Dear Weight Watchers Friends,
I apologize for getting this newsletter off a little late--I've had a super busy (but fun) week. For example, yesterday (Saturday, Sept. 20), I got up early and met with two friends from Weight Watchers (both are leaders--one a member of our Tuesday night group) and we hiked Mount Timpanogos (it's a GREAT way to earn Activity POINTS, by the way) and then took the tour of the caves. The hike was wonderful (yes, challenging), the canyon was beautiful, and the caves were fascinating. I can now check this off my life's "to do" list, and I definitely know more about stalactites and stalagmites! I'm thinking I'll need to make this hike AT LEAST an annual event. Anyone interested in going next year? I'm game.
Next, I attended a wedding shower for our beautiful Tuesday night member, Shae--hosted by Lyddia--and had a chance to celebrate Shae's upcoming marriage, AND socialize with two more our wonderful WW members and their families!
Finally, last night I had the complete privilege and honor of seeing David (another WW member who will soon be joining our Tuesday group) perform in the musical production of "Big" (Hale Centre Theatre). David is extremely talented (man, can that guy sing, act--and DANCE--which is a perfect tie-in to this coming week's meeting topic), and it was the perfect end to a perfect day!
I've come to the realization that not only has WW changed my life in so many POSITIVE ways, but the majority of my dearest and closest friends are also WW members! I continue to find reasons to be grateful for my membership in this incredible organization.
Some of the highlights from this week's meeting:
The topic for the meeting this week was, "It's All in Your Mind: Managing Your Thoughts." We talked about the dangers of all-or-nothing thinking, self-fulfilling prophecies, and absolute thinking. Now that we're more aware of the dangers of these types of destructive thinking, I'm confident that we'll all be able to work on them until they're eliminated from our thoughts (and lives)!
- The member discussion during this meeting was one of the best ever! We had so many incredible comments and gained amazing insights from each other. For example, Don shared that he has read and learned that when you think, act, or say things in a positive way--EVEN IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THEM--those thoughts, acts, or comments will POSITIVELY affect your life. You will eventually come to believe them. (Eleanor confirmed that she'd had personal experience with this, too, and shared a great example.)
- Stephanie shared that she'd overindulged at her birthday celebrations (plural) and was feeling bad about her behaviors. Many members shared that (a) although she might have gained 2 lbs., she COULD have gained 5+, (b) it's one time a year, and (c) the most important thing was that she turned it around, picked herself up, and got right back on that horse! (I believe you'll appreciate the comment Stephanie shares with us at the end of the "Pineapple Angel Food Cake" recipe.)
- Another favorite comment was a quote I've heard before (and love): "When you are struggling and have a bad week, you need the meetings; when you're doing well and in control, the meetings need you!" Either way, the meetings are critically important to our success on this program.
- There were so many other wonderful comments made Tuesday night--and I have personally thought (over and over again) about our discussion. I'm confident that if you attended last week's meeting, you are definitely grateful you were there. I know I am!
Next week's meeting:
The topic for the meeting the week of Sept. 21-27 is: "Dance It Off." We'll learn how any lingering negative thoughts about exercise can switch to positive ones when we learn how to "Dance it Off."
Upcoming Events:
Make sure you've calendared the October 11, 2008 "Making Strides for Breast Cancer" walk/run at
Once again, there were many successes this week on the scale (and otherwise). Keep up the GREAT work, my friends. I'm very proud of you.
Our recipes come to us from Annette (a WW member in
If the recipes don't include the POINTS values, you'll need to just calculate the POINTS for each ingredient, total them up, then divide by the number of services. Also, if YOU have a favorite recipe that you'd like to share with us, please let me know. I'd be more than happy to include your recipe in future newsletters.
Recipes:
Chicken Avocado Tortilla Soup
(Makes 6 servings)
1/3 chopped onion
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
3/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp pepper
6 cups chicken broth
1 can 14 oz diced tomatoes
1 4 oz can diced green chilies
6 corn tortillas (6 in size)
3-4 chicken breasts
celery, carrots, zucchini, added optionally, which I prefer
Toppings: all optional
1 firm ripe avocado
1/4 chopped fresh cilantro
salt
1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese (I use fat free)
sour cream (I use fat free for this too)
In the sauce pan, saute onions, garlic, spices. Add broth and canned items, and raw chicken and veggies cut to small pieces. Cut tortillas into strips. Cook all together until chicken is done, about 20-30 minutes.
Top with chopped avocado, cilantro and cheese.
Sopa De Lima (Lime and Tortilla Soup)
(Makes 6 servings)
1 lg red or green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 onion minced
1 clove garlic minced
2 TBSP oil
2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
3 fresh jalapeno or serrano chilies, seeded and minced
6 cups chicken broth
1 lime, halved, juiced and saved shells of soup
6 sm corn tortillas, cut into strips
1 1/2 c coked and shredded chicken breasts
salt and pepper to taste
6 lime slices for garnishes
Same prep as above ... saute pepper, onion and garlic. Add tomatoes. Cook 2 minutes. Add chilies, broth, lime juice and shells. Bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes. Discard lime shells. Put sliced tortillas in soup and simmer until the tortillas dissolve into the soup. Add the chicken to broth. Serve. Float a lime slice in each bowl. Garnish with fried tortilla strips (optional).
PINEAPPLE ANGEL FOOD CAKE
Ingredients:
One 20 oz. can of crushed pineapple
One box of Angel Food Cake Mix
One tub of Fat Free or Light Cool Whip (thawed out)
Add one 20 oz. can of pineapple to a package of angel food cake and mix well together.
Let mixture sit for 15 minutes. It will rise so put it in a large bowl.
Put mixture in a 13"x9" cake pan and cook. (Follow the instructions of Angel Food Cake Mix for length of time and temperature of oven.)
When Cake is finished baking, it will be a golden brown. Let it cool completely.
Top with cool whip and serve.
I'm not certain how many POINTS this cake is but I'm CERTAIN it is less points than chocolate cake with fudge frosting.
Following up on our meeting last week, I will leave you with these thoughts:
Motivational Quotes
The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants from life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to believe that it is possible.
— Richard M. DeVos
"Our attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working 24 hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force."
— Tom Blandi
I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday evening--same time, same place. I have my fingers crossed that some major headway will have been made on the 33rd South road construction!
Warmest regards,
Debra
