MIDWEEK MINUTES April 16, 2016

 
Midweek Minutes
April 16, 2016
 
 
Hello, Winners!
 
I just got home from running around all over the place.  I’m doing last minute prom stuff...had to grab some extra decorating stuff...looked for a pair of earrings in 4 stores...got the mani-pedi treatment (now I can wear sandals and not be ashamed)...and did the grocery shopping.  Now, my dishes are in the dish washer...have to do a few loads of laundry...and write this newsletter!  Then, I shall take a break and watch Outlander while I eat supper.  I have read all of the books in the series except her last one (it’s what I do over the summer at the pool), and I am a big fan of the series on Starz.  It’s part of my Me-Time.
 
I have had a crazy week, and since this coming week is prom, it WILL be crazier!  This year will be my 34th consecutive prom.  People ask me either “are you still teaching” or “when are you going to retire”?  It crosses my mind from time to time, but I am not ready.  I mean, Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, and Bernie Sanders are older than I am, and they are running for President?  They aren’t retiring.  (I don’t know how old John Kasich is, but I think he’s up there too!) 
 
As long as my health holds up, I don’t go insane, and I see more positives than negative, I guess I will keep doing what I am doing.  I owe so much of my energy and fitness to Weight Watchers.  There are times when I do feel as though I just want to be a beach bum for the rest of my days, but what teacher isn’t thinking that as a school year comes to a close!  Haha!
 
I’m going to keep this short as I have a date with Claire and Jamie.   Enjoy the much needed rain, and I hope it doesn’t go overboard!
 
See you at the next meeting! –Zig
 
A splash or two of whole milk in your morning cup of joe. A refreshing smoothie after your workout. A glass of wine with dinner. These might not sound like much on their own, but when you add up the SmartPoints® values of everything you drink throughout the day—especially if you’re just estimating serving sizes—the number might surprise you.
This week’s topic encourages you to “rethink your drink.” There’s no need to swear off your favorite drinks altogether, of course. But it pays to be savvy about what you’re sipping. The Weekly gives the SmartPoints lowdown on some popular alcoholic libations, along with handy facts to keep in mind. So whether it’s happy hour, a coffee break, or a post-workout , check out these strategies for choosing wisely.
  • Give water a makeover. H20 should be your go-to beverage, but if you find it boring after a while, jazz it up with fresh mint or crushed berries, citrus or cucumber slices, or a squeeze of fresh lemon or orange. Or step up your water game with our Kiwi Fizz—just 1 SmartPoints value! On the go, try our flavorful Water Enhancers—they’re 0 SmartPoints!
  • Plan for it. As you might do for meals and snacks, it’s a smart move to plan for drinks that have SmartPoints. Just because you don’t chew them doesn’t mean they don’t count, so factor beverages into your daily Budget.
  • Size things up. At home, practice measuring out 5-, 8- and 12-fluid ounce servings of water (or any other drink) in different glasses—some tall and thin, some short and wide, some stemmed and curvy. Take a mental snapshot to have a good portion frame of reference. Of course, our Portion Control Glassesmake the job easy, with discreet lines marking off portions!
  • Beware “healthy” landmines. Store-bought smoothies can really be a meal in a glass, with tons of sugar and SmartPoints, too. Blend your own at home using just fresh or frozen fruit, ice, and low-fat or fat-free yogurt so you know exactly how the ingredients add up.
  • Swap what you’re sipping. Instead of a 20-fl oz full-fat latte (14 SmartPoints), get an 8-fl oz cup made with fat-free milk, which has a value of just 3. Forgo lemon-lime soda (which can be as much as 9 SmartPoints for 12 fl oz) and opt for seltzer with lemon and/or lime juice (and a little artificial sweetener or a teaspoon of real sugar for 1 SmartPoints). Swap your 5-fl oz glass of white wine for a homemade spritzer with seltzer and shave the SmartPoints from 4 to 2.
 
 
  • Fancy a cocktail? Whip up a refreshing potion from the Weekly—it’s a sweet way to welcome the weekend with good friends. Raspberry-Lemonade Vodka Slushies are just 3 SmartPoints value per serving. Want more easy, plan-friendly cocktails? You'll find yummy ones like White Wine and Peach Sangria in our round-up
 
THIS WEEK ONLY!!!
Glow Box flash sale! Glow Boxes will be offered for $14.95 ($5 off) this week only.
 
 
 
 
Click on the link below to find some great meal ideas for one person!
 
 
 
 

What Types of Food Do You Share on Social Media?

Thursday, April 07, 2016
 
I take a picture of most of my meals before I have a bite. I do this to enjoy and share my meals, and also to tag restaurant locations so I remember them for future visits. So you can imagine that my smartphone photo library, as well as my Instagram account, is filled with food images! The Greek salad shown here, which I recently enjoyed at a local Mediterranean restaurant, is just one example. Many of the images I feature are of healthy meal ideas, but I also post the occasional decadent dessert.
A new study in the journal Appetite analyzed the types of food shared on social media, investigating Instagram sharing of food images by Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian teens. The study authors looked at what types of food items were shared and if these foods were healthy.
They studied more than 1,000 users, finding that 85 percent shared food photos. However, only 22 percent of photos contained fruits and vegetables — and 68 percent of the images showed foods high in calories but not in nutrients, such as cookies, pastries, soda, lemonade, chocolate, ice cream, and candy.
Although this study was done on teens, the end result of social media food sharing is the same: Other research shows that food images may affect brain activity related to appetite — so posting more images of healthy food may help your social media pals eat healthier, too!
What are your thoughts on this topic? What types of food images do you share on social media?
 
 
 

In the May/June Issue of WWM:

  • Be inspired! 101 Ways to appreciate food and fun.
  • Body strong how to feed it, challenge it, and show it some love.
  • 11 incredible women bare it all. A Weight Watchers first!
Plus.....
  • 32 warm-weather recipes. (SEE BELOW FOR ONE)  Bring on the burgers, sides, cool treats and more.
  • Oprah's favorite workout.
  • One simple change for optimum health (you'll love it, we promise).
 
 
Turkey & Swiss Burgers with Mushrooms & Garlic Aioli recipe PPREP 25 MIN // COOK 12 MIN // SERVES 4

The mushrooms add moisture and meaty flavor.
BURGERS
1 c sliced cremini mushrooms
2 large shallots, chopped
1 Tbsp light mayonnaise
1 tsp minced fresh rosemary
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 lb ground extralean turkey (5% fat or less)
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper
TOPPINGS & BUN
2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms
2 large shallots, thinly sliced
½ tsp salt
½ tsp minced fresh rosemary
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp Dijon mustard
4 tsp light mayonnaise
1 tsp minced garlic
4 (¾-oz) slices reduced-fat Swiss cheese
4 light English muffins, toasted
4 lettuce leaves
4 tomato slices
1 Pulse first five ingredients in food processor until finely chopped; Fold mixture into turkey; shape into four 3½-inch patties. Season with salt and pepper; chill until ready to grill (up to 12 hours ahead). 2 Coat medium nonstick pan with nonstick spray; heat over medium heat. Sauté mushrooms, shallots, salt, and rosemary until softened, 5–6 minutes; add Worcestershire and Dijon, and set aside. 3 Make aioli: Mix mayonnaise and garlic in small bowl; chill. 4 Coat grill or grill pan with nonstick spray; heat to medium-high. Cook burgers, flipping once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F, 5–6 minutes per side. Top with cheese; cover to melt, 30 seconds. 5 Spread 1 tsp aioli on each English muffin bottom; top each with lettuce leaf, tomato slice, burger, ¼ cup mushrooms, and muffin top. PER SERVING (1 burger): 373 cal, 13 g total fat, 4 g sat fat, 997 mg sod, 35 g total carb, 3 g sugar, 6 g fib, 36 g prot. SmartPoints value: 8


Eating Fruit May Boost Heart Health

Friday, April 15, 2016
  One of my favorite things about springtime is the return of farmers’ markets in my neighborhood. I love taking a sunset stroll to pick up berries, apples, and more.
Eating fresh fruit can help your health in many ways: For one, fruit is 90 percent or higher in water so can help you stay hydrated — and help prevent overeating that can stem from dehydration.
Fruit intake is also linked with chronic disease prevention. And now, a new study in The New England Journal of Medicine shows that Chinese people eating fresh fruit daily (mostly apples and oranges) had lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels — and were also less likely to have a major cardiovascular event, such as a stroke.
Fresh fruit doesn’t have to be expensive: Try the tips for eating it on a budget in my recent “Yes, You Can Afford Fruits & Veggies” post. Consider adding fresh fruit to at least two eating occasions a day — for instance, have fresh blueberries with breakfast and a sliced apple with peanut butter as an afternoon snack.
What are your thoughts on this topic? How much fruit do you eat, and what are your favorite ways to do so?
 
 
 
 
Member Recipes
 
WEIGHT WATCHER'S MEXICAN CASSEROLE (pictured above)
Author: Jenna
INGREDIENTS
1 lb extra lean ground beef (drained or rinsed!)
½ cup onion (chopped)
¼ cup canned jalapeno slices, chopped
2 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped or 1 (15 ounce) can diced canned tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can kernel corn (drained)
1 (15 ounce) can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 (1¼ ounce) package taco seasoning mix
8 corn tortillas
¾ cup nonfat sour cream
⅓ cup reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend, shredded
⅓ bunch fresh cilantro, chopped, to taste (or less (or more)

INSTRUCTIONS
Brown ground beef and chopped onions in large skillet; brown 10 to 12 minutes or until thoroughly cooked, stirring constantly. Drain well and rinse with warm water to remove all fat; return beef/onions to skillet.
Add corn, black beans, tomatoes, chilies/jalapenos and taco seasoning mix; mix well. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes.
Meanwhile spray 12x8-inch (2-quart) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cut each tortilla in half; place 8 halves in bottom of sprayed baking dish, overlapping slightly.
Spoon half of beef mixture evenly over tortillas. Spoon sour cream over beef mixture; spread evenly. Top with remaining 8 tortilla halves and remaining beef mixture. (Cover tightly with foil & Freeze for later OR cook as directed below…).
(Thaw overnight if frozen) Heat oven to 350ºF. Bake at 350ºF for 25 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve with fresh chopped lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, black olives, etc…
Makes 6 large Servings SmartPoints: 10




LOW CARB PEPPERONI PIZZA CHICKEN
Author: Jenna

INGREDIENTS
1 jar (14 oz) pizza sauce, reduced to 1 cup
4 large boneless-skinless chicken breasts (6-8 oz. each)
1 T olive oil
1 tsp. Greek oregano
1 tsp. garlic powder
6 oz. piece of part-skim Mozzarella or reduced fat Cheddar Cheese
2 oz. sliced mini pepperonis
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 425.
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, greek oregano, and garlic powder.
In a 8X10 sprayed casserole dish, lay the chicken breasts down on the bottom of the pan. Brush the chicken with the olive oil, oregano, and garlic powder. Top the chicken breast with about two tablespoons of pizza sauce, one slice of cheddar cheese, and mini pepperonis.
Bake for 20 - 22 minutes or until the chicken is done.

NOTES: Servings 6
Smart Points: 5




LOW CARB/LOW SODIUM TACO SALAD
Author: Jenna

INGREDIENTS
1 head of iceberg lettuce, chopped
3 roma tomatoes
1 bunch of scallions chopped
1 pound of ground beef, lean
1 package of Mrs Dash Low Sodium Taco Seasoning
1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese
Catalina French Dressing
Optional toppings
½ cup of low sodium black beans (optional)
½ cup of low sodium corn

INSTRUCTIONS
Brown the ground beef and drain the fat. Add in the seasoning spice packet and ¾ cup of water. Let simmer until the beef has thickened up.
While the beef is getting brown, chop the salad, tomatoes, and scallions and prep all the rest of the ingredients. Top the salad with cheese and dressing. Beans and Corn are optional and not figured in nutrition info.

NOTES
4 servings SmartPoints: 5




Apple cinnamon crumble bubble up
Serves: 6
6sp per serving
Ingredients
1-7.5oz package pillsbury biscuits (In the 4 value pack)
3 Tbsp icing sugar (confectionery sugar)
1 tsp melted butter
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp water
4 large apples, peeled and diced (I used granny smith but any apple will do)
½ Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
For the crumb topping
2 Tbsp white sugar
3 Tbsp flour
1 Tbsp melted butter

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F, spray a 9x13 casserole dish with non stick cooking spray.
Mix your icing sugar, 1 tsp melted butter and water together in a small bowl.
Cut your 10 dough biscuits into 6 pieces each, dip all dough pieces into the icing and then spread into the bottom of your dish.
Mix your diced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon, spoon apples over dough pieces.
In a small bowl mix your white sugar and flour, stir in melted butter and mix until a crumble forms.
Sprinkle crumble evenly over apples & dough.
Bake in oven for approx 35 minutes, cut into 6 equal servings, optional to serve with some ice cream or cool whip.

Nutritional info (not incl apples) per serving.. Calories 155..Fat 3.7g..Saturated fat 0g...Carbs 28.8g... Fiber 0.6g...Sugars 10.8g...Protein 2.7g

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!
 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts