Newsletter, week of July 29th

Last Week

You'd never describe someone else as just a number on the scale. Remember that there's more to it than your weight, and that considering all the good stuff you're doing can help keep you positive when the number feels negative.

This Week

Change the environment! No, I'm not going to make you debate global warming, but I will ask you to think about whether or not your surroundings are helping your weight loss efforts.

Kudos

Louella received her first five pound star, David reached 10 pounds lost and Mike got his 30 pound award. Good going folks!

WW Product of the Week

Bars and baked snacks - starting Sunday, our 2 Points bars, pretzels and cheddar twists are on sale! Regular price for one box is still $4.50, but if you buy 2 boxes, you'll get them for $8. You can mix and match, and as long as you buy sets of 2, they'll cost $4 a piece. This is a great way to stock up on some low-Points snacks. Will this change your environment?

Non-WW Product of the Week

Okay, everyone loves the Garden Vegetable Soup that's zero Points (check your Eat Wisely book for the recipe!) but what if you don't want to cook? Try Progresso Light Soups for a quick alternative. These soups have been officially blessed with Weight Watchers Points values of...ZERO! Look for them in your grocery store.

Recipe of the Week

Couscous and Smoked Turkey Salad
Serves 4
7 Points

14.5 oz can reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup couscous
1/3 cup dried cranberries
2 Tbsp sherry vinegar
2 tsp olive oil
2 tsp honey
1/4 tsp salt
6 oz deli smoked turkey breast, cut into 1/2 inch dice
2 ripe apricots, halved, pitted and cut into 1/4 inch dice
1 large carrot, shredded
1 celery stalk, chopped
1/3 cup chopped almonds or hazelnuts, toasted

Bring the broth to a boil in a large saucepan; stir in the couscous and cranberries. Cover and remove the pan from the heat; let stand about 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork and spread the couscous mixture on a plate; place in the freezer to cool slightly, about 10 minutes.

To make the dressing, whisk together the vinegar, oil, honey, and salt in a serving bowl. Add the couscous mixture and remaining ingredients; toss to combine.

Tip of the Week

Do you miss baking? To lighten things up you can swap applesauce for up to 1/3 of the total butter or oil in a cookie or cake recipe (light-colored batters) or substitute the same amount of pureed prunes if you're making a chocolaty dessert. Pureed pumpkin and sweet potato are also good substitutes. Experiment.

Quote of the Week

"There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self." - Aldous Huxley