MIDWEEK MINUTES December 13, 2014

Midweek Minutes
December 13, 2014
Hello, Winners!
It’s 12-13-14!  I bet there are a lot of weddings today!  Me, I went Christmas shopping and got it all done! Glad to be home out of the drizzle!
Today will be the last time ever that we can create the sequence of 12-13-14, and I thought it was memorable, so I wrote something I hope will be memorable.
‘Twas the night before Christmas...
and WW Ebbie Scrooge was miserable.  BAH HUMBUG!  She’s just not going to the Christmas party tomorrow.  She just doesn’t want to expose herself to those temptations.    And you know what those temptations are, right?  Can you name some temptations of yours?   
It’s been a typical holiday season so far.  Between parties, special foods, time crunch, obligations, schedule demands, family commitments—Ebbie hasn’t been following the program since she learned about it, and she’s missed a couple of meetings.  She doesn’t remember what hunger is because she hasn’t been paying attention to her body’s signals.  She hasn’t been tracking or exercising lately either. 

Enter, TEMPTATION…(a spirit who tells Ebbie that unless she comes to terms with holiday challenges and hunger signals by thinking and staying ahead of hunger, she will be forever doomed to being at an unhealthy weight and being unhappy). 
Tonight, TEMPTATION says that Ebbie will be visited by three other spirits…the Ghost of Binges Past, the Ghost of Challenges Present, and the Ghost of the Future Failure or Success.
What were your holidays like before you joined WW?
Last year, Ebbie starved herself all day of the party.  She was feeling pretty awful anyway because she was wearing a larger sized outfit, and she knew there would be pictures. When the hostess came to the door with a glass of champagne and a tray of hors d’ouvres…what do you suppose happened next?
The Ghost of Challenges Present shows Ebbie what is happening at the Christmas WW meeting where members are discussing their holiday food plans.  Members are sharing recipes and tips for lightening up foods, WW tools and products that help them stay on program, ideas for creating variety with exercise; and they are talking about how they can use their bodies’ signals as tools to stay in control.  They discuss how to rely on Power Foods in difficult situations, and can trust their habits in challenging times.  They are also exploring ways to keep up motivation.
The holidays in the past don’t have to happen anymore, says the leader.  With the strategies members have available (in their weekly booklets, meetings, and tools),  holiday strategy-making can be successful. 
Ebbie wants to stay at the meeting, but the Ghost of Future Failure or Success has some things to show Ebbie.  The spirit shows her that if she doesn’t change what she is doing, she will be buying a larger size for next year, and perhaps even not be around for her grandkids’ Christmas due to her unhealthy weight.
What do you want to say about your holiday experience when it is over?
What will you tell yourself if you experience a setback to keep it from being “bigger” than it needs to be? 
How will you reward yourself for using successful holiday strategies?
Ebbie takes all this to heart.  She wants to go to the party and decides to plan for  it now.  What will she do with her food day?  (nice breakfast including Power Foods, some exercise, bring something she can have, and use some of those 49 points of her WPPA with good choices).
What will you do to stay ahead of your hunger this week? 
How will thinking help you plan for success? 
What can you do this week to help you have the most successful holiday season ever?
Let’s do it together in the meeting room!  See you there! --Zig



Member Milestones
Superior:  -19.4 lbs.
Hastings: –11.2 lbs.
16 week charm
Robert T. ( H )
20 lbs.
Lisa M. ( S )
BIGGEST LOSER
Vonda W. ( S )
Robert T. ( H )

THE SNOWFLAKE CHARMS HAVE ARRIVED.  If you have attended 6 weeks in
the SHARE YOUR SUCCESS challenge, you can get yours at the meeting!

Is This Food Worthy of Me?

Being choosy about what you eat is just one way to take care of yourself — which is a key element in successful weight loss.
Article By: Rachelle Vander Schaaf
Just say "no" to that eh ice cream, the stale chips, the leftover pizza in the break room. It might seem counterintuitive at first, but the simple act of turning down not-so-great food is an important way to take care of yourself. And when you consider just how much food — good, bad, and ugly — abounds this time of year, polishing up your naysaying skills can be a Plan saver. But more than that, saying "no" to things that won't help you is an essential element in taking care of yourself.
When things get crazy busy, as always seems to happen this time of year, with so many people and activities vying for your time and energy, it's easy to keep pushing your own needs farther down your list of priorities. You chuck your good intentions to exercise more, plan healthier meals or attend the next Weight Watchers meeting — and the less attention you give yourself, the more the pounds add up. (Especially if you're snarfing up the aforementioned leftover pizza...)
The solution's easier said than done, but worth the effort: Adopt a "me first" attitude. Selfish? Not at all, say experts: "You'll have a better outlook, more energy and greater stamina when you invest in yourself, " says Howard Eisenson, MD, director of the Duke University Diet and Fitness Center. What's more, he says, the better you feel and function, the more that pays off for everyone around you. Try these self-care strategies and activities:
  • Accept that spending time on you does not deprive others. "I had one client who actually felt anxious if she took the time to exercise because then she wasn't working," says nutritionist Katherine Tallmadge, MA, RD. "But will taking half an hour or an hour for yourself really hurt someone or something else? No, it won't."
  • Plan a personal pause. "Take time to reconnect with who you are and what you value," says Eisenson. "Try yoga or meditation, take a walk or listen to music, pick up an old interest or hobby." Rediscover jigsaw puzzles, playing an instrument or any other enjoyable activity that helps you unwind — and keeps your hands out of the cookie jar.
  • Take a cooking class. Don't limit yourself to Low-Cal Cooking 101; go ahead and delve into ethnic cuisine if that's more appealing, for instance. "You learn so much, and it can inspire you to cook more," says Tallmadge. Preparing your own meals keeps you away from high-calorie restaurant fare and allows you to choose healthier ingredients.
  • Make every step count. If you burn time running errands for others, make sure you burn calories, too. You know the drill: Park in the farthest space, take the stairs instead of the elevator, hoof it between stops whenever possible. If you're deskbound, pace back and forth while you're on the phone or meet colleagues for walks instead of lunch or drinks. Hook on a pedometer or activity monitor, and you'll soon see what a difference those seemingly small steps make. "The immediate feedback is satisfying, and you'll purposefully walk more," says Eisenson, who suggests shooting for 10,000 steps a day.
  • Track, track, track. Take time to note each bite you take, and you'll likely think twice before you gobble up leftovers or mindlessly polish off a bag of chips. Research shows that using your Tracker can be helpful, says Eisenson. "Many people say that as long as they keep up a food diary, they do well."
  • Sign on for a walkathon. When likeminded buddies band together to train for a sports event for a charitable organization, it can be powerfully motivating, says Eisenson. "They find themselves doing something they never thought they could, and they help themselves and others at the same time."
  • Enjoy truly worth-it treats. Bake a batch or two from our Holiday Cookie Roundup.
WELCOME TO Weight Watchers 2015!
The new materials are out (this photo is actually from someone on ebay selling
the new stuff already...oh gracious! I guess that SOME people still think they can get the materials without having to pay to go to Weight Watchers, but you should see the price of this on ebay! Nuts!)
We have a new book for you to make Power Foods easy to take along!
AND a new cookbook!
MORE new products are coming throughout the month including a
NEW STARTER KIT!
  • Portion Plates: modern, fun design guides your portions (discreetly) on an ideal sized 9.5” plate. Microwave and dishwasher safe, and yes, you get a set of 2 in each kit! Members can see just how easy to use it is to keep portions in check with the delicious meal ideas showcased in the What to Eat book.
  • Bento Box: Portioning made easy on the go! 3 additional containers inside to use all together or on their own. The Bento boxes are dishwasher (top rack) and microwave safe (reheat only), however for best results we do recommend hand washing for lasting results.
  • Easy Mains and Sides Cookbook: Best kit book yet! Includes 95 main dish recipes, with 40 single-serve options as long as over 30 superfast side ideas. All recipes are 8 PointsPlus® values or less, many that work with Simply Filling technique as well as no cook, gluten free options, and more!
  • And don’t forget Coupons – over $55 in savings on both meeting room products and retail products to be redeemable all-year long.
THE BEST PLACE TO SEE ALL THE NEW PRODUCTS,
GET THE BEST AND MOST RELIABLE INFORMATION, SHARE WITH OTHER MEMBERS,
AND GET THE PERSONALIZED SERVICE YOU WANT IS IN THE MEETING ROOM!
WE GET IT!!!!
Click the link and watch the Weight Watchers Commercial
Weight Watchers Helps with the Hard Part

For more than 50 years, Weight Watchers has tapped into the human connection to help people through all the hard parts of losing weight. Weight Watchers Leaders and Receptionists understand that the way we aspire to eat doesn’t always match up with how we actually eat. They have all reached their goals through the Weight Watchers program despite the ups and downs along the way. The company’s proven approach is designed to help change people’s relationship with food for good.
You’re out shopping...you’re hungry.  What to eat? 
There are CHEAT SHEETS on etools even for FOOD COURTS!
You've been at the mall for hours, walking from one end to the other in search of bargains. By now, you've worked up an appetite. As you head toward the food court, temptation strikes in the form of a cinnamon-scented breeze. You know you must resist the big-as-your-head bun, but you're overwhelmed with all the other options. Where can you score a healthy meal that still satisfies your mall-food cravings?
Whether you're at the mall, airport, bus terminal or any other public gathering place, you have more fast-food options than ever before — an array of choices beyond the basic burger and fries. It can make your head spin, but it doesn't have to sink your healthy goals. Just follow these tips to navigate the food court with ease.
Plan ahead. Not sure which vendors will be at your destination? Malls and airports have begun including comprehensive directories on their own websites, so start there for a list. Then search the Plan Manager for menu items, or check each restaurant's website to scout out nutritional information and plug a few options into the PointsPlus® calculator. Jot down the best bets or email them to your smartphone. Narrowing down your selections before you're ravenously hungry will make it easier to follow through with smart choices.
Pack snacks to balance your meal. You don't have to load up a minicooler with food, says WeightWatchers.com nutritionist Leslie Fink, MS, RD, but stash an apple or some baby carrots in your purse to munch along with whatever you buy at the food court. If you can't do the BYO thing, stop by the coffee kiosk or deli for a piece of fruit.
Consider restaurant-hopping. There's no rule that says you can buy food from only one vendor, says Fink. If you want some greens with your burger but the limp side salad sold alongside isn't appealing, hit the deli salad bar next (just be careful with caloric add-ons and dressings). Or get a bowl of steamed broccoli from the Chinese buffet to go with your grilled chicken sandwich.
Look for picks with protein. Whether you're after a snack or a meal, make sure it contains some protein, advises Fink. At breakfast, that means ordering scrambled eggs with your fast-food pancake. Looking for lunch? Think beyond the veggie-only salad - get a cheese-free soft taco to go with it. For a snack, why not have a small cup of fast-food chili? It's packed with protein and fiber for a PointsPlus value of 4. Another good light meal or snack choice is a small piece of plain thin-crust pizza, which clocks in at a PointsPlus value of 5 (just be wary of veggie toppings that may be sautéed in oil first).
Don't fall for "healthy" traps. Sure, a Cobb salad might look nutritious (all those veggies!) but cheeses, meats, eggs and avocado pack on the PointsPlus values (11, and that's without dressing). A soft pretzel may seem innocuous enough, but it doesn't offer much in the way of long-lasting satisfaction, and the small ones start at a PointsPlus value of 6 — and they only go up from there. Ditto a seemingly virtuous bran muffin, which will cost you a whopping 11 PointsPlus values. Trail mix, that convenience-store staple, is loaded with protein-rich nuts, but a quarter-cup (and let's be honest, who can stop there?) will set you back 5 PointsPlus values.
Make special requests (and don't be embarrassed)! Really, is the shame of realizing your pants are getting tight worse than the odd look the burger-stand server gives you when you ask to hold the cheese and mayo but load on extra pickles, lettuce and tomato? Speak up! Most places — even a basic fast-food joint — will accommodate your requests.
Downsize to satisfy cravings. If you just must have the burger and fries, go ahead — but make it a kid's meal. The smaller portion means fewer PointsPlus values. Also, trim excess where you can. Ordering a wrap at the deli? Eat half of it with the tortilla, and pick out the rest of the filling with a fork to save some PointsPlus values, suggests Fink.
Consider a sit-down restaurant. Or at least sit down for a while. "A lot of malls have higher-end restaurants, too," says Fink. "Depending on the time of day, it might not be that much more expensive or time-consuming to go to one, and you'll likely have more healthy options." If you end up snagging a seat at a food-court table, savor every bite and take a little time to relax there before you're ready to leave.
Account for treats. If it's a between-meal nosh you're after (or just something sweet to finish off a meal), go ahead and let yourself have a little something. A small soft-serve ice-cream cone is a perfectly respectable treat, clocking in at a PointsPlus value of 5. Another indulgent but sensible option is a single piece of nut-free chocolate from a fancy candy store. Buy just one, and really take your time savoring every last bit of it. Your taste buds — and your waistline — will thank you.

Remember:  Ask Yourself “Is This Food 
Worthy of Me?”


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 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.

This Week in the Meeting Room
When do you feel obligated to eat a certain
food? Why?
Join us at your meeting this week for “Food Pushers”
Member Recipes

Orange Cranberry Bundt Cake


yield: 16 SERVINGS
  • 3 cups +1 tablespoon of white whole wheat flour, divided (I use King Arthur Flour)
  • 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 large egg whites
  • ¾ cup low fat buttermilk
  • 1 (5.3 oz) container nonfat lemon or orange Greek yogurt
  • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a bundt pan with cooking spray and dust with a tablespoon of the flour.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining 3 cups of flour with the sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir to combine.
  3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and egg whites together until beaten. Add the buttermilk, yogurt, orange juice, zest and vanilla and whisk together until well combined. Stir in cranberries and then add the bowl of wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir together until flour is mixed in and a batter forms. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared bundt pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  4. Invert the pan over a cooling rack (I placed a cutting mat under the rack to catch the powdered sugar) so that the cake slides out onto the rack. Dust the powdered sugar over the top of the cake and serve.
WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PLUS:
4 per (1/16th) slice (P+ calculated using the recipe builder on weightwatchers.com) www.emilybites.com


Texas Beef Brisket

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Sauce Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups finely chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
2 packed tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 cup light soy sauce
1/4 cup dry red wine
1 tablespoon molasses

2 3 pound center cut beef brisket, well trimmed

Preheat the oven to 325F. Place a 24 inch length of 18 inch wide heavy duty aluminum foil in a 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Combine all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl. Place the brisket in the center of the foil. Pour the sauce over the meat. Bring the ends of the foil together; fold over and continue folding down to the top of meat. Fold the sides up to make a neatly sealed package. Bake 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until the meat is tender. Remove from the oven. Trim the excess fat and thinly slice the meat across the grain. Skim the excess fat from the sauce with a spoon or fat separator. Serve the defatted gravy over the meat.

Nutritional Information Per Serving; About 1/8 of recipe:
Calories: 261, Fat: 10 g, Cholesterol: 92 mg, Sodium: 444 mg, Carbohydrate: 10 g, Dietary Fiber: 1 g, Sugars: 8 g, Protein: 30 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 4 Lean Meat 

Breakfast Apple Crisp
Ingredients
• 4    apples,    chopped   
• 1    tbsp.    brown    sugar   
• 1    tsp.    cinnamon   
• 1    cup    old    fashioned    oats   
• 1    tbsp.    whole    wheat    flour   
• 1/4    cup    almonds,    chopped   
• 1/4    cup    brown    sugar   
• 1    tbsp.    butter,    room    temperature   
• 1/2    tsp.    cinnamon   
Instructions
1. Preheat    the    oven    to    350    degrees.   
2. Spray    an    8X8    baking dish    with    cooking    spray.    Add    the    chopped    apples    and   
toss    with    1 tbsp.    brown    sugar    and    1    tsp.    cinnamon.   
3. Using    your    hands,    combine    the    oats,    flour,    almonds,    1/4    cup    brown    sugar,   
1/2    tsp.    cinnamon,    and    butter    to    create    the    crumb    topping.    Spread    evenly   
over    the    apples.   
4. Bake    for    40-45    minutes.   
Serving size 1 Cup for 6 PP
Make-ahead: There    are    two    extra    servings    for    breakfast    during    the    week. www.slenderkitchen.com


HG's Candyland Peppermint Pie
Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of pie)
Calories: 202
PointsPlus® value 5*

Crust
4 sheets (16 crackers) chocolate graham crackers
2 tbsp. light whipped butter or light buttery spread (like Brummel & Brown)

Filling
1/2 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1 small (4-serving) box Jell-O Sugar Free Fat Free Vanilla Instant pudding mix
3 cups Cool Whip Free, thawed
3 tbsp. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 standard-sized peppermint candy canes, lightly crushed, divided
Optional topping: Fat Free Reddi-wip Directions:Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
To make the crust, crush graham crackers in a food processor or blender (or place in large sealable bag and crush with a meat mallet).
Transfer crumbs to a bowl and set aside.
Place butter in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted, about 15 seconds.
Add to the bowl of graham cracker crumbs and mix until uniform.
Spray a pie pan with nonstick spray. Evenly distribute crust mixture along the bottom of the pie pan, using your hands or a flat utensil to firmly press and form the crust.
Press it into the edges and up along the sides of the pan.
Bake crust in the oven until firm, 8 - 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
To make the filling, combine condensed milk, milk, and pudding mix in a large bowl. Mix well.
Fold in Cool Whip until smooth. Gently stir in chocolate chips and about 3/4 of the candy cane pieces.
Once crust has cooled completely, evenly pour filling into the pan.
Refrigerate until firm and chilled, at least 2 hours. (Overnight is best.)
Sprinkle pie with remaining candy cane pieces. If you like, top with Reddi-wip just before serving. Dig in!

MAKES 8 SERVINGS


Dreamy Magical Bars Made Skinny
Many of you know these outrageously delicious bars as Magic Bars or Hello Dollys. I’m calling them, “Magical Bars”
because they’re just that. In fact, they’re probably the best bars ever created, even this skinny version is pretty
amazing. They’re super rich and decadent. And just six ingredients layered right in the pan. They’re a whole lot
skinnier because I’m using reduced-fat butter, fat-free sweetened condensed milk and a lot less chocolate,
nuts and coconut. Each delectable bar has 133 calories, 6 grams of fat and 4 Weight Watchers POINTS
PLUS. Everybody will love them!
Ingredients
¼ cup reduced-fat butter
1¼ cup graham cracker crumbs
½ cup flaked coconut (sweetened)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14oz) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a 13×9 baking pan, generously coat all sides with cooking spray with flour, add the butter and place in the oven
to melt. This will take no more than a minute.
3. Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs evenly over the top of the butter and pat down a little. Do not mix.
4. Sprinkle the coconut evenly over the crumbs.
5. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the coconut.
6. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the chips. To make the milk easier to drizzle, place the can in a
bowl of hot water for a few minutes.
7. Top with the nuts.
8. Bake for about 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
9. Cut into 24 squares while still somewhat hot. If you let them cool they become very difficult to cut!
Makes 24 bars   www.skinnykitchen.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.
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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/.
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