Midweek Minutes
June 8, 2013
Hello, Winners!
I apologize for a later-than-usual newsletter. It's been a busy week...with weddings as bookends, the rest of the week was also filled up. I just came off four days of workshops for school and a birthday celebration, and I deserve a BRAVO because I behaved myself. I ate a healthy breakfast each morning so I wasn't tempted by the donuts and muffins. At the birthday, I had one piece of cake and counted it.

Now, I really feel it's summer. I'm done with the workshops, and I'm ready to enjoy the warm weather that is coming! Look out, pool! Summer is SHORT, and I want to make the most of it. Making the MOST of SUMMER also include working the program! NO EXCUSES! How about you? Are you a SERIOUS member or a DINGLEBERRY?
I was reading through old newsletters because I didn't have much time this week, and I came across this message from 3 years ago. I thought I would share it with you again.

Weight Watchers program is the MOST realistic, liveable, and healthy program there is. The requirements are simple. Members eat real, nutritious food. They count their POINTSPLUS values. They move their bodies. They attend meetings. I have to assume most current members are doing those things.

Then, there are those folks who think just signing up, picking up the program material, weighing in once in awhile if they're not too busy...not staying for meetings...and finally quitting until whenever "new season" they think the program will somehow work into their lives...these things will NOT give them permanent weight loss.
It's your life.

We have some really serious members who come, weigh, and stay. We have Lifetime Members who come every week even though it's only required to weigh once a month. We have members who bring recipes, tips, new products, and encouragement for others. I applaud you!

We also have some dingleberries who don't even know how the POINTSPLUS work...have never even stayed for a meeting...and for sure they don't track. (Dingleberries typically make excuses too.)
Which one are you? Which one do you want to be? How important is getting healthy and losing unwanted pounds to YOU? What excuses are you making? What needs to happen for you to get serious?
If you are serious about making a change for good. If you are serious about seeing your grandchildren get married. If you are serious NOT to see yourself with health problems and being unhappily stuck with a self you do not like...then seriously think about coming to a meeting. Think about working the program. You ARE worth it!

IT IS SUMMER...and the summer WILL go by whether or not you are working the program...time does that. Will YOU invest time in becoming the BEST YOU that you can be, or will you waste time?
What will give YOU the motivation to come to your meeting this week? I sure hope to see you there! --Zig
Terrific Member Milestones!
Superior: -9.6 lbs.
Hastings Saturday Morning: -14 lbs.

20 lb. star
Marla F. (S)

30 lb. star
Mary C. (H)

45 lb. star
Janice M. (S)

5%
Jami O. (S)

10%
Teresa S. (H)
DON'T FORGET TO LOOK UP ZIG'S WINNERS on FACEBOOK. It's private, and
you can ask to join!
Why not post your favorite weekend breakfast right now?

GOT A FRIEND YOU COULD TALK TO ABOUT
JOINING OR RE-JOING THIS SUMMER?

There's a brand new SUMMER STARTER KIT
for new members.
Come see what's in the kit at the next meeting!

HERE's a RECIPE from the ENTERTAINING GUIDE included
in the kit.

After June 9, digital copies of these materials will be posted for current members

Start the Day Right

Discover recipes and ideas that will kick-start your engine and help set you up for a day of good choices.
Article By: Amanda Genge

Mom was right! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Miss this morning meal and you could be shortchanging yourself on the scale. How? Studies show that people who eat breakfast tend to weigh less than those who don’t. Why? When breakfast skippers get hungry later in the day, they tend to overeat. Also people who eat breakfast are more likely to maintain their weight loss. In your meeting this week, you’ll discuss the benefits of this month’s Routine — Eat breakfast every day — and explore healthy and tasty options that work best for you, whether you’re eating at home, the office or on the go.

Build a better breakfast
Complex carbs, protein, fat and fiber work together to replenish your body’s fuel reserves and keep you satisfied longer. The best balance of these nutritional components can vary from person to person, so you might have to experiment to find the right "formula" for you. As a guideline, aim to spend about 20 percent of your daily PointsPlus® values on breakfast.
Often our food choices are influenced by how much time we have to prepare and actually eat the meal. Take a moment to think about what you normally eat in the morning during a typical workweek. Do you stick to the same foods? How often have you compromised on nutrition and taste because of a time crunch? Do you exercise in the morning and prefer to eat after your workout? Or perhaps you just don't have an appetite soon after waking.

Keeping your breakfasts tasty, varied and convenient will help you stick to this month’s Routine. And the site has plenty of recipes, meal ideas and tips to choose from. Start with the ideas at the bottom of this article. The when you have more time to explore, do a keyword search to find even more inspiration. Need a few easy ideas right now? Chew on these:
  • AM parfait: Low-fat Greek yogurt layered with fresh berries and low-fat granola
  • Waffle treat: Frozen multi-grain waffle, toasted and topped with almond butter and apple slices
  • Speedy wrap: Egg, scrambled with low-fat cheese and tomato, rolled in a whole-wheat tortilla
  • Vegan breakfast sandwich: Peanut butter, honey and a sliced banana on a whole-grain English muffin
  • Easy to eat on the run: Hard-boiled egg, cheese stick, sliced pear and whole-grain crackers

Wake-up call for breakfast haters!
We don’t all wake up with ravenous appetites. But if you're rarely hungry in the morning, you might be eating too much late at night. Try redistributing your PointsPlus values so you're eating more of them earlier in the day. If typical breakfast fare turns you off, try a turkey sandwich with apple slices or a bowl of soup and whole grain bread.

Countdown to Summer Challenge: Week 4

Ready... set... swimsuit! Take part in our four-week challenge and face summer in confidence and style.
Article By: Amanda Genge
Maybe you’re doing great on Plan and are looking forward to showing off a trimmed-down figure. Or maybe your motivation has been waning lately, and the thought of baring it all on the beach makes you want to take a 3-month vacation to Antarctica. Either way, the Countdown to Summer Community Challenge is for you.

Week 4: Focus on feeling good
Has it been a while since you made yourself a real priority? This week, take a good look at your schedule and find time to take care of you. This may hardly seem like “challenge” material, but the fact is, we often neglect our own needs while taking care of others. Nurturing your mind, spirit and self-esteem as well as your body is important for long-term success on and off the scale.

  • Assess your wardrobe. If you’ve lost weight and still have oversize items hanging around, donate them or have them altered to fit your new shape. Maybe splurge on one great new top or accessory for yourself, and wear it with confidence. Do you need new workout clothes? Invest in some comfortable and supportive duds, and check your sneakers for wear in case you need a new pair.
  • Pamper yourself with a beauty treatment or massage. Cliché, yes. But for a reason — they’re indulgent and make you feel wonderful.
  • Have a date night — with yourself. Carve out a few hours where you can be alone to do whatever you want. Some ideas: relax in a bookstore café with a cup of coffee, go to a local museum, or take a class in something you’ve always been interested in but never done before (sewing, scrapbooking, a foreign language).
  • Try meditating, yoga or another contemplative activity to lower stress levels and keep your mood on an even keel.
Weight Watchers Magazine July/August

Stay cool and have fun with our 10-week plan for getting fit and healthy this summer.
Whether you hit the pool for some laps or kick back with a good book, taking small steps every week could yield big results by summer’s end!

Plus:
Lower your risk of skin cancer by losing
Enjoy the fair and still snack healthy
Rock that tunic three ways: at work, on the weekend, even at the beach
Double your walking efforts by pounding sand

LIKE BINGO?
We're having a SUMMER CONTEST
and playing
BINGO at our meetings
ALL SUMMER LONG!
Come to the meeting this week and get started!!!
50% OFF!!!!!!!
ALL MONTH LONG!
THIS MONTH'S ROUTINE
NEXT WEEK'S MEETING TOPIC: POWER UP YOUR MEALS!
Member Breakfast Recipes

DIY Breakfast Quesadilla
Servings: 3
Serving Size: 1 quesadilla 7 PP
1 large egg
3 egg whites
1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup corn, rinsed and drained
1/4 red onion, minced
2 tbsp. chopped cilantro
3/4 cup reduced fat shredded cheese
1/2-1 tbsp. taco seasoning
3 low carb 8 inch tortillas (2 pts. each)

Whisk the egg whites and egg together. Scramble in a skillet coated with cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl combine the black beans, corn, scrambled eggs, onion, cilantro, shredded cheese, and taco seasoning.
Place 1/3 of the mixture in each tortilla and fold over.
Place in the freezer on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment for one hour. Remove and wrap individually to store or place in a freezer safe bag.
To reheat, take out the quesadilla and microwave until cheese is melted. To reheat in a skillet, first microwave it to defrost and then warm in a skillet to get the outside nice and crispy.



Slow Cooker Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Servings: 4 servings
Serving Size: 3 pancakes
* 7 P+
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Pinch cinnamon
1 ripe banana, mashed
1 ripe banana, sliced
1 cup nonfat milk
1 egg
2 egg whites
1 tsp. coconut oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup chocolate chips
Cooking spray

In a large bowl mix together both flours, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
In another bowl, stir together the mashed banana, milk, egg, egg whites, coconut oil, and vanilla in a bowl.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
Fold in the banana pieces and chocolate chips.
Heat a griddle (or skillet) over medium low heat. Spray with cooking spray.
Add about 1/4 cup for each pancake and flip once the air bubble begin popping and the pancake is nicely browned.




Tropical Green Smoothie
Servings: 2 servings
Serving Size: about 1.25 cups
4 P+
2 cups fresh spinach
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 banana, frozen
1 cup chopped fresh or frozen mango
1 cup chopped fresh or frozen pineapple
Optional: 1-2 packets Stevia
Optional: 1-2 scoops Amazing Greens Super Food Powder
Blend everything well in a blender or Vitamix to your desired consistency. Add ice for a icier texture if using fresh fruit.




Steel Cut Oatmeal Cups
Servings: 6 servings
Serving Size: about 1 muffin
* 4 P+
1 banana, mashed
1/4 cup applesauce
1 egg white
3/4 cups nonfat milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup honey
1 cup quick cooking steel oats *
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Toppings of your choice
0 point: Fresh berries, peaches, apples, pumpkin puree, other fruit
1 point: ½ tbsp. chocolate chips, 1 tbsp. sunflower seeds, 1 tbsp. almonds or other nuts, 1 tbsp. sweetened shredded coconut, 1 tbsp. dried fruit
2 point: 1 tbsp. reduced fat nut butter
* If you can’t find quick cooking steel cut oats, soak the oats in water for 24 hours first and drain well

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl, mix together the banana, apple sauce, egg, milk, honey, and vanilla extract.
In another bowl mix together the oats, salt, baking soda, cinnamon.
Line your muffin tin with six liners. Spray with cooking spray. Add half of the mixture to the bottom of the muffin tins. Add toppings of your choice.
Fill with the remaining oatmeal batter. Sprinkle with toppings.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.




Crustless Corn and Bacon Pie
Servings: 8
Serving Size: 1/8 pie
3 P+
4 pieces bacon, coarsely chopped
1 small onion, chopped finely
1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
2 ears corn, cut off the cob
1 cup skim milk
2 large eggs
3 egg whites
1/4 cup chives, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese (about 2 oz)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Heat the bacon in a oven safe skillet until it is crispy. Save 1.5 tbsp of the bacon grease in the pan and discard the rest.
Add the onion and red pepper and cook for about 8 minutes until the onion begins to be translucent.
Add the corn and cook until cooked just through, about 3 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk together the eggs, egg whites, and milk. Stir in the salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, chives, and cheese.
Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and cook for about 15 minutes on medium-low until the egg is almost set completely.
Place the skillet in the oven and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is cooked through and the top gets crispy.




Breakfast Tacos
Servings: 3
Serving Size: 2 tacos
5 P+
1 poblano pepper, diced
1/4 onion diced
2 oz thick cut ham, chopped
1 cup O Brien Potatoes or Hash Browns
2 eggs
4 egg whites
Salt and Pepper to Taste
6 corn tortillas
Optional: Salsa, Avocado, Cilantro, Cheese

Spray a large saute pan with cooking spray and cook the onion, poblano, and ham until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
Add the potatoes and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until the potatoes begin to crisp up on the edges.
While the potatoes cook, stir the eggs and egg whites together like you are making scrambled eggs. Add salt, pepper, and perhaps a dash of hot sauce.
Add to the potatoes and scramble until cooked to your liking. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
Place in the tacos shells and add your favorite toppings.
This newsletter is in no way affiliated with Weight Watchers, Inc. It is simply a motivational tool that I offer to members who attend my Weight Watchers meetings and wish to receive it.

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