Newsletter, week of April 20th

Programming Note: there will be no update next week. I'll be busy, okay?

Last Week

If you make excuses to blow off activity, chances are you aren't burning as many calories as you'd like. Recognize those excuses and bust through them!

Special note to Monday peeps: Thank you so very much for getting a card (and a gift card!) together for me this week. Your generosity is extremely touching, and it is one of the reasons that I am lucky to share an hour each week with you. You guys are the best!

This Week

Have you ever felt bombarded by offers of unwanted food? This week we'll discuss how we can get the other folks in our lives on board with our healthy eating habits - either by converting them to our way, or at least getting them to stop with the food pushing!

Kudos

Dora and Bernadette both got their first 5 pound stars, Nicole reached 10 pounds lost, Bill & Joyce both reached 20 pounds, and Nikki got her 35 pound star. We also got to give 10% keychains to Heidi (who also reached 25 pounds lost), Joyce and Elise. And if that weren't enough, both Elise and Vicki reached goal! What a bunch of losers you are....

WW Product of the Week

WW Cookbooks! If you want to get your family or roommates on board with healthy eating, what better way to do it than to start cooking great tasting food for them? Our cookbooks have great stuff for the novice cook and the more experienced chef. I own them all, so ask me about my favorites in each!

Weekly Potpourri

If you'd like to enjoy the wonderful weather we have and maybe get some activity in (remember, we stopped making excuses!) you might think about heading to one of the county's many parks. The County's website has a listing of all the parks, as well as activities, events, sports leagues and other fun things that happen there. Who knows, you might find something neat to join.

Recipe of the Week

Tuscan Casserole
Serves 8
2 Points

15.5oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
10oz chopped frozen spinach, thawed
3/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 cup egg substitute
1 1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium garlic cloves, chopped
8oz mushrooms, sliced (I'm going to use zucchini, since I'm not a 'shroom fan)
3 slices reduced-calorie bread, torn into small pieces
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 350. Line 9x9 pan with aluminum foil. In bowl combine beans, spinach, ricotta, egg substitute, salt and pepper.

In nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add onion, garlic and mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms are almost dry and begin to brown, 10 minutes. Add to bean mixture. Spoon into pan and even out top.

Sprinkle bread over mixture; top with cheese. Bake until bread is toasted and spinach is warmed through, 25 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

-- courtesy of eTools

What's Hot at WW.com

In our discussions about triggers these last few weeks, it has come up that evenings, right before dinner, is a challenging time for many of us. Here is an article with some tips. Bonus - some of these tips are from the community messageboards. Even if you don't have a Monthly Pass that comes with eTools, you can still read and post to the boards. That's a great way to get new ideas and support when it's not your regular meeting time.

Quote of the Week

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he
could only do a little. - Edmund Burke