MIDWEEK MINUTES December 7, 2013


Midweek Minutes
December 7, 2013
Hello, Winners!
First official newsletter on my new computer.  It’s nice, and it has enough memory to let me actually get things done I need to get done.  I have Windows 8, and as I am doing this newsletter, it won’t let me type in the ( S ) or ( H ) the way I used to in order to designate that member’s meeting...emoticons will appear...Hahaha!

Well, it’s cold!  Don't we all wish we were in Hawaii about now? (Oh, yeah, that was last year!) It's been an interesting week with the temps, and now possible snow, but I appreciate all the members who came out to the Hastings meeting this morning.  What a difference a few days make!  Monday’s temperatures were SO beautiful!  That’s the way Weight Watchers is sometimes.  It’s going along beautifully, and then WHAM, you get blind-sided by those holiday temptations.  That’s why coming to your meeting is so very vital this time of year.

So, what do you want this holiday season?  Do you have a big list for Santa?  What we REALLY want is to say that we have been NICE and not NAUGHTY this week.  Do you want to come out at the other end proud of yourself for having done what you could to make great choices?

Here are some questions to ask yourselves. Are you tracking?  (Or did you sit around for two days and eat all those cookies you baked?)

Did you write those Christmas cards instead of foraging through the fridge?

Are you planning healthy foods for those holiday parties?

Do you have your holiday shopping all done? Me neither, but that's the fun of it, I think. It's actually therapy for me. I like to wander and look...maybe stop at Subway...get my nails done.

Remember, with all the extra holiday duties that we face this time of year, make some priority time to take proper care of yourself. Plan your food and exercise just as diligently as you do the rest of the year...and that means COME and STAY for a meeting! See you there! --Zig
Doing the Happy Dance for these Member Milestones

Superior: –19.4 lbs.
Hastings: –17.6 lbs.

5 lb. star
Bar M. ( S )

-10 lb star
Lori G. ( S )
Nicole M. ( H )

10%
Connie S. ( S )

Snack to Go


Stay energized (and satisfied) with tasty, portable and nutritious snacks.
Article By: Lisa Thomas
The harried holiday season is here! If your to-do list is getting out of control and your calendar is packed with commitments — shopping, cooking, hosting, traveling, dining out and partying! — chances are your meal schedule is a bit out of whack, too. And when you're pressed for time and your energy is low, it's a perfect set up for emotional eating to raise havoc! But you can sidestep this pitfall and stay ahead of hunger by practicing this month's Routine: Always have a healthy snack on hand.
Snack vs. treat
A common misconception is that snacking leads to weight gain. While too many nibbles of anything can send the scale in the wrong direction, who says a snack can't satisfy your cravings and give your body more than just empty calories? Eating a sensible and nutritious snack between meals helps to take the edge off so come mealtime, you're not so hungry that you end up overeating. So, what's the secret formula for a snack that satisfies and has staying power? Think of mixing up a mini meal that combines fiber, protein and (a little) fat.
Preparing nutritious nibbles that travel well doesn’t take much time or effort, making this the perfect Routine to practice during this hectic (and sometimes stressful) holiday season. But if you just can't seem to get out the door with a snack in hand (or in your bag) spending a few minutes thinking about the following might help.
  1. What stands in the way of making sure you have a healthy snack with you before leaving the house? Make a list of obstacles that have made it hard for you. Do you just not seem to have the right foods on hand? Or the right gear (an insulated bag or convenient containers) for carrying snacks with you? Check out our portable containers, available in a meeting room near you. Maybe you’ve relied on options at your destination, like a snack bar, food court or fast-food joint. Now’s the time to rethink old behaviors and come up with new, healthier strategies.

  3. What would make snacks easier to grab? How could they be more satisfying, or worth the PointsPlus® values? A dedicated “snack shelf” in your fridge and pantry is one way to make on-the-go snacking easier. Plastic bins and containers can keep single-serving baggies and packages organized and accessible. Creating a mix-and-match snack “menu” is another way to avoid boredom and give you new ideas for satisfying snack combinations (and it can double as a shopping list).

Beginning December 8 . . .
Getting started with Weight Watchers will be simpler than ever with a straightforward, do-able 2 week starter plan,
with delicious meal ideas and a great new app, to get you started losing weight and on the path to long-term success.

 Some information is already on your etools, but see exciting new products and learn more in
your meeting next week!

Holiday Food Horrors

www.webmd.com

‘Tis the season of temptation – and evidence suggests most of us give in. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine shows the average person puts on a pound during the holidays and never loses it. This adds up to serious weight gain over the years. And for those with high cholesterol or high blood pressure, landmines abound on the dinner table. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid the holiday food trap. See WebMD’s list of foods that are naughty and nice.

Naughty: Turkey Skin
The skin of turkey and chicken is loaded with saturated fat. Per gram, saturated fats are higher in calories
 than protein or carbs, and they contribute to high cholesterol. Another no-no is the dark meat, 
which has more fat per bite than white meat.
Nice: Serve yourself turkey breast or other white meat without the skin.

Naughty: Fancy Finger Foods
Be careful at the office holiday party -- canapes and other fancy appetizers are often full of fat. Each one is tiny, but the calories add up quickly when there is an endless parade of hors d'oeuvres.
Nice: Chilled shrimp and fresh fruits are nutritious low-calorie appetizers



Naughty: Caramel Popcorn
Large tins of flavored popcorn have become a popular holiday gift. Although popcorn itself is a nutritious whole-grain snack, slathering on sugary caramel or other sweet syrups is a recipe for weight gain.
Nice: Stick to plain popcorn – the crunch is just as satisfying without the extra calories.

Naughty: Egg Nog
Alcohol, heavy cream, eggs, and sugar make a frightening combo – a single cup of egg nog contains about 340 calories and 19 grams of fat.
Nice: Make low-calorie egg nog with skim milk, egg substitutes, and artificial sweeteners.
Naughty: Mixed Drinks

Cocktails can be surprisingly high in calories. An 8-ounce white Russian made with light cream has 715 calories.
Nice: Mix up a wine spritzer by adding a splash of wine and sparkling water to pomegranate or cranberry juice.
This not only shaves calories, but also contributes to your fruit servings for the day.

 Naughty: Cakes & Cookies
Carbohydrate cravings increase during fall and winter. You don’t want to give in by reaching for sweets,
 but it’s not good to ignore the cravings either. Carbs trigger the release of serotonin, a brain chemical that boosts
 mood. Serotonin can also fight weight gain by letting you know you’ve had enough to eat.
Nice: The solution is to snack on complex carbs, such as whole-grain cereal or crackers.

 Naughty: Milk Chocolates
Milk chocolates are high in fat and low in the disease-fighting compounds found in purer forms of dark chocolate. 
Caramel or cream-filled chocolates are also lacking in the health department.
Nice: Solid dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa is most beneficial, but only in small amounts.
 Multiple studies suggest a square or two a day can help prevent heart disease.

Avoid Naughty Holiday Foods

Knowing which foods are naughty is only half the battle. Help yourself resist temptation with these tips:



  • Engage in conversation to slow the pace of eating
  • At parties, sit far from the buffet table
  • Excuse yourself from the dinner table once you’ve had enough to eat
  • Chew gum to reduce the desire to nibble


    •


















    Want to spend some of those Weekly 49 PPV on some
    Holiday Goodies? 

     Apple Dumpling (8/recipe) 11 PPV’s
    Biscotti, plain (42/recipe) 2 PPV’s
    Butter Cookies (36/recipe) 3 PPV’s
    Candy Cane Cookies (24/recipe) 5 PPV’s
    Chewy Coconut Cookies (36/recipe) 2 PPV’s
    Chocolate Chip Cookie (66/recipe) 2 PPV’s
    Chocolate Fudge with Walnuts (16/recipe) 10 PPV’s
    Christmas Wreaths (18/recipe) 3 PPV’s
    Cookie Press Shortbread (24/recipe) 3 PPV’s
    Cranberry Orange Cookies (48/recipe) 3 PPV’s
    Gingerbread Men (30/recipe) 2 PPV’s
    Lebkuchen (84/recipe) 4 PPV’s
    Molasses Sugar Cookies (72/recipe) 3 PPV’s
    McCormick Gingersnaps (24/recipe) 4 PPV’s
    No Bake Cookies (36/recipe) 3 PPV’s
    Peanut Butter Cookies (24/recipe) 2 PPV’s
    Peanut Butter Cup Cookies (40/recipe) 3 PPV’s
    Peanut Butter Fudge (16/recipe) 7 PPV’s
    Peppernotter (Scandinavian Cookie) (48/recipe) 2 PPV’s
    Pinwheel Cookies (24/recipe) 7 PPV’s
    Rum or Bourbon Balls (24/recipe) 5 PPV’s
    Shortbread (36/recipe) 5 PPV
    Snickerdoodles (4 dozen/recipe) 3 PPV’s
    Sugar Cookies (48/recipe) 2 PPV’s
    Viennese Crescent Holiday Cookies (48/recipe) 3 PPV’s

    Have a Holiday Game Plan


    Will you stay on track this holiday season? Yes, if you go in with a game plan.
    Article By: Melissa Sperl
    When you tell yourself that the holiday season will be hard, chances are it's going to be. Your self-talk becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you expect to give in to the temptation of all those homemade baked goods, you will. If you're sure it's not an option to turn down your mother's offer of seconds, it won't be.
    But if you want to start the New Year without feeling like you're starting over, you can. The first thing you need is a positive attitude, says Dianne Siegelbaum, a New York-based meetings Leader. "You can if you think you can," she says.
    The second thing you need? A plan. People who stay within sight of their weight-loss goals — in one way or another — are the people who eventually attain their goals. Figuring out what's different and more difficult about losing weight during the holidays helps you strategize how to work through it.
    It can be done, and we'll help you do it. Keep reading to develop your plan for getting through the season, and for links to tips specific to your goals.
    Put things into perspective.
    Take out a calendar and circle the days you think might present extraordinary challenges, and you'll see that there are a lot more opportunities to be on track than there are obstacles. With that in mind, it will feel more reasonable to expect success.
    Identify your expectations.
    Ask yourself what you want to achieve. Would you like to continue to lose weight? Would you be happy to maintain? Or were you expecting to sit on the sidelines and start things up again in January? If you know what you're aiming for, you'll be better able to set a clear path.
    Say goodbye to guilt.
    If you're ready to maintain, or even prepared that you may gain a little, don't feel guilty. Instead, take control. "There is nothing wrong with taking a break," says Siegelbaum, "but decide how long you want the break to be." If you outline your limits, you won't feel like you're starting over in January.
    Find ways to make it work.
    There are lots of options for overcoming obstacles while staying on plan, and you practice them all year long. So why not use them during the holidays? "Most of us will eat some not-so-great items," says COUNTDOWNTO30, a WeightWatchers.com Community User. "But as long as you counterbalance with exercise and keep an eye out for over-indulgence, you should be good."
    Don't avoid the scale.
    Stay aware of your stats, and you'll be able to make adjustments so you meet your goals.
    Ask for help. You're not the only one heading toward the holidays with weight loss in mind. Look for people with similar goals and ask them about their strategies.
    BAD WEATHER: If there will be a meeting cancellation due to SNOW, etc., please stay tuned to NTV or KHAS-TV. I will call them to announce a meeting cancellation by 3 P.M. for Geneva,Superior...and as early as I can (or the night before) for Hastings Saturday morning meetings. You can also log on to their websites where they have weather closings.

    You can also call the Weight Watchers' 800-number to find out if we are having a meeting.

    1-800-651-6000.

    NEXT WEEK IN THE MEETING ROOM
    What can you do when food is ALL AROUND?  Whether you are HOME ALONE or out and about,  are you REALLY hungry for all those holiday treats?
    Let’s talk about how to stay of that slippery slope of
    holiday temptations!

    Member Recipes
    Seven-layer salad                                                                             
    Servings: 6 = 7PointsPlus
    1 lb. uncooked ground turkey breast                                     
    1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded & sliced
    1 ¼ oz. reduced-sodium taco seasoning, packet                   
    1 C. low-fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese
    2/3 C. water                                                                           
    ¾ C. salsa, fat-free
    ½ head iceberg lettuce, shredded                                         
    ¾ C. reduced-fat sour cream
    2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped                           
    4 oz. reduced-fat tortilla chips (about 80 chips)
    1 medium Vidalia onion, or other sweet onion, chopped

    Spray a large, nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and cook,
    breaking up the turkey with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned, 3-4 minutes. Stir in the seasoning packet and the water.
    Cook, stirring occasionally, until the turkey is cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
    Arrange the lettuce on a large platter and top with the turkey mixture. Top the turkey with the tomatoes,
    onion, cucumber, and cheese, arranging them in 4 rows. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and chips on the side.
    YIELD: 1/6 platter, 2 TBS. salsa, generous TBS sour cream, and 13 chips per serving.

    Favorite Ham Salad Spread

    from Renee's Kitchen Adventures
    Servings - approx. 16   Serving size - approx. 1 TBS.   Points Plus per Serving - 1 Point+
    Approx. 8 oz. Honey Baked Spiral Sliced Ham, trimmed of any visible fat and roughly chopped
    1 - 2 stalks celery, roughly chopped
    3 TBS reduced fat mayo
    1 tsp. horseradish sauce (or more to taste)
    1 heaping TBS pickle relish (sweet or dill)
    a few dashes of hot sauce, if you like
    With the blade attachment fit into a large food processor, add the ham and process until finely chopped. 
    Remove the ham to a large bowl.  Add the celery to the food processor, and process until finely chopped. 
    Add to the ham in the bowl.  Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl and stir with the ham and celery until well combined. 
    Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.  Excellent on crackers or as a spread for sandwiches. 




    Smoked Turkey and Cranberry Slaw

    http://mykitchenadventures1.blogspot.com/2013/09/turkey-tuesdays-smoked-turkey-and.html
    Servings - 2   Serving size - 1 wrap   Points Plus per Serving - 6 Points+
    1 1/2 cups broccoli slaw
    2 TBS raw pepitas
    1/4 cup dried cranberries
    1. In a small bowl, combine the broccoli slaw, pepitas, cranberries, and poppyseed dressing.  Mix well. 
    2. Lay out 2 tortillas.  On one end, put 2 oz. of smoked turkey topped with the slaw evenly divided between the two tortillas in a strip. 
    3. Fold in the sides, and then roll up from bottom holding in the filling.
    4. Cut in half, if desired, and enjoy!









    Jeanne Boberg of Muncie, IN says, "This chili is a little sweeter than other recipes I've tasted, but I like it that way.
    It reminds me of the chili my mom used to make." Jeanne submitted her recipe for publication in Taste of
    Home's Down-Home Diabetic Cookbook,
    ©1995 by Reiman Publications, L.P.
    2 pounds extra-lean ground beef
    2 cups chopped onion
    3/4 cup chopped celery
    1/2 cup chopped green pepper
    3 garlic cloves, minced
    1/4 tsp pepper
    1 Tbsp brown sugar
    3 Tbsp chili powder
    2 cans (16 ounces each) sodium-free stewed tomatoes
    1 can (46 ounces) sodium-free tomato juice    1 cup water
    1 low-sodium beef bouillon cube
    1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
    1 can (15 to 16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
    In a large Dutch oven or soup kettle, brown beef until no longer pink. Add onion, celery, green pepper and garlic.
    Continue cooking until vegetables are tender.
    Add all remaining ingredients except last two; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours,
    adding macaroni for last half hour of cooking time. Stir in the beans and heat through.
    Yield: 12 Servings. Per (1-Cup) Serving: PointsPlus® Value: 7



    Mini Oreo cheesecakes
    12 Oreo cookies
    8 oz Cream cheese, room temp
    1/3 cup Sugar
    1 Egg
    Directions
    Line a muffin pan with 12 liners.
    Place one oreo cookie in each liner.
    Blend Cream cheese and sugar. Blend in eggs.
    Pour evenly into each liner, covering the oreo. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
    Top with a little cool whip and sprinkle with a few baking crumbs.
    Makes 12 servings.

    At Christmas time, I do half with the regular oreo and half with the white oreo and sprinkle the white with graham crumbs
    and the regular oreo with oreo crumbs, and top with a hershey's kiss. It's always a big topic of conversation.

    Number of Servings: 12
    PointsPlus Value = 4



    Kraft Bacon Crescent Appetizers
    Makes 8 dozen, or 24 servings of four crescents each
    Number of Servings: 24
    PointsPlus® Value: 3
    1 package Philadelphia Neufchatel Cheese
    1/2 cup Bacon Bits
    1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese
    1 tbsp dried parsley
    1 tbsp 2% milk
    2 cans refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
    PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Mix cream cheese, bacon, Parmesan cheese, onions, parsley and milk until well blended; set aside.
    SEPARATE each can of dough into four rectangles; firmly press perforations together to seal.
    Spread each rectangle with 2 rounded tablespoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture.
    Cut each rectangle into 12 wedges. Roll up wedges, starting at short ends. Place, seam-sides down, on greased baking sheet.
    BAKE 12 to 15 min. or until golden brown. Serve warm.



    Holiday Dark Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods

    1 (12 oz) bag dark chocolate chips, see shopping tip
    1 (10oz) bag pretzel rods
    Candy sprinkles, colored sugars or jimmies for decorating

    1. Put chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler. Add water to the bottom pan and heat the water to melt the chocolate chips.
    If you don’t have a double boiler place the chips in a metal bowl or pot to cover the bottom one that has the water in it.
    2. When the chips are melted, take off stove and dip each pretzel rod first in the chocolate about half way down the rod. 
    Spread evenly with a knife.  Coat the dipped pretzels with sprinkles, jimmies or colored sugars.
    3. Place the dipped rods on waxed paper to let the chocolate harden.  It will take about 1 hour.
    4. Wrap each in plastic wrap to store or place in an airtight container, plastic bag, or a tin to keep fresh.
    Makes approx 30 pretzel rods

    Shopping Tip
    I love Ghiradelli 60% bittersweet chocolate chips. Or you could use the semi-sweet chips.

    Weight Watchers POINTS PLUS 3


    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.
    Remove from list? If you no longer wish to receive weekly newsletters from me, please reply to this message indicating "Remove from list" in either the subject header or the body of the message.
    I also post the newsletter on our private FB page "Zig's Winners" and the Google Blog called Midweek Minutes

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