(s), thinly sliced
1 medium green pepper(s), thinly sliced
1 medium carrot(s), thickly shredded
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 1/2 tbsp sugar
2 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (optional)
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine cabbage, cucumber, onion, garlic, green pepper and carrot; set aside.

In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients; pour over vegetables and toss to mix and coat. Chill in refrigerator, tossing once or twice, for about 1 hour. Yields about 1/2 cup per serving.

Web Site

I get a newsletter in my e-mail from this site. Has some really good tips and recipes that I have tried.

www.eatbetteramerica.com

Have a great day and as your mother would sy: "Eat your fruits and veggies to stay healthy!"

Health Risk assessment

I put this off all summer, but finally went to the Eastman for my Health Risk Assessment in order to save on our insurance premium (although, I use health insurance through my employer, I am on my husband's coverage). They take blood and measure and then counsel. I had to be stuck twice for blood, cause the first one did not take! You know I cannot win the money lottery, but by golly I can win the "stick me twice with a needle lottery"! Well, here are my number:

Height-5' 2"
weight- 141.2
Percent Body fat- 32.2
BMI- 25.8
Waist- 31
Blood Pressure- 132/99 (bottom number up and don't know why)
Total blood cholesterol- 147
HDL- 51
LDL- 86
Triglycerides- 50
Blood Glucose- 83

All in all, I am ok with my numbers. Thank goodness. Last summer was the first time to have to do this and the first time I have not been in the obese category! Thank goodness I have stayed there, although this is not an easy feat! But well worth it!
Have a great day, my daughter has a Dr. appt. at 1:00, the house being appraised at 4:00 (re-doing our home loan) and the church youth coming over to swim at 6:00. I am sure you are all in envy of me right now! I have to go to the grocery store too, kiddos usually get hungry and thirsty while swimming!

Stay-Cation

I found this article on tricities.com! You may have to copy and paste to read. Don't know why.

http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/consumer/article/havent_been_able_to_take_a_vacation_try_a_staycation/29195/

July 18 Meeting

I hope that everyone was able to leave Saturday feeling good and ready to have a Great week! Remember to fill half your plate with veggies. I know more than anyone that can be a most difficult task. I was able to get in four servings of fruits and veggies yesterday. My craisins at lunch, warmed up green beans and zuchinni cakes at lunch and grilled corn at supper. Remember to refer to your previous books weeks. Especially Book 5: Eat Out and On the Run. I seems like this time of the year whether on vacation or staycation we tend to eat on the run a bit more. Although, I think I tend to say the same thing during the school year!

When discussing vacation foods and special foods, because let's face it we all have our special restaurants and favorite splurge foods, keep this in mind: Choose an appetizer portion, use those little plates the waiter brings to the table rather than eat from the appetizer plate; share an entree' and add a salad or soup that you eat first; eat slowly and savor each bite; ask for local fruits and vegetables that are seasonal and ask how the food is prepared; share that special dessert with everyone at the table. Please share tips that have worked for you! These tips can also work when at home or at family gatherings.

Fun Fest Fireworks

These were great fireworks. I was very proud of us! We did not go to the concert in Kingsport, but wanted to watch the fireworks. So we ate at home! Saved money and endless calories! The fam wanted hot dogs, so we had Hebrew National Fat Free on the grill with homemade chili (I keep in the freezer), didn't have buns so we settled for Nature's Own 1 pt for two slices bread. We only used one slice of bread for a dog, is that .5 pts? Grilled corn on the cob with the Terry's O'Boisies chips. Have you tried those yet. Really good! 16 chips for 3 pts. You know chips are my splurge! We also parked at the mall so we did not walk down by all the fast food and food vendors, so this really helped us too. It was fun, the kids, my daughter and neices played in the grass. We did have to wea sweat shirts and I had a blanket. How strange for July!

Diet Soda Cake

You asked for it:

Mix the box of cake mix and 12 oz. of diet soda. You can add 1-2 egg whites to make it flufier, or it will be somewhat dense, but not bad. Bake according to package directions. Use the Nutrtional information on the cake mix box. I have not all of them! Use your imagination, almost anything will work. For icing think of fruit mixed in with Cool Whip or some of the sugar free icing!

Some combinations:

• spice cake with diet orange
• lemon cake mix w/ diet 7-up or Sierra Mist
• Chocolate cake w/ diet cola
• lemon cake w/ diet Ginger Ale
• orange cake w/ diet Mtn. Dew
• Angel food cake w/ diet orange
• white cake w/ peach
• spice cake w/ diet lemon-lime
• chocolate w/ diet cherry coke
• devils food w/ diet vanilla coke
• chocolate w/ diet root beer
• marble cake w/ diet cream soda
• lemon w/ tangerine diet rite
• white cake w/ diet sprite
• red velvet w/ diet cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper
• pineapple cake w/ diet sprite
• orange cake w/ Mtn. Dew
• yellow cake w/ diet orange

Mixed Berry Crumble

Sounds good, but I have not tried it! Let me know!
http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=148821&sc=11

Summer Vaction Guide

Check this out from weightwatchers.com

www.weightwatchers.com/vacationguide

Eat Your Veggies

I hope you are eating as close to five servings of fruits and veggies as you can! I am trying also!

Summer School

I stupidly, without thinking volunteered to teach summer school this week! Paid of course. But, you know what, I have really enjoyed this week! I do not often get to work with the regular ed. kids so this week has been fun, and challenging for me. I have learned more than the kids! I really thought my menu would be very easy this week, especially taking my lunch and all. The problem has been that Scott is working nights, so guess who has poorly planned the supper meal! That would be me. We have struggled because he has to leave shortly after we get home and after he has left Alexa and I have had some kind of activity every night! Tomorrow I will srart all over!

Summertime!

Summer and school is out! I feel good and I hope that I will be able to help others feel good about themselves. I will be going to the Farmer's Market tomorrow for the first time this season. I am very excited, not only great tasting, but easy on my wallet!

May 2009

Today is another rainy day, but yesterday was a great meeting with the largest crowd so far. This was my fourth meeting and we are only getting better!