Supermarket Smarts

ODE to a GROCERY

In days of yore - there was no store
With fruit all clean, or well-trimmed beans.
No fat free cheese, no frozen peas.
No corn or squash, all nicely washed.
Or bread all sliced, or melon diced.
No spray on Pam, or lean sliced ham.
No whole wheat rotini, or fat free weinie.
Not a single bok choy... to enjoy.
No muffin tops, no corn that pops.
No Crystal lite, no Splenda white.
In days of yore- there was no store.
And eating healthy would have been a bore!

Update on Weight Watchers Schedule

I'm sad to write this entry. As of Saturday, May 19, I will no longer have a regular scheduled Weight Watchers meeting.  As most of you know, I have been coming in from Sherman on weekends in order to keep the two Saturday meetings.  It just isn't working out for us. We do not know how long we will be living in Sherman and as soon as I am back in the HEB area for good, my territory manager has promised me a meeting when it comes available.

Until that time, you are welcome to contact me at ilost50@yahoo.com.

God bless,

Judy



What Works and What Doesn't

Sorry that I have not posted anything for a few week.  My how time flies.  I've been helping my children in different ways and just have not gotten to the computer; however, it was in the "computer hospital" on two Saturdays.

Hope you enjoyed our meeting today. Here are some lessons learned about Noah and the Ark. I meant to have them with me today but forgot to print them out.

1. Don't miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan Ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
5. Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you're stressed, float awhile.
10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals.



The Girl Scout Cookie

We all know that scouting's a joy,
Good for every girl and good for every boy.

But the month of March, I must confess,
I like Scouting less and less.

The Girl Scout Cookies, friends, are here,
Into the boxes, I do LEER.

My little scout had a special zeal,
To win a prize was the promised deal.

100 boxes was her goal,
A nifty prize if all were sold.

And so I've cookies everywhere,
Under the table, behind the chair.

Some in the freezer and some in the mail.
I will NOT eat them. I will NOT fail!

But confidentially, between you and me,
I will be happy and so relieved to see.

The last box delivered and out of my sight.
Let the neighbors get fat. Let their clothes get tight.

It' just not worth it, my Weight Watchers friends.
"I choose to be thin"...so this poem ends!

Don't know who wrote this but it must have been a Mother to a Scout!

Last or Lost Opportunity for Dr. Oz Sign-Ups

Just wanted to share with you that February 26th is the LAST opportunity for you to sign-up and officially join the Dr. Oz Transformation Nation Contest.

It is the LAST opportunity and could be the LOST opportunity for you to win One Million Dollars. If you are interested, ask one of the receptionists or myself for an entry form.

The entire contest is not about the biggest weight loss, many other factors are considered …even how many people you have encouraged to join you in losing weight and becoming healthier!

A Cookie Won't Fix Everything

One day a member was caring for a friend's child. This friend and her husband were both very nutrition-conscious and seriously interested in health foods. During the course of the day, the friend's child fell and skinned his knee and came into the house in tears. Our member, without thinking, handed him a cookie and said, "Here! This will make it feel better." She turned away to get some first aid supplies and when she glanced back at the boy, she was surprised to see him holding the cookies on his bruised knee. With a forlorn look on his face he said, "My knee doesn't feel any better yet."

Author Unknown

A Limerick in Honor or Restraint

A common Meeting complaint:
It’s tough to eat out like a saint.
But you will be fine
When you go out to dine,
Just use a little restraint.

Tips on Dining Out

Take the following quiz.  (Answers revealed on Saturday, February 18.)

1. You'll probably use fewer PointsPlus Values (PPV) in a day if you skip a meal and save up for your restaurant meal.  T or F

2. What is the best PPV pick for a before dinner drink? Cosmo, Martini, or Gin and Tonic

3. At a Mexican restaurant which is the lowest in PPV? Chicken Quesadilla, Beef Fajitas, Taco salad in shell with no dressing.

4. Which is the better partner for your bread. Butter or Olive Oil

5. Restaurant serve pasta in portions of 3 or 4 cups. What is the recommended serving size for pasta?

6. For dessert which of these items has the lowest PPV per serving? Carrot Cake, Creme Brulee, Cheesecake or Ice Cream

7. When having Chinese food, which is the lower in PPV? General Tso's Chicken or Sweet and Sour Chicken

8. Which of the following terms should be a Stop Sign at a restaurant? Scalloped, Poached, Roasted

9. Which of the following terms should be a Green Light at a restaurant? Au Gratin, Au Jus, Battered

10. What is your favorite "away from home" meal?

This entry counts as the entry for February 12 - 18. I am having some problems blogging from Sherman.

Tracking

Though we don't know where we'll eat, how much, why, or when.
We can always try to track, just as long as there's a pen.

If you buy your lunch to go, you can track upon the bag.
If you buy a brand new shirt, you can track upon the tag.

You can track upon a napkin when you're sitting in a bar.
Put a post-it on your dashboard, and you'll track inside your car.

You can track on candy wrapper. Yes, that would be all right.
Or the wrapper from your straw when you're drinking Diet Sprite.

You can track inside a notebook, and here's an awesome tip:
You can track when at the bank on a cash deposit slip.

You can track in any store. Simply track on your receipt.
In the restroom you can track on a toilet paper sheet.

You can track on crumpled papers, in the pocket of your jacket.
In a diner you can track upon a little Splenda packet.

You can track upon a tissue before you blow your nose.
You'll be glad to know this poem is coming to a close.

When your day is almost over add the PointsPlus as a whole.
And you'll be really glad that you stayed in great control.
Posted on Connections by a Weight Watchers Leader:)

Smart Snacking

I am trying to post using my iPad since that is all I have in Sherman. 3-2-1 Cake Mix a box of Devil's Food Cake Mix with an Angel's Food Cake Mix in Baggie or bowl. To make one serving add 3 Tbls mix with 2 Tbls water in a coffee mug. Use a whisk or a fork to mix water and mix thoroughly. Microwave for 1 minute. 1 serving @ 2 PointsPlus

Power Foods

Remember, food is fuel. There's good, better and best.
Given the choice each day. Why not choose High-Test?

There's food that has power. It's the best of the good.
It's low in fat and high in fiber---and no, it doesn't taste like wood!

Plump tomatoes, corn and peas, beef and veal and fat-free cream that's sour.
Non-fat cheese, diet bread, grits and berries. Don't run on empty--Claim the Power!

White Chocolate Ambrosia

1 can lite fruit cocktail
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in its own juice
1 can (10 oz) mandarin oranges*
1 small sugar free, fat free vanilla instant pudding
1 sugar free, fat free white chocolate instant pudding
1 cup fat free sour cream
1 (8 oz) tub of fat free Cool Whip (thawed)
Drain fruit, reserve 1 1/2 cup juice. In large mixing bowl, mix pudding and juice for 2 minutes. Stir in sour cream and Cool Whip. Fold in fruit and chill at least 1 hour.
*Peaches in own juice may replace the mandarin oranges

8 cup servings @ 4 PointsPlus
16 1/2 cup servings @ 2 PointsPlus

Changes

My life has taken a significant change this week. Jim decided to work full time with the church in Sherman so we will keep our house in Hurst but live in a duplex in Sherman. My territory manager is in the process of replacing me in all of my meetings except Saturday mornings at First United Methodist Church in Watauga.

Hope to have a new recipe to post on Monday. Jim fixed it last night, but I don't know where the recipe is.

FYI Link

It's the beginning of Week 3 and I'm staying on schedule. I gave up my Sunday meetings at North Richland Hills and Hurst so that I could be with my husband while he is filling the pulpit for the Western Heights Church of Christ in Sherman, TX. Yesterday was a bittersweet day for me. I began my Leader Position with the Sunday meeting at NRH and some of my members there feel like family. I am very fortunate to have heard from several of them who are supporting me completely in my decision to be with Jim.

Here is the website where the corrections in the pocket guide are found. Sorry, but I don't know how to make it a link.

WeightWatchers.com/productinfo

"Make it a great day or not. The choice is yours."
Rachel's Challenge

FYI

I fixed the recipe in this week's Weekly. Well, I fixed it with a few changes. Just added more pasta and peas to stretch it a little further. We both liked it.

Change in Schedule

My Territory Manager called yesterday to say she had found leaders for my Sunday meetings. I am excited about being able to be with my husband in Sherman but am saddened because of the members I will miss.

Change is good but difficult. This will give me some free time to blog more and figure the POINTSPLUS values of some of my favorite recipes.

Yea!

Second week of January and I have posted something each week. Two down and 50 to go:)

Have a great week.

Vegetable Mix

Drain and mix:

1 can French-style green beans
1 can baby peas
1 can whole kernel corn
1 small jar chopped pimentos
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1 cup chopped celery


Bring to a boil the following:
1 cup Splenda
3/4 cup of vinegar (any type)
1/4 cup olive oil
Pour over Veggies and chill.

10 servings @ 3POINTSPLUS

Chicken Stroganoff

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can fat free cream of mushroom soup
16 oz carton fat free sour cream
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 tsp garlic salt

Put chicken in bottom of lined crock pot. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Cook on low for 8 hours. Remove chicken from crock pot, shred and return to sauce.

Divide mixture into 4 or 6 servings.

6 servings @ 5 POINTSPLUS
4 servings @ 7 POINTSPLUS

This is great served over rice, baked potato, or spaghetti squash. Be sure to include the POINTSPLUS of rice or potato. It is a very filling meal served with a side salad.

Do It Our Way

Good Evening,

Just found a great u-tube song by a Weight Watcher in England. Do a Google Search for "Do it our way by Alisia Dixion" for a little inspiration.

Here is an easy recipe for a Meat Loaf using our Cheddar Twists. I have not tried it yet but thought I would pass it on to all of you.

Meat Loaf

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly spray a muffin tin. Mix the following ingredients together:

1 pound extra lean ground beef
1/2 cup egg substitute
1 pkg Weight Watchers Cheddar Twist Crackers (crush until crumb-like and then open pouch)
3 TBLS ketchup
3 TBLS mustard
1 small onion, finely diced
1 cup mushrooms, thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste

Divide into 12 equal portions and put in muffin tin. Cook for 30 minutes or until done.

12 servings @ 2 PointsPlus
6 servings @ 4 PointsPlus
4 servings @ 5 PointsPlus

This was checked with the eTools Recipe Builder.

I'm hoping to fix this in the near future. If you want to wait and let me be the first taster, that's fine. If you fix it before I do, please post your comments.

New Beginnings

Good Morning,

Isn't it wonderful that we get to start each day as a new beginning to the rest of our lives?

One of my goals for 2012 is to post more often on this blog. I started to say "daily" but I think I better go with "weekly" since I've already missed the first two days of January. My entry may be a poem, thoughts, new product, a recipe or my meal plan for the day.

Because of Jim's new job as interim minister at Western Heights in Sherman, TX, 2012 will bring changes to my Weight Watchers career. I don't know exactly what they will be at this moment, but I know that I will have to give up some meetings so that I can support him as he fills this position.

The topic in our meetings this week is one of my favorites. Whether I think I can or think I can't, I'm right.

Hope your day is great.