Newsletter, week of April 6th

Last Week

Emotions can trigger unplanned eating. But if we figure out other ways to deal with our emotions (that don't involve food!) we don't have to let that sabotage our efforts.

This Week

This is our last trigger topic. This week we'll focus on cleaning up our environment. When the areas around us help support our weight loss efforts, it makes it much easier to stay on program.

Kudos

This week we gave first 5 pound awards to Kathleen and Willis, 10 pound awards to Val, Steve and Trina, a 20 pound award to Christina, a 25 pound award to Crystal, a 30 pound award to Virginia, and Nadia received her 16 week Stay and Succeed award.

WW Product of the Week

Points Calculator - if you don't know the Points value of your foods, how will you know if you're staying within your budget? This little calculator is a great tool to throw in your bag. Use it at the grocery store, and know the value of something BEFORE you take it home and put it in your cabinet.

Weekly Potpourri

Fiber is a good thing, right? Well, every once in a while someone will ask about those fiber powders (Benefiber is one of them) because they've read somewhere it can lower the Points value of foods. Here is Hungry Girl's take on it. My personal opinion is that if you are adding a fiber supplement to a food merely to lower its Points value, you are not practicing a healthy habit. If you feel you need fiber in your diet that's great, but nutrients are generally better received by eating them in their "natural state". And no, sprinkling Benefiber on your ice cream does NOT lower its Points value. Sorry, Charlie!

Recipe of the Week

Mediterranean Couscous and Lentil Salad
Serves 10
5 Points

1 cup dry lentils
14 oz fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cup uncooked couscous
1 cup sweet red peppers, diced
1 cup mint leaves, chopped
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
1/2 cup scallions, chopped
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup crumbled feta cheese

Place lentils in a large saucepan; cover with water 2 inches above lentils. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer 25 to 30 minutes or until tender. Drain well; cool.

Bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan; gradually stir in couscous. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Combine lentils, couscous, bell pepper and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl; stir gently. Combine lemon juice and next 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Pour lemon juice mixture over couscous mixture; stir gently. Stir in cheese.

--courtesy of eTools

What's Hot at WW.com

For the men in the group, have you looked at our weight range chart and cringed? Do you wonder why we have the same chart for men and women? The folks at Weight Watchers explain it all. Having said that, remember that you can always set your own goal outside of our ranges by providing us with a doctor's note.

Quote of the Week

The EPA says to help protect the environment, "Reduce/Reuse/Recycle" - to help manage your trigger environment, "Recognize/Remove/Replace!"