MIDWEEK MINUTES September 23, 2017

September 27, 2017

MIDWEEK MINUTES September 23, 2017

Midweek Minutes

September 23, 2017

Hello, Winners!

Another month is coming to a close. October is Breast Cancer month, and WW is selling some new pink products. Buy one of them, and you receive a FREE tote (like the above picture).

The weather has been HOT! We just came off Homecoming Week, and now it's time to get my head in the game for the changes in weather. Those warm comfort-food meals CAN be lightened up.

So, with approximately 8 weeks until Thanksgiving, it's time NOT to get complacent about the program. As a rule, I love autumn. At our house, it's the beginning of the "holiday" season. What a super week we had weather-wise...even though we could use some rain.

My daughter's birthday starts the beginning of the holiday season around our house. There are also those ballgames, marching band competitions, harvest, and even hayrack rides...all which spell F-O-O-D to us. Don't deny it! (For me there's also the stress of the end of the first quarter at school coming up FAST!)

There was a time for me when October meant the start of "cook and eat it until January because, after all, it IS the holiday season"! Well, NOW we find better ways to celebrate than just with comfort foods.

What are some ways YOU can celebrate the season besides FOOD? I know, we DO live in the HEARTLAND where food IS a part of celebrations and get-togethers...so be smart in the supermarket. This is not only a great time of the year for walking, but also it's a great time for choosing healthy foods and heading off that "Bermuda Triangle."

How are you doing on your Tracking Challenge? Come to your meetings, and let's get gorgeous for the winter season! It’s POTLUCK Monday in Superior. We’re getting BETTER at the MEG computer too!

See you lighter at the next meeting! -Zig

Member Milestones

Total Loss: -30.6 lbs.

People power has always been a cornerstone of the program; gathering regularly with other like-minded people is what helped Jean Nidetch, the founder of Weight Watchers®, to lose weight and keep it off. She recognized that the encouragement, ideas, and accountability acted like glue, helping members stick with the program.

Nowadays, of course, you can meet IRL (in real life) at your meeting—or virtually: online, via Connect; download the WW Mobile app for iPhone and Android]to post and search for specific hashtags and members. Each way to be a WW member has its advantages! Meetings offer a few extra:

Illustration by Deborah DeLue.

Real-life Success Stories! Your meeting room team has lost weight following Weight Watchers, so they can share we-did-it insights and skills.

Accountability. There's power in (confidentially) weighing in, and then discussing the results with your meeting room team, who can cheer or troubleshoot with you right there at the scale.

Community. As you'll see in your Weekly, you'll learn new techniques together, share tips and pointers, and get motivated. The dynamic of doing it with other people at the same place and time can't be beat.

Time for yourself. Your meeting is a wonderful way to practice self-care, and put yourself first.

Your own success! The more meetings you come to, the more likely you are to lose weight on plan. Members who attend at least 12 of 24 meetings are 11.2 times more likely to reach their 5% weight loss goal at 6 months and 15.5 times more likely to reach their 10% weight loss at 6 months compared to those who attended fewer meetings. Check out this member's blog to see how meetings have helped him!

For a second year, the American Cancer Society and Weight Watchers are collaborating on Project L.I.F.T. — Live Inspired. Fight Together.—a movement that aims to inspire and guide breast cancer survivors tackling the unexpected weight gain that can occur post-treatment. Starting now through National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, show your support and join Weight Watchers and the American Cancer Society to help save lives from breast cancer.

Help Us Reach Our Goal

In addition to providing resources and guidance to survivors on ways to achieve holistic health post-treatment, Weight Watchers has set a goal to raise $100,000 by October 31 via the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® Events. Make sure to visit our National Partners landing page to contribute and help us reach our goal! We’ll continue to update you here on our progress.

How You Can Get Involved

• Walk with Weight Watchers and the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® Events. Join Weight Watchers members, staff, families, and friends in cities around the country as we unite and walk at Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® walks —the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks aim to honor survivors of breast cancer, as well as raise awareness about prevention, early detection, and living a healthier, full life post-breast cancer. To walk with Weight Watchers and help us reach our $100,000 goal, please go to MakingStridesWalk.org/weightwatchers.

• Check back here for news and updates including limited edition Project L.I.F.T. products (coming to meeting rooms and online this fall!) and other events we’ll be hosting between now and October.

Learn more about how to live a healthy post-cancer life, here.

By Shani Petroff

The past several months I’ve seen people (many that I love) hit weight-loss milestones, get engaged, have babies, hit New York Times best-seller lists, go on incredible vacations, get their dream jobs, and so on.

I truly am happy for them.

There’s also that little part of me that is envious. The part that wants to know will I get that, too? How long do I have to wait? Can I even achieve my ambitions if I try really hard? I want to fit in my goal dress, I want to get married and have children, I want my books to do extraordinarily well, I want, I want, I want….

Then I remind myself, comparing myself to others will never make me happy.

Yes, I have dreams and I have goals — but whether someone else achieves them or not doesn’t change my journey. Their path isn’t mine — and measuring myself by their accomplishments isn’t healthy. So instead, I’m trying to focus on what’s in my control.

Life isn’t a race, but if I’m competing with anyone, it’s myself. At the gym, I get on treadmills next to people who can run 5- and 6-minute miles. I can’t keep up. I can’t even come close. If we were in a race, there is no question I’d lose horribly. Initially, when I’d look over and see my neighbors’ times, I’d feel defeated. I was red-faced, sweaty, and out of breath after running a few minutes at 14 mph. But then I snapped out of it. Who cared if I couldn’t keep up? Getting healthy isn’t a competition. I don’t need to beat the guy next to me. He’s working on his own goals, and so am I. I’m not going to magically be able to run a 6-minute mile tomorrow. But if I keep working at it, I can go an extra minute at my speed. Or I can move to 13 mph. The only person I should be competing with is myself. I need to push myself to my own capabilities, not someone else’s.

Happiness and success are contagious. My brother and sister-in-law are doing amazingly well in their weight-loss efforts. They look fantastic and have more energy. Every time I see a picture of them, I smile. It makes me really happy. It also motivates me. It shows me it’s doable, and pushes me to get my butt in gear. Yes, I sometimes feel a tinge of embarrassment when I hit a roadblock or slide backward in my efforts, but then I remember — they’re rooting for me, just like I’m rooting for them. They’re not going to love me any less if I don’t keep up. They’re my team. I applaud their successes, mourn their losses, and root for them along the way. And they do the same for me.

Let it out (the right way). It’s hard not to let the little green-eyed monster slip in every so often. I’m on a bunch of social media platforms — Connect, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. — and there are some amazing posts about accomplishments and fun and exciting things that people have done. It’s human to feel like you’re not measuring up, but there are places to express this. Go to the gym and literally work out the frustration, talk with a friend (not the one who posted — because that’s just rude), and then work on yourself. If I want to sell more books, I need to write them. If I want to have an active social life, I need to go out more. If I want to lose the weight, I must follow the Weight Watchers plan. I’ve seen people try to squash other people’s achievements, and I find that so upsetting. Somebody’s success doesn’t mean you can’t have it, too. We need to lift each other up so that we can all rise to the top!

Realistic expectations. I’m not saying don’t be a dreamer. Dreaming is great. I have huge aspirations. But I also know that I can’t snap my fingers and magically be a billionaire and have everything my heart desires. I have to go after my goals — and I plan to! As I do, I’m also going to appreciate what I have, celebrate my accomplishments, and the accomplishments of those around me. Life isn’t a race, we’re all in this together!

How do you keep from comparing yourself to others? You can find me on Connect @shani!

Member Recipes

Pecan pumpkin pinwheels

Author: Drizzle Serves: 20 2SP/1PP each

1 package Pillsbury reduced fat crescent rolls
½ cup pure pumpkin puree (see picture)
2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp chopped pecans
¼ tsp sugar
¼ tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Unroll your crescent dough and separate into two pieces (4 crescent rolls to each piece) pinch together any holes there might be.
Spread ¼ cup pumpkin puree onto each piece of dough, top each with 1 Tbsp of honey (you may want to put in a small zip lock bag, cut of tip and drizzle, to spread evenly) top with 1 Tbsp chopped pecans on each piece.
Roll up dough pieces (long way) and put in freezer for 30 minutes.
After they come out of freezer preheat your oven to 375F and spray a large baking sheet with some cooking spray.
Using a serrated knife cut each roll into 10 pieces, I find the best way to cut is slowly cut into your dough then once you have broken through push down quickly to finish your cut. Place pinwheels on cookies sheet, you may want to use a knife to help place them so they don't stick to whatever you cut them on.
Mix your sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle on top of pinwheels.
Bake in oven for approx 10-12 minutes until dough looks golden brown ..Serve warm.
Makes 20 pinwheels at 2 smart points each (1 point plus, old WW program)
Nutritional info per piece..Calories 48...Fat 2g...Sat fat 0.6g...Carbs 7.4g...Fiber 0.3g...Sugars 3.1g...Protein 1g

Creamy potato & cauliflower cheesy soup

Author: Drizzle me skinny Serves: 8

4sp or 3pp per serving

4 medium peeled white potatoes
½ head of chopped cauliflower
1 small chopped onion
4 cups of broth (your choice)
½ cup milk (I use almond)
⅔ cup light grated mozzarella
2 Tbsp aioli sauce (optional)
2 Tbsp light cream cheese
salt/pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the potatoes, cauliflower, onion and broth in crock pot on high for 4 hours or low 6 hours.
Using a hand masher, mash up the potatoes and cauliflower while in the crock pot. Add the milk, cheeses and sauce and stir a few times.
Leave on low and allow cheese to melt for 10-15 minutes. Garnish with grated cheese and bacon crumbs..(optional and not incl in point value) 4sp or 3pp per 1 cup serving.
Nutritional info per serving (not incl cauliflower or onion) Calories.. 135...Fat 3.7g...Saturated fat 1.8g...Carbs 13.8g...Fiber 1.4g...Sugars 1.4g.. Protein 5g

Chili Wonton Cups

yield: 12 WONTON CUPS

INGREDIENTS:

¾ lb uncooked 95% lean ground beef
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
½ cup drained and rinsed canned kidney beans
1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
24 wonton wrappers
4 oz 50% reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS:

Pre-heat the oven to 375. Lightly mist 12 cups in a standard muffin/cupcake tin with cooking spray and set aside.
Place the ground beef in a medium skillet and bring to medium heat. Use a wooden spoon to break it up into small pieces as it cooks. When the meat is breaking up and almost browned, add the onions and the garlic and stir together. Continue to cook another few minutes until the meat is browned and onions are softened.
Add the kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, salt, cumin and cayenne to the meat mixture and stir together until well combined. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until thickened.
Push a wonton wrapper into the bottom of each of the sprayed cups in the muffin tin. Using about half of the chili mixture, spoon evenly into the wonton wrappers. Sprinkle about half of the shredded cheddar evenly over the top of each cup. Press another wonton wrapper on top and repeat the layering steps with the remaining chili mixture and shredded cheddar.
Bake for 18-20 minutes until the wontons are golden brown and the contents are heated through. Remove the muffin tin from the oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes before removing from the tin.

WEIGHT WATCHERS SMARTPOINTS:

3 per cupcake (SP calculated using the recipe builder on weightwatchers.com)

Swedish Apple Pie Recipe

Makes 10 slices

For filling:

4 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into small chunks

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

¾ teaspoon ground cardamom

1 tablespoon sugar

For topping:

6 tablespoons butter, melted

¼ cup sugar

¼ cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 ¼ cups rolled oats

¼ cup flour

Heat oven to 350 F and spray non-stick coating on a 9-inch pie plate. In a large bowl mix apples, cinnamon, cardamom, and sugar and add to pie plate. Add the butter, sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, oats and flour to the bowl and mix until blended. Top the apples and bake for 40-50 minutes until the topping is brown and the apples are soft.

For one slice = 184 calories, 7.8 g fat, 4.5 g saturated fat, 27.6 g carbohydrates, 14.3 g sugar, 2 gprotein, 3.6 g fiber, 51 mg sodium, 7 SmartPts

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
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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/.Find us on FB and ask to join our own private support group!

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