April 20 2008
fruit Healthy Thoughts/Healthy Actions
Weight Watchers Newsletter #11
        
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braggs amino liqudI just want to write and thank all of you for letting me know how much you are enjoying the newsletter. I have gotten ideas, questions and a healthy dose of compliments, which definitely inspires me to continue. The letter column below is a place you can always use to ask me things that are not covered in a meeting, and I am still waiting for some of you to give me BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS!! Several of you have promised to do so, but so far, few have put yourselves out there. Please share with all of us your wonderful success. So many of you have reached goal and lifetime under my leadership, and I really want to encourage you to help others know it is possible. So send those pics!

Also, please notice there is a "join our mailing list" option to the left of this column. Many members have come to me saying someone forwarded the newsletter to them and can they get on the mailing list. That is the easy way. And you can forward this onto friends as well. There is an option at the bottom of the newsletter to do so.
Meeting Topics / April in to May
 
The week of April 20 we look at the complicated world of asking for help. In the Tools For Living we call it Asserting. Are family and friends making this a challenging journey for you? Come find out how you can take action to see results! And those of you who have conquered these challenges, come share what you did that worked!

And the week of April 27 we are making quick meals. If you are having a hard time finding the time to cook, this is the meeting for you. Great tips and tricks for cooking fast, yummy meals!
 
quorn wrap
This Issue's Recipe

I have discovered a wonderful new product called Quorn
(see below). It is made from mushrooms, of all things (mycoprotein is what they call it), and I was thrilled to discover how delicious this is. I have only tried one of their products, the Naked Chick'n Cutlets (not chicken: completely vegetarian: vegan in fact). The recipe is from their website and though I have not made it, I suspect it is really yummy. These cutlets are 1 point, and are the size of a chicken breast, which would be 3 points in comparison. I am going out on a limb here, and saying that I suspect these cutlets are Core, though the rest of their products are breaded so I know they would not be.

Quorn Mediterranean Wraps
I have modified this a bit for us, to bring the points down.



· 2 Tbsp. olive oil


· 1 Tbsp. honey mustard


· 1 Tbsp. honey


· 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar


· 1 clove garlic, minced


· ¼ tsp. thyme


· ¼ tsp. oregano


· salt & pepper, to taste


· 1 red onion, sliced


· 1 red pepper, cut into thick strips


· 1 yellow pepper, cut into thick strips


· 1 sm. eggplant, cut into 8 (½ inch thick) slices


· 2 small zucchini, cut into 8 long (¼ inch thick) slices


· 4 Quorn™ Naked Cutlets, cooked as per pkg. directions, sliced into strips


· 4 large tortilla wraps, any flavor


· 1/8 cup shredded mozzarella cheese


· 1 cup lettuce leaves, washed, dried

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F

2. Combine oil, mustard, honey, vinegar, garlic, thyme, oregano, salt & pepper in large bowl. Mix well to make dressing.

3. Toss onion, peppers, eggplant and zucchini with dressing mixture to coat; remove from dressing (reserve remaining dressing), place vegetables on baking sheet.

4. Roast in oven 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned, or grill on barbeque over hot coals until just charred. Keep warm.

5. For each wrap, place 1 cooked, sliced Quorn™ Cutlet in center of each tortilla. Top each evenly with the cooked vegetables. Sprinkle each with 1 Tbsp. of the cheese and ¼ cup of the lettuce leaves.

6. Drizzle each with some of the reserved dressing; roll tightly. To serve, cut each wrap in half diagonally, secure with toothpicks, if desired.

Makes 4 wraps: each wrap 6 points. You can bring the points down by subbing the regular tortilla for one with higher fiber, lower carb content (some are as low as 1 pt each. I have counted these as 3).
Products of the Week
quorn logoQuorn Mycoprotein Meat Substitutes
This truly is a find for those of you who want to experiment with eating less meat, chicken, etc. As we hear more and more on the news these days about the need to green our environment, and create less of a carbon footprint, here is one way we can do it. The meat industry is highly destructive to the environment, and in many places throughout the world whole swaths of rainforest are destroyed for cattle grazing.

And beyond that, eating meat substitutes usually ends up being much healthier and less points! Check it out! I found these at Pacific Market, and I am sure Whole Foods, Olivers and other quality grocery stores carry it.

morningstar farms Morningstar Farms Tomato & Basil Pizza Burgers

Here is another meatless product that will make your heart sing. 2 points each and absolutely spicy and delicious! Kids love them! Most grocery stores carry this brand, but the cheapest location is Trader Joes.
letter wiritng The Letter Department
So here is an interesting query from Samantha in Sonoma:

I am torn between the two options, "Core" and "Flex". Part of me wants core because I am so busy that it seems like I wouldnt have to be as bothered with points, but then again, the flex plan seems right because I am so busy I need the flexibility to eat different things and just watch the points. What should I do?
Some people love the structure of Flex and enjoy tracking and the discipline of it all. And some love the freedom of not writing it all down and measuring everything. What are your strengths? Are you organized and structured, or are you more casual?

And what are you comfortable with for food choices? Can you eat less carbohydrates, and focus more on fruits, vegetables, protein and whole grains, or do you want to make sure you can have enough of your favorite foods, and do not want eliminate or limit too much.

What you could try is eating a Core diet but counting points for awhile. Here's what I mean. Let's say you can have 23 points/day, plus your additional 35. You eat 23 points in Core foods, weighing, counting, etc, and the 35, plus activity points, you use for non-Core. Eventually you can give up counting the Core foods.This way you are easing into it, but learning portions, and sensible eating.

So everyone has to find their own path here. Let me know what you have decided and how it is working!
 Other Information

me exerciseI am so excited to announce that I will be teaching Rhythm & Fitness, my VERY fun and danceable aerobic workout, at TONE. This is a wonderful studio in downtown Santa Rosa on E St., which offers pilates, yoga, zumba and various dance classes. The schedule is still being worked out, but check with me or see their website: www.tonefitness.com.

Also, I work privately with people as a Lifecoach, and a weight counselor. Please email me at jciel@sbcglobal.net if you have any interest in my other work.
 

 
And the closing quote for this newsletter....

happy man

"Self-control is like a muscle. The more you use it the stronger it gets!"


Lots of love and good wishes to all of you!
- Janet Ciel