MIDWEEK MINUTES April 12, 2104

Midweek Minutes

April 12, 2014

Hello, Winners!

Forgive me for repeating most of an older newsletter (recycling is good, right?) but it’s busy around here.  Yes, it's the weekend before the IRS deadline for some folks. I hope you're NOT stress-eating because of it! Do you have your taxes done? I'm sure you do, but you know I have to work that into a weight management message, don't you? So, I decided to compare doing taxes to following the Weight Watchers program. Here’s some IRS humor that won't be too "taxing", I hope!

There will always be death and taxes. However, death doesn't get worse every year.

Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut save you thirty cents?

Fight back! Fill out your tax forms with Roman numerals!

Did you ever notice? When you put the two words "the" and "IRS" together it spells "theirs."

IRS: Be audit you can be.

IRS: We've got what it takes to take what you have got.

Well, enough of that! At tax time there are many people who are moaning and groaning about their situation. Some folks are desperate and try ALL kinds of last minute solutions to avoid facing the tax man. Many folks go to the professionals to help them do their taxes. Some use a "box" to help them in the privacy of their own homes. Some folks think they can do it on their own. Just as there are many different ways to do one's taxes, there are many opinions about how to be successful at weight loss. At Weight Watchers we have a program that will always give us a BIG return if we follow it!

What does IRS stand for in the world of weight management?  I REALLY SUCCEED? 

10 COMMON TAX (WW) MISTAKES

Making math blunders: Did you check the POINTS PLUS value of the foods you ate each day?

Entering wrong ID numbers: Are you looking up the POINTS Plus VALUES on your foods? Have you weighed and measured your portions lately, or are you guessing?

Ignoring IRS material: Have you read your member materials lately? Ever? Also, logging on to www.weightwatchers.com gives you so much information.

Picking the wrong 1040 form: Having an attitude plateau? Have you thought of shaking things up by doing SIMPLY FILLING?

Omitting some forms: Are you exercising consistently, or are you making excuses? Are you following the Good Health Guidelines or are you eating junk instead?  Is there something you aren’t doing?

Overlooking unearned income: Did you remember to write EVERYTHING you ATE down in your Tracker?

Using the wrong tax table: Have you re-figured your DAILY POINTS PLUS TARGET because you had a birthday or are in a new decade on the scale?

Fumbling payment procedures: Are you paying too much per week? How about trying the Monthly Pass, the BEST value for your WW buck, plus you get FREE etools!

Forgetting to sign the return: Have you stayed for the meeting lately, or are you just weighing and leaving? You're NOT getting the full benefits.

Missing the deadline: Are you making realistic Winning Outcomes? Are you working toward them? Does it matter how long it takes?

That was fun!  I am excited about a 4-day Easter break coming up. I have so much to catch up with before the following week which is PROM!  Yikes!  I got my taxes done early, so my real stressful time comes with prom and yearbook deadlines.  I know many people are also busy with the upcoming holiday, but please, make your meeting part of your weekly schedule.

If you are feeling the "pinch" (if you know what I mean), then perhaps you haven't been to a meeting in awhile. Come on back! It's SIMPLE, and you'll get a great return!

-Zig

---

These MEMBERS had GREAT deductions this week!

5 lb. star

Dena A. ( S )

Judie H. ( H )

4-week key ring

Jana C. ( S )

15 lb. star

Katie T. ( H )

30 lb. star

Amy S. ( H )

10%

Cindy M. ( S )

BIGGEST LOSER

Dena A. ( S )

Kathy T. ( T )

---

Is It Worth It?

How to make sure your choices are the best picks — for you.

Article By: Amanda Genge and Lisa Thomas

Do you remember the last time you drank or ate something you thought would be the best thing since [fill in a splurge that makes you weak in the knees] only to find that it was overrated, unsatisfying and SO not worth it? What did you do next? Before joining Weight Watchers, you might not have thought much about the food you'd eaten. But now that you’ve learned (and rocked) a few simple strategies and powerful Routines (like Ask yourself: Is this worth the PointsPlus® values?) you know that being mindful (or not) about what you put in your mouth can make (or break) a successful day on Plan. So, how can you make sure that every bite counts?

Avoid the “dig-in" default
Really considering how a food you're about to eat will affect your PointsPlus budget can keep you mindful of the choices you're making. Do you find that deciding what's "worth it" is more complicated when you're away from home because your choices are limited and you don't know what ingredients were used or how the food was prepared? When you can't look something up, make your best guess — it's better than flying blind. But also remember: You are under no obligation to eat something just because it's there or because you’re afraid of hurting someone's feelings.

Say you’ve been invited to a cookout or cocktail party. One way to keep your hunger in check is to eat a healthy snack, like an apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter, before you go. Or if you're dining at a restaurant have a salad or cup of broth-based soup before your entree. Going to a concert or sporting event? Bring stay-on-track treats like whole-grain crackers or cut-up veggies to tide you over. And of course you can always browse for smart food choices — wherever you happen to be — in our Weight Watchers Mobile app for iOS and Android.

More than just math
While calculating the PointsPlus value of a food is an important part of the formula, it’s certainly not everything to consider. And sometimes it's not even the most important factor. (That's right, we said it.) Every once in a while the only question that matters is, "Does it taste good?" And that's OK! If you're going out with friends for dinner and you know you want a hot fudge sundae, have it. Just remember you have options that will help you stay in control. For example, you can allot extra PointsPlus values for dessert. Or save up your weekly PointsPlus Allowance. You can share the dessert. Or choose something from the kids' menu. What you don't want to do is white-knuckle it through a pale and unappealing imitation when you know nothing but the real McCoy will do. Why? You might end up eating foods you don't truly want because you're not satisfying your real urge. Be honest with yourself. If you're not sure, wait a few minutes before deciding what to do. Urges might feel strong in the moment. But if you give them a chance, they can pass pretty quickly.

---

This Month’s Routine

 Ask yourself: Is this worth the PointsPlus^® values?

How it helps:
Really considering how a food you're about to eat will affect your PointsPlus budget can keep you mindful of the choices you're making. When faced with tempting foods that are high in PointsPlus values, we can “forget” to track them, which can lead to a free-for-all. Thinking about the numbers will encourage you to make a smarter choice — enjoying a smaller piece, adjusting your planned budget for the rest of the day, or forgoing it altogether. You can always decide to swap in a healthier food, too.

Make it a Routine:

• Make sure you always have a way to look up PointsPlus values with you — your computer, smart phone, PointsPlus calculator, companion books.
• Before you bite into anything, put a number on it.
• When you can't look something up, make your best guess — it's better than flying blind. You know if that slice of pizza is closer to 12 PointsPlus values than 5. Do you really want to spend that much on it? Maybe so, but now you're making an informed choice.

---

$UPER $AVING$!!!

         

Discounted Products

Strawberry Delight Oatmeal (SKU 50033) – formerly $5.95, now $4.95.

Kettle Corn Popcorn Crisps (SKU 11466) – formerly $4.95, now $3.50.

Hazelnut Latte Smoothie (SKU 21035)– formerly $7.50, now $4.95

Lemon Chicken & Couscous (SKU 50034)– formerly $5.95, now $3.95

Cheesy Scrambled Eggs (SKU 50037)– formerly $5.95, now $3.95

---

7 Stay-Happy Ideas

These tips will help you find the bright side in any situation.

Article By: S. Kirk Walsh

You're having one of those days where nothing is going right — you're late for work, your computer crashed, you spilled coffee on your brand-new shirt. By the end of the day, you find yourself collapsed zombie-like in front of the television, asking yourself "Where is my life going? Where did I go wrong?" Indeed, a simple shift in attitude at some point during your waking hours could have turned your day around. But how do you do it? Set realistic, achievable goals, suggests Stephanie Marston, Ph.D., a family therapist in Santa Fe. Start with small things to improve your attitude and well-being.

1. Take a friend to lunch. Not only will you get a nice visit with a friend you care about, but the act of generosity will likely boost your spirits.

2. Listen to your favorite song. Music can decrease anxiety experienced by patients before surgery, according to a study in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia. If tunes can calm pre-op jitters, surely they can help you find your zen place.

3. Discover your inner extrovert. Fake it till you make it, advise the experts. "Merely actingextroverted will make you feel happier," says William Fleeson, Ph.D., a psychology professor who studies happiness at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Fleeson suggests acting assertive, bold, adventurous and talkative to practice being an extrovert.

4. Take ten. Give yourself ten minutes out of every day to reconnect with yourself, suggests Marston. "We live in a fast-paced culture where we're all moving at warp speed with ridiculous to-do lists," she says. If we take time to be quiet, we can get in touch with our values and priorities. "With some adjustments and time, soon our outer life will be matching up with our inner life."

5. Count your blessings. People with a more grateful outlook on life tend to exhibit a heightened state of well being, according to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Researchers concluded that "gratitude is linked with positive emotions including contentment, happiness and hope." At some point during the day, make a simple list of five or ten things that you are grateful for in your life.

6. Shake it off. Try not to take things personally. Instead, develop the habit of looking at other people's actions as just the way they are and less of a personal statement about you. Keep in mind that you can't make another person change but you can change your own thoughts.

7. Just say om. Cultivate your spiritual side. This could mean checking out some meditation classes (often yoga studios are a good source), exploring the local religious centers in your neighborhood or asking a friend to recommend a good spiritual book.

---

Look good? 

Find more great recipes on www.weightwatchers.com

---

                                                           

---

NEXT WEEK’S MEETING

What’s the Secret to Satisfaction

on the Weight Watchers’ Plan?

You can’t miss this meeting!

---

All-American Member Recipes

Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

1 cup liquid egg substitute

4 large egg whites

6 slices low calorie, high fiber bread (I used Sara Lee Delightful), cut into small, bite sized cubes

1 cup diced lean ham

1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped

1 cup shredded light Swiss cheese

5 cups chopped spinach, wilted

1/4 cup roasted red peppers, chopped

1/4 cup green onions, chopped

1 cup fat free buttermilk

2 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

1.    Preheat oven to 375°F.

2.    Spray a 7-by-11-inch glass baking dish or a 2-quart casserole with non-fat cooking spray.

3.    In a large bowl, egg substitute, egg whites and buttermilk. Add mustard, paprika, salt and pepper; whisk to combine.

4.    In another large bowl, toss tomatoes, spinach, bread, ham, parsley, green onions and roasted red peppers.

5.    Add the egg mixture and toss well to coat.

6.    Transfer to the prepared baking dish and push down to compact. Cover with foil.

7.    Bake until the casserole has set, 40 to 45 minutes.

8.    Uncover, sprinkle with cheese and continue baking until the casserole is puffed and golden on top, 15 to 20 minutes more.

9.    Remove from oven and cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Cut into 6 equally sized pieces.

Entire recipe makes 6 servings
Serving size is 1/6 of casserole
Each serving = 5 Points +

Deviled Eggs
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 2 halves Points+: 3

4 large hard boiled eggs, cooled and peeled

2 tbsp low fat mayonnaise

1 tsp dijon mustard

paprika

salt and fresh pepper to taste

2 tbsp chopped chives

Cut eggs in half longways. 

Remove yolks and put them in a bowl. 

Add mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper. 

Stir well and pipe them back into egg whites. 

Top with chopped chives and paprika.

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

1 lbs 95% lean ground beef, raw

1 large (softball-sized) white onion, diced

1 medium or large green bell pepper, diced

3 T steak sauce

1 cup fat free beef broth

Salt & black pepper to taste

5 light wheat sandwich rolls (I used Weight Watchers brand rolls)

5 slices 2% Provolone cheese (I used Sargento)

1. Bring a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Brown beef,

breaking it up as it cooks. Once cooked, add the peppers and onions and continue to cook for a

few more minutes until vegetables are softened. Mix in the steak sauce, beef broth, salt and pepper

and bring to a bubble. Allow the mixture to bubble for about 5 minutes.

2. Make sure you have an oven rack in the top third of your oven and pre-heat the oven to broil.

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Open the sandwich rolls and lay both sides cut side up.

Using your fingers, press the middle-inside of the bottom half of the roll to make a little more room

for the meat mixture. Scoop about ¾ cup of the meat mixture onto the pressed bottom half of each

roll. Top the meat mixture with a slice of the cheese. The top half of the rolls will be bare and cut side

up.

3. Place the baking sheet onto the oven rack in the top 1/3 of the oven and broil for about 1 minute

(check at 30 seconds and again at 50 to prevent burning – broiling happens fast!) Cover the loaded

bottom half of each roll with its toasted top half counterpart and serve!

Yields 5 (3/4 cup meat mixture + 1 roll & 1 slice cheese) servings. WW P+: 8 per serving

KFC Coleslaw Clone

8 Cups Cabbage, grated
1/4 Cup Carrot, grated
2 Tablespoons Onion, minced
1/3 Cup Splenda Granular
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon Pepper
1/4 Cup Skim Milk
1/2 Cup Fat Free Mayo
1/4 Cup Buttermilk
1 1/2 Tablespoons White Vinegar
2 1/2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

Be sure cabbage and carrots are chopped up into very fine pieces (about the size of rice). This is easier if you use a food processor. Combine the Splenda, salt, pepper, milk, mayo, buttermilk, vinegar, and lemon juice in a large bowl and beat until smooth. Add the cabbage, carrots and onion. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Serves: 6 (1 Cup Each)
Per Serving: P+ =1.

Asparagus Egg and Bacon Salad Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 1  Serving Size: 1 salad  Points+: 6 pts 

1 large hard boiled egg, peeled and sliced

1 2/3 cups chopped asparagus

2 slices cooked and crumbled center cut bacon

1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

pinch salt and pepper, to taste

Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the asparagus and cook 2 to 3 minutes, until tender yet firm. Drain and run under cold water to stop it from cooking further. Set aside.
In a small bowl mix the Dijon, oil, vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper.Arrange the asparagus on a plate, top with egg and bacon and drizzle with the vinaigrette. Enjoy!

Snickers Fruit Salad

1 large apples

1 large bananas

1/2-3/4 cup Cool Whip Lite

6 -8 Snickers miniature candy bars ( chopped)

Slice apple and banana and add to medium bowl.

Chop mini snickers bars and add to apple and banana mixture.Mix in whipped cream and stir until evenly coated.

Spoon into to serving dishes and enjoy!

Serves 4

5 P+ per serving

Weight Watchers Skinny Cookie PiePoints: 6 Weight Watchers PointsPlus
Servings: 8
Serving Size: 1 slice
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained (14 oz)
1/6 tsp salt
1/8 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter or PB2 (save 290 calories for the entire recipe or 37 calories per slice)
4 tbsp skim milk
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
3 tbsp oats
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Place all of the ingredients, except the chocolate chips, into a food processor and blend until smooth. Fold in the chocolate chips after.

3. Pour into a round cooking or pie dish, mine is about 8 inches across, sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 40-45 minutes.

Enjoy for breakfast, a snack, or even topped with some ice cream – delish!

Traditional Carrot Cake Cupcake Recipe

1 ¼ cups whole wheat all-purpose flour

2/3 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup liquid egg substitute (I used Eggbeaters)

1/4 cup applesauce

1 apple, peeled, cored, grated

2 large carrots, grated

1/3 cup golden raisins

1 ½ tsp grated orange zest

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

4 oz fat free cream cheese, room temp

4 oz reduced fat cream cheese, room temp

1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp fat free milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12 cup cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, light brown sugar, carrots, apple, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and baking soda.
3. In a small bowl, beat together the liquid egg substitute and applesauce. Stir this mixture into the flour mixture.
4. Evenly spoon the batter into the cupcake cups and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes.
5. After letting the pan cool for about 5 minutes, remove the cupcakes from the pan and cool completely on a rack.
6. To make frosting, mix the cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract and milk, using an electric mixer. Beat until smooth and creamy.
7. Evenly spread frosting over cupcakes.Entire recipe makes 12 cupcakes
   Serving size is 1 frosted cupcake
   Each serving = 4 Points +    www.laloosh.com

---

---

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 try to post the newsletter on our private FB page "Zig's Winners" and the Google Blog called Midweek Minutes  http://midweekminutes.blogspot.com/.

Find us on FB and ask to joinour own private support group!