a few words.....

There is no magic wand to cure obesity. Burning excess fat needs the spark of motivation and the fuel of will to sustain the fire that will eventually melt it. It means addressing issues about lifestyle, behavior and drivers of a general sense of well-being like adequate sleep and gainful, fulfilling physical activity, etc. The specific triggering motivators could differ between individuals and identifying them spells the difference between success and failure of a weight loss program.


Journals get to the point.
If nothing else, don't let yourself slack off on the journaling. It is essential to keep yourself in check. At least through your first year. Jot down those points, even on "bad" days. If you have no boundaries, how do you know when to stop? If you fall off the wagon, get back on. The program works if you work with the program. If you get off track, don't let yourself be discouraged. You are not a failure if you are trying.


Fancy meeting you here
If at all possible, attend local Weight Watchers meetings. I know Weight Watchers has a great web-based program, but nothing can replace the camaraderie of meeting with like-minded people. Then there is the sometimes dreaded, but more often enjoyed "weigh-in." The leaders usually have great recipe ideas and there are always great success stories to inspire you.

Hydrate That Body - Drink Water
Drink your water! Yeah, I know it isn't as tasty as a Diet Coke, but it is better for you. You will have to force yourself at first, but in time, your body will crave it and it will become easier. I've found that it works best for me to keep a water bottle at my desk (in my case, a MegaMug formerly used for coffee). I drink it down and then go fill it up again. Yes, I have to dash to the bathroom more often than I used to, but once you drink the water you should be drinking, there is a difference you can see. Clear = good! You can still have your soda and coffee, but work the water in somehow.

You are Beautiful - Diet with a Smile
Regardless of the weight you have to loose, you are still a wonderful and unique person. If you want to loose the weight do so because you want to and you are ready. You can't do it just to please someone else. Remember, you are amazing just as you are.

Ellen's PIZZA

I do not eat pizza now....usually.

I have made up my own style.I love this little devil!

1 Low Fat Tortilla

Salsa

1/4 c Low fat shredded cheese

3 oz. shredded chicken

mushrooms, broccoli, onions, peppers...what ever veggie you want!

Place the tortilla on a lightly greased cooking sheet. Spread salsa on the tortilla (draining off most of the liquid) place the shredded chicken, and veggies on top. Finally sprinkle the shredded cheese on top. Bake 350 for 15 min or until golden brown. (if you can wait this long)

Points will vary to ingredients~ but very low!

recipes.....

I am so willing to help out when I can. I had a request for a couple of recipes.....hope this helps!


Weight Watchers 1 Pt. Peanut Butter Cookies
Servings:
24

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon table salt
3 tablespoons reduced-calorie margarine , stick-variety
2 tablespoons reduced-fat peanut butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
cooking spray (2 sprays)
Directions:

1
Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl; mix well and set aside.
2
Combine margarine and peanut butter in a mixing bowl; beat on medium speed until blended and smooth. Gradually add both sugars and beat until blended; add egg white and vanilla and beat until smooth. While beating on low speed, gradually add flour mixture and mix until just blended.
3
Transfer dough to a large piece of plastic wrap and roll into an 8-inch log. Wrap log in plastic wrap and freeze for 2 hours. (Note: You can make the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and freeze until ready to bake.).
4
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat 2 large baking sheets with cooking spray.
5
Remove cookie dough from freezer and slice crosswise into about twenty-four 1/3-inch-thick slices; place slices 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake until golden around edges, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Yields 1 cookie per serving.
6
Flavor Booster: Browned margarine has a nutty flavor that enhances a peanut butter cookie. Melt the margarine in a small skillet until it sizzles and just begins to brown. Remove from heat and freeze for 20 minutes, or until firm, before using in recipe.


Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/weight-watchers-1-pt-peanut-butter-cookies-162383#ixzz1qjHjb7Mg

Weight Watchers Diabetic Blueberry Scones recipe
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries, picked over and rinsed
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3 tablespoons Splenda (plus more for sprinkling on top if desired)
4 tablespoons heart-healthy margarine
1/3 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1/2 cup egg whites, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon egg white (optional)
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, rounded
1/2 teaspoon salt, scant
1 teaspoon lemon zest, grated
Preparation
1. Adjust the rack to center of the oven, and heat to 400 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, sift together the two types of flour, 3 tablespoons Splenda, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the margarine until the largest pieces are the size of small peas.
3. Stir in the blueberries and lemon zest.
4. Using a fork, whisk together the milk and egg white in a liquid measuring cup.
5. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the cream mixture.
6. Stir lightly with a fork just until the dough in lightly mixed.
7. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and press/pat into an 8-10 circle.
8. Using a sharp knife, cut into eight wedges.
9. Transfer to the baking sheet lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
10. Brush the top with some egg white and sprinkle with Splenda if desired.
11. Bake for about 25-30 minutes (until golden brown).
12. Transfer the scones from the baking sheet to wire racks to cool.
WW POINTS per serving: 4
Nutritional information per serving: 193 calories, 6.2g fat, 2.6g fiber

Oatmeal-Raisin Bites

2PointsPlus Value
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Serves: 40
Small oatmeal raisin cookies with a big granola taste. They’re loaded with fiber and rank high on the hunger-busting scale.
Recipe Read All Reviews (1068)
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup(s) uncooked rolled oats
3/4 cup(s) whole-grain wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup(s) regular butter, softened
1/2 cup(s) packed brown sugar
1/4 cup(s) sugar
1 large egg(s)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup(s) raisins, chopped
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350ºF

In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; set aside. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and both sugars until incorporated. Add egg and vanilla; mix thoroughly. Add oat mixture and mix until just combined; fold in raisins.

Drop rounded teaspoons of batter onto 2 ungreased cookie sheets, about 1-inch apart each. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes for chewy cookies or 11 to 12 minutes for crispy cookies. Remove from oven and let cookies rest on cookie sheets for about 2 minutes; remove cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Yields 1 cookie per serving.

Weight Watchers Peanut Butter/Cool Whip Treat ONLY 1 Points+


Prep time: 10 mins

Total time: 10 mins

Serves: 12


Ingredients
◦3 Tablespoons Peanut Butter
◦1 small tub Cool Whip Fat Free
◦Hersheys Sugar Free Chocolate Syrup
◦


Instructions

1.Mix the Cool Whip and Peanut Butter together
2.Spoon into 12 lined cupcake tins
3.Drizzle with chocolate syrup and freeze
4.Each cup is worth approximately 1 point+. You can also skip the syrup and save a few calories.

How to Make Yogurt
Cheese






Yogurt cheese is not really cheese at all, but yogurt thickened
to a soft, cream cheese–like consistency. It's a delicious,
unique product—full of protein, calcium, and vitamins—that's
often used as a lower-calorie alternative to cream cheese or sour
cream. Yogurt cheese picks up the flavors of the ingredients it's
mixed with and makes a wonderful dip, spread, or pie and parfait
filling.
To make yogurt cheese, simply line a colander or sieve with
approximately eight layers of cheesecloth. Set the colander over a
bowl, and scoop the yogurt into the cheesecloth. Make sure the
whey dripping off is relatively thin and clear. If it's thick and
white, you are losing too much "curd" and do not have
sufficient layers of cheesecloth.
Allow one cup of yogurt for every one-third cup of yogurt
cheese called for in a recipe; half to two thirds of the yogurt
will be lost in the "cheesemaking" process, depending on
how long you drain the yogurt.
Let the yogurt drain anywhere from 1 to 12 hours, depending on
the desired thickness of the cheese; the longer it drains, the
thicker the resulting "cheese" will be. Refrigerate the
yogurt while it's draining, and store the finished product in the
refrigerator, where it will keep for about a week. To reuse the
cheesecloth, simply rinse it out and hang it up to dry.
Though most of my recipes using yogurt cheese call for plain
yogurt, you may use any flavored yogurt, as long as it contains no
fruit. Don't discard the whey! It contains valuable nutrients, and
you can use it as a substitute for milk or water in many bread,
muffins, or cake recipes.
When making a dip or spread with yogurt cheese, fold other
ingredients in gently. Avoid vigorous beating and mixing, and
never put yogurt cheese in a food processor.
The culinary possibilities of yogurt cheese are as delightful
as they are endless. Here are some of my favorite dishes using
yogurt cheese:

Mina......

....Mina ~(second from the left)

One simple word. A great friend who "gets" it! Today is her birthday. She deserves a whole lot more than Happy Birthday. She is my go to when I need anything. She is awesome!~full of knowledge. She knows the Weight Watchers plan in out through and through! a true friend.

Do you know someone like that? Do you have that person who always there with an answer. The right one for you. It may not be the answer you want....but it is the right one!

So, Happy Birthday dear friend, thank-you so much for all the support during this ride!

Don't Quit

When you've eaten too much and you can't write it down,

And you feel like the biggest failure in town.

When you want to give up just because you gave in,

and forget all about being healthy and thin.

So What! You went over your points a bit,

It's your n

ext move that counts...So don't you quit!

It's a moment of truth, it's an attitude change.

It's learning the skills to get back in your range.

It's telling yourself, "You've done great up till now.

You can take on this challenge and beat it somehow."

It's part of your journey toward reaching your goal.

You're still gonna make it, just stay in control.

To stumble and fall is not a disgrace,

If you

summon the will to get back in the race.

But, often the struggler's, when loosing their grip,

Just throw in the towel and continue to slip.

And learn too late when the damage is done,

that the race wasn't over...they still could have won.

Lifestyle change can be awkward and slow,

but facing each challenge will help you grow.

Success is failure turned inside out,

the

silver tint in a cloud of doubt.

When you're pushing to the brink, just refuse to submit,

If you bite it, you write it....But don't you quit!

Today I have done cookies for Minas birthday at Weight Watchers

Peanut Butter Cookies

2 T ground Flax

1 Cup Peanut Butter

1 Cup Stevia

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1 large egg

Mix together and place a rolled up small ball on greased cookie sheet.

DEAR LORD these are delicious and Healthy!

A great low carb snack

350 for 10 min.

1 cookie 1.5 points plus value

Emotional Eating

When Emotional Eating Catches You By Surprise

This situation is defined as "emotional eating". For example, you have an emotion - like FEAR or SADNESS and decide that a donut, cookie, or ice cream is what you need to fix it.

I was somewhere last night, had an emotional moment...ok I will tell. I was at a sale. I bought a desk, not a huge desk, but big enough. I had a few guys I knew there from our small town . They told me they would help me if I bought anything.

Soooo, I waited. Well, I made a few hints about “I am not sure this will fit in my car” And.....I finally got tired of waiting. With MANY people around. I just picked up that bad boy and struggled out with it. You guessed it...NO ONE helped. I had a moment. I wanted to cry. BTW this menopause thing doesn't help either :) So I walk a a half block to my car. Visualize the limping walk, pushing with me knees. Men are watching....yes they are and not offering to help. From where I am from....you do not do this. When I got to my car, it didn't want to fit. But, it was going in my car....no matter what! So I took the back seat out! Done!

But, I wanted food, cigarettes, anything to help relieve stress.....NOW! I stopped at the gas station and actually caught myself thinking of pizza, fries, and smokes. But I got a grip, and bought a diet soda, and went home. Thanks for letting me vent :)....Just a thought here.....help a lady in need, and do not let stress get to you!

Food doesn't solve your problems. Yes, it solves the "I'm hungry" problem - but other than that food is just food.

I believe the first tool in tackling emotional eating is just to become aware of it.

One really good way to figure out if you are eating emotionally is to food journal with EMOTIONS. For example when I ate my toast this morning, I was feeling hungry and stressed. I probably didn't even taste it (and yes, I was standing up when I ate it).

After you get a handle on when emotional eating occurs in your day, you can start substituting other things for food. For example, deep breaths, a hug from someone nearby, or chewing on some gum.

Mexican Casserole

4 to 6 servings
6.5 pointsplus

1 lb extra lean ground beef
1 cup onion chopped
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes drained
1 ½ cups frozen corn
1 (540 ml) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon crushed chile
1 c. fat free sour cream
½ cup low fat cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions:
1. Brown hamburger and onions in large skillet, until thoroughly cooked.
2. Add tomatoes, corn, back beans and crushed chilies, mix well.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Mix in sour cream, simmer another 10 minutes.
5. Top with cheese when serving.


Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/mexican-casserole-weight-watchers-218996#ixzz1pHJMFcWw

Maybe you’ve hit a plateau in your weight-loss journey or, for some reason, you’ve overindulged and need to get back on track.

• Maintain your overall calorie budget

• Increase lean protein intake to 35 percent of calories; from fish, poultry and meat

• Reduce carbohydrate intake to 40 percent of calories, and limit these carbs to fresh fruits and vegetables ONLY

• Eliminate whole grains (Remember this is only temporary)

• Reduce or eliminate legumes

• Maintain your intake of healthy fats at 25 percent of total calories

Why is this combination so effective for weight loss? Let’s take a look at the science behind it.The key lies in the type of calories consumed -- the shift toward protein and the reduction in carbohydrate. And there’s a psychological component, too; by shaking up your eating routine, you’re likely to refocus on your habits and identify areas of slippage.

Protein: The Key to Rapid Weight Loss

Protein intake can affect weight loss dramatically, for a couple of reasons:

1. Protein burns more calories. Our bodies actually burn calories to extract nutrients from the foods we eat -- a process called the “thermic effect.” More calories are burned processing proteins than either fats or carbohydrates. Even upping your lean protein intake just 5 percent, causes a significant shift in your diet’s overall thermic effect – burning more calories overall.

2. Protein makes you feel full longer. Even more than starchy “comfort foods,” high-protein foods produce a sensation of fullness or satiety. Researchers are still discovering why protein uniquely produces this effect, but the weight loss results are convincing. It may be due to the fact that protein is metabolized more slowly and thus blood sugar levels remain stable for a longer period of time.

A Clean Slate with Carbs

It bears repeating: Carbohydrate plays a vital role in good nutrition. In fact, your body needs carbohydrate to process all that increased protein. Also, diets that are too high in protein and extremely low in carbs can strain the kidneys in susceptible people as well as increase the risk for heart disease, especially if the protein comes from animal sources.

All your carbohydrate calories should come from fruits and vegetables. There are several reasons for this focus:

• The highest nutrient bang for calorie buck. Non-starchy fruits and vegetables are low in calories but loaded with the fiber and antioxidant vitamins that promote health.

• Produce is filling. Many varieties of fresh produce are high in water content and fiber, meaning you can eat plenty for just a few calories – which helps fill you up and feel satisfied. For example, a cup of brown rice has 216 calories, while the same amount of chopped cabbage has just 21 calories, giving you plenty of crunchy filling for minimal calorie investment.

The Result: A Notable Drop

The combined effect of increased protein intake and reduced carbohydrate consumption can have a powerful, temporary effect on the scale. It is interesting to note that for each gram of carbohydrate the cells in your body store, they store four grams of water. Initial weight loss when eliminating carbohydrates from your diet is mostly water weight (the less carbohydrates stored in your body, the less water as well). When you decrease the amount of carbohydrates you eat, your body burns glycogen, a quick energy supply stored in your liver alongside a supply of water. When you burn the glycogen, the water is e

xcreted. Most of the weight you lose at first is that water. To see long-term success with weight loss, it’s important to consume fewer total calories, but to include all food groups to maximize nutritional value.

Seeing the numbers move in the right direction on the scale is a rewarding feeling that will renew your commitment to weight loss!!

Tostadas

· Baked corn tortilla to make your tostada shell (Bake in 400 oven for @ 15 minutes, spray each side of tortilla lightly with OO cooking spray) [1 point each]
· Fat Free Refried Beans [1/2 c = 1 point]
· RF shredded cheese [1 oz = 2 points]
· FF Sour Cream or FF Plain Green yogurt [a T is only 20 calories)
· Chopped lettuce
· Diced or Sliced tomato
· Diced white or yellow onion
· Chopped Green onion
· Jalapenos
· Salsa
· Any other veggies you like!

Example:

· Three tostada shells
· ½ cup beans
· 1 oz cheese
· load on the produce

This is only 6 points! Now if you want to be adventurous, add guacamole. Yes, this adds points, but it’s filling and healthy not to mention flavorful and delicious! So, maybe you end up with 9 points if you use 1 oz guac per tostada. Still, a low point yummy meal!

over at SAHM: Surviving Assorted Home Mayhem.

............I think............

I love quotes....if you didnt already know...:) It is amazing to me how words put in the right order....make me feel...INSPIRED!!

Turkey and Black Bean Burgers
2 WWP, 3 WWPP, Dinner Ideas, Grill Ideas 25 Comments

1 15oz can of Black Beans drained and rinsed
8oz 99% lean ground turkey
1/2 cup old fashioned oats (40g)
1 small green bell pepper diced
1 batch of Taco Seasoning (click here for recipe)
Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl.



Combine with your hands, working to squish some of the beans, but also keeping some whole.

Form into 5 patties. The mix will be sticky, spray the plate with non-stick cooking spray so they are easy to remove from the plate.



Grill about 5 minutes a side over medium flame.

I served mine with a grilled slice of vidalia onion, 2 slices of grilled zucchini, and tomato on a sandwich thin. It was awesome!



Approx Nutritional Information per serving
Servings Amt per Serving
5 1 burger – not including any fixins
Calories Fat Fiber WWPs
135 1g 5g old: 2 new: 3
Sugar Sat Fat Carbs Protein
1g 0g 16g 16g

green lite bites

NEVER QUIT!

Try, try AGAIN!!! Every success story has a background of stumbles, missteps and sometimes total stops. Truly, the only difference between getting in shape is how you respond to those stumbles, because they happen to everyone. So whether you slipped up for a day, a week, a month, or since day one, you can still revamp your plan of attack and get back to it.

We need to write our goals down on paper so we can refer to them often as they become a roadmap of the direction we are heading in. You can change them, tweak them, or refine them as often as you like. If they are in your head, you have to try to remember them all of the time.

It is hard to do that and have the internal battle with your subconscious that keeps telling you not to worry about them anymore or that goals are too hard so you should just quit.
This can make the changes more difficult to implement. So, address your worst fears and write down what will happen if you don’t achieve your goal.

The more personal you can make this, the better.
Your ultimate goal is to improve yourself. It is your life and if you haven’t made the progress that you originally wanted, that is not failure. It is improvement – just at a more realistic pace that works for you. Tortoise, hare, or even amoeba; it is not how fast you move, it is that you continue moving in the right direction.
There is no failure unless you give up completely. You have only lost the fight when you quit, and every time you don’t quit, you WIN!! xxoo el

Santa Fe Chicken Salad

With spring just around the corner, I thought it would be nice to make a salad for dinner. The lettuce and fresh vegetables always taste so fresh in the spring!


serves 8 ( 8 points +)



1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 English cucumber sliced
1 medium avocado, diced
16-24 c. Romaine lettuce
1 c. shredded part-skim mozzarella
2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into cutlets for grilling
1 tsp. olive oil
1 T. lime juice
1 T. chili powder
salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste
1 c. tortilla strips (pre-packaged)



Dressing:


¼ c. low-fat buttermilk
¼ c. light mayonnaise
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 T. cider vinegar
salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil and lemon juice. Brush chicken with olive oil mixture.
In another small bowl, combine chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Sprinkle over chicken on both sides.
Heat a grill coated with nonstick spray. Grill chicken until no longer pink. Slice thinly.


Place equal amounts of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and avocado on each plate. Top with equal amounts of chicken, 2 T. mozzarella and 2 T. tortilla strips. Drizzle each plate with 2 T. dressing.


For dressing, whisk together all ingredients. Refrigerate until serving.
Posted by Pointless Meals

me please......

Well, I have said it and said it and said it.........Make YOU a priority......PLEASE. You know if you don't what will happen. I have a friend who has come to that conclusion.....now that she is pushed health, family, and just personal wise to the breaking point! But , the important thing is....SHE FIGURED IT OUT!!! She is going to now take charge!

To make a change...you must commit....make you important. For years...I was number 5, probably further actually down the list. My 3 children and husband were1 2 3 4 and then there was me......not a lot left when you get to 5. Right? I did not wake up one morning and say. "this year I will lose 150 pounds." I committed, I decided I needed to do something for me. My life, health most important was spinning out of control. So I took one small step. I joined Weight Watchers.......OK that was going well, now I will add something else. How about exercise?.....wohoo, wow, I am losing weight, and getting strong!! You get the picture~ bottom line, I had to start from scratch and work my way, sometime clinging on by fingertips....to the top! The negative voices in my head nearly got me a couple times....but I kept going. "the journey of a thousand miles, begins with one step!!! One of my favorite quotes! Once you turn off the negative thoughts/ factors in your life, the weight will fall. I promise!

When you see your life clearly, you will be happier~any goal you set, you will achieve. AS long as you dream it, you can achieve it! Say it with me~ Dream it~ Achieve it!! I LOVE IT!!!

There is no Doctor, no dietitian, no magic pill that can heal you from within!! There is only one person who can change your life....you! With every step toward your goal, you will find so many more successes than just weight loss! Your life will be purpose driven and you will appreciate every single day!

Life is so short, we should not EVER waste a moment!

Broccoli and Sausage Casserole

Course: main meals
PointsPlus™ Value: 6
Servings: 8
Preparation Time: 15 min
Cooking Time: 60 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

A fabulous go-to entrée for brunch or lunch. Vary the flavors with different types of sausage.


Ingredients
12 oz Italian bread, do not use slices; use in loaf form
2 clove(s) garlic clove(s), peeled and smashed (or to taste) (medium)
1 large red onion(s), cut into thin wedges
4 cup(s) broccoli, florets
1 tsp olive oil
12 oz raw turkey sausage, sweet Italian-variety
1/2 cup(s) canned chicken broth
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 spray(s) cooking spray
3/4 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, sharp-variety

Instructions
• Preheat oven to 400ºF.
• Slice bread in half length-wise; rub insides with garlic clove. Place bread, open-face, on one side of a baking sheet; spread onion on other side. Place broccoli on another baking sheet. Coat vegetables and bread with cooking spray. Bake until broccoli is tender, flipping bread over and stirring vegetables halfway through, about 15 to 20 minutes total. Remove pans from oven and cut bread into 1/2-inch cubes; reduce oven temperature to 350ºF.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Remove sausage from casing; cook sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in broccoli and onion, bread cubes, broth, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. (Make sure to scrape up any browned bits of food on sides of skillet and stir into mixture.)
• Coat a 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon 3 cups broccoli mixture into prepared dish; sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese. Top with remaining broccoli mixture; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and casserole is heated through, about 30 minutes. Slice into 8 pieces and serve.

thepurplegoddess