Weight Watchers Oatmeal Pancakes

How fun is this??

You can make pancakes out of WW Oatmeal (found in meeting rooms and on sale for $5.00 this week)!!

Ingredients = 1 cup Weight Watchers Oatmeal  & ½ cup egg beaters (or 3 egg whites)

In a bowl, mix ingredients. Spray non-stick skillet/pan. Pour mix into pan to make 1 big pancake or 2 medium pancakes.

Makes: 1 serving/POINTS value per serving: 3

Summer Sabotage

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com...

Summer isn't always an easy time to lose weight. We'll show you how to keep this "light" season from getting heavy. Appetite tends to decrease as the temperature rises, so losing weight this summer should be no problem, right? Not necessarily. Between barbecues, weddings, visits and vacations, this time of year can actually be a weight-loss minefield.

Food is often the focus of our summer entertaining, and it's easy to lose sight of how much you're consuming. When you're at a party, before you pick up a plate, scan your options, suggests Susie Klein, MS, RD. "Think about what you really want, then get a plate and follow through on those choices."

Size does matter, so keep portion control in mind, says Ellie Krieger, MS, RD. And while you may be tempted to take a vacation from sensible eating while you're enjoying time off, Krieger advises that you merely loosen up rather than abandon your diet plan altogether. "When you're on vacation, allow yourself a little treat." Here are five more strategies for staying on track all season.

Guest work
When invited for to a barbecue or picnic, contribute a chopped vegetable salad or some other healthful dish. That way you'll know there's at least one item on the menu that's low in calories.

Sit down
Rather than grazing throughout the party, get a plate, take small amounts of the food you want, sit down and enjoy it. Calories mount up, one nibble at a time, if you're hanging out at the buffet table mindlessly eating as much finger food as you want.

Get moving
After eating, leave the table — and the temptation — and do something active. Take a walk on the beach, play catch with the kids, start a volleyball or softball game, toss a Frisbee® or football. Take the focus off food while you burn your meal away.

Deceptive drinks
On a hot day it's easy to down glass after glass of lemonade or punch, but unless you've made it yourself and know for sure, be aware that it's probably loaded with sugar. Summer favorites such as smoothies and frozen margaritas can also be highly caloric. The best way to quench your thirst is with water. Make it flavorful by adding slices of orange, lemon or lime.

Treat yourself
Delectable doesn't have to be decadent. Indulge with lobster (spare the butter) and other seafood. Corn grilled in the husk is flavorful without added calories from butter. And it wouldn't be summer without watermelon. It's fun to eat, loaded with nutrients and low in calories.

Portion Primer

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com...


You know that 3 ounces of steak is a healthy portion, but do you know what 3 ounces looks like? Can you tell at a glance how much a half a cup of potato salad is, or a cup of pasta? Here's your pictorial guide to portion sizes for your favorite foods. Look up foods by category or browse them all to find familiar visual cues to what a portion looks like. You'll be a master of portions in no time.

Check out the portion sizes guide!

Stephanie's 5K Walk Photos

I thought I saw each and every one of my WW members on Sunday that participated, but looking through the photos I noticed people who I didn't realize were there. If I missed any names on the photo captions, please let me know. I tried my best to remember everyone.  

Enjoy the photos!  

(If you have any that you would like me to add, please email them to me at stephanie@wwleader.com)

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who participated and made this 5K Walk possible! I won't list names for fear of missing anyone... but, you know who you are! Your help meant the world to me!

More than  70 WW Members and 30+ family members and friends (along with a dozen four-legged friends) attended the 5K Walk today.

You are all truly amazing! Each and every one of you inspires and motivates me every day! I feel truly blessed to have the best-est job in the world and the best-est WW members/friends!

More photos to come... I'm creating an online photo album for everyone to view and/or purchase photos. (If you have any that you would like me to add, please email them to me at stephanie@wwleader.com)

What to Eat at the Ballpark

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com


We compare 10 popular concession-stand grabs — and see which hit home runs. At Milwaukee's Miller Park they're serving soy burgers, and at New York's Citi Field you can get anything from fresh fish to pulled pork.

Sports arenas have heard the cry for more nutritious food options and stepped up to the plate. But when your friend is eating a foot-long hot dog in the seat next to you, having a salad just won't cut it.

"It's silly to tell people not to have a hot dog at a ball game," says David Grotto, RD, LDN, and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "Go ahead and eat those foods, but go in with a game plan."

Here's how the players on the menu score:

Smart picks

Cracker Jacks
The song doesn't tell you to buy peanuts and Cracker Jacks for nothing. An 8 oz. box of Cracker Jack runs 4.5 POINTS® values and contains protein-packed nuts, making it one of the smarter options if you're craving something sweet.

Grilled chicken sandwich
For a change of pace, swap your burger for a grilled chicken sandwich. An average grilled chicken sandwich will only cost you 7 POINTS values. Hamburgers without garnishes can run you anywhere from 9 to 13 POINTS values.

Hot dog
A regular hot dog with mustard is 8 POINTS values. Yellow mustard is a better topping choice than sugar-laden relish or ketchup. Sauerkraut has 0 POINTS values per serving, says Grotto.

Nachos
A 4-ounce serving of six to eight nachos will cost you 9 POINTS values; substitute salsa for the cheese and you'll tip the scales down to 7.

Roasted peanuts
Raw and roasted peanuts, with or without shells, are both a filling and vitamin-packed snack. But don't go overboard; at 11 POINTS values for half a cup of dry roasted unsalted peanuts you don't want to start mindlessly crunching. "A big bag of peanuts is meant for sharing," says Grotto. "Stick with just a few handfuls."

Once-in-a-while choices

Soft pretzel
At 5.5 POINTS values for the 5-ounce, supersize soft pretzel, you may as well go for a hot dog. "There aren't a whole lot of nutrients in the pretzels," says Grotto, pointing out that the lack of nutrients and fiber put it as a once-in-a-while choice.

Popcorn
Although popcorn is generally a good snack choice — 5 cups of 94% fat-free microwaved popcorn is only 1 POINTS value — stadium popcorn is the enemy in disguise, says Grotto. "When people think popcorn, they think of a light snack, but even if you opt for plain concession-stand popcorn, it has been popped in oil that is filled with 'bad cholesterol'-raising trans-fats."

French fries
You know they're no smart pick, but you might be surprised at just how costly they can be. A 6-ounce bag of fries can use up to 11 POINTS values.

Chicken tenders
"Remember that tenders are just fried chicken," says Grotto. They may look little, but a three-piece box of Nathan's Chicken Tenders is 13 POINTS values.

Chicken Caesar wrap
Seems like a healthy choice? Think again. At 16 POINTS values, the fatty dressing and cheese in a 6-inch Caesar wrap makes it an expensive grab. If choices are limited and the alternatives are worse, cut it in half and share it.

The Skinny on Yogurt

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com...



From fat-free to flavored to kefir, here’s how to buy, store and cook with this healthy, delicious and versatile favorite from the dairy case. 
 
At the supermarket, we all know where the yogurt is, but do we know what it is? It’s supposed to be good for us, but what’s the best way to get all that nutrition into our diets?

By definition
Briefly put, yogurt is a fermented milk product that most likely originated in Asia — although the first written records put it in Turkey around 1070 A.D. Today, it is made from any milk: cow, goat, sheep, yak, mare, water buffalo or camel, to name the most popular worldwide.

What’s important, what’s not?
Look for yogurts with active, live cultures — in other words, “good” or “friendly” bacterial colonies that haven’t been killed off by pasteurization. These beneficial cultures are sometimes called “probiotics.” They may aid human digestion, help our immune systems and can be used for stomach problems like diarrhea, but more research is needed in this area. Avoid yogurts with added starches, gelatins or tapioca. Yogurt should be naturally thickened from the fermentation process.

How is it made?
Almost all modern yogurt is made with a bacteria starter from another yogurt batch. Like sourdough, it’s a process that has roots far in the past as starters keep getting cultivated from batch to batch. The bacteria eat the naturally-occurring sugar — that is, the lactose. They then produce lactic acid which clots the milk protein to give yogurt its creamy texture. Yogurt’s ensuing acidity keeps bad bacteria at bay. Yogurt can often be kept for up to two months, sealed, in a cold refrigerator.

What’s bifidus?
There are two important bacteria used to make yogurt: streptococcus thermophilus and lactobacillus bulgaricus. In the U.S., yogurt must contain both to be called “yogurt.”
Other bacteria are often added for better taste, texture or health. These include lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus (which promotes digestive health) and lactobacillus casei (which can enhance the immune system).

What is Greek yogurt?
Basically, it’s strained yogurt, much thicker than most other varieties and usually made from sheep’s milk. The yogurt has been passed through a cheesecloth, linen cloth or other fabric, removing much of the liquid — that is, the whey. To make your own: line a colander with cheesecloth or paper towels. Add the yogurt, then set it over a bowl in the sink for a couple hours. Discard the liquid in the bowl; the resulting yogurt will be higher in protein and lower in lactose.

THE FACTS...

Cooking with yogurt
Baking is the easiest way to use yogurt. Substitute plain yogurt for half the liquid (like milk or juice) in recipes for cakes, waffles, pancakes or muffins. In general, yogurt works best in cakey baked goods; it requires more complex chemistry if substituted in cookies and crusts.


Yogurt is a fine substitute for sour cream on baked potatoes, in creamy soups, salad dressings and as the base for dips.

Or use yogurt instead of cream or coconut milk to enrich a sauce, soup or stew. It may make the sauce more tart than intended, so seasonings may need to be adjusted.

One warning: Yogurt will “break” over the heat (that is, break down into a watery liquid and thick threads). To avoid this, make sure the yogurt is at room temperature, do not let it boil over the heat, and stir 1 teaspoon cornstarch into it before using. Goat and sheep yogurt tend to be the most stable in cooking.

Can frozen yogurt make any health claims? Yes — but only if the label specifically says that the frozen yogurt contains active bacterial cultures. Heat kills the bacteria — and some frozen yogurts are made by heating the mixture before freezing it, thus killing off the good stuff in yogurt.

Yogurt POINTS® Values at a Glance
Fat-free plain yogurt: 1/2 cup = 1 POINTS value
Fat-free fruit-flavored yogurt: 1/2 cup = 2 POINTS values
Low-fat plain yogurt: 1/2 cup = 1 1/2 POINTS values
Low-fat fruit-flavored yogurt: 1/2 cup = 2 1/2 POINTS values
Whole-milk yogurt: 1/2 cup = 2 POINTS values
Soy yogurt: 1/2 cup = 2 POINTS values
Fat-free frozen yogurt: 1/2 cup = 2 POINTS values
Low-fat frozen yogurt: 1/2 cup = 3 POINTS values

 

The Healthy, Stealthy Full-Plate Fakeout

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com

Sometimes, all you want is a big ol’ plate of food. How do you scratch that itch, and stay on Plan? Weight Watchers staffers share their own insider secrets.


Often, it’s simply about perception; finding tricky ways to make yourself think you're eating more than you are. It’s not just about eating from smaller plates — though that’s a great tip in itself. No; it’s about different ways of looking at the meals you cook, and how you combine the ingredients, and serve them. Or eating something similar to an old-time favorite that’s less friendly in the POINTS® values realm. (Who hasn’t tried spaghetti squash instead of actual spaghetti?

Weight Watchers editors and other staff all have their own tips and tricks for the full-plate fakeout. Read them, steal their ideas, and then share your own on the Portion Control Message Board thread.
Leslie Fink, MS, RD, recipes editor, is the person who came up with the idea for this article in the first place. “I thought about it this morning when I accidentally sandwiched my PB and J. I'd much rather eat it open-faced because it looks like more. Another thing I do often is to roast myself a whole pint of cherry tomatoes because the almost no POINTS value volume feels so comforting to me. I can eat so much and still lose weight.”

Jenn Coonce, director, product management (who always brings fruit to our internal meetings), has some tricks of her own: “Putting anything on top of a salad (such as frozen dinners); adding vegetables to pasta sauce; adding blueberries or strawberries to cereal; and adding salsa to food. For drinks, I love calorie-free seltzer mixed with a little fruit juice like orange or peach.”

Make the most of veggies Cauliflower sparked off a conversation, starting with Liz Josefsberg, Weight Watchers HQ’s resident Leader:

“I live on cauliflower soup in the winter. I simply boil two whole heads of cauliflower florets in chicken broth with an onion and some garlic until it breaks apart and makes a hearty, stew-like concoction. I eat a huge bowl of it for little to no POINTS values!”

Theresa DiMasi, VP, content, weighed in: “Speaking of cauliflower, I boil it and then mash with a bit of yogurt. It tastes almost like potatoes. I also love roasting cauliflower with a mist of olive oil, parsley, salt and pepper, but that’s not really faking it…”

Over on the design team, Beth Herbert, Associate Creative Director, is full of tips: “I usually have bite-size Shredded Wheat or Frosted Mini-Wheats for breakfast. Eating them (sans milk) one by one, by hand, makes the bowl last longer, giving me more time to fill up,” she shares. “I also slice apples and pears instead of just biting them whole. It always looks like more food when cut up. Come to think of it, that can be true of anything — veggies, meat, etc.”

As for me, (Elly Trickett McNerney, managing editor), rather than make a sandwich, I like to arrange all the ingredients on a plate with a lot of lettuce so I feel like I’m looking at a full meal, and I eat more slowly. Just imagine a plate containing all these goodies: A whole wheat pita, split in half and toasted, then cut into triangles; 2 ounces of smoked salmon; 2 Tbsp low-fat cream cheese; 1 tomato, sliced; some red onion; capers; a lemon wedge; and a pile of arugula with 1 tsp olive oil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. It looks so much more plentiful than if you’d just made a pita sandwich, and it takes three times as long to eat, assembling each wedge.

Change your environment From Rebecca Turner, a writer sitting two desks away, her first tip is brilliant in its simplicity: “A smaller fork or spoon!” More poetically: “Eating in the dark… I had a children’s book I loved as a kid where the family had an electrical outage, and one of the kids said, ‘I love eating in the dark… it makes it taste like more.’ So, candlelight, fancy place-settings, all help. For me, sitting on the couch watching TV leads me to eat more.”
Rebecca also likes to split her meals up. “Something about having several smaller courses at a meal feels like more.”

Two final tips from Rebecca: “I also use frozen fruit in salad dressing; just mashed-up raspberries or blackberries, etc., with balsamic vinegar and tiny bit of oil. It makes it go a long way as it’s thicker than a bottled dressing.” And a great tip she got from The New York Times: “More sauce, less pasta. I read a Mark Bittman column a while ago in which he suggested this. The sauce is sometimes the most flavorful, delicious part, and if you have a lower POINTS value sauce, having more can balance out the pasta.”

Amanda Genge, a freelance writer and regular contributor, learned a lesson from her kids: “Anything cut up into small pieces looks like way more than it is (I discovered this cutting up food for my kids). My best secret is roasted potatoes — I cut them pretty small (an inch or so wide, and pretty thin) and roast in a small amount of oil to make little delicious bites that take up half my plate, when I've only served myself the equivalent of half a potato.”

Kim Cassidy, a designer who works with Beth, says, “When it comes to dessert, which is usually chocolate, I try to make sure I eat slowly. By microwaving my VitaTops deep chocolate that I usually eat after lunch, it enables me to thoroughly enjoy it, like one of those molten cakes — very satisfying.”

And finally, a soda trick from our editorial production coordinator, Kristina Lucarelli: “I don’t like diet soda, but the real stuff (as well as high-sugar drinks like OJ) gobbles up too many POINTS values. If I’m really in the mood, though, I’ll fill a big glass full of ice and just pour myself a small amount. I’ve got a huge glass full of my favorite beverage — for next to no POINTS values!”

Trouble fitting in breakfast?

Check out Mr. Breakfast's Top 10 Tips to MAKE TIME FOR BREAKFAST!




http://www.mrbreakfast.com/article.asp?articleid=30

Everyday Way to Get Moving!

Find out how everyday activities can jump-start your exercise routine.

It’s a common misconception that physical activity requires going to the gym, or buying expensive exercise equipment for your home. But the fact is there are many enjoyable everyday activities  from gardening to walking your dog  that can help you reach your fitness goals.

Karen Miller-Kovach, MS, RD, Chief Scientist at Weight Watchers International, says the amount of everyday activity recommended by Weight Watchers depends on your goals. The table below outlines Miller-Kovach's suggested duration of everyday activities done at a moderate intensity level with respect to an individual's goals.

And while you may be surprised that the recommendation is higher for keeping weight off than it is for losing weight, several research studies have found this to be true. Why? Most likely there are two reasons: People are willing to reduce food intake to a greater extent during active weight loss than for the long term, and once people "get into" activity and feel the benefits, they choose to do more.

It's important to remember that to have an impact, this activity should be done in addition to your usual routine on most days of the week.

Read more...  http://signup.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=48811&sc=3039

How's Your Fitness Vocabulary?

Not sure what the difference is between your hip flexor or your hamstring? Weight Watchers has simplified some common fitness terms and phrases. Check out this article!

 

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=26111

What Kind of Egg are you?

Are you a HARD-BOILED EGG?

-        Always on the straight and narrow

-        Hard on yourself

-        Perfectionist

-        Guilt-ridden

-        Be careful or you may CRACK!

Are you a SCRAMBLED EGG?

-        Can’t keep track of POINTS

-        Forget to come to meetings

-        Too much trouble to weigh and measure food

-        Can’t be bothered with keeping a journal

Are you a SOFT BOILED EGG?

-        Wishy-washy

-        On again/off again

-        Always making EGG-SCUSES

Are you a DEVILED EGG?

-        Always try to beat the system

-        Fast the day before your meeting

-        Wear lighter clothes to weigh in

Are you SUNNY SIDE UP?

-        Happy with yourself and your progress

-        Content with Weight Watchers Momentum

-        Positive thinker

Whatever kind of EGG you are – HARD BOILED, SCRAMBLED, SOFT BOILED, DEVILED, or SUNNY SIDE UP, 
please remember… Each & Every one of you is EGG-STRA special to me!

I'm on Facebook... are you??

Due to friendly requests from my Thursday night Rocky River members, I have created a Facebook page!

In addition to my blog/website, I'm pleased to provide my members with an open forum to share their ideas, challenges and inspirations. Visit often! (And please, tell your friends!)

Check out the box in the right column to "like" my Facebook page!

5K Walk Registration

Don't forget to register for the 5K walk...
http://5kwalk.blogspot.com/2010/04/5k-walk-registration.html

LAST WEEK TO ORDER T-SHIRTS!!

If you are going to order t-shirts, you have until May 21...

Show Your Team Spirit

Purchase your official Weight Watchers Walk-It Challenge T-shirt and customize the back. Add to the excitement of Weight Watchers® Walk-It Day by ordering and wearing your own official Weight Watchers Walk-It Challenge T-shirt!

http://weightwatchers.transfermagic.com/

Shift into Change...

Having

A

Bite
Involves
Thinking

Changing from the Inside Out

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com

Think changing how you eat and exercise is all you need to do to lose weight? Think again. The biggest change you need to make is on the inside.

Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight knows it's as much a matter of the heart and mind as of the mouth and stomach. How you think and feel about your weight issues, and about yourself, has a strong impact on your ability to lose weight and keep it off. Most of us have learned this the hard way. But we've also learned how difficult it can sometimes be to change how we think and feel.

Unfortunately, many of us regard our own thoughts and feelings as "things that happen to us." For example, "Today I feel guilty" (or happy or blue or motivated — fill in the blank). That's just the way it is, right? Wrong. It's more helpful for us to think of our thoughts and feelings as "internal behaviors," which we can control and adapt to meet our needs. Just as we can develop more positive external behaviors to support our weight loss (taking smaller portions, walking more), it's also possible to develop more positive internal behaviors (thinking "I can" instead of "I can't").

In fact, not only is it possible, but unless we change on the inside, our newly formed eating and exercise behaviors most likely won't last for long.

So where do I start?
The first step is understanding the five different levels at which we are able to change the way we think and act.¹ We'll start with the easiest-to-change, most superficial level, and move on to the deepest, most difficult level within us.

• Environment. Where and when our behavior takes place.
  "It's difficult for me to lose weight with my hectic job and schedule. I'm on the road and eating in fast food restaurants all the time."
  
• Behavior. What we do. The specific actions we take in our environment.
  "I don't know what to eat or what exercises I should do to lose weight and become more fit."
  
• Capabilities. How we guide our behaviors. The broader abilities and strategies we use in life.
  "I am not capable of losing my weight and keeping it off."
  
• Beliefs. Why we do what we do. The ideas and values we think are true.
  "I do not deserve to be thin and attractive."
  
• Identity. Who we are. Our basic sense of self, which is tied to our mission in life.
  "I am a fat person."

And how do I use my Tools for Living?
So it's easy to see: If, deep down, you still think of yourself as a "fat person," it's going to be difficult to make and sustain the behavior changes necessary to keep weight off for good. The good news is that we can make positive changes at the deeper levels, with our beliefs and identity. You might start by familiarizing yourself with Weight Watchers powerful set of strategies, Tools for Living. Each tool is designed for a specific kind of challenge related to your thoughts and feelings.

One tool, for example, Empowering Beliefs, will help you strengthen your belief that losing weight is worth it, that you can do it and that you deserve to be healthy and feel good. And Anchoring is a powerful technique for tapping your inner resources to help you achieve what you want. Need more determination, for example? Anchoring will enable you to find the will that already exists within you.

Paying attention to your deeper levels of change can pay off big. Combining your "inside" behaviors — thoughts and feelings — with your new, healthier "outside" behaviors will help you not only lose that weight, but, more importantly, keep it off.

Walk-It Challenge

Take the Weight Watchers 2nd Annual Walk-It Challenge!

Weight Watchers is challenging its members to train for a 5K Walk.

Are you thinking... 5K??? I can't walk a 5K!!!

Well, yes you can! 5K is actually 3.1 miles or approximately 12 times around a track... not so bad!

The official WW Walk-It Day is Sunday, June 6th. You're encouraged to find a 5K taking place in the area or map your own 5K. (Go to www.weightwatchers.com/walkit for more information!)

Since WW isn't sponsoring an "official" 5K for members in the Cleveland area, the members of my 17 weekly meetings have decided to gather together to complete a 5K Walk. (This 5K is not sponsored by Weight Watchers.)

I have created a website for the 5K Walk. (http://5KWalk.blogspot.com). Please visit the website for details about the walk and how to RSVP.


Please contact me via email (stephanie@wwleader.com) with any questions!

HAPPY WALKING!!!!

See Who You Are Becoming

Weight loss is a journey
A trip with ups and downs
If you monitor your habits
You’ll lose those excess pounds.

First you have to track-it
Write down everything you eat
Get outside and Walk-It
Set a goal then move your feet.

Monitor your feelings
Keep bites and licks in check
Hunger’s in your tummy
Cravings start above your neck.

None of us is perfect
Stay strong when you plateau
See who you are becoming
Your confidence will grow.

Take charge of all your habits
Don’t let setbacks rule your day
Celebrate successes
Those pounds will melt away.

-WW Leader, Pam

Dreamy PB Chocolate Ravioli Puffs

Courtesy of Hungry Girl (www.hungry-girl.com)  Don't these sound yummy???? These might be a little complex for me... I tend to make very simple things!

Dreamy PB Chocolate Ravioli Puffs

PER SERVING (4 "ravioli puffs"): 157 calories, 4.5g fat, 242mg sodium, 25g carbs, 1.5g fiber, 2g sugars, 5g protein -- POINTS® value 3*


Ingredients:
2 Mousse Temptations by Jell-O snack cups, Dark Chocolate Decadence or Chocolate Indulgence
2 tbsp. reduced-fat creamy peanut butter, room temperature
16 small square wonton wrappers (often stocked near the tofu in the fridge section of the market)
1/4 cup Fat Free Reddi-wip, divided
Optional: powdered sugar

Directions:
To make the filling, gently swirl together mousse and peanut butter in a bowl -- don't over-stir, but make sure PB is evenly distributed. Set aside.

Set out a wide plastic container (or a few mid-sized ones), and make sure you've got room in your freezer.

Lay two wonton wrappers flat on a clean, dry surface. Spoon a little less than 1 tbsp. filling into the center of each wrapper. Moisten all four edges of each wrapper by dabbing your fingers in water and going over the edges smoothly. Fold the bottom left corner of each wrapper to meet the top right corner, forming a triangle and enclosing the filling. Using your fingers or the prongs of a fork, press firmly on the edges to seal.

Repeat with all remaining wrappers and filling, placing each raviolo flat in the container(s). (Yup, that's really the singular form of "ravioli!") Freeze for 1 hour.

Bring a large skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat. Working in batches, place frozen ravioli flat in the skillet, evenly spaced, and cook for 2 - 3 minutes, until slightly puffy. Flip carefully and cook for an additional 1 - 2 minutes (no longer). Don't flip them again, as the filling may ooze out!

Allow to cool slightly. If you like, sprinkle with a small amount of powdered sugar. Then top each serving with a tbsp. of Reddi-wip and enjoy!

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

Crock-Pot Cinna-Apples 'n Oats

Courtesy of Hungry Girl (www.hungry-girl.com) --- I haven't made this but it sounds WONDERFUL!!

Crock-Pot Cinna-Apples 'n Oats

PER SERVING (1 heaping cup): 249 calories, 4.5g fat, 320mg sodium, 52g carbs, 7.5g fiber, 26g sugars, 4.5g protein -- POINTS® value 5*

Ingredients:
8 cups chopped Fuji apples (about 6 apples)
2 tbsp. brown sugar (not packed), divided
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, divided
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup light vanilla soymilk
1/3 cup sugar-free pancake syrup
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. light whipped butter or light buttery spread

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix apples with 1 tbsp. brown sugar and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Stir to coat apples well. Transfer to the crock pot.

In the empty bowl, combine oats, soymilk, 1 tbsp. brown sugar, 1 tsp. cinnamon, syrup, and salt. (All remaining ingredients except butter.) Add 1 cup water and mix well.

Add oat mixture to the crock pot, and gently stir. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 7 hours.

Add butter and mix well. (Do NOT forget this step. Stick a Post-it to your timer if you have to!) Serve and enjoy!

MAKES 5 SERVINGS

Create your Weight Loss Resume

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com

Putting together a résumé is the first step when you're applying for a job. You can use the same principle in your weight-loss journey.

Grab a pen and paper then read, think about and answer the questions below. This process can help you formulate your weight-loss résumé.

Objective: What are your weight-loss goals? What Winning Outcomes have you set for yourself? Are you trying to reach your 5-percent target, drop a pants size or achieve your goal weight?

Education: What have you learned since joining Weight Watchers that's helping you accomplish your objective? It could be social strategies from meeting topics, smart shopping tips or even the Tools for Living .

Experience: What were your past weight-loss experiences like? If they weren't successful long-term, what did you learn from those experiences?

Skills: What weight-loss skills have you acquired? Have you become a healthy cook or a dedicated exerciser?

Interests: What new interests have you discovered since losing weight? Did you learn a new sport, try a fitness class, take dancing lessons?

References/Community Involvement: Who is part of your weight-loss support system? Does being involved in meetings room discussions or chatting on the Message Boards keep you on track?

Accomplishments/Honors/Awards: What have you accomplished in your life that that proves you have what it takes to be successful? Acknowledge your perseverance and dedication to weight loss.

Focus on your strengths this week and carry your résumé with you. Refer to it when faced with challenges.

Spaghetti with Asparagus

(Special thanks to WW Member, June, for providing the recipe)

7 POINTS per serving (1 1/4 cup per serving)

Ingredients
- 3/4 lb. whole wheat spaghetti
- 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 shallots, sliced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup cottage cheese with roasted red pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper

- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray rimmed baking sheet with olive oil nonstick spray.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, mix asparagus, shallots and 1/4 tsp salt on baking sheet; spray with olive oil nonstick spray. Roast until asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through roasting time.
- Drain spaghetti, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Return spaghetti to pot; stir in cooking liquid, vegetables, Parmesan, cottage cheese, remaining 1/4 tsp salt, and pepper until blended.

Mandarin Delight

(Special thanks to Diane from WW Parma for providing the recipe.)

1 POINTS per cup

Ingredients
- 1 package Sugar-Free Orange Jell-O
- 1 package Sugar-Free/Fat-Free Vanilla Instant Pudding
- 1 8oz. container Fat-Free Cool Whip
- 1 small can Mandarin Oranges

Prepare Jell-O using 1 cup hot water. Drain Mandarin Oranges and retain juice. Add water to juice to make one cup and add to Jell-O mixture. Mix well and let sit for 5 minutes. Slowly pour in dry pudding mix and stir well. Wait 5 minutes, then fold in Cool Whip. Pour mixture into 8x8 pan and drop in orange slices throughout. Cover with clear wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or more. Enjoy!

Snickers Pie

(Special thanks to Peg from WW North Olmsted)

3 POINTS per serving (8 servings)


Ingredients
- 1 pint vanilla non-fat frozen yogurt, softened
- 2 Tbsp chunky peanut butter
- 1/2 package sugar-free chocolate pudding mix
- 1/2 cup non-dairy topping (Cool Whip)
- 1 tsp chocolate syrup (Walden Farms)

Soften non-fat frozen yogurt in microwave for 1 minute on high. In a large bowl, combine frozen yogurt, chunky peanut butter, pudding mix and non-dairy topping. Mix well and pout into 8" pie tin. Freeze until set. Before serving, drizzle chocolate syrup over entire pie in swirl motion.

Spinach-Cheese Frittata

3 POINTS per serving

Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 2 egg whites
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- 2 Tbsp chopped scallion
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese

Coat 12-inch oven-proof skillet with 1 spray cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Pour egg mixture into skillet. Cook until partially set, 5 minutes. Sprinkle on cheese. Bake in 400 degrees oven 5 minutes. Remove; let stand 1 minute; cut into 8 wedges.

Yields 2 wedges per serving.

Ten Commandments of Weight Loss (according to Dr. Oz)

(Special Thanks to Joanne from WW North Olmsted for writing these down from Dr. Oz's TV program...)


1. Don't wear or keep your "fat" clothes.
2. Don't wear pants that stretch.
3. Don't eat meat that walks on 4 legs more than once a week.
4. Don't graze or browse in search of "prey" (in fridge or cupboard -- have food prepared)
5. Don't eat more than 2 hours before bedtime.
6. Don't pile food more than 1 inch high or 2 inches from the edge of your plate.
7. Don't chew food less than 20 times per bite (digestion begins with chewing)
8. Don't covet thy neighbor's plate (extra calories!!)
9. Don't carry small bills (temptation to buy food from vending machines!)
10. Don't eat while standing or in car (have prepared meal and sitdown to eat)

"Irish" Weight Loss Saying

May you have the hindsight to know where you've been; 

(celebrate your success)

the foresight to know where you're going; 

(goals and wining outcomes)

and the insight to know when you're going too far. 

(portion control)

Easy Cake!

Here's a YUMMY cake that's only 1 POINT per serving!

Ingredients
- One box Angel Food Cake
- One box any flavor cake mix
- 3 TBSP water

- Mix the Angel Food Cake mix and the other flavor cake mix in a ziploc bag or plastic container.
- Take 1/3 cup of the mixture and place in small bowl - must be microwave safe bowl. (cereal box or large soup/coffee mug works well)
- Add 3 TBSP water and mix.
- Put bowl in microwave for 1 minute.
- ENJOY!

Chicken Poem

Chicken in the crockpot;
Chicken in the Wok;
or Crunchy coated in the oven sometimes hits the spot!

In casseroles or chunky salads;
Or Stir Fried over rice.
Any way you fix it-
Chicken will suffice.

Grilled chicken;
Baked chicken;
Three times in a row.
This could cause our weight-loss to surely slow.

Just remember …TOO MUCH of the same
Will cause ‘Boredom’ to set in
So why not “Spice your menu UP”

And give it a NEW SPIN!

Add Spice to Your Recipe for Success

Tired of ‘taters? Tired of rice?
Seasoned couscous is quite nice.

Bored with salads? Bored with greens?
Add some filling pinto beans.

Sick of chicken? Sick of fish?
Spices can improve your dish.

Avoid pasta? Avoid meats?
Try a savory soup with beets.

Boring diets do not last.
Change it up and lose weight fast!

Same ol’, same ol’, makes you tired
Shake it up and get inspired.

Dijon-Dill Chicken and Noodles Recipe

POINTS® Value: 4
Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 4 oz boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into thin bite-size strips
• 1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
• 1 can (18.5 oz) Progresso® Light vegetable and noodle soup
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1/2 cup uncooked wide egg noodles (1 1/2 oz)
• 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 1 oz fat-free cream cheese
  

Instructions

1. Place a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and onion; cook, stirring constantly, until onion is tender and chicken just begins to brown, about 4-6 minutes.
2. Stir in soup, mustard and dill weed. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Stir in noodles; return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes.
3. Add broccoli; cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, until broccoli is crisp-tender, about 3 to 4 minutes longer. Remove from heat and stir in cream cheese until well blended. Yields about 1½ cups per serving.

Weight Watchers Supermarket Foods

Have you ever had trouble locating Weight Watchers food products? Now you can search for the nearest retailer. Just enter your ZIP Code to see where to buy the products you'd like to enjoy!

http://www.wwproductlocator.com/

Celebrate Valentine's Day

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com

 

Loved up, or single and proud — we’ve got the tips and strategies you need for surviving when all around you is covered in chocolate.
 
Whether you’re a diehard romantic, or have written Valentine’s Day off as commercial cheesiness, the fact is that chocolate and heavy dinners are the reality for many of us. Here’s a roundup of some of our best articles and tips for surviving the week — and for taking some time to love yourself too. We’ve got dinners for two and chocolate for one; partners’ yoga and check-me-out belly dancing. Whatever your situation is this week, we’ve got you covered.

Click below for more Valentine's Day tips...

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=49231&sc=3022

Awesome North Olmsted Members

I want to send HUGE BRAVOS to all my FABULOUS Saturday morning members at WW North Olmsted who ventured out into the terrible snow to weigh-in!

What a complete surprise to see so many of you there in the early morning hours... along with all the piles of snow!

You truly are AMAZING!!! And, you certainly brightened my day which didn't start off so well with my icy treacherous drive from Strongsville!

I feel very blessed to have such wonderful members in ALL meetings! You make my job such an incredible joy!!

Chili Party Dip

POINTS® Value:  1                   

Servings:  10

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time:  10 minutes

Serve with baked tortilla chips or jicama sticks.

Ingredients

15 oz canned turkey chili without beans   

8 oz fat-free cream cheese   

4 oz canned jalapeno peppers   

1 small onion, finely chopped   

1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce   

Directions

• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until cheese melts, about 10 minutes. Yields about 1/4 cup per serving.

Hot Fiesta Dip

POINTS® Value:  1

Servings:  10

Preparation Time: 4 minutes

Cooking Time:  5 minutes

Serve this dip with baked tortilla chips.

Ingredients

10 oz frozen corn kernels

1 ½ cups salsa (any jar salsa)

3 ¾ cups Weight Watchers Reduced Fat Mexican-style Cheese

2 Tbsp scallions, chopped

Directions

• Microwave frozen corn according to package directions; drain.
• Combine corn and salsa in a microwave-safe, 9-inch pie plate; cover and microwave on high power until bubbly, about 2 minutes. 
• Sprinkle cheese over corn mixture; cover and let stand until cheese melts, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with scallions and serve. Yields about 1/4 cup per serving.

Super Bowl Survival Tips: Game planning for a big loss (on the scale)

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com

Just because the football season’s grand finale is upon us doesn’t mean our eating habits and clothing sizes have to match those of beefy linemen. These tips will help you enjoy your Super Bowl shindig, by taking the pig out of your pigskin party. 
 
Pregame prep
Before entering your buddies' house, give yourself a mental pep talk and then "stick with your plan," advises Jay Fleming, a Weight Watchers leader who's maintained a 65-pound loss for four years.* "Ask yourself why you are at the game. Is it to eat or is it to watch the game?"

New game plan
You can still enjoy some football fare: a chicken wing or two, some chips and dip, a slice of pizza and a cold one. Just don't overindulge — eat and drink reasonably, keep track of what you chow down on, and save your weekly POINTS® Allowance for game day.

"If you're working at getting rid of your beer belly, remember that, 'If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got,'" Fleming says. "So if you pig out at that tailgate party or during the game, you'll get that beer belly just like in the past."

Know your opponent
Forget the game for a sec. At the party, your foe is all that grub on the counter. It most likely isn’t low calorie or fat free, either. Keep in mind, a plain hot dog on a roll can pack 8 POINTS values. Two medium slices of thin crust pepperoni pizza have about 12 POINTS values. A serving of nacho chips and mystery cheese can be laden with around 9 POINTS values and more fat grams than points both teams will score. If you're still jonesing for football food, try minimizing the damage. Eating the dog minus the bun will save about 3 POINTS values. Have only 1 slice of pizza and you’ll cut 6 POINTS values.

Walk it off
Consider parking a few blocks from the party or heading outside for a walk instead of watching for the next wardrobe malfunction at halftime (that’s what DVRs are for anyway).

Improve your bench
Try fitting in a few exercises – push-ups or Pilates – whenever possible, Anderson suggests. Drop and do 20 push-ups or a few Pilates hundreds during commercial breaks. Or put a couple of bucks in a pot for the winner of a game-long challenge with your friends. You can also make friendly competitive wagers using crunches instead of money. Every time your team scores, fans on the opposite side have to hit the deck for 20 and vice versa.

Stay in motion
During breaks in the action, get off your seat – but not to visit the food table. "Try to do anything that can make you active. The activity counts just as much as eating right," Anderson says. "If you get active during a football game, you'll eat less."

Try staying on your feet for an entire series, and switch between doing push-ups, stretches, crunches or squats during breaks. Do "secret squats" by pushing yourself out of a low-rider chair over and over. Here's a good stretch for your back and legs: sit up straight against a couch, extend your legs and hold as long as you can.

You could even practice different TD celebration dances. This, of course, is best done alone – unless you have no shame or don't embarrass easily.

If you follow these tips, your new fleet-footed celebration moves might be used to commemorate a losing season on the scale.


--------------------------------------------------------

Good substitutions

"Make Better Food Choices" 

To make that easier, prepare and bring healthier items such as:

• grilled chicken sandwiches
• fruit cups
• a veggie tray
• shrimp with cocktail sauce,
• baked chips
• light beer
• fat-free pretzels
• turkey brats
• bags of low-fat microwavable popcorn.

Not all to be eaten at the same time, of course.

Super Bowl Party Idea

Easy Solution to a Super-Common Dilemma

"Help! A bunch of people are coming to my house for a Super Bowl party and I don't have time to cook for all of them and I don't want them to hate me for serving diet food but I don't want to be stuck with greasy pizza and wings either and what if some of them are vegetarians and..."

BREATHE. The quick and easy fix for a party meal: SUBS. Subway has just unveiled its new Fresh Fit Platter, loaded with Veggie Delite, Black Forest Ham, Turkey Breast, Subway Club, and Turkey Breast & Black Forest Ham sandwiches. There's plenty of meat and bread to satisfy huge appetites and, if ordered on wheat, each 4-inch sub will have at least 3g fiber and only about 150 - 215 calories and 1.5 - 3.5g fat (POINTS® value 3 - 4*). Just make sure they don't add cheese. One platter serves 5 - 9 people (15 mini subs), so plan accordingly. And check out last week's survival guide for some added fun. It's gonna be OK.

If you nibble it, scribble it.

If you bite it, write it.

If you drink it, ink it.

If you snack it, track it.

If you steal it, reveal it.

If you sneak it, leak it.

If you chose it, disclose it.

If you hog it, log it.

If you grab it, blab it.

If you indulge it, divulge it.

If you imbibe it, inscribe it.

If you ingest it, you guessed it!

Twas the night before Christmas...

Twas the night before Christmas and,
What thoughts did it bring?
My mind said to me,
Why not have a big fling?

There were pies in the oven,
Sugared nuts in the jar.
There were snacks for the party,
And booze in the bar.

No! I'll resist the temptation,
I will keep a strong head.
I'll not eat a bite!
And I climbed into bed.

When out of my stomach,
There came such a roar,
I sprang from the bed,
Landing flat on the floor.

Away to the kitchen
I flew like a flash.
Tore open the fridge,
To do something RASH!

A light from within,
Gave off such a glow
To the objects of food,
Laid on trays there below.

I was going to grab
An odd goodie or two
When into my mind
Came my promise to you.

Before I could have
Any snack food to eat
I must put on my coat
And get out on my feet.

I got into my coat,
My warm gloves and shoes
Determined to walk
For the goodies I'd choose.

The moon on the breast
Of the new-fallen snow
And on houses and trees
Gave a sparkle and glow.

As I walked down the street
My mind did recall
The words that we'd spoken
At the Weight Watchers hall.

Of meetings through which
I ambitiously sat
For words of encouragement
To help shed this "fluff".

I spoke not a word
When my walk was done.
I felt so renewed.
I knew I had won.

I walked past the kitchen
Without turning my head.
I smiled in the mirror
As I headed for bed.

And I said to myself
As I turned out the light
"With my mind, will and body,
I have fought the good fight!"

16 Ways to Have a Healthy Holiday Season

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com...

Here's a holiday list you shouldn't miss: 16 super-easy, almost effortless ways to be healthier in the busy weeks ahead.


Hoping to shed some pounds during the holidays? No matter how motivated you are, this is a difficult season to make drastic changes to your routine. With all the lists you're making and checking twice, you barely have time to breathe, let alone challenge yourself with a new weight-loss or fitness plan.

But that doesn't mean the holidays have to be an unhealthy time. In fact, it's important to keep long-term health goals in mind, even if there's no time yet to really start on them.

If you ignore those goals altogether, says Karen Miller-Kovach, MS, RD, chief scientific officer for Weight Watchers International, they may be much harder to address—mentally and physically—in the new year. "The 10 pounds you wanted to lose by Thanksgiving may seem like a hill, but if you overdo it in December, the 18 pounds you'll face on Jan. 1 will feel like a mountain," says Miller-Kovach.

Have a healthy holiday!
Even in the hectic weeks ahead, you can make small adjustments that will make it easier for you to tackle your weight-loss goals in the new year. The first step toward a healthful holiday season is simple and effective: Don't use the season as an excuse to splurge. The second is to always be on the lookout for ways to fit healthy behaviors into your life.


1. Always eat a healthy dinner before you go to a holiday party.

2. Bring healthy foods to potlucks.

3.  At appetizer tables, choose two or three of your favorites and put them on a small plate or, better yet, a napkin. Then, walk away. When you're done with your food, throw away the napkin or take your plate to the kitchen. Avoid large plates.

4. At a buffet, cover most of your plate with vegetables and fruits. Then find room for smaller portions of the high-calorie main dishes.

5. Watch out for times when you feel guilty for overeating. Just because you slipped up at lunch isn't license to overindulge all day. Remember: One meal is one meal. One day is one day.

6. On the nights you decide to have a drink, limit yourself to one or two. And don't indulge every night, says Fink. Also, choose wisely—a gin and tonic has 155 calories for 7.5 fl oz, while the same size frozen strawberry daiquiri has a whopping 450 calories.

7. If you are drinking, alternate alcoholic beverages with nonalcoholic, calorie-free drinks such as like flavored seltzer. Or, choose wine spritzers, which are half wine and half seltzer.

8. Drink extra water to help flush out the excess sodium you consume during rich meals.

9. No matter how busy you get, make time for a healthy breakfast. Eating a morning meal will help control cravings later on.

10. If baked goods are your holiday weakness, consider hosting a cookie party: Ask every guest to bring one batch of his or her favorite cookies, plus the recipe, and share. This way, you and your family get a variety without having to bake loads. (For extra credit, challenge your guests to bring low-fat or low-calorie cookies.)

11. Store healthy snacks at the front of your fridge and pantry, and go for them before you treat yourself to the splurge stuff.

12. Just say "no" to packaged holiday candies and cakes! So what if they're red and green or blue and white—with all the homemade goodies hanging around, you don't need them.

13. Streamline your grocery shopping with lists of the ingredients you'll need for a week's worth of quick, easy meals. This way, you won't be limited to last-minute convenience and fast foods during those nights when you're dashing around.

14. Online shopping is a great time saver, but it means you lose out on the mall walking that usually goes with shopping. Make it up by figuring out exactly how much time you saved (say, 15 minutes per gift), then increase your cardio by that much for the week.

15. On heavy-eating weeks, add some strength training to your routine. Building muscle will help your body continue to burn calories while at rest.

16. Add health-related gifts to your wish list this year—they could help make for a slimmer, healthier new year.

Stress...

Stress is the trash of modern life -- we all generate it, but if you don't dispose of it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life.


~ Danzae Pace, writer

 

WW Recipe Swap

Check out WeightWatchers.com's Recipe Swap!

http://www.weightwatchers.com/community/rcp/index.aspx

Look for new holiday recipes or even add your own!