Janet's Weight Watchers Newsletter #93

June 19, 2011

Healthy Thoughts/Healthy Actions

Weight Watchers Newsletter #93

Hi Everyone!

Finally the rains have let up and we can frolic in the sun! Wow, just in time for the official start of summer! Yippee!

But every year at this time there is a clear shift in the meeting rooms: the numbers become increasingly slim. This phenomenon has been so apparent over the year a for those of us who work for WW that we sigh in frustration and comment amongst ourselves how sad it is that people do not realize how imperative it is they stay during this time.

Why do people drop out in the summer months? The kids are out of school, the family goes on vacation, schedules shift, lack of energy due to the heat...we have heard it all. And we understand but...

Think about what happens when you quit WW. First you have all good intentions. You can do this without the meetings, right? Then the temptations, the changes in plans, the usual is no more, and suddenly you have gained back the 15 or 20 lbs you worked so hard to lose over the winter and spring! And then you hesitate to return because you are embarrassed or frustrated, or tell yourself you'll go back when you get some or all of that off yourself. Round about October you are slinking back in, and have to lose the same weight again.

How do I know about this? Well besides watching hundreds of members do this year after year, I did it myself countless times.

So what's the solution? KEEP COMING NO MATTER WHAT! Do you have your kids at home: bring 'em if they can hang out for a half hour, or at least come in and weigh in if not. Do you have a vacation planned? Come to a meeting before you leave, and if you can make a plan for it find a meeting where you're going. If that isn't viable, plan on coming to a meeting as soon as you get back.

I hope those of you reading this who have made the decision to give this a rest over the summer are reconsidering. And those of you who never considered leaving are patting yourselves on the back.

I'll see you all in the meetings!! Happy Summer!!

MEETING TOPICS:
WEEKS OF
June 19, 2011 & June 26, 2011

hungry woman

JUNE 19 - JUNE 25 2011

IS IT HUNGER?

We might look at our watch, see it is noon, and feel hungry. We might smell doughnuts or french fries and feel hunger. Is it hunger? And if it isn't what is it? Come find out.

JUNE 26 - JULY 2, 2011

lunchbox

PACK YOUR PLAN!

The trick to making this work all the time is to be prepared. Packing your meals is not only smart, it can be thrifty and delicious! Let's share meal planning tips!

RECIPES FOR THIS ISSUE

Ah, summer...If there was ever a season to enjoy fruits and vegetables we are here!! And making yummy salads is easy and so healthy!

Below are two super easy recipes which I love to make for summer BBQs and potlucks. Enjoy!

Click 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...)

tomato cucumber salad

TOMATO AND CUCUMBER SALAD

Ingredients:

6 fresh tomatoes, chopped into squares

2 English cucumbers, sliced thinly

1/2 red onion, sliced very thinly

2 T caraway seeds

1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped very finely

1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar

sweetener (I use Xylitol) to taste

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Mix all ingredients, and marinate for 2 hours or overnight.

6 servings: 1 pt per serving

closeup of pearl barley

GREEK PEARL BARLEY SALAD

1 1/2 cup pearl barley

3 cups water

1/2 red onion, chopped finely

2 carrots, peeled and chopped into small pieces

2 sticks celery, chopped into small pieces

1 red pepper, chopped into small pieces

1 cup frozen, shelled edemame (soybeans)

1 cup fat free feta cheese

1 cup drained kalamata olives

1/2 cup season rice vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

Bring the water to a boil and cook the pearl barley until soft.

Defrost edemame in the microwave or soak for 10 minutes in boiling or very hot water and drain.

Mix all ingredients together.

Makes 8 servings. PointsPlus value: 3 per serving

Product Recommendation

TRADER JOES

FAT FREE FETA CHEESE

Normally I would never recommend fat free cheese. To me that concept is oxymoronic (it makes no sense, for those of you who do not know this term... like hot ice). But amazingly enough this tastes pretty good! Since we generally use feta in things we mix together and we do not expect it to melt, it comes reasonably close to the real thing.

For lots of other product ideas go to the Product Page of my website:

http://www.healthythoughtshealthyactions.com/productpage.html

A VIRTUAL CHOIR

eric whitacre

My dear friend, and fellow life coach Tony Barton, who also publishes a fabulous newsletter (let me know if you'd like to get his as well as mine) had this remarkable video in his last wonderful newsletter. Thanks Tony for letting me share your great ideas and links!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NENlXsW4pM

IT REALLY WORKS!!

Jean Derum in the 10:15 Thursday Santa Rosa meeting has been a wonderful inspiration for us all as she simply melted away...64 lbs less and close to goal, she looks like a million bucks!

COME OUT TO THE DANCE!

Diane in the Monday morning Sonoma meeting sent an announcement for a performance of her hula group at the Sonoma Plaza. She is the hot babe in red in the picture. Hope all you Sonom-ites and hula lovers will make it to the dance!

hula dancers

Sonoma's own Hawaiian Dancers and Singers

present a gift of Aloha to the Community

Friday, June 24, 6:30 p.m.

Grinstead Amphitheater

Everyone is Welcome!

THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT MARKET

The market has been rockin' and those of you who have been coming out have been giving me rave reports, which you know I love to hear.

Here are some of the food y'all are finding out there which are smart, delicious choices:

California Thai has a rice paper spring roll with veges, so practically zero, as well as a chili lime slaw salad, which has a few peanuts but barely any points. The chicken skewers at the Thai booths are about 4 pts each, so very reasonable.

Ultimate Souvlaki has to-die-for swordfish skewers, which would be about 4 pts by themselves. Put them in the pita with the tzaziki sauce and you have about 12 pts, but well worth it!

BBQ'd oysters at Big Boys BBQ are the points bargain of the market! 6 oysters with BBQ sauce are only 2 pts!! They give you a little slider roll as a side which is probably 3 pts.

The same booth has little "sliders", which are mini-sandwiches: pulled pork, burger, chicken breast, etc. I valued each of these as 4, and they give you 3 on a plate.

Seoul Food Takerea is a funny name for a Korean/Mexican themed food booth. I had their soft chicken tacos and I would say they were scant in size, and two could not have been more than 6 points total. What they lacked in size they made up for in flavor, however. They were quite yummy.

These are just some suggestions. Quite honestly I would say about half the booths out there have something which is reasonable and delicious. And if you want to indulge, look out...Lots of options here for sure!

Here's the entertainment lineup for the Market these next two weeks!

June ^22nd

Main Stage:

Tom Rigney and Flambeau

Tom and his band are one of the best Bay Area Cajun Zydeco bands, and they will be performing on the big city-donated stage. We will have a dance floor for this night for the first time this year.

2^nd Stage

Jake Richmond and Leah Miller

Jazz/rock favorite are returning due to popular demand!!

3^rdStage

Michael Saga (French traditional)

Special Event: NASCAR NIGHT!

cars from the Nascar event will be at the major intersections of the market for viewing!

June ^29th

Main Stage:

Miss Kitty & Her Big Dogs

A wonderful swing jazz band and a dance floor this night as well! I have shown you videos in these newsletters of this type of dancing. Come out and see it and a great band live!!

2^nd Stage

Happenstance (Celtic and American)

3^rd Stage

Now & Zen (Acoustic folk and rock)

www.srdowntownmarket.com

The 17th annual

Bodega Seafood Art & Wine Festival

My other wonderful event,

the Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival,

will be held on August 27 & 28 on the gorgeous Watts Ranch, in the quaint village of Bodega.

I am so excited about the line-up this year for entertainment, including the fantastic

PRIDE & JOY, the VOLKER STRIFLER BAND, and the fantastic CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS! We are also bringing back the incomparable

CAPTAIN JACK SPARERIBS and have added another completely unique performer for all ages:

KAREN QUEST, COWGIRL TRICKS.

The Kid's Area has expanded to include a painting garden and face painter, with our wonderful jumps and slides.

Food, wines and beers are several other components of this festival and the food lineup this year has something for everyone! The website has the initial line-up but more are coming in as I write. Wines and beers will be posted in July.

The craft market has been juried and I am over the top with excitement to be able to say that our artists come from 21 different states this year! The quality is just wonderful! Those of you who go to San Francisco to see a high quality craft festival need look no further. The artist's names and selected images will be posted in early July.

Check the website for more information and hope to see you there!

www.winecountryfestivals.com

This

This beautiful thought comes from Saabira in Sonoma...

"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."