One Year Anniversary with Weight Watchers

This past Wednesday was my one year anniversary with Weight Watchers. I wanted to celebrate, so Jon suggested that we go out for dinner. I thought it was funny that we would be celebrating my weight loss by eating more food :). We went around in circle and ultimately we could not agree on what we wanted to do to celebrate. I told Jon that dinner at home would be fine. I came home from work at 5pm and to my surprise to Jon had prepared everything we needed to cook Chinese food!! He is the best!! We cooked the Chinese food, which took a while. It was so worth it though. Anytime that I get to spend with Jon makes me happy and this was not exception. The food was great!! After dinner we watch an episode of CSI and then later the World Series. It was the perfect celebration dinner/evening.

At the beginning of November I am going to get my wedding ring resized and I am so excited. My fingers have thinned out so much that I am now wearing my ring on my middle finger. I cannot believe how much has changed in just one year. I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to be on a program like Weight Watchers. The journey is not over, but just beginning. I have never lived life as a healthy individual and I am so excited to start!

French Toast

French Toast

Ingredients
1/3 cup fat-free skim milk
1 egg
2 egg whites
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp table salt
cooking spray
4 slices Low-Cal bread

Instructions
In a wide, shallow bowl, beat together milk, egg, egg whites, vanilla and salt.

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Dip bread, one piece at a time, into egg mixture; turn to coat both sides. Cook bread in a single layer, flipping once, until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.

Yields 2 pieces French toast per serving.

5 pointsplus+, 3 points

For Recipe Review, click here.

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Source, "nyattitude"

Ingredients
1 1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 cup canned tomato sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground red pepper

Instructions
Place all ingredients except chicken in a crock pot. Stir until mixed. Add the chicken, coat well with the sauce.
Cover and cook on high 3-4 hours or low 7-8 hours until chicken in fully cooked.
Remove chicken and place it in a bowl. Shred each piece using 2 forks. Return chicken to the crock put, mix well with the sauce.

Serves 4; POINTS 5

NOTES : Per serving (1/2 cup): 149 cal, 1g fat, 0.5 fiber

Healthy Guidelines Part 2

Here is a summary of my Weight Watchers meeting on October 27, 2009.

We finished up our good healthy guidelines.

Here is a quick review:

Liquids
The Guideline – 6 8-oz Glasses per day
What Counts – All liquids – except alcoholic beverages – best choice is still water
Why they're important – Keep you hydrated. Needed for temperature regulation & proper function of body cells, tissues and organs
Best Tips for getting them: use mix ins…there are tons of varieties at the stores to choose from, always carry a water bottle with you- keep spares at work and in your car

Healthy Oils
The Guideline – 2 tsp. per day
What Counts – Olive, canola, safflower, sunflower, or flaxseed. Avoid saturated & Trans fats
Why they're important. – Contain vitamin E & essential fatty acids. May help lower risk for heart disease & stroke. Essential for proper body & brain function. Help absorption of A, D, E, & K.

Vitamin Mineral Supplement
The Guideline –1 per day
What Counts – any supplement that contains no more than 100% of RDA for vitamins & minerals
Why they're important. - Ensures that your nutritional needs are covered and helps to keep your metabolism functioning properly
Best Tip: Try a children’s vitamin to find one that is gentler to your stomach. They have popsicles, gumballs, gummies, suckers, oh and you can’t forget the Flintstones

Activity
The Guideline – At least 30 minutes a day most days of the week
What Counts – All activity counts, including gardening & housework
Why they're important- Keeps you healthy & fit while you lose. Helps keep weight off once you’ve lost it. Helps prevent the excess skin flab that people get when they lose weight without exercising
Best tips: Start slow & build up. Mix it up. Find something that makes you happy and you have fun doing.

Sugar & Alcohol
The Guidelines: Limit your intake – Women no more than 1 alcoholic beverage a day – men no more than 2
What counts: Desserts, cakes, cookies, candy, sweetened beverages & alcohol
Why it’s important – Sugar & alcoholic beverages contain empty calories with few or no nutrients

GHG for liquids, oils, vitamins, activity & sugar can help you make healthier choices as you lose weight, AND helps you work toward shaping & overall healthy lifestyle that supports long-term weight maintenance. Knowledge & Strategies you gained today and last week can help you LIVE the guidelines.

Really try to focus on upping your intake of the GHG’s. If you’re getting in 3 now try to get in 4 this next week. If you are already a master of the GHG’s (by the way you rock) keep up the practice and remember how much of an impact it is having on your health.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala
By: Good Housekeeping

Ingredients
1 Tbsp canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tsp ginger root, grated, peeled
1 clove garlic clove, crushed with press
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes, from 15 oz can
1/2 cup fat-free half-and-half or light cream
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped, plus additional for garnish
2 Tbsp curry paste
1 1/4 pounds cooked chicken fillet, cut into 1-inch chunks

Instructions
In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil on medium 1 minute. Add onion and cook 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Add ginger, garlic, and curry paste; cook 3 minutes longer.

Add chicken, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and cook 2 minutes or until no longer pink on the outside, stirring occasionally. Add tomato; cover and cook 3 to 4 minutes longer or until chicken just loses its pink color throughout.

Uncover and stir in half-and-half and cilantro. Spoon rice into 4 shallow bowls; top with chicken mixture and garnish with chopped cilantro.

Serve with rice.

Serves: 4; POINTS: 6 (rice not included)

Top 10 Signs You're a Trick or Treating Weight Watcher

So I thought that this was funny and just had to share it with all of you.

In the spirit of Halloween...
From Dotti's Newletter

Top 10 Signs You're a Trick or Treating Weight Watcher

10. You know how many door knocks it takes to earn an activity point.
9. You're the only Power Ranger in the neighborhood with a pedometer and a Points finder.
8. You ask each house if they mind if you step on their scale -- just to compare.
7. You ask to trade candy corn for the real stuff.
6. When someone drops a candy bar in your bag, you yell out the # of POINTS!
5. Your costume has a handy water bottle holder so you can meet your water requirements for the day.
4. You ask to use the bathroom every 3rd house because of #5.
3. At the end of the night, you sort your candy by POINT value.
2. You ask for high fiber candy only.
1. Your goodie bag has a half filled out journal taped to it.

Healthy Guidelines Part 1

Here is a summary of my Weight Watchers meeting on October 20, 2009.

This week in the meeting we talked about how important our Good Healthy Guidelines are. We focused on the 4 GHG’s that are filling foods or green diamond foods. Remember Weight Watchers has you covered!

When you follow the MOMENTUM plan you are meeting many of your body’s needs when you get in your Good Healthy Guidelines. So here is a brief summary of benefits and rules.

Fruits and Vegetables

The Guideline: 5 a day (9 if you weigh over 350 pounds)
What Counts: all fruits and vegetables, and 100% juice
What’s a serving: 1 cup of leafy greens; ½ cup of most others
Why it is important: Rich source of vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants and helps reduce the risk of disease.
Member tip: Add spinach to your morning smoothies. You can’t taste it and it helps you sneak in an extra serving of veggies! Use v8 as the base for your soups….instant veggie servings!

Milk Products

The Guideline: 2 a day (3 if you’re nursing, a teen, over 50 or weigh over 250 pounds)
What Counts & What’s a serving: Milk or calcium fortified soy (1 cup), lattes (12 oz), cappuccinos (16 oz), WW smoothies, cottage cheese (2 cups), hard and semisoft cheese (1 ½ oz), ricotta (1/2 cup), and yogurt of pudding (1 cup)
Why it is important: Calcium and protein, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, riboflavin and added vitamin D. Strengthens bones, protects against colon cancer, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis.
Remember that it usually takes around 2 pts before you reach a FULL serving of dairy.

Lean Protein

The Guideline: 1-2 servings a day
What Counts: lean meats, skinless poultry, fish, beans, soy products, and lentils
What’s a serving: 1-2oz lean meats poultry/fish, 1 egg, ½ cup legumes
Why it is important: Provides essential amino acids that your body cannot produce on its own. These are needed to repair and build body tissue.

Whole Grains

The Guideline: substitute and choose whenever possible
What Counts: whole grain cereal, breads, pasta, rice or grains
What’s a serving: this varies- check you’re A-Z food list in your pocket guide- for many it is 1 cup
Why it is important: Packed with nutrients including fiber and is much more filling.

GHG can help you meet some of your body’s health needs by guiding you to healthier choices as you lose weight. Most GHG are also filling foods so they help keep you satisfied longer. The habit of eating GHG will serve you well for the long term

Here is that mnemonic to help you remember the Good Health Guidelines:
Oh (oil)
My (Milk)
Goodness (grains)
Look (liquids)
A (alcohol/added sugar)
Very (Vitamin)
Fabulous ( five fruits/veggies)
Awesome (Activity)
Program (Protein)

Caramel Rice Krispy Treats

Caramel Rice Krispy Treats
From: BOUNCINGTIGGER1

Ingredients
8 1/4 oz Milky Way Milky Way, 4 (2.05 ounce) Milky Way Bars
3/4 cup Light Margarine, divided
3 cups Kellogg's Rice Krispies
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions
1. In the microwave, or in the top of a double boiler, melt candy bars and 1/2 cup of butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. You need to make sure it's truly melted and smooth - the margarine takes a while to blend with the melted candy bar. Stir in cereal until well blended. Press into a greased 11x7 inch pan.

2. Melt chocolate chips and remaining 1/4 cup butter or margarine, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat, and spread over the top of bars. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or until firm; cut into squares.

Servings Per Recipe: 32; POINTS: 2

Peach Glazed Chicken

Peach Glazed Chicken

Ingredients
15 oz canned peaches, packed in light syrup, sliced
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
1/3 cup peach fruit spread
1 tsp orange zest, grated
16 oz uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, 4 chicken breast halves (about 4 ounces each)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp parsley, snipped fresh
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp table salt
2 tsp olive oil

Instructions
Drain the peaches, reserving 1/4 cup juice. Set the peaches aside and pour the juice into a small bowl. Add the orange juice and cornstarch to the peach juice, whisking until the cornstarch is dissolved.
Whisk in the jam and orange zest. Set aside.

Put a chicken breast half with the smooth side up between two pieces of wax paper or plastic wrap. Using the smooth side of a meat mallet or a heavy pan, lightly flatten the breast to a thickness of
about 1/4 inch, being careful not to tear the meat. Repeat with the remaining chicken.

In a small bowl, stir together the flour, parsley, garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Sprinkle over both sides of the chicken. Using your fingertips, gently press the mixture so it adheres to the chicken.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the chicken for 4 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink in the center. Remove the skillet from the
heat, reducing the heat to medium low. Transfer the chicken to a plate. Set aside.

Immediately pour the reserved peach juice mixture into the skillet. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until thickened, stirring constantly. Add the reserved peaches, stirring until combined. Return the chicken
to the skillet. Spoon the peach sauce and peaches over the chicken. Heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until the chicken and peaches are heated through.

Serves 4 (3 ounces chicken and 1/2 cup peach topping per serving); POINTS: 6
Nutritional Information: Calories 320, Fat 4.0 g, Fiber 1 g

Fiber One Haystacks

Fiber One Haystacks
By: windhorse23 & CRUELLA

Ingredients
8 1/2 oz General Mills Fiber One, one sleeve
12 oz morsel chips, any flavor*
2 tsp peanut butter, optional

Instructions
Melt morsels in the microwave until melted and smooth.

Stir in one sleeve fiber one until well coated.

Working quickly, spoon out onto a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet into 48 small mounds. Refrigerate until set. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator or freezer (I use a zip-loc bag).

*Use one 12 oz bag of any flavored morsels (adjust your points accordingly) chocolate, white chocolate, peanut butter, or butterscotch.

Variations:
Also could add 1/2 cup Peanuts (again adjust your points accordingly).

Servings: 24 or 48; 2 pointsplus+, 1 point

For Recipe Review, click here.

Taking Care of Yourself

Here is a summary of my Weight Watchers meeting on October 13, 2009.

Our meeting this week was about how important it is to take care of yourself. Remember that if you aren’t keeping up with yourself, you are in no condition to keep up with others such as kids, spouses, and parents. Take some me time! I have included some good tips that will help with “me time”!

In the morning:
• Get up earlier and go for a walk, so your evening is free to relax after work.
• Buy groceries for tonight's dinner on your way to work, rather than on the way home - the store will be less crowded.
• Put in a load of wash and get your partner to help you hang it out. When you get home, it will be done.
• Clean one room before you go to work - by the weekend the housework will be done.
• Spend fifteen minutes soaking in an aromatherapy bath before the kids are awake. "You won't oversleep any more because you'll look forward to getting out of bed," says Reading.

In transit (on the bus or train):
• Write birthday cards or letters.
• Read the newspaper (and skim the headlines) or listen to a talking book.
• Work out your day's schedule.

At work:
• Take breaks - go for a walk or head to the park for lunch - you'll work far more effectively all afternoon.
• Ring ahead to check whether your doctor is running on time.
• Make a "to do" list: "Then number each task in order of importance," says Reading. "Tackle the biggest most taxing job first and you'll feel more energized all day."
• Stop being a perfectionist. "Learn where to cut corners and set times within which to complete tasks," Reading advises.

At night:
• Grab your cordless phone and pay bills by credit card while you stir the minestrone.
• Use your answering machine to screen calls and avoid unnecessary interruptions that eat into your night.
• Get a friend or relative to pick up the kids from baseball practice. Then do the same for them next week.
• While cooking, clean as you go.
• Let it go. "Remember, nobody has ever died from an untidy house," says Reading. "Whereas overwork has been proven to lead to chronic fatigue, cancer, ulcers and heart attacks."

On weekends:
• Delegate jobs like unloading the dishwasher to your partner and kids.
• Food shop outside peak-hours so you don't waste time in lines. Reading suggests you: "Organize a buddy system with a friend, where you buy her groceries one week and she gets yours the next."
• Cook in bulk and freeze the leftovers.
• Say no to social engagements every Friday night. "Then make a date with your partner, even if you just dress up and enjoy a candlelit dinner at home - you'll feel like you've pampered yourself," says Reading.

Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Source: Half My Size

Ingredients
1 pound Kraft Velveeta Light Reduced-Fat Pasteurized Processed Cheese Product
12 1/2 oz canned chicken, drained & flaked
10 3/4 oz Campbell's 98% Fat-Free Cream Of Chicken Soup, undiluted
10 3/4 oz Campbell's 98% Fat-Free Cream Of Mushroom Soup, undiluted
10 oz canned tomatoes with green chilies, Rotel
4 oz canned mushrooms, stems and pieces, drained
1/2 cup water
1 small onion, diced
1 medium green pepper, diced
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
14 1/2 oz cooked whole-wheat spaghetti

Instructions
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and stir to mix well.
Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours. Stir again just before serving.

Serves 12 (1 cup each); 5 pointsplus+

For Recipe Review, click here.

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Ingredients
1 box Spice Cake Mix
1 15 oz can of pure pumpkin (not pie filling)
1/2 cup water

Instructions
Mix everything together and put in muffin tins.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Additional Ideas:
1 Box yellow cake mix
1 can pumpkin
Spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, ground cloves)
Baked it in a 9 x 13 pan.

For complete recipe review, click here.

Soda Cupcakes

Soda Cupcakes
Source: Hungry Girl

Ingredients
1 Boxed Cake Mix (any flavor)
12 fl oz Diet Soda (any flavor)

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk thoroughly and transfer to a baking pan sprayed with nonstick spray; bake in the oven until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. (Refer to cake-mix box for pan size and approximate bake time.)

MAKES 12 SERVINGS

Best Flavor Combo
Yellow cake mix + diet cream soda. Runners-up include lemon cake mix + diet lemon-lime soda and devil's food cake mix + diet cherry cola.

The Texture
Moist and light.

The Taste
Pretty darn impressive! However, if you're sensitive to the sweetener in diet soda, you may notice a slight aftertaste... especially if you use cola of any kind.

Icing Options
Cupcakes can be frosted with 2 tablespoons of low fat whipped topping without affecting its point total. Also, to offer a richer flavor, one might try combining 1 1/2 cups of fat free vanilla yogurt with one package of Jell-O Sugar Free Fat Free Cheesecake Pudding. Mix thoroughly and top with 2 tablespoons per cupcake just before serving.

Choosing the Right Cake Flavor and Diet Soda
Pairing the cake mix and soda is crucial to flavor, but is not rocket science. For those hankering a lemon cake, the choice is obvious - lemon lime soda. Chocolate cake taste bests if a diet chocolate soda can be found (check out Waist Watchers Soda brand). If this somewhat elusive flavor cannot be found, opt for a diet cola or cream soda instead. Yellow and white cake mixes work well with lemon lime or cream sodas.

PER SERVING (1 piece, 1/12th of cake): 171 calories, 3.25g fat, 301mg sodium, 34g carbs, <0.5g fiber, 19g sugars, 1.5g protein --PointsPlus® value 5*

For Recipe Review, click here.

Meatloaf Muffins

Meatloaf Muffins

Ingredients
1 pound ground turkey breast or ground beef
2 egg whites
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup ketchup
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp table salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 cup fresh bread crumbs

Instructions
Put all the other ingredients in a large bowl and mix well, then add bread crumbs and mix all together, (may have to use hands to mix). Put into a 12 cup muffin tin that is sprayed with pam, fill almost to top. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 - 35 minutes or until done. Let stand 5 minutes then remove one at a time to serving plate.

Serves: 12; 2 pointsplus+

For Recipe Review, click here.

Finding Your Groove

Here is a summary of my Weight Watchers meeting on October 6, 2009.

Get out of the rut and get into the GROOVE!!!

There are 2 many options available 2 be bored with weight watchers. Really focus this week on getting out of that rut of eating the same old foods and doing the same old exercises. Pull out your Activity Booster and figure out how many activity points you’ve been earning. Really try to push yourself to earn 2 extra activity points this week. Think back to when you were a kid and all the fun you used to have doing…..yup that’s right…EXERCISE!! So often we stick to the same old foods and our bodies just get tired of them. Spice things up. Try a new recipe, or maybe try a new breakfast food. Check out the new 100 calorie packs available and see if some of those can change your life this week.