Newsletter, week of January 28th

Last Week

One of the four parts of our program is making sure we move more. No matter what your fitness level is now, ask yourself if it could be better. Could you move more?

This Week

Winter eating tends to focus on heavier, comfort foods. Let's talk about how to enjoy those foods without making ourselves heavier, too.

Kudos

Kristen and Andrew got their first weight loss awards by losing 6.4 and 12.4 pounds respectively.

Shawn has now reached 12 pounds lost.

Laketa has lost 43.6 pounds, and we'll get to celebrate that this week.

Mary is our newest lifetime member, having lost over 90 pounds. She's also on her way to being our newest employee.

Great going everyone, what a week!

WW Product of the Week

Measure-Rite System - no matter the season, these measuring spoons will keep your portions in check. One spoon measures 1/2 cup, the other 1 cup. If you've been thinking about getting a little more accurate with your portions, this is a great tool for you. $13.00

Non-WW Product of the Week

Bill heard last week's plea for recommendations, and submitted a great time-saving idea. Michelina's Lean Gourmet has several great options, including Chicken Alfredo Florentine and Salisbury Steak. With points ranging from about 4-6 depending on variety, pair these with a salad and you've got yourself a quick and easy meal.

How about the rest of you? What stuff tickles your fancy?

Recipe of the Week

Macaroni and Cheese
Serves 8
7 Points

1 pound uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
12 oz fat-free evaporated milk
2 cup low-fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
2 Tbsp seasoned bread crumbs
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Transfer to a bowl, and while pasta is hot, stir in sour cream.

Scald evaporated milk by heating it over medium heat until tiny bubbles just appear around the edges, about 3 minutes. Remove milk from heat and add cheddar cheese, mustard, pepper, salt and nutmeg; stir until cheese melts.

Add cheese mixture into pasta and transfer mixture to a casserole dish. Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese and sprinkle over pasta mixture.

Bake until top is golden brown, about 20 minutes.

-- from Weight Watchers Recipe Finder

Tip of the Week

Learn about substitutions to make foods healthier. For example, you can make brownies with applesauce instead of oil. Ground turkey is leaner than most ground beef. Most dairy products come in low-fat and non-fat varieties. Splenda works well in place of sugar for just about any recipe. Nonfat plain yogurt is good when a recipe calls for sour cream. Just be sure to think about whether the substitution will affect the overall quality of the recipe, and whether it "fits" with the flavor of what you're making. You don't want to substitute spaghetti squash for coconut now, do you? (Just kidding! OR AM I?)

Quote of the Week

"Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each." - Henry David Thoreau