Roundup, week of July 31st

What Happened Last Week?

Fun without food
How could it be?
Look at this list
And you will see
Lots of choices to keep us busy
We can dance at Zumba
'til we both get dizzy!
Join a club
Or go to the zoo
Take a bus trip and I'll go too!
Fun without food
Won't be so bad
Being without YOU would make me sad!
Let's get together and plan some fun
And enjoy this warm weather while there's still some sun.
Being together is what it's about.
So let's ditch the food and let's go out!

Hopefully you got some great ideas on how to plan fun activities that aren't food centric. Thanks for all your brainstorming!

Celebrations this week include a five pound star for Nancy, a 10 pound star for Deborah, Marlene and Amy, and a 10% keychain for Linda.

So What's Coming Up?

Snacking gets a bad rap, but it's really a great way to fuel your body and stay in control of your hunger. Snack smart and you'll stay on track!

Thought for the Week

Stop living life for what's around the corner and start enjoying the walk down the street. - Grant L. Miller

Weekly Recipe: Chilled Yogurt Soup

Right now as I post this, it's actually a rather cool day, but I'm sure warm weather won't stay away for long. I'm a huge fan of soups, but if it's 90 degrees, who really wants to sit down with a cup of hot broth?

Chilled Yogurt Soup with Spinach and Chickpeas

Martha Rose Shulman, you've done it again. Now I can have soup no matter the weather!

Roundup, week of July 24th

What Happened Last Week?

This summer you might be going to barbecues, having cocktails, going on vacation, you name it. You have choices to make. Will you make the right ones? Be proud of yourself when you do!

I don't have Sunday's celebrations, but I can tell you that we celebrated 10 pound stars for Francine and Kim, gave Jan a 15 pound star, and had Jeff reach his 5% target. Summer celebrations!

So What's Coming Up?

Fun = Food... That's a pretty common equation for us, isn't it? It can be hard to train our brains to consider ways to socialize that don't involve food or drinks, right? We'll explore fun options that your friends won't be able to turn down.

Thought for the Week

Within you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible. This power becomes available to you just as soon as you can change your beliefs. - Maxwell Maltz

Weekly Recipe: Brown Rice Salad with Tomatoes & Sugar Snap Peas

Is this thing on? I'm back! And I was googling for something completely unrelated when I found a link to this week's recipe.

This will be on the cooking schedule this weekend!

Since I value not alienating my coworkers with my terrible onion breath, I will likely skip the red onion and use scallions instead, which won't be so potent.

Enjoy!

Roundup, week of July 10th

What Happened Last Week?

Imagine how easy it would be to lose weight if you had a personal chef, personal trainer, and unlimited amounts of time. Yeah, right! Dealing with real life is necessary, and so we make do with what we've got.

Some of you that are doing GREAT with what you've got received awards this past week. We gave a first five pound star to Lynn, and a ten pound star to Caroline and Robin. Kathy, Melissa and Tammie all received their Stay and Succeed charms.

So What's Coming Up?

You know that eating fruits and vegetables improves health and weight loss. But sometimes it can be hard to get enough and enjoy them. We'll share tips this week for making fruits & veggies as appealing as possible, and talk about how best to prepare them. Remember ZERO POINTS PLUS!

Thought for the Week

When things go wrong don't go with them. - Elvis Presley

Weekly Recipe: Russian Watermelon

I have to be honest: sometimes when it comes time to post the weekly recipe, I have no clue what to post. Today was just that kind of day. So I decided to log into eTools and see what I could find.

It's hot, so a chilly dessert seemed in order. I narrowed my search to desserts within the range of 0-4 PPV. Then I decided to filter only 5 star rated recipes. And then I hit the jackpot. Sometimes a name just catches your eye, you know?

Russian Watermelon

Not surprisingly it involves vodka, so you know, if that's not your thing this won't be for you. But I have a feeling some of you out there might be interested.

Roundup, week of July 3rd

What Happened Last Week?

We discussed how travel and vacations can upset the usual routine. You all shared some wonderful tips on how to survive various travel scenarios!

Awards this week went to Judy, Heidi, Mary, Candi and Jeff for 5 pounds lost. Paul received a 15 pound star, Sunita her 35 pound star, and Karla got her 45 pound star. 10% targets were reached by Marlene and Lorie.

So What's Coming Up?

Any time a celebrity talks about weight loss, it's easy to rationalize that "well, if I had a team of experts helping me out, I'd lose too!" If only we had unlimited funds for a team of professionals. Well, you may not have that, but that doesn't mean you're stuck with nothing! We'll focus on the resources we DO have, and figure out how to make the most with them.

Thought for the Week

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. Life is a grindstone. Whether it wears you down or polishes you up depends on what YOU are made of. ~ ZigZiglar

Weekly Recipe: Heidi's Low-Fat Borscht

Members in the Monday night Lemon Grove meeting might remember our discussion about Heidi's borscht. She sent me a link to where she posted the recipe on eTools - in the Community Recipe Swap** - and now I'm sharing it with the rest of you!

Heidi's Low-Fat Borscht

Thanks, Heidi!

** You can post a recipe there, too! When you're building a recipe using the recipe builder, you have a chance to save it and share it with other users. If anyone else does this, let me know and I'll feature your recipe, too.

The Seven Days of Vacation

We didn't make it through all seven days of the vacation discussion in some of this week's meetings, so I had a request to post the rhymes from each day. Here we go....

Vacation Day #1
I'll be touring in a city
With museums on every street.
The question that I have is
"Oh my God! Where will I eat??"

Vacation Day #2
I'll be hiking up a mountain
Awesome views from all around.
But what matters even more
Is where can food and drinks be found?

Vacation Day #3
I'll be traveling on a bus
For six hours in my seat.
While I'm trapped inside the bus
I know I'll want to eat!

Vacation Day #4
I'll be sailing on a cruise
With activities night and day.
My only worry is
Will I eat the whole buffet?

Vacation Day #5
I'll be staying in a spa
With healthy, power foods for all.
But if at night I'm hungry
Is there candy down the hall?

Vacation Day #6
I'll be staying in a condo
Sharing breakfast, dinner, lunch.
How will I share food
And not O.D. on Cap'n Crunch?

Vacation Day #7
Today my trip is ending
I'll n longer have to roam.
But now I'm freaking out
Because I have no food at home!

Well this completes my list
Of why vacations make me gray.
But I'd like to add a plan
That might be helpful every day:

If I start to eat a meal
And find that overeating wins...
I can stop. And I can change.
As the second course begins.

Roundup, week of June 26th

What Happened Last Week?

Is your stomach a happy balloon? How about a shriveled angry one or a puffed up cross-eyed one? Paying attention to your hunger and fullness cues is a real important step in learning how to eat the correct amounts (and when to do it)! Keep the balloon visual from this week's Weekly in mind when you're thinking about whether or not it's time to eat.

This past week we celebrated various 5 pound milestones: Janai, Kristine and Sydney all reached their first five pounds lost, Paul and Marlene both celebrated 10 pounds lost. Melissa reached 20 pounds lost, and Jody, Nellie and Krystal all got their 25 pound weight loss awards!

So What's Coming Up?

When we take a vacation from our work and routine, we often end up taking a vacation from weight-loss efforts as well. And once that happens, it can be really tough to get back on track. We'll discuss strategies for handling disruptions like that, and how you can stay connected to your weight-loss efforts even when you're far from home.

Thought for the Week

If we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything, is ready, we shall never begin. - Ivan Turgenev

Weekly Recipe: Summer Rolls with Miso Sauce

It's officially summer, and at least today there's actually summer weather here in San Diego. But as we get deeper into the warm weather, you'll probably be less inclined to want to heat things up in the kitchen - I know that's how I feel!

Summer Rolls with Miso Sauce

Wouldn't that be a good light meal on a hot day? Or a nice afternoon snack? I'm usually inclined to think that egg rolls and the various iterations out there are bound to be more work than I'm ready for, but these actually seem pretty straightforward.

Roundup, week of June 19th

What Happened Last Week?

Randomly guessing a food's PointsPlus value probably isn't the best way to go about things. Use your head, your hand, your phone, your experience, whatever it takes to make a more educated guess when you're not 100% sure how to count something.

This week we celebrated 5 pound stars for Amy and Debbie, 10 pound stars for Lorraine, Corey and Stephanie, and a 20 pound star for Lorie and Andrea. We also celebrated with Caroline, Stephanie and Jan, who all reached their 5% targets this week!

So What's Coming Up?

When your body really needs food, your brain receives "feed me" messages from a mix of physical reactions. But you and I know this isn't the only time we eat! How would being more in tune with your body's hunger signals and honoring them help you get to your goals? That's what we'll talk about this week.

Thought for the Week

You must have long range goals to keep you from being frustrated by short range failures. ~ Charles Noble

Weekly Recipe: Callaloo

I don't think I'd ever heard the word "callaloo" until last week, much less eaten it. But a weekly email that I subscribe to passed along this recipe for a stew inspired by what turns out to be a Caribbean dish.

I know that recipe doesn't have any nutrition information (something that bums me out when I find a great-sounding recipe) so I built it myself and made a few modifications which you can see here. Basically I subbed in light coconut milk for the regular, and replaced half the broth with plain water, because the sodium count as originally built was ridiculous. I opted to go with the bean option and leave out the rice. With this link you can calculate the PointsPlus value easily.

So it turns out that this week is All About Callaloo because just today, I get a message in my inbox with yet another version of callaloo that might make an excellent side dish.

No matter what you think of the food, you've got to admit it's a fun sounding word. CALLALOO!!!

Roundup, week of June 12th

What Happened Last Week?

Beyond the numbers, tracking can provide you with lots of information about who you are and what makes you tick. Did you accept the challenge to track something new this week?

We gave stars this week to Conni (5), Vicki and Denise (10) and Erin (15). Hopefully with the tracking you'll do this week you'll see the success you need to be on next week's list!

So What's Coming Up?

One of the trickiest things about navigating parties and restaurants is accurately estimating the PointsPlus values of foods and beverages. This uncertainty can frustration and lead you into a gray area where you're fudging values or not counting them at all. We'll explore ways to feel more comfortable at estimating when you're unsure.

Thought for the Week

The real quality of our life is not determined by what we have won from it, but by what we have discovered within it. ~ Guy Finley

Weekly Recipe: Tex-Mex Tabbouleh

If you were at this week's meetings, you saw me hold up my journal and know that right now I'm tracking on paper. That doesn't stop me from using the Android app on my phone, though!

One of the great things about the app is that it highlights recipes I might like. There are tons of recipes to be found via eTools, but somehow I always seem to miss something. Featured yesterday was something that was totally up my alley, and is now going to be part of next week's lunch plans.

Tex-Mex Tabbouleh

Note to eTools: any recipe that includes avocado is sure to be one I'll enjoy. Love you!

Roundup, week of June 5th

What Happened This Week?

Having a support system in place is so important. So is thanking them for their help! Whether it's your friends and family or virtual members at the WW website, having someone to lean on can make the journey easier.

Celebrations this week included a five pound star for Darcy, a fifteen pound star for Linda, and a 25 pound star for Nylene. Thanks to all of you who came out to the Memorial Day walk at Mission Bay - you will get your 5K charm this week if you haven't already received it.

So What's Coming Up?

Another Walk-It Opportunity! Meet this Sunday (6/5) at 6pm at the Visitor Information Center at Mission Bay (right at the foot of Clairemont Drive) and another group of Weight Watcher members is going to gather and get their walk on!

Are you paying attention? You are if you're tracking. But tracking can take many forms, and the things you track certainly aren't limited to what you're eating and drinking. Self-awareness can lead to more optimal weight loss results!

Thought for the Week

More people will die from hit-or-miss eating than from hit-and-run driving. - Duncan Hines, food critic (no seriously, he was!)

Weekly Recipe: Fuji Apples with Saigon Cinnamon

A fellow Weight Watchers leader shared this simple snack idea, and I thought you might enjoy. Here's what he has to say:

I've gotten rave reviews over my simple Fuji apples and Saigon cinnamon habit. I started eating apples and cinnamon well before the new PP program, but since the new program, it's really come into its own. Members rave about how it helps them, so I routinely bring my bag of apples and cinnamon into the meeting room, and let people marvel at how good they smell and taste.

The approach is simple: I cut up about 4 Fuji apples into eighths and put them in a freezer size zip lock bag. In the morning I pull them from the fridge and sprinkle some Saigon cinnamon on them.

The apples become this delicious treat that accompanies me the whole day. Everywhere I go, people comment on how good they smell each time I open the bag. I carry them in my car and the whole car smells wonderful. As the day progresses and the apples get a little warm, they taste even better.

A few months back, I randomly commented about my apples in front of the meeting room and everyone wanted to know about them. I shared my approach and members immediately began imitating me, bringing back wonderful stories about how the apples and cinnamon helped them.

Now, I have fun with it, I always bring my bag of apples and often comment on them. I joke with members who become members of my "Fuji apples and cinnamon cult" -- everyone laughs, and members who use it, rave about it.

Zero points plus.....oh yeah.


So. Where do you get Saigon cinnamon? I wouldn't be surprised if locally you might find it at Whole Foods, maybe in Henry's bulk spice section, or at specialty kitchen shops like Great News. But definitely you can order it online at Penzey's or The Spice House. I have ordered from Penzeys before and can 100% vouch for their quality and service. Let me know if you try it!

Roundup, week of May 29th

What Happened Last Week?

Exercise is a well-known recipe for good health. But sometimes we still find reasons not to do it. If you contemplate how good it feels after, does that help you take the first step? Remember, activities you enjoy are your best bet. But just getting up out of the chair is important. The less you sit, the better off you'll be!

We awarded first five pound stars to Kim, Taryn and Alicia, and gave a 10 pound star to Laurie. David reached 30 pounds lost, and Mark hit the 50 pound mark. Kim hit her 5% target, and Melissa received the 16 week Stay and Succeed award. Georgetta, Robin and Maria all received a 5K charm for their participation in the Walk-It Day 5K this weekend!

Speaking of the Walk-It Day 5K...

Mark your calendars for Monday at 8am! Yes, this Monday, Memorial Day, we will meet at De Anza Cove down at Mission Bay at 8:00 in the morning. Show up and you'll be able to start your day with a walk along with some other Weight Watchers members. This will qualify you to receive a 5K charm! You can walk as slow or as fast as you like. You're also not obligated to walk 5K - you could go more OR less. This is an informal gathering, so you're welcome to walk as you please. Bring guests, that's OK too.

So What's Coming Up?

MONDAY - remember that your meetings will be closed. You can join me on Sunday in El Cajon if you like (11am weigh-in and 11:30 meeting), or you can find another meeting during the week. If neither of those options works and you can't attend a meeting, that's OK too. We don't hold it against you when WE close for the holiday.

For those of you who WILL be at this week's meeting (and hopefully that is all of you!) we'll be talking about the people who make our journeys that much easier. Be thinking about your support network and who it is that lends you a helping hand. If you don't come up with many, don't forget our meeting rooms are here to support you!

Thought for the Week

Who I am really keeps surprising me. - Poet Nikki Giovanni

Weekly Recipe: Memorial Day Spread

Eating Well is definitely one of my go-to sources when I want something that's healthy but a little more on the "gourmet" side. In honor of the holiday weekend that quickly approaches (yay!) they've featured quite a few healthy Memorial Day type recipes. You may want to fire up your grill because there are recipes featuring chicken, flank steak, even a grilled pizza!

Happy holiday weekend!

Roundup, week of May 22nd

What Happened Last Week?

We talked breakfast! It sounds like most of you are already eating it, which is great. It sets the tone for a healthy day, provides fuel and energy, and keeps you from getting too hungry and doing silly things.

We had some great celebrations this week including a five pound star for Jan and Mike, a ten pound star for Roz, a 15 pound star for Anne, a 35 pound star for Karla, and a 60 pound star for Susie. We also awarded 5% celebrations to Norma and Matthew, and gave 10% keychains to Teresita, Melissa and Sherry.

So What's Coming Up?

Most of you know the benefits of activity. Yet there are any number of reasons why you still might not exercise. We'll help you identify those obstacles and explore strategies for getting past them.

Thought for the Week

Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first. ~ Frederick Wilcox