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May 16, 2010
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Healthy Thoughts/Healthy Actions
Weight Watchers Newsletter #65
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 Hi Everyone!
It seems just a few weeks ago I was gushing over the gorgeousness of spring, and now, with the apple blossoms gone (can you tell I live in Sebastopol?) I feel as though summer is right around the corner.
And it is...Memorial Day happens in two weeks, and then the kids are out of school, or maybe your work schedule changes, or you go on vacation, and all of a sudden Weight Watchers goes on the back burner.
I wonder how many hundreds of times I have been in the meeting room, greeting a returning member in September or October, and hear words to the effect of, "summer got so busy for me, I didn't have time to come to meetings", or "when the kids are off school I can't be here", or whatever your reasons are. Trust me, I have heard them all. And along with that is the long sigh which comes from getting on the scale and seeing a gain, so that the same weight gets lost over and over again every fall.
Don't get the impression I am unsympathetic, because I do understand we all have scheduling challenges at times. But I know something else: WE ALWAYS HAVE TIME FOR THE THINGS WE PUT FIRST.
When will this become a "given" for you? When will it be the thing you do every week no matter what happens? Quite honestly, if this is something you have struggled with year in and year out, the day you decide that you will not miss a meeting unless it is an absolute necessity is the day you will lose the weight you want to lose and make this dream a reality.
Think about it... |
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MEETING TOPICS:
WEEKS OF
May 16 & May 23, 2010
 The week of May 16th the topic is
Eating Breakfast
A couple of weeks ago in the meeting room the topic of Healthy Habits was covered, and one which was mentioned was eating breakfast every day. Why is this considered important? Come to a meeting and find out!
Activity Goals
is the topic for the week of May 23rd.
Sometimes having goals gets us in action. We know by creating goals for weight loss we tend to go for the "carrot" as it were. Do you have a goal for your exercise too? How would having a goal inspire you to workout more? Let's share our structure around activity with our friends in the meeting room, and help light a fire to go to the next level. |
RECIPES FOR THIS ISSUE
I invested in the coolest thing for my kitchen...I know a lot of you have one already...The George Forman Grill. If you don't have one, and you like grilled or barbequed foods, I would advise you to get one right away. I actually found mine at Rite Aid, of all places. It is quite small and was about $30! This is ideal for those of us in a hurry to make a good meal, or wanting to have plenty of grilled veges or protein around for various meals.
The recipes here use grilled items, and are so simple I thought how perfect for Memorial Day. Enjoy!
For more great recipes check out the recipe page on my website: HEALTHY THOUGHTS/HEALTHY ACTIONS RECIPES
GRILLED CHICKEN PINEAPPLE SKEWERS
Ingredients
1 can (14 ounces) pineapple chunks packed in its own juice
2 tablespoons crystallized ginger, minced
1 jalapeno chile, seeded and minced
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon light teriyaki sauce
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 5 ounces each)
4 scallions, cut in 1-inch lengths (including some of the green)
Directions
1. Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Set chunks aside. In a small bowl, combine drained pineapple juice, ketchup, crystallized ginger, garlic, jalapeno, salt, vinegar and teriyaki sauce; stir to mix thoroughly.
2. Cut chicken into 32 equal-size pieces. Place in a plastic resealable bag; add pineapple juice mixture. Seal and shake to combine. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
3. Use small skewers; if they're wooden, soak in a bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes. Drain chicken, reserving marinade. Place drained marinade in a nonstick saucepan; cook over high heat until reduced to a thick glaze, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
4. Place 2 chicken pieces, 2 scallion pieces and 2 pineapple chunks on each skewer, alternating them. Brush with a little of the glaze; repeat, using remaining ingredients. Can be assembled several hours ahead, covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated.
5. Heat broiler, or George Forman Grill. Coat broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place skewers on prepared pan, brush again and broil for 4 minutes, turn, brush with remaining glaze and broil 5 more minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Makes 16 skewers 2 pts each
GRILLED VEGETABLE PITAS
Ingredients
1 4-ounce fresh portobello mushroom
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 of a medium yellow or red sweet pepper, stem and seeds removed
1 large whole wheat pita bread round, halved crosswise
8 small fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (chevre)
Directions
1. If present, remove and discard mushroom stem. If desired, remove mushroom gills. In a small bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Gently brush half of the oil mixture over mushroom and sweet pepper.
2. Place mushroom and pepper on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals. Grill for 10 to 12 minutes or until the vegetables are lightly charred and tender, turning frequently.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the remaining oil mixture and the tomato; toss gently to coat. Cut grilled mushroom and pepper into bite-size strips. Add mushroom and pepper strips to tomato mixture; toss gently to combine.
4. Open pita halves to create pockets. Line pita pockets with spinach and basil. Fill pita pockets with grilled vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve immediately.
Makes 2 servings. 4pts each
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OMG!!!
THIS IS A VERY EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT FOR
SANTA ROSA MEMBERS!!!
Those of you attending meetings at Santa Rosa Center on Farmers Lanes, hold onto your hats (balloons?)...'cause we're moving!! Yep, in 2 weeks (June 1st) we will no longer be located in a little hard-to-find corner of an obscure shopping center, but rather in the most happening shopping center in Santa Rosa! On Mendocino Ave, at Steele Lane, is a shopping center with everything you could need, either in the center itself or very close by...Safeway, Starbucks, Baja Fresh (my fast food of choice), Jamba Juice, yummy restaurants,the list goes on and on, and that is our new home! It is right near the JC, the Administration Bldgs...and right across the highway from our beloved Trader Joes!!
I know this may make a few of you confused or nervous, but take it from me (having gone through center changes before), this is an absolutely brilliant move for all of us. You will love this new spot, and nothing will change as far as meeting times, leaders, and all the things you count on us for in the meetings.
There will be flyers at the center with all the details and...there is a drawing in the works for those of you coming in the first week to the new center: the details are still being worked out, but it is going to very cool.
I can't wait, and hope y'all feel the same.
We're movin' up!!
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OTHER IMPORTANT MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS!!
1) There will be NO MEETINGS in any location on Monday, Memorial Day, so I will not be in Sonoma or at G&G Market.
2) The Palm Drive Hospital meeting in Sebastopol will be beginning a new series the first week of June. There is an Open House on June 1st, so anyone can come for free, and we will enroll or re-enroll people in that meeting. Want to join a meeting which has more losses than I have seen anywhere in years? This group has collectively lost over 350 lbs since early February!!!!
3) And lastly, the G&G Market meeting will be having a leader change in early June. I have decided that someone else should take this meeting on, and hopefully build it up in number. I love all of you there, but it feels like a new and different energy will take the meeting in a direction I have not been able to take it. Please give the new leader a chance, as she is quite good. Thanks for your understanding.
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EAT THIS NOT THAT
I am continuing this column of healthier, low point alternatives to various types of foods we snack on, cook with, etc.
CRACKERS AND CHIPS: I know how much we all love those crunchy snacks, so this newsletter is featuring a few healthy alternatives to the full fat/salt things we generally go for...
 Pop Chips
These taste remarkably like potato chips, but are baked and quite light. They are 2 points per serving, 4 servings in the bag. Lots of chips for very few points. Whole Foods, Olivers, Safeway are good bets to find them.
Soy Crisps
These delicious chips are somewhat simlar to the pop chips above but come in a myriad of flavors and tons of different brands. I have found them in places as diverse as CVS pharmacy and Olivers Market.
Mini Rye Toasts
I don't have a picture of these, so you'll have to use your imagination, but Trader Joes has these wonderful mini rye toasts. 25 of them are 2 points and they are very crunchy and satisfying. The whole bag might give you trouble, if you're a volume eater, so buy with care.
 Sesame Thins
The photo is the only picture I could find but this is not the brand: In fact Trader Joes brand is the one I am most familiar with. 18 crackers for 2 points. Very yummy!
Corn Thins  I discovered these guys pretty recently. To tell the truth, by themselves they are pretty bland, but 2 for a point makes them a good base for cheese, hummus, etc. Like a rice cake, only thinner. I have found them at Pacific, Olivers and Whole Foods. |
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WE KICKED B*** AT THE HUMAN RACE!!
I am so proud of everyone who joined me this year to do the Human Race. It is an easy, fun and exciting walk, and Spring Lake is such a magnificent venue for it. Next year...I hope to triple the group, y'all, so put it on your calendars! |
CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE!
If you have not visited my website find out why it is a truly helpful addition to your Weight Watchers efforts.
My Products Page features dozens of low-point food suggestions from Trader Joes and lots of other markets.
The Recipe Page has been updated but I have kept some classics, including the to-die-for oatmeal pancakes I talk about all the time.
The Healthy Tips page has lots of great ideas which we talk about in the meetings, but you might need to have at your fingertips when you are not in the meeting room.
And last, but not least, if you are coming to the meetings and finding yourself not actually taking the action you want to be taking to lose your weight, or maybe you cannot even seem to get motivated to come back to the meetings, maybe there is something deeper going on. I am a Certified Lifecoach, specializing in weight managment. I do free sample sessions and would love to talk to you about this or any other dream you have which is unfullfilled. |
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"All things are difficult before they are easy."
 Lots of love and joy to all of you! ~Janet |
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