IT'S BBQ TIME

Hi Everyone,

July 4th is coming up fast. The time of year when we do lots of BBQ's. Summertime sends the message out to relax and treat ourselves.

Grilling is one way to treat ourselves. Grilling can be great weight watchers meals, but what is it that we are grilling? What we have to do, as always, is choose wisely. Grilled chicken, pineapple,onion, and pepper on a skewer can have everyone come running. Vegetables roasted on the grill taste great!!!

Planning is the key. When we plan our meals for the day and the week we can relax. We know we are in control of the food, the food does not control us. We can use our 35 points for the week to make sure we fit in our favorites and are satisfied with our menu.

Here's a smoothie that can satisfy that frozen drink craving.

STRAWBERRY COLADA COOLER
makes 1 serving - 4 points

1/2 cup halved strawberries
1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks
1/2 cup fat free milk
1/2 cup vanilla low fat yogurt
1/4 cup light coconut milk
6 ice cubes

1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into a tall glass.

See you at the meeting,
Lorraine

PLAN FOR SUCCESS

Hi Everyone,

Being organized and planning are the key to weight-loss success.

Last week we talked about breakfast - how eating it everyday can help your weight loss. We also talked about the fact that variety makes a difference in your weight loss. So I hope you put a little variety into breakfast this week.

In order to put that variety into breakfast I'm sure you had to do a little planning. Did you find that having a plan for breakfast each morning helped to make the program easier to follow?

Just like having a plan for breakfast can save time in the morning, having a plan for the week, can help you save time all week long. Taking the time to plan out meals for the week will allow you to shop less often. Shopping once a week (or twice) can save money and help the week run smoothly. Knowing what's for dinner can help you plan breakfast and lunch.

Saving your weekly tracker allows you to use a weekly plan over again. We want the variety of not eating the same foods every week, but we can certainly pull a trackers from weeks ago and do it again - thus not planning that week. The 3 month Journal can really help with this because it keeps all those weeks together.

Bring your planning tips to the meeting this week. See you at the meeting

Lorraine

MACARONI SALAD
Makes 12 servings (1/2 cup)
points value per serving 2

4 1/2 cups cooked macaroni, kept warm
3/4 cup fat free mayonnaise
1/4 cup fat free sour cream
3 Tbsp sweet pickle relish
1 medium sweet red pepper, diced
1 medium green pepper, diced
1 medium carrot, diced
1/4 cup red onion, minced
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste

l. While macaroni is still warm, place in a large bowl. Add mayonnaise, sour cream and relish; toss to coat. Add peppers, carrot and onion; toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
2. Serve warm or chilled.

GET FIT FOR FREE ( OR CHEAPER)

Hi Everyone,

Let's talk about activity. If we all had Oprah's bank account we could have Bob Greene come to our house every day and engage us in a fun, energizing and effective workout. But alas, that is not the case (at least for me). We can, however, find ways of making activity fit into our lives and our budgets .

The truth is activity is free. You just have to know how to tap into it. In this economy we can all appreciate the idea of getting what we need for less.

Walking is one of the best ways to get fit for free. It's low impact, and you can do it almost anywhere. The Momentum Walk it Challenge is a fun way to get started. If you haven't already checked it out go to www.teamweightwatchers.com.

How about a Weight Watchers Walking DVD. There are several to chose from and at a low cost you can choose from many different workouts. A trainer whenever you want one on your TV. You will be amazed at the workout you get when the instructor knows how to use different muscle groups by doing different steps.

Just a couple of suggestions - Come bring your suggestions to the meeting!!!! See you there.

This recipe takes me back to my girl scout days - how about you???

TUSCAN POTATO AND PEPPER PACKETS
Makes 4 servings (1 packet)
Points value per serving: 3

1 pound uncooked red potatoes, scrubbed and thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
1 medium yellow pepper, cut into thin strips (about 2 cups)
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
1 tbsp olive oil
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp rosemary, fresh, chopped, or less to taste
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground

1. Heat outdoor grill to medium high. Tear off four 12 inch long pieces of aluminum foil.
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients until mixed and coated. Spread about 1 1/2 cups of vegetable mixture in a fairly even layer near 1 end of each piece of foil. Fold foil over to form packets; fold edges in to form a tight seal.
3. Grill packets, turning a few times, until potatoes are tender, about 20 to 25 minutes.

EAT HEALTHY AND SAVE MONEY

Hi Everyone,

"With sixty-six percent of American adults overweight or obese, investing in a healthy lifestyle is a smart financial strategy that can yield a lifetime of benefits." financial expert Jean Chatzky.

Eating healthy is a big step to a healthy lifestyle. You can eat healthy and keep the cost reasonable by doing some planning first.

Checking out the sales at the grocery store can save you money, but only if you buy just what you need. When I go to the store without a list I always end up forgetting something I needed and bringing home several things that I do not. Does that sound familiar?? Step one is to make a list of what you need.

Did you know that buying frozen and canned foods are just as nutritious (sometimes more so) than buying fresh products? Think about buying extra when these items are on sale.

Buying in season also makes a big difference. I like to buy extra strawberries when they are at a good price. I cut them up, put a few in the blender and make my own strawberry sauce. This can be put into containers and frozen for great strawberry shortcake, or pancake syrup all year long!!!

How about bring you own lunch and snacks to work. Not only will you save money, but you will probably save calories also. According to the lunch savings calculator on American Public Media Website, brown bagging it can save you $70. per month.

This week at our meetings we will have more cost cutting tips - so see you there!!

Lorraine

How about this for a great appetizer!!

GRILLED CLAMS CASINO
8 servings (3 clams each)
2 points per serving

2tsp olive oil
2 slices canadian bacon, finely chopped
1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
1 shallot, minced
1 garlic clove minced
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp grated lemon zest
2 dozen littleneck clams, shucked, bottom shells reserved

1. Preheat the grill to medium high.
2. Heat the oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon, bell pepper, shallot, garlic, and salt; cook, stirring, until softened, 6-8 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat; stir in the parsley and lemon zest.
3. Place 1 clam in each shell and top each with about 1 teaspoon of the bell pepper mixture. Place the clams on the grill rack and grill, covered, until just cooked, about 3 minutes. Serve at once.

KEEPING OUR MOTIVATION HIGH

Hi Everyone,

I'm back from England after having a great time with my daughter and son-in-law!! The weather was lousy - fog - windy - some rain, but we had fun anyway.

Vacation, holidays, and summer are a time when we have to keep our motivation going. How do we do that? Sometimes it means going back to the beginning. Do you remember why you came to Weight Watchers on that very first day? What did you want for you. Did you have a picture in your mind? Can you bring that picture back?

As we go along sometimes the original reason we came fades. We lose some weight, feel better about ourselves and sometimes the "immediate need to lose" diminishes. Our motivation becomes casual instead of intense.

To kick our motivation up a notch we need to go back to the beginning. First make a list of why I want to lose weight. Make it positive. Make it specific. Reminding ourselves of our "vision" for success can really make a difference in our motivation level.

Check out the week four book "Habits of Successful Members" for more tips on the habits that we can develop to keep our weight loss going, and our motivation on high!

GRILLED DRUMSTICKS WITH MOLASSES BARBECUE SAUCE
Makes 4 servings (2 drumsticks each) Points Value 4

6 Tbsp bottled chili sauce
3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp molasses
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp minced chipotle en adobo
2 garlic cloves, minced
8 (3 ounce) skinless chicken drumsticks
1/4 tsp salt

To make the sauce, combine the chili sauce, vinegar, molasses, chili powder, chipotle en adobo, and garlic in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, spray the grill rack with nonstick spray, prepare the grill. Sprinkle the chicken with the salt, place on the grill, and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 8 minutes. Brush with the barbecue sauce. Cook, turning frequently, until the chicken is deeply glazed and cooked through, 5-6 minutes longer.

See you at the meeting!!!
Lorraine

TO CARB OR NOT TO CARB????

Hi Everyone,

Have you ever heard someone say carbs are bad? Many people think that if they just don't eat carbs their weight problem will be gone. But is this true?

Well, as with all myths there is some truth and some fiction. There are different kinds of carbs. Simple carbohydrates like table sugar which is plentiful in soda and candy should be limited. Complex carbohydrates, whole grains such as oatmeal, brown rice, and whole wheat bread take longer to digest and can help you feel more satisfied.

Calories not Carbs are the main cause of weight gain. In fact, recent research indicates that an eating plan rich in complex carbohydrates is recommended for overweight individuals. Complex carbohydrates contain naturally occurring nutrients like fiber, vitamins, minerals and iron.

You can trust Weight Watchers. We have the filling foods list to help us make good food choices. By using the filling foods we are choosing carbs that are satisfying, last a long time and can help us with weight loss.

DATE AND ALMOND OATMEAL
serves 4 points value 7

4 cups water
1 cup steel cut oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup pitted dates, quartered
3 Tablespoons plus 4 teaspoons honey
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup sliced almonds

l. Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the oats and salt; cook at a low boil, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to thicken, about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat and simmer until very thick, about 15 minutes. Stir in the dates, the 3 tablespoons of honey, and the vanilla; simmer, stirring occasionally, until the oats are tender, 12-15 minutes longer.
2. Meanwhile, place the almonds in a small nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Cook, shaking the skillet often, until lightly browned, 3-4 minutes. Set the almonds aside.
3. Divide the oatmeal among 4 bowls. Top evenly with the almonds and the additional 4 teaspoons honey. Serve at once.

serving - 3/4 cup oatmeal with 1 teaspoon honey. From Weight Watchers Pure Comfort Cook book.

I will be in London starting on May 1st. So if I do not see you before Thursday, I will see you when I get back on May 12th. Don't miss the meetings, they are your lifeline to the Weight Watcher program.

Lorraine

BLT'S

Hi Everyone,

Remember Weight Watchers Week One - Excitement - you thought to yourself - I am going to do everything I can to lose weight this week. I am going to read the material. I am going to use the good health guidelines. I am going to eat filling foods. I am going to write everything in my tracker.

Remember that feeling. Remember the excitement of knowing that the week went well because you had it all written down and you could go back and read it over. What a comforting feeling, being able to relax about your program because it is all written down so you can review it.

The weeks go on and sometimes the tracking gets a little less exact. We don't write down the few bites we had from our dinner companion's meal. We forget the few licks we had of that ice cream cone. Tasting the meal we are cooking doesn't count. BLT's - bites, licks and tastes can start to add up as the weeks go on.

Tracking plays a powerful role in weight loss success. Research has shown that members can increase the likelihood of success at the scale by writing down everything they eat. Reminding ourselves of this fact can keep us tracking on a regular basis. Tracking doesn't mean that every week we will have a weight loss, but it does mean that each week is a success. Success comes from following the program. Tracking is a way to be able to look back and know that we have followed the program to the best of our ability.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!

SWEET POTATO AND SQUASH BAKE
Makes 6 servings
Points Value per serving 2

1 spray cooking spray
l/2 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
2 pounds acorn squash, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
2 tsp canola oil
1 tbsp unpacked brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Coat an 8 inch square pan with cooking spray.
2. Place sweet potatoes and squash in prepared pan. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg; toss to coat mixture well.
3. Bake covered with aluminum foil, for approx 35 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

See you at the meeting!!!