Beyond The Meeting Room

cauliflower crust pizza

2015-02-01T05:30:00.000-08:00

Can you tell the difference- which is the cauliflower crust and which is the regular crust? My friend Heather Henderson, took these pictures after she made these.... my son's guess was the top picture was regular crust.... take a look and see what you think.
\

Well here's what the results are........

The top crust is actually cauliflower

she got the recipe from the website:
http://www.theluckypennyblog.com/2013/02/the-best-cauliflower-crust-pizza.html?m=1
results of taste is that no one could taste the difference between the 2 crusts, same toppings, same everything except the crust!

fitness

2014-06-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

Terry is a personal trainer and also does courses at waterloo rec centre and breithaupt centre. She works with all ages and is a real awesome lady who also knows about how to eat right too! She teaches zumba (multiple types), yoga/pilates, strength training, she's certified in bowka- i'm not sure if she's teaching it in the fall or not.
She has a facebook page and her own website too here are the links:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Design-Fitness/723387251027116
http://designfitness.weebly.com/

zucchini chips

2014-04-29T19:17:00.000-07:00

Cut a zucchini into thin slices and toss in 1 Tbsp olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with paprika and bake at 450°F for 25 to 30 minutes. Using paprika not only to flavor this healthy snack, but also to boost your metabolism, reduce your appetite, and lower your blood pressure.

Summer time desserts... it's starting to get closer, we can see grass!

2014-04-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

I saw these on facebook and thought these might be good for summer holidays, the first one, a weight watchers member posted a comment too, so i'm guessing they are weight watcher point friendly, i don't know if they actually make 24 cupcakes in the first one, but all you use for the first is the cake mix, cool whip and a can of pop, then the weight watchers member posted alternate recipes. I thought it looked like good alternatives, and if it makes 24 cupcakes, i'm guessing 3 points maybe 4 tops.... but then i don't have a cake mix, and a can of pop and cool whip in front of me that i would use! the 2nd one no recipe posted, but i have an idea of what could be low in point that could make it look similar to that!

Creamsicle Cupcakes 3 ingredients White Cake Mix, Can of Orange Soda, and Frost with Cool Whip

Weight watcher recipe. also good...chocolate cake mix and a can of coke or can of root beer. Only. No eggs. No nothing. Besides the can of pop and dry boxed mix. Oh...and spice cake mix and a can of pumpkin...is also yummy

Angel food cake- made from scratch... or take the easy way out if you don't have time and buy the pre-made in stores.... cool whip is lower in point, or you could use icing, or do a mixture 1/2 and half! and strawberries... yummy summertime dessert!

red pancakes

2014-02-21T21:45:00.000-08:00

http://www.superhealthykids.com/blog-posts/power-puff-pancakes.php

These are beet pancakes- they are beet puree used in a pancake, the recipe is at the link above, take a look, talk about hiding healthy food and getting kids to eat their veggies, hmm... another way to get us to eat veggies maybe that we really aren't too fond of but are really good for us at the same time too!

sweet treat- only sugar in it is from the food, no sugar added!

2014-02-21T21:41:00.002-08:00

3 ingredient banana bread cookies- they are healthy!

2014-02-21T21:40:00.003-08:00

baked oatmeal to go- gluten free and diabetic friendly

2014-02-21T21:39:00.003-08:00

Baked Oatmeal To Go-- Instead of granola bars! Cheaper and you know exactly what goes in them! I have to make these!

Ingredients
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups applesauce, unsweetened...
1 banana, mashed
6 packets of Sweetleaf Stevia or 1½ teaspoons stevia powder or use ½ cup honey
5 cups, Old Fashioned rolled oats {Bob’s Red Mill}
¼ cup flaxseed meal
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
3 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2¾ cups milk
Optional toppings: raisins, walnuts, chocolate chips

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix eggs, vanilla, applesauce, banana and Stevia together in a bowl.
Add in oats, flax, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and mix well with wet ingredients.
Finally pour in milk and combine.
Spray a 12 and 6 capacity muffin tin with cooking spray or use cupcake liners. Pour mixture evenly into muffin tin cups.
If using toppings add them onto the tops of muffins now. If using fresh or frozen fruit, drop it right into the batter.
Bake 30 minutes until a toothpick in center comes out clean.
Cool and enjoy or freeze them in gallon freezer bags.

Nutrition Info (without toppings)

Servings: 18* Calories for one: 143* Fat: 4g* Cholesterol: 25mg* Sodium: 161mg* Fiber: 4g* Sugars: 4g* Carbs: 23g* Protein: 6g*

**Gluten Free & Diabetic Friendly**

inspirational aides

2014-02-21T05:42:00.002-08:00

On my mirror i have 2 full size sheets of paper with both of these, recently, i shared both these, once with a co-worker for her and her daughter, and the other with my son, i change the feminine words to masculine words for him. They are both inspirational to me, and something i needed!

Terry once told me:
Go in with a purpose no excuses, no shame and no frustration!!! onward and upward- every day is a new opportunity to do something cool. Here's an idea- say to yourself 1 thing that your proud of doing! Repeat it- write it down- say it!

On facebook i found
look in the mirror... go on. Take a really good look. She's still there. You know- the woman in you who DOESN'T give up; the one who's brave even when she's afraid.
*
The one who smiles through her tears and knows deep within that everything WILL be OK as long as she keeps believing in that beautiful woman staring back at her.

No bake watermelon cake and offers a paleo version too!

2014-02-21T05:34:00.001-08:00

No Bake Watermelon Cake

Ingredients:
Whipped cream or Coconut Whipped cream (Paleo Version)
1 Large Watermelon cut in a circle like a cake ...
Blueberries
Raspberries
Almonds

Instructions:
Cut your watermelon based on the photo tutorial in the post.
Pat the watermelon down with wipes to dry it.
Frost it with whipped cream
Add Almonds to the side
Decorate the top with fresh fruit of your choice. I like raspberries and blueberries.

Serves: 12

mudslide mousse shots 1 point yum!

2014-01-20T18:51:00.002-08:00

Mudslide Mousse Shots

Weight Watchers Recipe

Ratings (74)

1PointsPlus Value

Prep time: 20 min

Cook time: 0 min

Other time: 5 min

Serves: 16

Espresso-spiked chocolate pudding is layered with crushed chocolate wafers in this so simple dessert recipe.

Ingredients

2 tsp instant espresso

1 Tbsp hot water

1 package(s) fat-free sugar-free instant chocolate pudding and pie filling mix

1 1/2 cup(s) fat free skim milk

1 1/2 cup(s) fat free whipped topping, divided

16 item(s) chocolate wafer(s), lightly broken

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine espresso and water until dissolved; let cool to room temperature.
In another bowl, whisk together pudding mix and skim milk until well-combined; whisk in espresso mixture and then fold in 1/2 cup whipped topping.
Line up 16 shot glasses and spoon 1 tablespoon pudding in each one; top each with 1 1/2 teaspoons cookie pieces, 1 1/2 tablespoons pudding and 1 more teaspoon cookie pieces.
Garnish each with 1 tablespoon whipped topping before serving. Yields 1 shot glass per serving.

Notes

If desired, only use 1 cup skim milk and add half a cup Irish Crème liquor when you add in the espresso mixture. Garnish with chocolate-covered coffee beans (any changes to recipe could affect its Points Plus value).

The serving size for this recipe is 1 shot. Two of them have a PointsPlus value of 3.

refridgerator oatmeal

2014-01-09T19:06:00.002-08:00

one of my friends who has to have more natural foods due to restrictions with her cancer treatment posted this on facebook. However, it looks yummy. Chia seeds are available at select locations of shoppers drug mart, in either I believe jamieson or webber brand I believe. it is a name brand though.
http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal

inspiring quote

2014-01-01T07:12:00.002-08:00

The strength of a woman is not measured by the impact that all her hardships in life have had on her; but the strength of a woman is measured by the extent of her refusal to allow those hardships to dictate her and who she becomes. ~ C. JoyBell C.

sunday in the kitchen, whole grain challah, jewish new year

2013-12-28T21:22:00.000-08:00

Sunday in the Kitchen with Mark and Bruce: Whole-Grain Challah

A handmade bread to ring in the weekend, the Jewish New Year, and a week of great meals.

Article By: Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough COMMENTS (0)

Sad but true, most of us are all too busy. And true as well, we often only have time to cook on the weekends. That’s when we find ourselves making bread.
No, bread is hardly a meal. And yes, it does seem a little luxurious to spend all that time on bread. But there may be no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
To knead the loaf, working with your hands to create your food — it’s the very best way to get connected to what you eat, to feel your food in your bones (even in your fingertips). Invested in your food — quite literally, physically invested in it with bread-making — you’ll find that better choices are easier to make.
Despite the fear many of us have when it comes to bread-making, there’s really not much to it. The yeast does the heavy lifting. Your job is merely to make it so the yeast can succeed. But there’s the rub, what has pulled many of us back from our bread-baking dreams: It’s not always easy to get the atmospherics right. But don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Here’s how it goes:
1. Warm the mixing bowl. Run warm — not hot — tap water in the bowl, then dry it thoroughly. A warm bowl gives the yeast more freedom to play.
2. Similarly, if you store flour or wheat germ in the refrigerator, bring it to room temperature by setting it out on the counter for several hours (or overnight) before you begin making bread.
3. Make sure the eggs are at room temperature. Chilly eggs will take the edge off the yeast. Set the eggs in their shells on your counter for 15 minutes or submerge them in the shells in a bowl of warm — not hot — tap water for 5 minutes.
4. Figure out the best place for the bread to rise. How about near the heater in your house? Or in a back closet that’s always warm? Or on the kitchen stove, especially if you’ve heated up the burners earlier in the day?
5. Use fresh yeast. Check the expiration date on the packet. If it’s been in your pantry a couple of months, consider buying new.
After that, you’re on your way to the old-fashioned treat of fresh bread. As you probably know, we’re nuts for whole grains, so we’ve morphed a traditional egg-bread recipe into a heartier loaf with whole-wheat flour and toasted wheat germ, both of which give it a firmer texture.
Better yet, your work will pay off all week. We’ve got meals that use the day-old (or older!) bread: an easy bread salad, a slow-cooker breakfast treat, and a hearty gratin for a chilly evening ahead.
So let’s get to it!
About the whole-grain challah
Challah is a Friday-night staple in Jewish homes, the bread of the Sabbath evening meal. It’s also served at Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, usually in mid-to-late September; the bread is dipped in honey as a symbol of the hope of a sweet New Year. In the end, challah is arguably the best egg bread you can make — tender and light — a great Sunday kitchen project. We’ve renovated the traditional recipe for a sweet and healthy New Year — or just about any meal of the week.

Whole-Grain Challah

Makes 18 servings
PointsPlus® value | 4 per serving

Ingredients

3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp warm tap water (about 105°F)
1 Tbsp honey
One 1/4-oz package active dry yeast
3 Tbsp almond oil
2 large eggs, at room temperature, divided
1 tsp salt
2 cups bread flour
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
Cooking spray
2 Tbsp cool tap water

Instructions

Place warm water, honey and yeast in a large bowl or the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with dough hook. Stir until honey dissolves. Set aside for 10 minutes until yeast bubbles, is even a little foamy.
Stir in oil, 1 large egg, 1 large egg yolk, and salt, until egg and egg yolk are broken up. Add both flours and wheat germ; stir or beat at low speed until a stiff dough forms. (If mixture is too dry and crumbly to form a soft dough, stir in more warm water in 1-tablespoon increments until a dough forms.)
If you’re working by hand, dump dough onto a clean, dry, work surface; knead for 10 minutes. If you’re working with a stand mixer, knead at low speed for 5 minutes, according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Gather dough into a ball; set it in bowl. Turn dough over, cover bowl with plastic wrap, and set aside in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours. When you stick your fingers into the dough, the prints should not spring back.
Punch down dough; remove it from bowl. Divide dough into three equal pieces. Using palms of your hands, roll each piece into an 18-inch rope, slightly tapered. Lay the three ropes on work surface. Pinch together the three ends at top; braid three strands by pulling one outside (left or right) strand over middle strand (thereby creating a new middle strand), then repeat, alternating left and right sides as you use all the dough. When done, pinch together ends nearest you. Tuck pinched ends under loaf; transfer braid to a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet.
In a small bowl, whisk remaining egg white and cool water until foamy. Brush loaf with this egg wash. Set aside, uncovered, in a warm, draft-free place until dough rises by about 50 percent (not truly doubled), about 40 minutes.
Position rack in center of oven; heat oven to 375F. Bake for 20 minutes, or until well browned. A tap on sides of loaf should sound hollow. Cool on baking sheet for 20 minutes, then continue cooling on a wire rack to room temperature. Slice into 3/4-inch-thick slices. Store in a zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days — or freeze for up to 4 months.

Serving size: 1 slice

Sunday-night dinner
Open-faced sandwiches Since the bread will never be this fresh again, offer a variety of toppings for open-faced sandwiches. Try smoked salmon, sliced avocados, sliced tomatoes and lowfat cream cheese, or offer grilled zucchini strips, grilled eggplant rounds and purchased pesto, or have a platter of cold cuts along with antipasto fixings (roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, olives, etc.). Or do all three — and more! Even PB&Js will never be the same with homemade whole-wheat challah. Tips, hints and suggestions 1. Even though it’s fresh, feel free to toast the challah anyway. You’ll turn it crunchy with a soft, fresh interior — utter bliss! 2. Always use a serrated knife to cut challah. 3. Reseal the bread quickly in the zip-top plastic bag to maintain its freshness for the days to come.

Sunday-night dinner

Open-faced sandwiches
Since the bread will never be this fresh again, offer a variety of toppings for open-faced sandwiches. Try smoked salmon, sliced avocados, sliced tomatoes and lowfat cream cheese, or offer grilled zucchini strips, grilled eggplant rounds and purchased pesto, or have a platter of cold cuts along with antipasto fixings (roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, olives, etc.). Or do all three — and more! Even PB&Js will never be the same with homemade whole-wheat challah.

Tips, hints and suggestions
1. Even though it’s fresh, feel free to toast the challah anyway. You’ll turn it crunchy with a soft, fresh interior — utter bliss!
2. Always use a serrated knife to cut challah.
3. Reseal the bread quickly in the zip-top plastic bag to maintain its freshness for the days to come.

write a new you resolution

2013-12-28T21:18:00.003-08:00

Write a NEW YOU Resolution!

Do your resolution right this year, and write it down! We've created a fill-in-the-blank resolution form that will help you turn your wishes into dreams come true.

Article By: Melissa Sperl COMMENTS (0)

Story continues below ↓

Every year, when "Auld Lang Syne" is old news again and the New Year's Eve party hors d'oeuvres are all gone, we make New Year's resolutions. For many of us, one of these resolutions is to lose weight.
The difference between weight-loss success and forgotten by February? A plan. To help you put your resolution in writing, we made the fill-in-the-blank resolution form you see below. Print it out and grab a pencil ...
Whatever you want to be NEW about your weight-loss journey this year, put it in this form. Maybe you're just starting and you have quite a bit of weight to lose, or you've been at it for a while but you want to learn to feel comfortable with food. Figuring out the whys and hows of your weight-loss journey can make all the difference in whether or not you actually do it.
So -- get started on the path top a new you!

Real Resolutions

How to choose a New Year's resolution that you can stick with

Article By: Leanna Carpenter COMMENTS (0)

Story continues below ↓

In fact, we can’t even agree that it was the Babylonians that actually started the tradition. So, with 2012 under way, we asked the experts why resolutions fail and how you can make a resolution this year that you can stick with.
Each year, millions resolve to lose weight, exercise more, make more money and quit or cut back on a vice (such as smoking or drinking). While these are reasonable and often necessary changes to make, we have a difficult time seeing the resolution through. Experts say this is because we bite off more than we can chew—expecting sweeping results in a short amount of time.
“I believe that resolutions fail the overwhelming majority of the time because people initially set their goals too high or do not take the time to plan how they will accomplish their resolutions,” says Simon A. Rego, Psy D Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “It is not about the person. I believe that anyone can be successful in keeping their resolutions. They just need to put a little time and effort into planning and structuring their resolutions.”
David Epstein, MD, Market Medical Executive for Cigna Health Care of Ohio, agrees that resolutions need to be tempered and given much more flexibility to allow for success. His company did a study on resolutions and how successful they are and found that expectations are too high when the average person makes a New Year’s resolution.
“Intellectually, they know that they should make these changes. Maybe it’s a collective guilt trip over our indulgence as a society. We’re very into instant gratification and a ‘super size me’ society,” says Epstein. “But it’s a long term proposition and not a quick fix.”
Given that people often expect too much in too little time, Epstein and Rego say there is a process to planning a successful resolution—or any other kind of behavioural change, and it’s called the SMART theory.

SMART Theory
S-Specific: What exactly are you going to do? Make it clearly defined and simple. M-Measurable: How long? How much? What are the milestones you’ll reach along the way? A-Attainable: Make it reasonable. Don’t expect to lose 50 pounds in 3 months. How about 5 to 8 pounds a month for X amount of months? R-Rewarding: You have to stop and reward yourself along the way. Small rewards for reaching modest milestones will keep you motivated and keep you positive. T-Time-limited: Set an end date. That last thing you want to do is keep your resolution open ended, because you’ll have less focus. At the same time, make sure you give yourself enough time to attain your main goal.

SMART Theory

S-Specific: What exactly are you going to do? Make it clearly defined and simple.
M-Measurable: How long? How much? What are the milestones you’ll reach along the way?
A-Attainable: Make it reasonable. Don’t expect to lose 50 pounds in 3 months. How about 5 to 8 pounds a month for X amount of months?
R-Rewarding: You have to stop and reward yourself along the way. Small rewards for reaching modest milestones will keep you motivated and keep you positive.
T-Time-limited: Set an end date. That last thing you want to do is keep your resolution open ended, because you’ll have less focus. At the same time, make sure you give yourself enough time to attain your main goal.

With your new SMART thinking, coming up with a reasonable resolution should be fairly easy. And if you follow these rules, you’ll have a much better chance for success.
Rego, a cognitive behavioural therapist, says staying positive is a critical aspect of keeping your resolution. “We see negative mood states as being influenced by thoughts and behaviours. So, if the resolution appears to be slowly going awry, the key is to examine your thoughts and behaviours,” he says. “We all have an inner critic that comments on the world around us, but we do not have to listen to it. Focus on the benefits of achieving your resolution versus the costs in working for it.”
More good advice: Don’t go it alone. Epstein says clue your friends and family into what you’re doing. Not only will those people encourage you along the way, but you’ll also be publicly accountable for your resolution, giving you added incentive to see your resolution to fruition. With a positive attitude, you can adopt your new behaviour for life.
“We tend to be fairly optimistic, and think that if we try this year, we can do better,” says Epstein. “With the new year, we get a clean slate and we can let go of last year’s baggage.”
Now get to it.

(Location)______________

(Name)______________'s New Year's Resolution

It's a new year for a new me! This year, I will ______________. I'm doing it for ______________, because I want to feel ______________. I want to look ______________. And I want to know that ______________. This is the year I'll make it happen.

I know it won't be easy, but this is the year I'll overcome the things that have stopped me in the past, such as ______________, ______________, and ______________.

This is the year I'll dedicate myself to my weight loss journey. I'll do whatever it takes to make it to my goal and stay there, including ______________, ______________, and ______________.

I'm resolved, and I'm going to do it: This is the year I'm going to make my dream come true, my dream to ______________. This is the year!

2014 new year new you challenge edited: week 2 found!

2013-12-28T21:18:00.000-08:00

2014 New Year, New You Challenge: Week 4

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.

Article By: Elly Trickett McNerney COMMENTS (0)

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 4
If you've checked off the previous weeks’ food challenges, then you’re planning meals ahead and trying new ingredients and recipes. Fantastic! But for seasoned cooks and kitchen newbies alike, it can sometimes feel like you’re spending a whole lot of time in the kitchen. You are worth it, but everyone needs a little help — and fun — from time to time.
So, here’s another way you can bring a sense of newness and reinvention to your daily life: Invite your spouse, kids, best friend, mom, anyone, into the kitchen with you. Especially someone who doesn’t normally get involved. If you’re lucky, they’ll be your sous chef, taking care of the less glamorous tasks like peeling vegetables, deboning a chicken (if they’re ambitious) or cleaning up after you (if you’re really lucky). But even if they’re a passive presence, while you’re working away, talk about what you’re cooking, what memories the food you’re preparing has for you, and if you’re with the kids, take the opportunity to give them a science lesson as well as a cooking one. If they know what the seeds actually do in a fruit, or why vegetables have roots, they’ll be much more inclined to eat it when it’s put in front of them at the dinner table.
You could take cooking with friends one step further by starting up your own meal-preparation club. Pick a half-dozen Weight Watchers recipes, list all the ingredients you’ll need (remembering to multiply quantities by the number of portions you want to make), figure out who has the herbs and spices you’ll need, and divvy up the shopping list among you to buy the rest. On the day itself, put on some music, set up an assembly line, maybe even pour a glass of wine and get cooking!
We hope this 4-week Challenge has started you off on the right foot this year. Remember to visit our Community for more great Challenges.

2014 New Year, New You Challenge: Week 3

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.

Article By: Elly Trickett McNerney COMMENTS (0)

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 3
This week’s task is to move more. So, whatever your current activity level is, add five minutes a day. It’s as simple as that. If you’re not exercising yet, have a little fun and dance around your bedroom with music in your earphones. For the more self-conscious, a walk around the block is a great way to start. Five minutes is all we're asking yet, of course, your five-minute walk around the block might well turn into 10, 15 or even 30 minutes if the mood takes you. (Remember to talk to your doctor before setting out on any new exercise plan.)
And if you’re already active, you can either use those five minutes to extend your workout, or try something completely different — five minutes on the rowing machine might use muscles that your step class overlooked! If you’ve taken a class at the gym that has a fixed start and end time, then do a quick five minutes on the elliptical afterwards. Better yet, instead of just standing around in line waiting for the class to start, look down upon your classmates from the vantage point of an exercise bike, knowing you’re getting a far better warm-up than they are.
Either way, grab the opportunity to try something new — it’s only five minutes of your life. Be sure to come back next week for your week 4 task!

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.

Article By: Elly Trickett McNerney

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.

2014 New Year, New You Challenge: Week 1

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.

Article By: Elly Trickett McNerney COMMENTS (0)

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 1

You have two tasks this week: Something you can do right away, and something that will help you in the long term. For both of these, we encourage you to embrace the opportunity to believe in yourself and feel confident that you can change the way you think about yourself and your goals.
To that end, the long-term task is to think outside the scale. Set a goal for yourself that will see you through the 4 weeks of this Challenge and beyond, that has nothing to do with the numbers on the scale or on your clothing labels. Write it down and put it somewhere you’ll see each morning. What is it that you want to feel at the end of the 4 weeks? And how do you want to build on this momentum as we go into spring and beyond?
Only you can answer these questions, but here are some prompts for you. Think about what your decision to be healthier will do for you: Being a great role model for your kids? Wearing clothes with confidence? Accepting social invitations you might have turned down before, knowing you’ll show up feeling great?
Chew something new

As for the simple task you can do right away: Try a brand-new food this week, one you’ve never tried before. Try to choose a whole food rather than a packaged one — a fruit, vegetable, protein or grain. To get ideas, check out our list of pantry staples that are a cut above the usual. For more shopping tips, subscribers can check out our shopping Spaces tool.
That's it for week 1. Come back next week to get your next task in the 2014 New Year, New You Challenge. Good luck!

thoughts to think about, may be helpful

2013-12-28T21:10:00.001-08:00

veggiebread house!

2013-12-26T17:39:00.001-08:00

one of my friends did this for Christmas but how much fun could it be for new years, someone said cream cheese held it together, but could maybe try hummus too, homemade tends to be a little thicker I believe!

peach stuffed french toast

2013-12-24T19:30:00.002-08:00

this recipe makes me want to run to the store and get the ingredients too bad their closed till the 26th/27th!

Peach-Stuffed French Toast

Weight Watchers Recipe

Ratings (1)

5PointsPlusValue

Prep time: 20 min

Cook time: 12 min

Other time: 0 min

Serves: 4

This stuffed French toast makes a very hearty breakfast accompanied by some yogurt.

Ingredients

4 small peach(es), (or 2 large peaches)

2 tsp regular butter

2 Tbsp sugar

4 slice(s) Italian bread, or any whole loaf, cut 1-in thick

1 large egg(s)

2 item(s) egg white(s)

1/4 cup(s) fat free skim milk

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/8 tsp ground cinnamon, for garnish

Instructions

Cut a small x in bottom of each peach, just through skin. Place in boiling water for 30 seconds, then plunge in cold water. Skin will now easily slip off. Cut skinned peaches in half, remove pit and cut into 1/2-inch (1.5 cm) cubes.
In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add peaches and sugar and cook until peaches are very soft and starting to turn golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
With a bread knife, cut a pocket into each of 4 slices of bread. Spoon peach filling into pockets.
Whisk egg, egg whites, milk and vanilla until well-blended. Dip both sides of each stuffed bread slice into egg mixture.
Cook on a large nonstick sauté pan or griddle coated with cooking spray over medium heat until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Garnish with powdered cinnamon.

© 2013 Weight Watchers International, Inc. © 2013 WeightWatchers.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
WEIGHT WATCHERS and PointsPlus are the registered trademarks of Weight Watchers International, Inc. and are used under license by WeightWatchers.ca, Limited.

holidays in the slow cooker, 3 recipes: breakfast, lunch/dinner

2013-12-24T19:26:00.000-08:00

Holidays in the Slow Cooker

Every month, enjoy the simple but elegant pleasures of a delicious, easy-to-prepare meal.

Article By: Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough

Busy or not, here we come. Every month, "A Cut Above" serves up new recipes, cooking tips and ideas for dishes that are elegant in taste and presentation, yet simple enough to prepare and enjoy in a snap.
Bruce is a trained chef. Which means that when we first met, he didn't have patience for kitchen gadgets. A knife and a wooden spoon — those were his tools. Otherwise, he had great cookware but contempt for most appliances.
Which included slow cookers and all those fantastic braises that come out of them. "You can do that in a pot," he said.
My Southern roots were not to be denied. You might be able to make that in a pot, but a slow cooker makes it better. There's something about that slow heat, the even cooking, and the way every single drop stays in the stew.
I made a chili one day years ago when he was out running errands for the day. "What smells so great?" he asked when he got home.
Voilà, a convert.
Especially during the holidays. When the house is full of company, nothing beats this kitchen appliance for making a meal easy.
So here are three dishes for the month ahead: a wintry, root-vegetable side dish that'll go well with whatever you're fixing for dinner or a holiday meal; a chili for those times when you'd rather not fuss at the stove (probably because you've cooked enough already); and even a breakfast oatmeal that's ready whenever your guests and family get up, a starter for the chilly day ahead.
Break out the slow cooker! It's the one appliance even a trained chef can learn to love.
About the Slow-Cooker Spiced Roots
Here's a great side dish for your next holiday meal. Best of all, you don't have to take up valuable oven space when the turkey or roast beef is waiting to go in. Rutabagas are large and round, sometimes sold as yellow turnips, and almost always waxed for storage. Make sure you get every bit of the peel off the root before you cube and cook it.

Slow-Cooker Spiced Roots

Makes 8 servings

PointsPlus™
value | 5 per serving

Ingredients

4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch sections
5 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch sections
1 medium rutabaga, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
8 pitted prunes
1/4 cup honey
1 Tbsp finely grated orange zest
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
About 1 cup reduced-sodium vegetable broth (or more as necessary)

Instructions

1. Mix the carrots, parsnips, rutabaga, sweet potatoes, prunes, honey, orange zest, cinnamon and salt in a 3-quart (or larger) slow cooker.
2. Pour in the broth so that it comes halfway up the vegetables.
3. Cover and cook on low until the vegetables are tender, 8 to 10 hours.
Serving size: 1 cup

About the Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili
This vegetarian chili will let you enjoy your holiday guests without spending too much time in the kitchen: Toss everything into the slow cooker and let it go until it's utterly irresistible. Better still, make it a day ahead and so the flavors can fully develop in the fridge overnight.
Serve with minced red onion, cilantro leaves, or even a little low-fat sour cream on the side to garnish the bowls. Want to add even more flavor? Crumble in 1/2 pound turkey sausage, casings removed, along with the other ingredients. (That'll increase the PointsPlus™
values to 5 per serving.)

Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili

Makes 8 servings

PointsPlus™
value | 4 per serving

Ingredients

8 cups peeled, seeded, diced butternut squash (about 2 medium butternut squashes)
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
2 (15-oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (28-oz) can reduced-sodium diced tomatoes
1 cup reduced-sodium vegetable broth
2 Tbsp ground cumin
2 Tbsp dried oregano
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Mix everything together in a 3-quart (or larger) slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, until the squash is tender. .
Serving size: 1 1/2 cups

About the Slow-Cooker Pumpkin OatmealSteel-cut oats are a favorite because of their nutty, firm texture. But who has the time to make them, what with all the soaking, roasting and simmering? The answer lies in a slow cooker. Here's a winter-morning warmer, perfect for that holiday weekend when the house is full of guests.

Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Oatmeal

Makes 8 servings

PointsPlus®
value | 5 per serving

Ingredients

6 cups water
3 cups peeled, seeded, diced pumpkin, preferably from pie pumpkins or sugar pumpkins
1 1/2 cups steel-cut oats
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground or grated nutmeg

Instructions

1. Put everything in a 3- to 6-quart slow cooker. Stir well.
2. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Stir well before serving.
Serving size: 1 cup

crab rangoon 5 points

2013-12-24T19:24:00.002-08:00

Crab Rangoon

Weight Watchers Recipe

Ratings (42)

5PointsPlusValue

Prep time: 18 min

Cook time: 20 min

Other time: 0 min

Serves: 6

These crunchy wontons are stuffed with a savory combination of crabmeat, cream cheese and vegetables.

Ingredients

2 spray(s) cooking spray

2 tsp olive oil

2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced

2 medium uncooked scallion(s), minced

2 Tbsp snow peas, chopped

6 oz canned crabmeat, drained

4 oz low fat cream cheese

2 tsp low sodium soy sauce

24 item(s) wonton wrapper(s), half of a 12 oz package

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, scallions and snow peas and sauté until just tender, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in crabmeat, cream cheese and soy sauce with a wooden spoon; mix gently to combine.
Place wonton wrappers on a flat surface. Drop crab mixture by teaspoonfuls onto the center of each wrapper. Dip a finger into water and use it to moisten edges of wrapper; fold over one corner of wrapper to make a triangle and press sides together to seal. Create decorative lines along the edges of the wontons by pressing the tines of a fork along the bottom edge of each wonton.
Transfer filled wontons to prepared baking sheet and coat with cooking spray. Bake until wontons are golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Yields 4 pieces of crab rangoon per serving.

Notes

Serve with reduced-sodium soy sauce mixed with chopped scallions or prepared sweet-and-sour or duck sauce, if desired. Just make sure to account for any increase in PointsPlus values.

© 2013 Weight Watchers International, Inc. © 2013 WeightWatchers.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
WEIGHT WATCHERS and PointsPlus® are the registered trademarks of Weight Watchers International, Inc. and are used under li

new years primer

2013-12-24T19:23:00.001-08:00

New Year's Party Primer

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=47251

Yes, you can celebrate your personal successes this year without tossing all your healthy habits out the window. Here's how.

Article By: Leanna Carpenter

You've worked hard this year, eating right, staying active, and getting closer and closer to your weight-loss goals. Why not celebrate on this, the biggest party night of the year?
Whether you keep it mellow with friends and loved ones at home or dress up for the biggest bash in town, chances are food and drink will figure heavily in your evening plans. And that’s the problem; Celebrate a little too much and you can derail your weight-loss efforts, setting you up for disappointment and regret on January 1. We enlisted the help of several experts to give you inside tips on how to ring in the New Year without racking up the extra calories.
As with any big event, preparation is key. It’s what you do before you go out on New Year’s Eve that will help you manage the evening. Scheduling in some physical activity will not only give you a workout to help offset some of the extra-rich foods you’ll eat that night, but it will immediately put you in a healthy mindset. That mindset will help you determine your limits and goals for the evening, says Jacqueline Odom, PhD, director of psychology for the Beaumont Weight Control Center.
“It's important to plan in advance what you'll eat and drink," says Odom. "You need to decide if you want to let loose and pay a big price, like feeling physically sick and guilty due to overeating, or enjoy New Year's Eve without overindulging. But without a plan, you will be tempted by what is around you.”
To help ensure that New Year’s Eve is a day and night for weight-loss success, Odom suggests a healthy mental checklist:

Dr. Odom’s Tips
Develop a healthful eating plan for the day. Get more exercise than usual. Increase your fluid intake. Stay in the moment. Don’t beat yourself up over what you consume today or any other day. Stay positive. This is about progress...not perfection.

Once you add booze to the mix, you’ve got the potential for serious overeating — and overdrinking. And once you get started, alcohol can have a domino effect: You get a little buzzed and you eat more, then you get more buzzed and eat some more. Before you know it, you’ve had too many of the empty calories in the alcohol, and you’ve chowed on the buffet table because you’ve got the drunken munchies. That's a big-time red flag here.
“Never have two alcoholic drinks back to back,” she advises. “Have a glass of water in between. And, if you happen to make a bad decision, like that shot of Jägermeister at midnight, don’t let it spiral out of control. Put on the brakes and think about how you’re going to feel in the morning, both physically and psychologically, if you don't stop now.”
Alcohol can be a negative catalyst, notes Odom. “Alcohol lowers inhibition and interferes with good decision-making,” she says. “In addition, it's very high in calories and not good for the liver. Our goals can be weakened while under the influence, and we can give in to food urges more easily.”

More Quick Tips
Physically stay away from the food and the bar if you can. Don’t sit at the bar. Make yourself have to walk back through the crowd to get another drink or some food. Make sure you’re dancing and talking. Walk from one party to the next, if you can, to get a little more exercise. Socialize. The more you can be distracted from the food, the better. And if you can’t see it, you won’t want it as much. Be choosy about what you eat that night and make it special. Eat the stuff you’d never usually eat. Make it count. Don’t blow your *PointsPlus®* values on breakfast and lunch that day. Go super low onPointsPlus values for breakfast and lunch. And eat something with a low *PointsPlus*value before you go out.

More Quick Tips

Physically stay away from the food and the bar if you can. Don’t sit at the bar. Make yourself have to walk back through the crowd to get another drink or some food.
Make sure you’re dancing and talking. Walk from one party to the next, if you can, to get a little more exercise.
Socialize. The more you can be distracted from the food, the better. And if you can’t see it, you won’t want it as much.
Be choosy about what you eat that night and make it special. Eat the stuff you’d never usually eat. Make it count.
Don’t blow your PointsPlus® values on breakfast and lunch that day. Go super low onPointsPlus values for breakfast and lunch. And eat something with a low PointsPlusvalue before you go out.

happy holidays

2013-12-24T19:21:00.002-08:00

have a good holiday season remember it's not what you eat between Christmas and new years that matters but what you eat between new years and Christmas! Have a safe season!

did you know what apple cider vinegar can help?

2013-12-15T09:59:00.001-08:00

funny picture found

2013-12-14T08:21:00.002-08:00