MIDWEEK MINUTES January 4, 2014


Midweek Minutes
January 4, 2014
Hello, Winners!
It’s a NEW year!  After I put away the Christmas decorations, my house always looks kind of bare.  It makes me look around and think to myself, “Should I re-arrange the furniture?  Should I think about new curtains? What needs to be replaced?”  It’s time to do something new.  What’s something quick and simple that I can do right away that doesn’t require a lot of thinking and will make a difference?  So it is with our outlook on our weight management...

“Crack open the "book" entitled 2014.
The pages are empty.
What will you write there?
Is this the year with the happy ending?
Is this the year you claim health and fitness?
Is the year you become the person you so want to be?
Pick up that pencil. Write that story... your story.
It's your book, and your year.
And the ending?
EXPECT AMAZING!”


Short and Sweet...SIMPLE!!!!!  (That’s the Buzz Word for 2014!) 
Are you unhappy the way your weight and meal planning went over the holidays?  Are you ready to get back in a routine?  Are you ready for something new?  Are you ready for something different?  Something SIMPLE?  Stick with me.  I’m ready for amazing things this with Weight Watchers this year!  Won’t you join me? Remember, you’re worth it!

There’s a lot more to talk about which you’ll find out in the meeting room. See you at our meetings! —Zig  (who has decided that a new TV for my bedroom was simple and fun, although curtain shopping is not out of the question).

Member Milestones!

Total Losses
Superior: –7.2 lbs.
Hastings: –19.2 lbs.

5 lb. star
Kathy T. ( H )

Biggest Loser
Connie S. ( S )
Amy S. ( H )

Celebrate with our NEW key-ring 4-week award when YOU come to your meeting for your first 4 weeks (out of 5)!
Cool, huh?  Be sure to remind us to give you your card so that you can keep track of the meetings you attend.

Start Simple
Introducing Simple Start — our new 2-week, no-brainer starter plan!
Article By: Alisha McKinney
This is the time of year when practically everyone jumps on the resolution bandwagon. But if these well-intentioned big ideas are so good for us, why are so many abandoned by February? Short answer: We bite off more than we can chew and expect sweeping results in a short amount of time. And we can totally relate. After all, it’s human nature!

That’s why we created Simple Start — our brand new starter plan packed with two weeks of delicious meals. (If you’ve been to a meeting already in December, you probably have heard about it.) With Simple Start, there’s no wondering about what you should eat or guessing about portions because we’ve done all the legwork for you. Really, all you have to do is follow our no-brainer plan for two weeks and see results. You’ll stay satisfied eating from a list of good-for-you foods plus the splurgetastic indulgences we all love.

Healthy eating, meet easy
Doing Simple Start gets you in the habit of eating a variety of satisfying, nutritious foods, which is why it’s not just for newbies. If you’ve hit a plateau or just want to try something fun and new, Simple Start is the perfect way to get back on the horse! (And after the hectic and indulgent holiday season, who couldn’t use a no-brainer kickoff?)
The meals and snacks in Simple Start are built from Weight Watchers Power Foods and certain healthy oils, with some condiments and seasonings to boost flavor. New members will learn that Power Foods fill you up faster and keep you satisfied longer, which can help you avoid the types of foods that lead to overeating. For example, fresh fruits, most vegetables, some lean proteins, whole grains and fat-free dairy are Power Foods. Print the complete Power Foods list now. And because of the type of foods you’ll be eating, you won’t have to worry about portions! There are just two exceptions:
Healthy oils. Include 2 tsps. per day, total
Indulgences. You have 7 PointsPlus® values per day to spend on treats

During your meeting this week, your Leader will explain the nuts and bolts of Simple Start, walk you through your Simple Start booklet and introduce you to our new Simple Start app (available for iOS and Android devices). The easy-to-follow Simple Start app lets you take your starter plan with you, so you can get meal ideas, restaurant tips and daily motivation on the go. But why wait? Download it now (see below)! No smartphone? No worries. You can also access all of our new Simple Start Meals on WeightWatchers.com

Did you know that with Weight Watchers meetings and eTools, you can lose 8x more than those who try to lose weight on their own?* And people who get off to the best start have the best success overall. Following Simple Start and attending meetings regularly for the first 4 weeks is a great way to get you on the path to long-term success. Plus, if you attend your meeting for four out of five weeks, you’ll get an award to recognize your commitment! (Speak to your Leader or Receptionist for more info).

Wondering whether the PointsPlus® Plan is changing? Nope! So, if tracking is your thing and its working wonders for you — keep on tracking! But if you want a fresh start for 2014, Simple Start is a great way to kick it off. (You can go back to tracking any time you want.)





Join and Get One Week Free with Monthly Pass 12/22/13 – 2/1/14 All Regions
Until February 1, any joining, Pay As You Go, or 17-Week Pass member who purchases
Monthly Pass will pay only $32.95 for their first month, which is discounted to include
one free week. This offer is not available to current Monthly Pass subscribers.

Join For Free 12/22/13 – 3/22/14 All Regions
New members can Join for Free from December 22 to March 22. Pay As You Go
members need not pay a Registration fee, only the weekly fee. Monthly Pass and
17-Week Pass members will continue to enjoy Free Registration during this period.




Do I have to do Simple Start first?
Nope – but we think it’s a pretty great place to begin. Learning what to eat is important and Simple Start makes it (you guessed it) simple. But if want to jump right in to tracking, go for it! You can always come back to Simple Start if you want to try something new

Do I have to track my foods on Simple Start?
You’ll want to keep tabs on the amount of indulgences you eat to make sure you don’t go over 7 PointsPlusvalues, but outside of those, no. With Simple Start you don’t need to “track” what you eat.

2014 New Year, New You Challenge: Week 2

Welcome to 2014! Here's to a new year and a fresh resolve to set yourself up for long-term success. Hint: It's easier than you think.
With its cold weather and post-holiday anticlimax (not to mention uncomfortably snug pants), January is not the kindest month. Why, then, do so many of us also spend the first few weeks beating ourselves up about what we ate and drank in December? Right here and now, we are officially declaring the holidays Behind Us, and are ready to help you focus on your goals for 2014. Whether you’re new to Weight Watchers, or simply looking for help you recommitting or sticking to the Plan, we’ll help you succeed.

Your goal might be a sizeable one, or it might be just a few pounds away. Whichever camp you fall into, contemplating a whole year stretched ahead of you can feel overwhelming. Instead of worrying about the next 12 months, take our Challenge to get a far more manageable set of activities, ideas and motivation. Read the articles over the next four weeks, and head to the Community to participate in the Challenge with others looking to start the year off right.

Week 2
Last week you set a long-term, non-weight-related goal, and tried a new food. This week, we’re setting the bar a little higher. We want you to try even more new foods, and new recipes too. To make that easier to achieve, we’re asking you to plan (and shop for) a week’s menu.

Yes, it’s a big task if you're not used to being that rigid, but it’s so worth it. Look around on theMessage Boards. In many people’s signatures, you’ll find the words, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Take it from them: standing in front of the fridge is no place to plan your next meal.

Instead, take some time at the beginning of your tracking week, or on a Saturday morning, or even a midweek evening — whenever works for you — to plan a week’s worth of meals.

The challenge in keeping this great habit going, though, is balancing routine (going for the same few meals that you know how to cook and that require staple ingredients), with variety (lemon chicken again?).

So, when you plan your next few meals, make room for something brand new in the line-up. Look at the featured recipes on the Food and Recipes page; pick up a food magazine next time you’re out, or browse and discuss ideas in the Community Recipe Swap. Or, if you’re feeling really brave, grab a cookbook, fan through it with your eyes closed, and vow to make whatever you land on. If it’s a high-calorie nightmare, think of ways to lighten it up. (Subscribers can use the Recipe Builder to find lighter alternatives to many ingredients.

Make your shopping list with items grouped by type — even by aisle, if you're that familiar with your grocery store. Not only will this help you get around the store (and away from temptation) more quickly, it will also show you at a glance if the make-up of your diet is a little out of whack — for example, if you have an over-reliance on packaged goods rather than fresh. For more tips on navigating the supermarket, check out the Shopping section in the Spaces tool.

This is a great habit to get into; we promise it’s worth the effort. Good luck this week — and don’t forget to come back next week to continue the 2014 New Year, New You Challenge.
 


The NEW January/February Weight Watchers Magazine

in your meeting room now!


Try
our new bars and stock up on your favorite snacks ON SALE!















Sample Recipes









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 and 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 Your Meeting
Secret of Success #1: Timing is Everything!
Join us each week in January as we learn the secrets of weight management success.

Member Recipes
HASHBROWN SOUP
Makes approx 12 - 1 cup servings
PointsPlus® Value: 2

64 oz fat free chicken broth
30 oz pkg frozen potatoes O'brien
1 medium onion
1 packet Pioneer Brand No-Fat Country Gravy Mix
cooking spray

Saute chopped onion in sprayed soup kettle til transparent. Stir up gravy mix in 1/2 C water til smooth. When onion is tender add broth, frozen potatoes, & stirred gravy mix. Stir to blend well in soup pan, bring to boil, reduce heat, & simmer 15-20 mins. Adjust flavors to kick it up w/ zero Points Plus Value seasonings (salt/pepper/tabasco/cilantro,etc) to your preference.




Low Calorie French Onion Soup Recipe
2 large sweet onions, sliced

2 large red onions, sliced

4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup red wine
1 tsp salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 bay leaf
3 14-ounce cans fat free beef broth
1/4 cup minced fresh chives, or scallions
6 slices light, whole wheat bread (I used Sara Lee Delightful)
1 cup shredded Gruyère, or fontina cheese
Spray a large saucepan with butter flavored nonfat cooking spray and place over medium-high heat. Add sweet onions and red onions. Toss lightly.
Cover, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until softened and starting to brown, 6 to 8 minutes.
Add garlic, bay leaf, and thyme and cook, uncovered, stirring often, until starting to soften, 3 to 4 minutes.
Stir in red wine, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper; increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer.
Cook, stirring often, until most of the liquid has evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes.
Stir in broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 3 minutes.
Remove from the heat and stir in scallions.
Meanwhile, toast bread and divide it among 6 bowls; top with cheese. Ladle the soup over the bread and cheese and serve immediately.
Number of servings (yield): 6
Serving size is 1 ½ cups
Each serving = 5 Points +
Zig's Mushroom Bisque
(one of my favorites for the New Year...and it’s an old WW recipe, and it’s a SIMPLY FILLING Recipe!))
Serves 1 @ 6 PP
Feel free to make a double or triple batch.  It refrigerates well
and warms up in the microwave for another meal.
1 Cup skim milk
1/2 Cup low-sodium beef broth
2 oz. imitation crabmeat, shredded
1/2 Cup chopped mushrooms
1/2 Cup drained canned corn (I can’t have that anymore)
1/2 tsp dried tarragon
pinch ground red pepper
In small saucepan, combine all ingredients; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes, stirring
occasionally.  Serve immediately, or refrigerate.  To reheat, microwave on high 2-3 minutes.




Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pizza
  • 6 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked and shredded
  • 1/2 cup of light blue cheese salad dressing
  • 1/2 cup frank’s red hot buffalo wing sauce
  • 1 cup shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese
  • 1 bag of fresh pizza dough
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Spray your pan with nonstick spray and lightly flour your pan.
3. Stretch pizza dough to cover the pan you are using. (we use a pizza stone)
4. Spread blue cheese dressing over the crust.
5. Mix the buffalo wing sauce and shredded chicken together and then spread over the dressing.
6. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the entire pizza.
7. Bake for 15- 20 minutes until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.
8. Cut into 8 pieces. Dig in and enjoy!
Makes 8 slices, 6 points+ each




Simple Peach Crisp
  • 1/2 cup quick oats
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 10 medium peaches
  • 2 tbsp white sugar
1.  Cut the peaches into slices and place in a pie plate. Sprinkle 2 tbs of white sugar over peaches.
2.  Mix oats, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut 2 tablespoons of butter into small pieces and use two forks or a pastry cutter to mix butter into oat mixture.
3.  Cover the peaches with the oat mixture.
4.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
Makes 6 servings, 4 points+ each


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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