Newsletter, week of July 27th

Last Week

Have you been standing tall? Wearing clothes that fit? I bet you look great!

This Week

There are probably situations that make you feel like you're out of control. This week we'll talk about strategies to keep your cool, even when it feels like you can't.

Kudos

Awards for the week include a 10 pound star for Maria, a 25 pound star for Trina, a 30 pound star for Loretta, and a 35 pound star for Roseana. Good going, girls!

WW Product of the Week

Preparation is a good way to keep in control. Get prepared by knowing the Points values of food you're likely to encounter. How best to do this? Our companions, of course! Whether it's at the grocery store or at a restaurant, our food companions give you the knowledge to make the smart choices.

Weekly Potpourri

Once again I point you to a favorite webcomic. This one is drawn by the wife of last week's artist. (I am secretly dying to have dinner with these two, it would probably be a hoot!)



Image courtesy of Natalie Dee

Recipe of the Week

This one is tried and true from Wednesday member Marta:

Asian-Style Lettuce Wraps
Serves 12
1 Points value

2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
3 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp sesame oil
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tbsp chopped fresh mint
12 small, tender Bibb or iceberg lettuce leaves, rinsed, drained, and dried

Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Add shredded chicken and herbs, and toss to combine. Let stand 5 minutes.

Spoon about 2 1/2 tablespoons chicken mixture in center of each lettuce leaf.

What's Hot at WW.com

Are you unhappy with the rate of your weight loss? Maybe you're in The Twilight Zone! Trust me, I've been there, too.

Quote of the Week

The dictionary defines "rehearsal" as "making proficient by repeating." So, by repeating - mentally - what you want to achieve, you make yourself proficient in ANY imaginable challenge.

Newsletter, week of July 20th

Last Week

Getting to know your eating style is important. Did you figure out anything new about what your eating habits are?

This Week

Most of us probably wouldn't mind looking thinner. No matter where you're at on your journey, we'll talk about how to look better now, and how to feel better about it.

Kudos

We had all sorts of celebrating to do this week: Stephanie got her 5 pound star, Vernay reached 20 pounds, Karen hit 25 pounds (48 total including her pre-WW loss!), Trixie hit 30 pounds. Floyd and Hethyr both got their 16 week charms, Velma got her 10% keychain, and Elise reached Lifetime!

WW Product of the Week

Mix-Ins: It's hot, so are you drinking enough water? If you don't like the taste of plain old water, or you get bored with it, try our flavor mix-ins. Wouldn't a glass of lemonade sound good right now? Our packets will flavor a 16 ounce container nicely.

Weekly Potpourri

Anyone who works in an office setting will probably get a kick out of this one. This is from one of my favorite webcomics, Toothpaste for Dinner:


toothpastefordinner.com

If you can't read the writing on the pizza box it says "Let's get fat together." It feels like that sometimes, doesn't it?

Recipe of the Week

This is a recipe I found this past week on eTools that helped me use up a bunch of fresh produce I had on hand.

Minestrone with Kale
POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 8

2 tsp olive oil
2 medium zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced 1/4-inch thick
10 medium baby carrots, halved widthwise if large
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cup kale, coarsely chopped
28 oz canned diced tomatoes, with basil, garlic and oregano, undrained
4 cups vegetable broth
15 oz canned great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup cooked orzo
1/4 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended

Heat oil in a large pot. Add zucchini, carrots and onion; sauté over high heat until onion is transparent, about 7 minutes. Add kale; sauté until wilted, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Add diced tomatoes, broth and beans. Simmer until carrots are tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in cooked orzo, salt and pepper.

To serve, pour into bowls and sprinkle with cheese. Yields about 1 cup of soup and 1 1/2 tablespoons of cheese per serving.

What's Hot at WW.com

Do you take advantage of the messageboards at the Weight Watchers website? Whether you have eTools or not you're welcome to join the community. Here is a list of communities that you can join. There's something for just about every niche out there!

Quote of the Week

Refuse to criticize, condemn, or complain. Instead, think and talk only about the things you really want. - Brian Tracy

Newsletter, week of July 13th

Last Week

Having a visual image of what you want to achieve can help keep you motivated to do that one extra thing. Did you get inspired to kick it up a degree?

This Week

It's not just about what you eat, but about how you eat. This week we'll talk about eating patterns, and how yours works for you.

Kudos

We celebrated first five pound awards for Glenda and Kathryn, and gave Velma her 20 pound star. Vernay reached her ten percent target this week, too!

WW Product of the Week

Once again, this is a topic that fits well with all of our cookbooks - if you need to change your eating pattern, switch up the foods you're choosing, move from Flex to Core (or the other way) our cookbooks are great resources. You'll find something for every cooking ability.

Weekly Potpourri

Sometimes exercise feels like a battle, but a great song can really put pep in your step. I don't usually have newsletter posts open for comments, but I'm going to try a little interactive thing and see how it goes. I'd love to know what songs you listen to when you're working out. Are you sweatin' to the oldies? Shaking your groove thing? I may steal some of your ideas!

Here's a list of some of the songs on my workout playlist:

Pocketful of Sunshine - Natasha Bedingfield
Here Comes Your Man - Pixies
Sabotage - Beastie Boys
It's Raining Men - Weather Girls
Superstition - Stevie Wonder

Recipe of the Week

Tequila-Lime Shrimp
POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 6

1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 Tbsp jalapeno pepper, minced (don't touch seeds with bare hands)
1/2 tsp chili powder, chipotle-variety
3/4 tsp sugar
3/4 fl oz tequila
1/4 cup cilantro, fresh, chopped, divided
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste (plus some for garnish)
1 1/2 pound shrimp, jumbo-size, shelled and deveined (or leave tails on for a nicer presentation)

In a small bowl, combine lime juice, jalapeno, chili powder, sugar, tequila and 2 tablespoon of cilantro; set aside.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and salt; cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add shrimp; sauté, until shrimp turn pink, about 4 minutes. Remove shrimp to a serving plate and cover to keep warm.

Add lime juice mixture to same skillet and place over high heat. Cook until alcohol burns off, stirring and scrapping sides of pan, about 2 minutes; pour over shrimp and garnish with remaining cilantro and more sea salt, if desired.

--courtesy of eTools

What's Hot at WW.com

Do you think that having knee pain means you can't exercise? It might not! Obviously it's best to go with a doctor's recommendation of what you should or shouldn't do, but check out what one expert has to say on the subject.

Quote of the Week

This week's quote comes courtesy of Marianne - when she said it on Monday, I knew I had to jot it down. Thanks!

"An excuse is the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie."

Newsletter, week of July 6th

Last Week

Grilling can be a great way to celebrate summer holidays and keep your eating in check. Go ahead and throw another shrimp on the barbie!

This Week

Do you want to get fired up about your weight loss? Catch the spark at this week's meeting!

Kudos

Becky received her 10 pound star this Wednesday. Monday folks, I'm looking forward to getting caught up on your successes this week.

WW Product of the Week

Member Kits - take our Companions everywhere you go so you'll always know the Points values of anything. Take our spiral bound journal with you for 12 weeks of tracking. Bump up to the Deluxe kit and you'll get a DVD and a book of motivational stories.

Weekly Potpourri

The topic of alcoholic beverages came up in discussion this week, and we talked about how they can really soak up the Points. Hungry Girl is a great reference for lower Point cocktails, and you can find a couple of neat martini recipes here, and a pina colada recipe.

Recipe of the Week

Summer Squash with Fresh Mint & Feta
Serves 4
2 Points value and Core

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp red-wine vinegar
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 small garlic clove, crushed through a press
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 large zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/2" slices
2 large summer squash, cut lengthwise into 1/2" slices
1/4 cup torn fresh mint
1/4 cup crumbled fat-free feta cheese

Preheat the grill to medium or prepare a medium fire. Meanwhile, whisk together the vinegar, oil, mustard, garlic, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper in a small bowl. Spray the zucchini and summer squash with olive oil nonstick spray; sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper.

Place the zucchini and squash on the grill rack and grill until tender and lightly browned, 4-5 minutes on each side. Transfer to a platter. Re-whisk the dressing and drizzle over the squash; sprinkle with the mint and feta. Serve hot or at room temperature.

-- from Sizzle It! cookbook

What's Hot at WW.com

School's out for the summer, but Weight Watchers is always in session. This quiz tests how well you know your program materials. I hope you pass!

Quote of the Week

"A little more persistence, a little more effort and what seemed hopeless...may turn to glorious success." - Elbert Hubbard