Sorry for being a few days late in posting this!  I meant to do it Thursday!!!

So this past Wednesday night I went back to Weight Watchers for yet another weigh in. I was expecting to lose a little more weight than what I actually did but I’m still happy. I lost 1 pound, bringing my total to 9.6lbs since I started on February 24! I’ve lost almost 10 pounds in one month! If I keep going like this, I will reach my goal in 4 months! But, I am also realistic and know that I can’t be lucky enough to lose this much each month. Next week, I might lose less than a pound but I could also lose more!

In the meeting this week, we discussed learning from the past. We discussed the things we used to do to lose weight or diet, the things that worked and did not. It was interesting to hear everyone’s perspective. Ultimately, we are all in the same boat: we’ve been unsuccessful in the past but most of us are having great success on the Weight Watchers program!

As promised, I would provide some good dinner options that I’ve been eating to stay on the program. Aside from keeping the Weight Watchers SmartOnes for emergency dinners, I also like making the following options:

MAIN DISHES

· 1 piece of Perdue Perfect Portions plain chicken (3 points)

· 1 piece of Perdue Perfect Portions Italian style chicken (3 points)

· English Muffin Pizza – 1 Whole Wheat Weight Watchers English Muffin (2 points), 1/3 cup Italian style Weight Watchers cheese (2 points), ½ cup marinara sauce (I use Newman’s own which is 2 points). Spread ½ of the sauce on each half of the English Muffin. Sprinkle ½ of the cheese on each side of the English Muffin over the sauce. Use the toaster oven set at 425 degrees. Bake in the toaster oven until cheese is melted, or until slightly brown on the top. Pretty much to your liking.

· 1 Homestyle Perdue chicken cutlet – breaded (4 points)

· Grilled Cheese – this could also be a lunch option – 2 slices of Weight Watchers Multigrain bread (2 points), 3 slices of Weight Watchers American Singles (3 points – 1 pt each), 2 tablespoons of E.V.O.O. (6 points). Place the slices of cheese evenly between the slices of bread. Put one tablespoon of olive oil into a small pan over medium heat. Make sure the olive oil covers the entire surface. After the olive oil is heated, place the sandwich in the pan. Leave it there for several minutes or until you think the “down” side is nice and crispy. Momentarily take the sandwich out of the pan and put the remaining olive oil into the pan. Spread evenly. Replace the sandwich so that the side that was down before is now at facing up. Allow the sandwich to cook thoroughly so it’s crispy. You may flip a few more times just like making any other grilled cheese sandwich until it is cooked per your liking.

SIDE DISHES

· My favorite side dish is ½ of a Spaghetti Squash. I’ve already posted an entire Gather article on Spaghetti Squash recipes you can refer to that.

· I also like any of the steamable veggies you can get in your freezer section of the grocery store. Make sure to get the plain selections without any marinates or flavorings. It is always better to add your own flavoring and spices. My two favorite brands are Cascadian Farms (I like the winter squash the best) and BirdsEye Steamfresh.

· Brown rice – just follow the directions on the bag

I’m a pretty simple girl when it comes to dinners. I try to keep it very simply and quick since I work all day and live alone. There is no point in me spending a lot of time to cook just for me. I suggest eating a vegetable no matter what your main dish is. Even when I eat SmartOnes Mac & Cheese, I always mix in a can of Del Monte vegetables with it once it’s heated. It’s important to get all of the important nutrients in to your diet and Mac & Cheese is not the most nutritious! So those are some quick easy Weight Watchers friendly (or simply just healthy for those of you not on WW) dinners to enjoy!!!

My next weigh in is on Wednesday! Hopefully I did ok although I’ve been sick and it completely threw me off because I was craving a lot of comfort foods which are not necessarily the best choices!

Good luck everyone on your journey to being more healthy!

So tonight was my third weigh-in since beginning Weight Watchers. In my first two weeks, I lost 7.4 pounds by simply diet, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator when possible at work. The first week, I lost 5 pounds and the second week I lost 2.4 pounds. This week, I’ve lost another 1.2pounds by doing the same, bringing my grand total lost to 8.6 pounds.

I need to get moving! In the coming week, with the temperatures rising, I plan on adding a few walks during the week to my routine. I’m hoping that brings my weekly weight loss back up a little more. I’m definitely looking to lose between 1 and 2 pounds each week (with the knowledge that I may lose more or less here and there). Here are some of the things I’ve been eating for breakfast and lunch on the PointsPlus program. I’ve included Weight Watchers points values for those of you who are also on the program.

What I’ve Been Eating for Breakfast

• Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal (I like the Banana bread flavor) – 5 points (when made with fat free milk). I always have fruit with this, usually 1 cup of fresh berries or a banana. Remember, fruit is now 0 points!
• Various dry cereals: Barbara’s Puffins (original) is 3 points for 3/4 of a cup, FiberOne Honey Clusters is 4 points for 1 cup, and Multigrain Cheerios is 4 points for 1 cup. Add 1 point to each of the above points values for ½ cup of fat free milk with your cereal. I always add fresh berries to my cereal, or have fruit on the side for 0 points added!
• Fat Free Greek Yogurt (I like Fage) with fresh berries. This is a 3 point breakfast! Greek Yogurt is higher in points than, let’s say, a Dannon Light however it’s much more filling and more comes in a single serving container. It’s also a PowerFood which the Dannon Light yogurts are not.
• 1/2 of a fresh multigrain bagel (4 points) or 1 Weight Watchers Whole Wheat English Muffin (3 points) with 1 serving of Weight Watchers Cream Cheese (2 points), 1 ounce of lox (1 point), sliced tomatoes and sliced onions (0), and a sprinkle of black pepper. I only choose the bagel option one day a week. As a New Yorker, a good bagel is my weakness! Try to add a piece of fruit on the side like a banana or 1/2 cup of fresh berries for 0 points.

What I’ve Been Eating for Lunch

• Tuna Salad made with 1 5-oz can of albacore tuna in water (4 points) made with 1 tablespoon of Hellman’s Lite Mayo (1 point), chopped tomatoes and chopped onions (both 0 points). I eat whatever I can fit on a sandwich made with Weight Watchers multigrain bread (2 points) and I eat what is left with a fork.
• Egg salad made with 2 whole eggs (4 points), 3 egg whites (1 point), 1 tablespoon of Hellman’s Lite Mayo (1 point), chopped tomatoes and chopped cucumbers (both 0), and a sprinkling of black pepper. Like with the tuna salad, I eat whatever I can fit on a sandwich made with Weight Watchers Multigrain Bread (2 points) and the rest I eat with a fork.  (See photo of egg salad.  There are no chopped cucumbers in this version but all other ingredients are the same)
• Turkey sandwich! 4 slices of Empire Kosher Roasted Turkey Breast (1 point), sliced sandwich veggies (I like tomato, cucumber and onion), deli or spicy mustard (0 points) all on 2 slices of Weight Watchers Multigrain bread (2 points).  Sometimes I will go to my work cafeteria and pick up sprouts or other veggies I may not have at home!  (See photo of Turkey sandwich.  This was on a day when I'd initially planned to eat "turkey roll-ups" and decided I wanted a sandwich.  I went up to the cafeteria for a roll and veggies and made myself a Weight Watchers friendly sandwich - a little higher in points because of the roll but definitely within my points for the day!)
• Classic PB&J: 2 Tablespoons of Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy peanut butter (5 points), 1 tablespoon of Welch’s Grape Jelly (1 point) on 2 slices of Weight Watchers Multigrain bread (2 points)
• On the weekends, I will have an entire can of one of Progresso’s Lite soups. Half a can is never enough for me for 1 meal and these usually range between 1 to 2 points per serving, so for the whole can usually no more than 4 points.
• I also sometimes have the last breakfast option as lunch

With all of the lunches, I’ve been having a small container of Sugar Free Jell-O for dessert. This is a nice 0 point treat that hits the spot at lunchtime! You can also opt for Mott’s Natural Apple Sauce which has no sugar added and is 1 point for the small container.

I spoke with my Weight Watchers leader today about the fact that I am not using my full number of points. She asked what I have been snacking on and I said just plain fruits and veggies. She suggested incorporating hummus with my veggies (has points but is healthy for you), or a 1 point Weight Watchers String Cheese. So, since I couldn’t get to the supermarket today, I added a Weight Watchers String Cheese to my lunch bag for tomorrow and will have it alongside my kiwi as a snack, either between breakfast and lunch, or in the afternoon. She also suggested eating more whole dairy products however I cannot do that because my stomach is sensitive to whole milk. On Sunday when I go to the store, I will pick up the 1 serving Sabra hummus containers and perhaps take my time to browse the aisles with my Weight Watchers calculator and find some more low point snack options!

Hopefully I will have good news to report for next week! Aside from my progress, I will also share some of the dinners I’ve been enjoying on Weight Watchers!

Have a good week everyone!

My brother George and his precious wife have a new bundle of joy added to their family.

I was pleasantly awoken by mother this morning at 8am.

I was glad to hear that I was again to be blessed as an Aunty.

The new baby was this time thank God a cute baby girl

A new baby girl that has hair as black as night, big baby brown eyes, and a fair completion skin.

This cute darlings name is Isabella Angelina Soundis

Angelina to honor my grandmother who is in heaven

Isabella because my sister - in law loves the name

Soundis because that is our last name

So sorry there are no pictures yet once I get them I will show them to you all

I promise

Isabella Angelina you are like a shiny gold star

Isabella Angelina was born today

“All right!” for a wonderful day

I cannot believe I am an Aunty today.

Isabella Angelina you were born today.

Isabella Angelina how pretty you are

Isabella Angelina you are like a shiny gold star.

Upon you mother should you are

Ready to run through the world

You will go far.

With long black hair

That is done up in a flair

Isabella Angelina you are like a shiny gold star

Isabella Angelina you will go far

Isabella Angelina you have gorgeous brown eyes

That is sure to get the attention of the guys

You will have a lot of friends.

Isabella Angelina you are like a shiny gold star

Everyone wants to be where you are

Isabella Angelina please never forget those that love you dear

The more friends you hold dear

May you always have happy years?

And awesome black hairs

Isabella Angelina you are like a shiny gold star

In a traditional Anapeat:

·       The anaphora is also the title

·       There are five stanzas

·       Each stanza has five lines thus the Anapeat has 25 lines

·       The first line of the first stanza repeats as follows—

O   In stanza two it repeats at the second line

O   In stanza three it repeats at the third line

O   In stanza four it repeats at the fourth line

O   In stanza five it repeats at the fifth line, which is also the last line

·       If desired, this form can also be worked as a coiled anapeat—ten stanzas. Stanza six repeats the repeating line as the fifth line, stanza seven repeats at line four, stanza eight repeats at line three, stanza nine repeats at line two, stanza ten repeats at line one.

·       There is no line length requirement

·       There is no rhyme requirement

·       The anaphora must repeat at least three times within the body of the poem

I discovered Spaghetti Squash a few months back and am now obsessed with this wonderful veggie.  It's a fantastic substitute for pasta and incredibly healthy.  I've made the following with Spaghetti Squash (recipes you can make with pasta, too) and they all came out fantastically!  Each of these make 2-4 servings depending on how much you want to eat.  I have given instructions for 2 servings here.  Here they are!

In all of the recipes, you must cook the Spaghetti Squash.  I usually use the microwave.  This way, you will probably only be able to cook 1/2 of the Squash at a time.  To do this, cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise.  Remove the seeds and pump.  Turn upside down on a plate and microwave for 7-10 minutes until tender.  Using a fork, comb through the "meat" of the squash.  You will see it come out like strands of spaghetti!

The Italian

1 Spaghetti Squash

1 cup marinara sauce (I like Newman's Own)

2/3 cup of shredded cheese (either an Italian 4-cheese blend or just part-skim Mozzarella)

1/4 cup part-skim Ricotta cheese

2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese (shredded or grated)

Fresh basil, finely chopped

1. Heat up the sauce in a saucepan or in the microwave
2. Combine half the sauce and cheeses, and basil into a bowl
3. Add 1/2 of the Squash
4. Mix together

The cheeses will melt nicely as if you were making a baked ziti or something similar.

Easy as that!

The Greek (sorry, I don't have measurements for this one but you can approximate when  you make it)

1 Spaghetti Squash

Feta cheese

Greek olives

Spinach

Tomatos, chopped

Onions, chopped

Olive oil (not too much)

1. Lightly saute the veggies so they are hot, but not really cooked (if that makes any sense)
2. Combine half of your ingredients in a bowl and mix
3. Add 1/2 Spaghetti Squash
4. Mix

The Southwestern (This is another one that I don't have measurements for.  I do it by sight and taste)

1 Spaghetti Squash

Salsa (how hot is dependent on your tastes)

Black beans

Corn (I used a can of corn because it's easiest)

Shredded Southwestern or Mexican style cheese (a lot of companies have a mix - including Weight Watchers and Kraft)

Avocado

• Combine half of the above ingredients into a bowl
• Add Squash
• Mix

YUM YUM YUM!!!!

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I'm making The Italian tonight.  And I'll be making chicken breast and cutting it up to mix in with it.  You can pretty much mix in chicken, shrimp, beef, or pork into any of the above.