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June 27, 2010
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Healthy Thoughts/Healthy Actions
Weight Watchers Newsletter #68
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Hi Everyone!
I have been thinking a lot lately about family. Often this is the time of of year when we are spending more time with them, so they are more present in our minds. Summer, when kids are out of school, or we take vacations with each other, can create such joyful memories. My stepmom is visiting tomorrow, as my brother
and his lovely wife have just given birth to their first baby! My teenage nieces (photo above) are coming to stay with me next week, and I know there will be a thousand laughs, some whining and complaining, and way too much money spent. And I will relish every minute of it.
But oftentimes these visits, vacations, etc are an excuse for overindulging. There is the assumption that our families "expect" us to make their favorite foods, or go to certain restaurants which were gone to in the past. Our families assume we will spend all our time in the kitchen doing and being that jolly, comfy-food cooking mom or grandmother or aunt. And even if they do not say it, we expect to be that person for them.
What would happen if we weren't that person anymore? What would it be like if we announced to our families that we decided we would rather be healthy and serve everyone healthy food, so that we could be around to see our grandkids grow up, rather than continue to overindulge? Do you think our families would say "No mom, you have to keep making the fattening foods: we don't care how long you live!" I hope not.
So I want you to ask yourself as you begin to plan the summer BBQs and family vacations, is over-the-top cooking assumed, and if so, is it time to have that conversation with your loved ones? And if it is you doing it without being asked or expected to do so, then who's needs are you really serving?
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MEETING TOPICS:
WEEKS OF
June 27 & July 4, 2010
 The week of June 27th the topic is know
Going on a business trip or on vacation? Figuring its easier to let go of being on program while you're out in the world? Think again. Thousands of Weight Watchers come back from vacations relaxed, refreshed and LIGHTER! Yep, you can lose weight, sometimes a lot of it, by a disruption of your usual routine. Come find out how!
Eating More Fruits and Vegetables
is the topic for the week of July 4th.
I know many of you are fruit and vegetable lovers, but some of you are challenged to get those 5 servings in each day. Let's talk about how to define a serving and share the ways we love to eat these delicious foods!
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RECIPES FOR THIS ISSUE
I went on a kind of wild potato salad kick this last week and did some experimenting to see if I could create the ultimately delicious recipe. See what you think...
And Linden in Petaluma came up with a delicious-sounding light waffle. Eating a good breakfast is an important tool in healthy weight management, so here is a delicious way to do it!
For more great recipes check out the recipe page on my website: HEALTHY THOUGHTS/HEALTHY ACTIONS RECIPES
JANET'S YUMMY POTATO SALAD
Ingredients 4 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
3 cloves garlic, minced or 2 Trader Joes frozen garlic cubes
6 slices Canadian bacon, cooked and chopped finely
1/2 red onion, minced
2 celery sticks minced
1 carrot, peeled and minced
1/4 cup fresh dill, minced
1/4 cup xylitol (or favorite sweetener)
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1/4 cup lowfat buttermilk
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds*
Directions
1) Put potato chunks and garlic in pot of water, just covering them, and bring to a boil. Cook until tender. Drain and put in medium bowl.
2) Add all other ingredients except sesame seeds. Mix well and add more spices as needed.
3) When serving sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top.
* to toast sesame seeds spray a small frying pan, add seeds, and stir until browned.
6 servings/3.5 points a serving
LINDEN'S LIGHT WAFFLES
Ingredients
1 egg+2 egg whites
2 cups skim milk or low fat buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
4 tbsp.smart choice light margarine
Directions
1)Beat egg+2egg whites & milk & margarine in bowl and set aside.
2)In
larger bowl add flour & soda & salt & baking powder and mix, then
add liquid and whisk until smooth.
3)Scoop into waffle iron and cook to desired
crispness.
10 double square waffles. 3 points each
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PRODUCT SUGGESTIONS
SOBE LIFE WATER
I was very thirsty the other day and decided to buy something different, so found this at Olivers. It is sweetened with erithritol (click here to read about this sweetener), which is natural, so no artificial aftertaste. I am not sure how readily available this product is, but since it is made by Pepsi (sigh...), I am assuming it is easily requested from your local grocery buyer.
BETTER 'N PEANUT BUTTER
Every time I tell someone about this product I feel like I am stepping into the "Who's on First" Laurel and Hardy routine...
"What's it called?"
"Better 'n Peanut Butter".
"Yes, sounds good, but what's the name of it?"
"Better 'n Peanut Butter"...
You get the idea. But it IS better than peanut butter! It is made from a combo of non-GMO peanuts and soybeans, and has no artificial anything. And it is HALF the points of regular peanut butter, which works for me. Try it on apple slices or celery sticks, instead of bread or crackers, for a delicious, low point snack or lunch. Trader Joes and Whole Foods both carry it. The label pictured above is not quite accurate to how it is packaged in the market.
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PREPARE TO LAUGH
Patsy Cline Lip Sync...High School Reunion
This is a video Jim from Sonoma sent ages ago. Be prepared to giggle at this high school reunion farce!
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PLEASE SEE THIS MOVIE!!
 Want to get un-addicted to junk foods? Here's one way to begin shifting your mind around to making healthier choices. See the movie Food Inc. I doubt you can come away from seeing it without deciding to shop differently. It does have some graphic scenes (chicken farms...) but it also has so much information about the food industry. I hope you'll check it out.
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Subscribe to this newsletter! For some reason I have not been getting subscription requests through the link here. So if you had this forwarded to you and want to receive it bi-monthly just email me (click this link) and say "Subscribe to the Newsletter" in the subject line. Thanks!
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MY WEBSITE IS A GREAT RESOURCE!
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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"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop
playing."
- George Bernard Shaw
Lots of love and joy to all of you!
~Janet |
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