Sunday, November 19, 2006

Newsletter, week of November 19th

Follow Up On Last Week’s Topic

Now that you’ve done a dry run, a Thanksgiving feast will be easy as pie! (Sorry, couldn’t resist) Knowledge is power – knowing the Points values can help you decide what foods to put on your plate and what foods to pass on by.

This Week’s Topic

2-4-6-8 What do you appreciate? In honor of the season, let’s think about what we’re thankful for – the things we’ve learned, the people who have helped us, the small victories we find each day.

KUDOS: (from the Greek: acclaim or prestige resulting from notable achievement)

Wow, what a week! Alanna reached her 10-pound milestone on Wednesday, and both Marianne and Dora achieved their 10% targets. Good going, girls!

WW Product of the week

Weight Watchers Mix-Ins - if plain old water just doesn’t do it for you, give these a shot. Raspberry and Lemonade flavors are easy and portable. Mix and enjoy the taste. $3.50

Non-WW product of the week

When you exercise, you sweat. Sorry, it’s unavoidable! If you’re wearing a cotton t-shirt during exercise, you’ll realize how heavy and wet your workout clothes can get. Coolmaxâ fabric is your answer. The fabric “wicks” away sweat and is breathable. It keeps your skin drier, and is more lightweight than regular cotton. Upgrade today!


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Recipe of the Week

“Cheat” Potato Casserole
Makes 4 servings
2 Points

1 large butternut squash (to yield 2 cups flesh)
½ cup egg substitute
1/3 cup light vanilla soymilk
1/3 cup sugar free maple syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ cup Splenda
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup miniature marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350. Peel squash and cut into large chunks. Fill a large dish with a half an inch of water. Place squash into dish and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 8 min (and drain). Squash should be tender enough to mash, but not fully cooked. Mash squash, measure out 2 generous cups, lightly packed, and place in a baking dish. Add all ingredients except for marshmallows. Mix ingredients thoroughly, but do not over-stir; squash should still be pulpy. Cook for 45-50 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle marshmallows over top of pie. Return to oven for 5 minutes, until marshmallows begin to brown.

--From www.Hungry-Girl.com

Tip of the Week

If you have trouble with PM snacking, try these tips: brush your teeth right after diner, gargle with minty mouthwash, chew gum, or suck on a spicy cinnamon candy.

Quote of the Week

We must never be afraid to go too far, for success lies just beyond.- Marcel Proust

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Newsletter, week of November 12th

Follow Up On Last Week’s Topic

I hope you all plotted out the upcoming events on your calendar. Plan ahead for those tricky events and you might find you succeed at staying on program.

This Week’s Topic

This week is our annual “Thanksgiving Dinner.” Let’s do a dry run and see how many Points you might spend on a meal of turkey and all the trimmings! (No actual food involved…sorry!)

KUDOS: (from the Greek: acclaim or prestige resulting from notable achievement)

Did you know that you earn a charm for attending 16 meetings? If you’ve been a member for that long and don’t have the clapping hands charm, be sure and let me know! We’d like to recognize you for “Staying and Succeeding.”

WW Product of the week

Weight Watchers Fruities - these little candies can be a lifesaver when you want a little something. Think sugar-free Jujubes and that’s what you’ve got. Available in several different fruit flavors, one sleeve is 1 Point. $2.50

Non-WW product of the week

Lynn shares a tip to cut down on the Points you’ll spend on a baked potato. She tops hers with La Victoria salsa. 2 Tbsp = 10 calories, and you can bet that’s less than butter or sour cream. Salsa…it’s the ultimate condiment!


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Recipe of the Week

Mulled Apple-Cranberry Cider
Makes 6 servings
2 Points

3 cups apple cider
3 cups cranberry juice cocktail
1 Tbsp unpacked brown sugar
½ tsp ground allspice
¼ tsp ground cloves
1 Tbsp orange zest
3 cinnamon sticks

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a slow boil over medium-high heat and then reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes and then strain into mugs. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

--From www.WeightWatchers.com

Tip of the week

If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning to exercise, help yourself wake up. Turning on some bright lights, taking a shower, or having a light snack can wake you up a bit so you can face your workout.

Quote of the week

Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life, and when it comes, hold your head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, 'I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me.'--Ann Landers

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Newsletter, week of November 5th

Follow Up On Last Week’s Topic

Don’t get stuck in holiday potholes. Be prepared to avoid them, and to stay motivated should you happen to fall. Keep your eyes on the prize!

This Week’s Topic

Elect to succeed. This week we’ll take a look at the calendar, to see what’s REALLY in store for us in the next few months.

KUDOS: (from the Greek: acclaim or prestige resulting from notable achievement)

Candi reached 10 pounds of weight loss this week, even while traveling on business!

Kathy reached her 40-pound milestone on Monday.

Good going, ladies!

WW Product of the week

Weight Watchers magazine - this month’s issue has some great holiday tips and some fabulous recipes. Check out the Core Hanukkah menu! $3.00

Non-WW product of the week

If restaurant eating is one of your challenges, did you know that Applebee’s restaurants have dishes on their menu that have Points already calculated? Make your life easy by choosing the onion soup au gratin (3 Points) or the teriyaki shrimp skewers (7 Points) and you might even have room for some chocolate raspberry layer cake (4 Points).

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Recipe of the Week

Oven-Roasted Tomato Sauce
Makes 8 servings
0 Points and Core

3 lbs plum tomatoes, cut in quarters lengthwise
1 large Vidalia onion, halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
3 garlic cloves, minced
¾ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper

Preheat oven to 375. Spray 2 large nonstick baking pans with nonstick spray. Arrange tomatoes and onion in single layers on the pans. Sprinkle with the vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper, then spray lightly with nonstick spray.

Roast until the tomatoes and onion are lightly browned and have an intense, sweet aroma, 50-55 min. Transfer everything to a food processor and pulse until the mixture is combined but still chunky.

Tip of the week

If you’re really stressed about holiday weight gain, consider allowing yourself to maintain this season. Ask me for the maintenance booklet and use it to maintain your weight loss these next two months.

Quote of the week

Challenges aren’t so bad if you look at them as stepping-stones and not stumbling blocks.