Great Pumpkin Pie

If you will go to my desserts, you will find a great Crustless Pumpkin Pie recipe. I mentioned it in my meetings this week. It is only 2 PointsPlus.

Lose For Good

Hi to all my WW Members,

I would like to keep up with how many pounds lost by the members in my meetings. This is such a special time to be able to lose weight not only for ourselves and for a lifetime, but to know that Weight Watchers is donation for every pound we lose.

Here are the results from August 28 - September 3

North Richland Hills Store - 56 lbs
The Forth Worth Transportation Authority - 6 lbs
North Richland Hills Store - 28.8 lbs
The City of Bedford - 16.4 lbs
Harris Methodist HEB - 20.8 lbs
GameStop - 19.2 lbs
Carter Bloodcare - 17.4 lbs
City of Euless - 19.4 lbs
Northwest Bible Church - 41.2 lbs
First United Methodist Church of Watauga - 38 lbs
First United Methodist Church Watauga - 10.8 lbs

Total for Week 1 is 274 lbs. Yea! Let challenge ourselves to make it more next week.

PB2

I'm really ashamed to be writing this when I look at how long it has been since I've posted anything on my blog. However, several of you have asked about where to buy the powedered peanut butter, PB2.

I just looked it up on line from the Hungry Girl newsletter and it is available (according to the internet site) at Market Street in Colleyville.

Monday's Meetings

Add pineapple to pico de gallo for summertime treat
Grill green peppers and serve with tomatoes and chicken
Combine cucumbers, onions, celery, and olives. Cover with vinegar, water and Splenda. Let it sit overnight.
In addition to freezing grapes, add raspberries, blueberries, and others for refreshing treat.
Slice eggplant into medallions. Use small amount of olive oil and grill. Layer in dish and cover with warm marinara and mozzarella cheese
Use eggplant in lasagna rather than pasta.
Roast asparagus and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Roast cauliflower.
Pull back shucks of corn and remove silk. Return shucks and roast or grill.
Wrap corn in wet paper towel and microwave.
Combine broccoli with sunflower seeds, craisins and reduced or fat free mayo for Broccoli Slaw.
Cook celery, onions, in broth as base for soup.
Chop celery up and use in chicken or tuna salad.
Add lemons to water or squeeze over broccoli
Just eat a pear.
Slice tomatoes for salads and sandwiches.
Bell pepper grilled or roasted in kabobs.

Versatile Veggies and Fabulous Fruits

Best Tips from Weight Watchers Meeting Members

Sunday Morning North Richland Hills

Frozen grapes
Fresh peaches with crumbled WW Ginger Snaps
Cook head of cauliflower in fat free chicken broth, mash; Add a wedge of Laughing Cow Cheese
Mandarin oranges or other fruit on salad instead of dressing
Corn Asparagas Salad in WW Community Recipes from Kathy L.
Cucumber on sandwich for crunch
Marinade cucumbers in balsamic vinegar, add goat cheese and tomato for great salad
Cucumber soup (cook one sliced cucumbers in chicken broth with onion for 15 minutes and puree. Add another sliced cucumber and 1 cup of fat free sour cream)
Refreshing Drink - Add approximately 1/1/2 tsp grated ginger, lemon, cucumbers and/or strawberries to pitcher of water. Chill overnight. Gets better on second and third day.
Salad made with tomato, onion, malt vinegar and cucumbers
Blend Crystal lite fruit punch with pineapple and ice
Grill eggplant in George Forman, top with mozarella cheese and spaghetti sauce
Layer sliced salted eggplant. Put plate on top over night, grill
Tomatoes, garlic, bell pepper, onion in slow cooker to make homemade marinara sauce cucumbers and zucchini may be added to this mix or use grilled veggies
Blend any veggies with tomatoes for gazpacho
Cut tomato in chunks and serve with fat free or low fat cottage cheese.

To clean vegetables that may have been sprayed with wax or pesticides, scrub with warm water or use suggestion from Dr. Oz - Mix small amount of baking soda and vinegar to large amount of water.

What is a Sandwich?

What is a sandwich?
And what does it mean?
Two slices of bread
With food inbetween?

If that is the case
Why must we use bread?
Why not put veggies
Or fruit there instead?

A mushroom that’s sliced
In half down the middle
With hummus inside
Makes a sandwich that’s little.

Two cucumber slices
Sliced really skinny
With cream cheese between
Makes a sandwich that’s mini.

Or try guacamole
Between sliced zucchini
That is a sandwich
Although it is teeny.

Cut apple slices
Between them put brie.
The sandwich is small.
But you can have three.

And so ends the poem.
Each sandwich is nice.
And they’ll work well
For people or mice

These sandwiches might
Help a person reach goal.
And if you’re a mouse…
You’ll fit in your hole.

UpDate

I have put all of my recipe pages back into my blog. The ones that are titled in blue are recalculated for POINTSPLUS.

Proceed with caution.

Same-Old, Same-Old

Tired of same-old, same-old
Grocery shopping in your sleep
It’s time to get creative
Goodbye rut— let’s take the leap

If you always go for chicken
Grill a tuna steak
Bored with apples? Eat a kiwi
Put some mango in your shake

If pasta is your default
Quinoa’s worth a try
Couscous can be yummy
Just splash on something Thai

Eggs taste great with salsa
Apple butter on your toast
Dunk veggie sticks in hummus
Put mustard on your roast

Same-old, same-old eating
Turns triumph to defeat
Call on your cooking courage
Change it up, bon appétit!*

March 24

Wow!

I can't believe how much time has passed since I last posted on the blog. I'm surely not doing my part but I am pedaling as fast as I can. With 13 meeting each week, my computer time is less than it used to be.

I am on a countdown for our vacation in Hawaii. We leave on Saturday, April 30. We will return on Thursday, May 12. That's two weeks of Weight Watchers meetings that I will miss.

Jim and I are going to attend a meeting on Saturday, May 7 near Waikiki Beach.

Please continue to weigh in and stay for your meetings. I have gotten great subs for all of my meetings.

The 23rd Pound

My appetite is my Shepherd;
I always want.
It maketh me to sit down at huge potlucks.
It leadeth me to my frig repeatedly.
It leadeth me into the path of Burger King.
It tries to destroy my shape.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the frozen dessert aisle,
I will fear no weigh-in.
For my calculator art with me.
The Skinny Cows and the 2-Point bars, they comfort me.
The table is preparest before me, in the presence of my family.
As I add up my PointsPlus values continuously,
My plate runneth over.

Surely, Power Foods and exercise shall help me
All the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the range of my healthy weight
forever and ever,
AMEN

Week 11 Deprivation Is a Don't

Moderation Equation

I used to look with admiration,

On those who choose food deprivation.

I assumed a direct relation,

Between bikini bods and near starvation.

When I yield to temptation,

Chips quickly morph to thigh inflation.

Then I feel self- condemnation,

Anger, fear and frustration.

My meetings give me motivation,

And a lifestyle education.

I trust Weight Watchers’ information ,

So I can snack in moderation!

Sale Items

Remember that our 2 Point Snack Bars, Smoothies, and Oatmeal are on sale for $4.95 from now until March 26. Don't miss out on an opportunity to stock up on some essential items.

Celebrate Success

If your friend stepped on the scale today
And lost just a smidgen, well what would you say?
“Nice job” or “yah” or “keep up the good work!”
Pat her on the back and give her a smirk.

Her shoulders would slump, her face in a frown
Even though she’s lost, she was still feeling down.
"But I tracked and I walked and it’s only .2
If this happens again I don’t know what I’ll do! "

We’d touch her arm, we’d know just what to say,
To lift her spirits and brighten her day.

But what about when it’s us with the frown?
We’re working hard, but still feeling down.
Do we give ourselves credit for how far we’ve come?
Or just dwell on the things that we haven’t yet done.
So next time it’s you with your shoulders slumped,
Just consider the milestones you’ve already jumped.

Reach over your shoulder and give it a pat,
You deserve it, you’re here and you’re not going back!

Vita Tops

Several members mentioned that they like the Vita Tops. Here is a link to the site:

http://www.vitalicious.com/

I have been ordering these for years.

Happy shopping.

Judy

Up-Dating

Time is flying by. I cannot believe that my last post was on February 2. My intent is to post something positive every week.

I hope to work on recipes tomorrow. Requested PointsPlus values have been requested for the "Sonic" Casserole and the Chicken Recipe with Ranch Dressing. I'm posting this so that I will make myself get down to business and find the PointsPlus values of some of my standbys.

We are so into making new recipes that I have not felt the need for my "favorites."

Please let me know if there is a recipe you really like and need the PointsPlus values on. You can email me at ilost50 at yahoo.com.

Burleson Meeting

I'm so sorry that I cannot get to Burleson for our Saturday morning meeting. Hang in gang. I'll be there next week.

Bad Weather

I am so sorry that I did not think about keeping in touch with some of you through my blog. I have not been out of my house since my Monday evening meeting when I jokingly told my members to stop by the grocery store on the way home.

I never thought that we would be under these conditions for a week. I have not been outside of my house since Monday evening.

At this moment, I don't think I will try to go to Burleson in the morning. I'm going to wait until the evening news to make that decision.

If any of you can relate to this (LOL) I have had a very hard time controlling my eating during this "stay at home" week. This has just reinforced the idea that I need to stay busy with meetings rather than retire.

I am expecting a gain at the scales on Sunday, but I will be there and weigh in. It is what it is! I have a problem where food is concerned. I need your help to make it through. Hope you will be able to attend a meeting next week.

PointsPlus Calculator

For all of my followers. Here is the newest offer from Weight Watchers. If you go to this site, you will find a calculator. This will be available for you until Weight Watchers can get the supply of calculators to everyone.

http://www.weightwatchers.com/templates/gateway/gateway_dyn_3col.aspx?pageid=1217911

Sweet Potato Crunch

2 lbs sweet potatoes
1 1/2 cups vanilla non fat yogurt
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
2/3 cup low fat granola
butter flavored cooking spray

Rap washed sweet potatoes in foil and place in oven on baking sheet @ 350 degrees about 40 to 60 minutes until they are soft to touch. Remove skin from cooled potatoes. Place the sweet potato in a mixing bowl. Add yogurt, spice and salt. Whip on medium speed until all of the yogurt is mixed into the potatoes.

Coat glass baking 1 1/2 to 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray. Scoop potato mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle granola evenly across the top of the potatoes and lighty coat with cooking spray.

Bake casserole @ 350 degrees for approximately 40 to 50 minutes.

8 - 1/2 cup servings @ 3 PointsPlus value
Calculated with eTools Recipe Builder

Lord of the Onion Rings

Here is the link some of you requested to Hungry Girl's onion ring recipe.

http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/1398

Enjoy