Janet's Weight Watchers Newsletter #91

May 22, 2011

Healthy Thoughts/Healthy Actions

Weight Watchers Newsletter #91

woman with big jeans

Hi Everyone!

I have been so focused on getting the Wed Night Market opened last week that I have been sort of half-noticing all of you in the meeting rooms. I apologize that I am stretched so thin and perhaps have not been as acknowledging of y'all as I should be right now. So I thought I would do it here.

There is something magical going on in the meetings these days, and those of you who are coming on a regular basis are seeing it along with me. People are losing weight...lots of weight. And those who are at plateaus, or who are not really working at it right now, are not quitting the way they used to do, but instead hanging in until they get motivated again. The meetings are generally packed: double and triple what they were a year ago!

I know the new program is a huge factor in all of this. I hear over and over again how easy it is, and how zero point fruit makes all the difference, etc. And it is true, the new program allows a lot more freedom and live-ability and so people are losing weight easier and enjoying the journey.

But I think across the country there is a shift beginning to emerge, which will only grow as years go on. Getting healthy is the cool thing to do! Instead of being one of those "health nuts" we are beginning to be looked at in a different light. Thank you Michelle Obama. Thank you Michael Pollan. Thank you Dr David Kessler. Thank you to all the people who have paved the path towards America becoming a healthier nation. Like the anti-smoking campaign 15 or 20 years ago, we are in the midst of an equally powerful campaign to wipe out wide spread obesity in our culture and replace it with people who understand what healthy food choices are, and are making those choices daily.

So maybe you didn't realize you were totally "happening" but you are! We have a long ways to go to really create a healthier society but all of you are in the forefront and should feel very proud of the path you are taking. Even those of you who are not fully committed right now are making healthier choices overall than you used to, so acknowledge that. Your job right now is to get family and friends on board as they are ready to climb on. Together we have the power to keep ourselves healthy and to impart our enthusiasm and wisdom to others on how to make the best choices for our bodies every day. Thank you for being part of the solution!

MEETING TOPICS:
WEEKS OF
May 22, 2011 & May 29, 2011

MAY 22 - MAY 28 2011

EXER-SCUSES

Let's face it: for a lot of us exercising is as fun as going to the dentist. What are the stories you tell yourself about activity and what would you like to be saying and doing? Let's share how we get ourselves out of the exer-scuses realm and into one of action.

im so fabulous

MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2011

THE BEST SUPPORT

We can look to family and friends to be our support system, and they can be incredible. But truth is, if you don't believe you can make this dream (or any dream, for that matter) happen, then nothing will change. How do we become for ourselves the best cheerleader we can have?

RECIPES FOR THIS ISSUE

I promised everyone in the meetings this week to reprint what has become one of my favorite breakfast recipes:

baked oatmeal.

And Julia, from my Sonoma meeting (60 lbs down and barely 3 lbs to goal!) sent this yummy sounding recipe for broccoli and cauliflower. I think I'm making it tomorrow evening!

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...)

baked oatmeal

BAKED OATMEAL

INGREDIENTS

2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup egg beaters or egg white
1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
1 tsp cinnamon
4 Tbl xylitol (or sweetener of choice)
1/4 cup raisins

Preheat over to 325.

Spray a 9x9 square pan with oil.

Mix all ingredients together. Pour in pan.

Bake for 35 minutes, or until done in center.

Cut in 16 squares. 4 servings/ each serving= 4 squares = 5pts.

This is like a bread pudding...very yummy!!

broc and cauliflower

BROCCOLI AND CAULIFLOWER AU GRATIN

Broccoli and cauliflower make an attractive combination, and a yogurt and cheese sauce gives them extra piquant flavor.

Ingredients

1 small cauliflower (about 9 ounces)

1 small head broccoli (about 9 ounces)

1/2 cup non-fat plain yogurt

1 cup grated low free cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard

2 Tablespoons whole-wheat bread crumbs

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Break the cauliflower and broccoli into florets and cook in lightly salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes, until just tender. Drain well and transfer to a flameproof dish.

2. Mix together the yogurt, grated cheese and mustard, then season the mixture with salt and pepper and spoon over the cauliflower and broccoli.

3. Preheat the broiler to moderately hot. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the vegetables and broil until golden brown.

Serve hot.

*Cook's Tip*

When preparing the cauliflower and broccoli, discard the tougher parts of the stalk, then break the florets in to same-size pieces so they cook evenly.

Serves 4 Points Plus value is 5 per serving

Product Recommendation

In the recipe for baked oatmeal I mention a sweetener called Xylitol. Above is one brand, which was the only one I could find a photo of on the internet, but not necessarily the one I buy. I usually buy it in bulk at Olivers, but the brand Xylopure is also quite good.

This is a natural sugar substitute made from corn cobs. It looks, tastes, feels and cooks like sugar. It is not zero calories: it is half of sugar, so in point value it is half (2 Tbl for 1 pt). But it is zero on the glycemic index, so completely safe for diabetics, and it is excellent for teeth and gums, as it cleans up the bacteria in your mouth. Dentists have prescribed it for many years. It has no artificial aftertaste and I can guarantee if you dump it in a sugar bowl and pass it around when you serve coffee to friends no one will know the difference!

One warning, however. This is poisonous to dogs! So don't serve your pooch something made with it. But it is definitely worth trying!

THE ROYAL WEDDING...KINDA

My dear friend and lifecoach Tony Barton puts out a newsletter as well (if you want to receive it please let me know!) and he includes wonderful videos and inspirational materials. Being British he included in his last one a wonderful spoof of the royal wedding...too fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kav0FEhtLug&feature=related

INCREDIBLE!!

This is yet another wonderful video which came in Tony's most recent newsletters! This is a mind-blowing light show held in Portugal...a must watch!!

http://sorisomail.com/email/74120/mais-uma-projecao-3d-sensacional.html

THE HUMAN RACE
2011!!

Oh you shoulda been there!! Pictured here are 24 fabulous, strong, happy, beautiful Weight Watchers members who signed up and showed up to to do the Human Race with me. And we had a blast! Some struggled and didn't make it all the way, some did barely, and some did fully, strongly and courageously, even though many had no clue they could. Everyone learned about their strengths and weaknesses and what they would or would not do the next time. And I am hoping for all of you who were there with me that this becomes a tradition, and that many more of you become a part of it!

A QUICK REMINDER!!

There are no meetings on Monday May 30th in any location, so those Monday meetings members come find us on another day! And I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT MARKET

The Santa Rosa Downtown Wednesday Night Market is in full swing. It began May 11th with a bang, and seems to be running wonderfully! Our wine tasting is a rousing success, surrounded by fresh breads, cheeses, and tasty sauces, etc. The farmers market is a bustling sea of gorgeous produce, the 4th St corridor is filled with shoppers and eaters, and the stages are cookin'. So I hope you'll take time to come on down one or more nights of the run. The market is every Wednesday from 5 -8:30 pm through August 31st.

One note: we are still seeking volunteers, which entails standing at an intersection for 2 hours with a clipboard looking official. You get to tell people they can't bring their dog, or drive into the site kinda thing...very easy! You get a t-shirt, time to roam the market before or after your shift, and it sure helps us out. So if you have an interest let me know and I will refer you to the volunteer coordinator.

Susan in my Santa Rosa meeting suggested I put the entertainment in for the two weeks covered by each newsletter, and I think this is a splendid idea! So here we go...

May 25^th

Main Stage:

Blue Moon (Motown)

2^nd Stage

Gordon and D'Orazi (Jazzy folk)

3^rdStage

Ancient Winds (Traditional Folk)

Special Event: Water Smart Expo

June 1^st

Main Stage:

Ellington Hall Swing Dance Night

2^nd Stage

John Trubee's Solo Guitar

3^rd Stage

Due Zighi Baci (Italian)

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!

This
Jean from the Santa Rosa meeting sent me a list of funny funny quotes about weight and aging...here's my favorite...

"We all get heavier when we get older because there's a lot more information in our heads! That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!"