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April 17, 2011
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 Healthy Thoughts/Healthy Actions Weight Watchers Newsletter #89
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Hi Everyone!
As the apples trees in the orchard outside my window pop with their spectacular, ephemeral blossoms I am once again overwhelmed with the fragile beauty of spring. The calla lilies are in full bloom, the bees are going crazy in the lavender, and my feeders are crowded to capacity with twittering and chirping feathered friends.
This week a friend had a near death experience, and although he will spend a long time in recovery, he is alive and functional. Another friend also had a close call, and all of this makes me think of what we have been given...a few precious years to live on this glorious earth and revel in the beauty, the potential, the enormous, amazing wow-ness of it all. And I have to ask myself, am I living my life in accordance with my values? Am I doing what is the most meaningful and fulfilling for me? When I die will I regret not having done something, been something, or gone somewhere?
I know for myself I am so full of joy for the life I live I get tears in my eyes as I type this. Although I feel utterly overwhelmed at times with the amount on my plate, running two major events, 6 Weight Watchers meetings, and coaching quite a few clients, every one of my careers has huge meaning for me and is fulfilling in its own way. I am also blessed with having a loving, supportive and patient partner, a fun, accessible family, a joy of dancing, biking, hiking and traveling, and an overall amazing life. So if I died tomorrow I would go knowing that I had not let myself down...that I had been and done all that I could be and do.
So what about you? As you read what I wrote above are you feeling the same joy of life? Do you appreciate every day and thank whomever you thank for all you have? Or do you read that with jealousy or anger, or frustration and sadness? If it is the latter, why is this the case? What choices have you made and continue to make which keeps you in this place? And the bigger question is...what are you going to do about it?
I challenge you this week to take one step towards living a dream. Maybe it is planning a trip you've wanted to take for years. Maybe it is finally signing up for a program which will get you out of the dead end job and into a meaningful career. Or maybe it is walking back into the meeting room and making yourself stay there no matter what, until you lose the weight. Whatever it is, don't sit one day longer without acting. Life is too short. Make every second count!!
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MEETING TOPICS:
WEEKS OF
April 17, 2011 & April 24, 2011
APRIL 17 - APRIL 23 2011
TRACKING TIPS
We all know how important keeping track of what we put into our mouths is, yet a good portion of us in the meeting rooms are not doing this. This week let's explore why we are challenged by it and what can we do to be more mindful of our eating habits and choices.
APRIL 24 - APRIL 30, 2011
PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD!
Okay, I am not saying you should build a broccoli forest like the picture above, but are you eating the same things day after day? How can we spice things up a bit, as it were? This week we will be doing a combo recipe and PRODUCT MEETING!! Yep those of you who have been asking for it, we will bring in packages or make suggestions in the meeting rooms for foods we are eating and loving. So bring your ideas in!!
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RECIPES FOR THIS ISSUE
People are always raving about the recipes in the weekly handouts so I thought I'd reprint a couple which have been endless mentioned in the meeting rooms...
Click below for more recipes on my website recipe page.
CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE RECIPE PAGE
(including favorites like: Oatmeal Pancakes, Crab and Shrimp Cioppino, Italian Stuffed Zucchini, Chocolate Pudding Cake, Butternut Squash Risotto and Black Bean Brownies...)
CREAMY LEMON PIE
INGREDIENTS
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6 whole reduced-fat cinnamon graham crackers
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2 Tbsp butter
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11 oz fat-free sweetened condensed milk
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2 large eggs
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1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
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1 Tbsp lemon zest
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DIRECTIONS
- Grind graham crackers in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Or place crackers in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin. Place crumbs in a small bowl.
- Melt butter on stove top or in microwave and pour over graham cracker crumbs, mixing with a fork until completely moistened. Press crumbs evenly onto bottom of a 9-inch pie pan; place crust in refrigerator while preparing lemon filling.
- In a medium bowl, combine condensed milk and eggs; mix until smooth. Add lemon juice and zest; stir until incorporated and pour into prepared crust.
- Bake pie for 15 minutes. Cool completely and for best flavor, serve chilled. Yields 1 piece per serving.
10 servings 4 pts per serving
BALSAMIC CHICKEN WITH SWEET ONIONS AND THYME
INGREDIENTS:
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3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
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3/4 tsp table salt, divided
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1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, divided
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1 pound(s) uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, four 4 oz pieces
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2 tsp olive oil
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1 small vidalia onion(s), cut in half lengthwise, thinly sliced
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1 cup(s) reduced-sodium chicken broth
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2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
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1 Tbsp thyme, fresh, chopped, or less to taste
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2 tsp butter
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DIRECTIONS:
- On a plate, combine flour, 1/2 tsp salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour mixture and turn to coat; shake off any excess.
- Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, flipping once, until golden and cooked through, about 7 minutes; remove to a serving plate and cover to keep warm.
- Add onion to skillet; sauté over medium-high heat until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add broth, vinegar thyme and remaining salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook, stirring often, until onions are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat and stir in butter until melted; spoon sauce over chicken. Yields 1 chicken breast and about 1/4 cup onion sauce per serving.
4 servings 4 points plus per serving
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FEATURED PRODUCT
TRADER JOES REDUCED FAT SALADS
We're back in the Trader Joes aisle again...I feel like they should pay me a commission I recommend their products so frequently. But let's face it: there is not another store anywhere I can think of that offers such an amazing selection of healthy foods at truly reasonable prices.
Pictured above is the reduced fat southwestern salad, and they have several others, including a shrimp and crab louie (well, its the fake crab...), a great Greek salad, and my favorite, a nicoise . The one above is 3 points plus for the whole thing, including a delicious dressing, which I rarely use more than half of, so save the rest for another salad. Each one of these is a similar point value and these are substantial and seem to last quite well in the fridge, so if you buy several and eat them throughout the week for lunch they are great. Check them out!!
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CHILDREN'S VIEWS OF LOVE
Once again my friend Zoe has found such a lovely piece to send me. It made me cry...
What Love means to a 4-8 year old...
Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it.
Touching words from the mouth of babes..
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds ,'What does love mean?'
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:
'When my grandmother got arthritis , she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.. So my grandfather does it for her all the time , even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'
Rebecca- age 8
'When someone loves you , the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'
Billy - age 4
'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl - age 5
'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissy - age 6
'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
Terri - age 4
'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him , to make sure the taste is OK.'
Danny - age 7
'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing , you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they
kiss'
Emily - age 8
'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.'
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
'If you want to learn to love better , you should start with a friend who you hate. '
Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)
'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt , then he wears it everyday.'
Noelle - age 7
'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6
'During my piano recital , I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8
'My mommy loves me more than anybody
You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'
Clare - age 6
'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'
Elaine-age 5
'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'
Mary Ann - age 4
'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
Lauren - age 4
'When you love somebody , your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image)
Karen - age 7
'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it , you should say it a lot. People forget.'
Jessica - age 8
And the final one...
Upon seeing the man cry , the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard , climbed onto his lap , and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor , the little boy said, 'Nothing , I just helped him cry.
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IF THIS VIDEO DOESN'T MAKE YOU WANT TO SMILE AND DANCE...
I'm not sure what will!
Three different people have sent me this in the last couple of weeks and I have watched it a few times and walked away humming and grinning like a fool. Great music to dance to, and of course right up my swing alley, but also the whole feel and sentiment of it is appealing to most of us. Enjoy...
http://www.flixxy.com/jive-aces-bring-me-sunshine.htm
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THE HUMAN RACE!!
Its time again for the Walk-It Challenge and for our annual Human Race walk on May 7th. Each year a group of WW members meet up and walk this 10K (6 super easy miles) around Spring Lake for fun and great exercise. It is an opportunity for you all to get moving, to walk with friends, to walk with potential friends and to spend time in this beautiful park Santa Rosa is so blessed with. It costs all of $10 and you can register the day of the event. Don't miss out! You'll have a great time and feel SO proud of yourself for doing this. And, if all that isn't enough, you earn a very cool 5K charm to go on your key chain for having participated in the Walk-it Challenge!
To join us please just email me at
jciel@sbcglobal.net
For more information on the Human Race here is their website link:
http://www.humanracenow.org/race.html
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HELP!!!
As many of you know, I am the new director of the Santa Rosa Wednesday Night Market. It is an overwhelming and wonderful adventure putting this together, and we need a few more of the following before our opening on May 11th...
Performers for smaller street venues: Specifically I am looking for jugglers, magicians, etc who would like to perform one night at the market. There is no pay but huge exposure.
Farmers, food product vendors: we have a lot but are still accepting more.
Artisans and craftspeople who would like to sell at the market. If you or someone you know is a quality artisan we would love to have them apply!
Wineries for our tasting! Yes, the market will have a wine tasting weekly and are looking for up to 50 wineries to participate.
Sponsorships are still being accepted. This is a wonderful opportunity to be exposed to over 100,000 people during the market run.
Friends of the Market. The Market is a non-profit and businesses or individuals donate and are listed in our materials. Small donations or large are needed.
And last but not least, volunteers. We need people who love the market and would like to help out one or two nights during the run.
Please contact me if you have interest in any of this. The market will be wonderful this year, with lots of new and more of the same warm, fun family event it has been for years. I hope you will become a part of making it happen!
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 The 17th annual
Bodega Seafood Art & Wine Festival
Also...
My other event, the Bodega Seafood Art & Wine Festival, is also seeking high-quality artisans, wineries and breweries to participate in our tasting and sponsors. Please let me know if you would like to be a part of this excellent festival!
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I have been reading this quote in most of my meetings this week and thought I would re-print it...Amazing and very true words...
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory that is within us.
It is not just in some of us. It is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear our presence automatically liberates others.
-Marianne Williamson
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