Monday, December 20, 2010

0 PointsPlus Fruits and Vegetables… Freedom!

Most vegetables were 0 Points on Momentum, so having them 0 PointsPlus on the PointsPlus program was not really a shock, but fruits? Really? Bananas, apples, cuties, pineapple, all 0 PointsPlus! No need to count, to weight or to measure them? Really?


Wait a minute; I used to have to weigh my bananas to make sure they aren’t 2 Points, now they are 0P+? I can have an entire banana? Not only I can have it, but I don’t even have to count PointsPlus for it?

What happened to fruits? Did they change somehow? A lot of us are so used to being careful when eating fruits that we look at this fruit business with a bit of skepticism.

This week we will talk about why having 0 PointsPlus fruits and vegetables (most of them) not only works, but is a step toward better weight loss success.

It’s healthy, it’s delicious, it works! We’ll discuss the whys and hows in the meeting room. Bring your fruits and veggies preparation ideas!

What’s going on?


In the hustle and bustle of shopping and preparing along with the people visiting or us traveling is making our routine difficult to hold on to. It’s a fun time, but a challenging time also.

Make sure that you do a few things to be able to enjoy yourself without having to start all over again:

Plan ahead: Ok, this seems obvious, but prepare for what is coming, what might be coming, and for a few unplanned adventures. That way you are ready no matter what.

Pick your splurges: Yes it is the holidays, and there will be goodies that are just too good to pass up. There will also be goodies that are just ok. Pass those!

Move: Add a little bit to your daily activity. It’s good for your belly and for your brain!

Take care of yourself: We tend to make sure everybody has a good time. Don’t forget yourself! After the race to get here, it’s time to enjoy!!

Down time: In between the get-togethers and the parties make sure to have Power Foods on hand, and 0 P+ soup in the freezer so that you can keep your PointsPlus for the goodies!

Enjoy!


In the Kitchen

I like to roam the international sites, it’s fun to get ideas and inspiration from what other people are doing.

This I stole from the UK website and changed a little to make it lighter, and more to my taste.

Spiced Winter Fruit Salad

2 servings, 1 P+/serving*


6 medium Plums, halved and pitted
2 medium Orange

1 teaspoons Cinnamon, or 1 cinnamon stick

4 individual Cloves, Whole or Ground,
1 star anise (optional)
1 tablespoons Artificial Sweetener, powdered
1 medium Banana
1 teaspoons crystallized Ginger, minced very finely
6 tablespoons, Nonfat Greek yogurt

Put plums into a saucepan with 150ml (1/4 pint) water. Pare the zest from 1 orange with a potato peeler and add to the pan with the cinnamon (stick), cloves and star anise, if using. Cook gently for about 8 minutes, or until the plums are tender. Remove from heat and leave to cool for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, use a sharp serrated knife to remove all the peel and pith from the oranges. Slice the flesh into segments, removing all the membrane. Add to the plums. Taste, adding powdered sweetener, if needed.

Slice the banana into the mixture, then ladle into two serving dishes.

Stir the ginger (if using) into the yogurt and spoon an equal amount on top of each fruit salad. Serve at once.

Note: The fruit salad is best when served barely warm.

Adapted from (and image from): www.weightwatchers.co.uk
*PointsPlus Value counted by hand, does not include fruits.

At Work Corner

Since we are not going to be meeting between Christmas and New Year, I want you to know that there will be meetings at the centers and travelers in your area (unless otherwise specified on weightwatchers.com).

If you are in a series, you have paid already, just bring your weigh in book along with your series number (should be at the beginning of your book, email me if you don’t have it).

If you are in between series, you will have to pay the 13 dollars meeting fee. Still I think it is worth it to stop by and “check in”. It’s all about accountability isn’t it?

Here’s my meeting schedule:

http://seamountains.net/mtg.html

Stop by if you are in the neighborhood! ;o)


Have a wonderful week!

The weight Watchers centers and travelers will be closed on Christmas and New Year day. Check www.weightwatchers.com for meeting schedules in your area.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday break (be it a short or a long one!). Take time for yourself as well as your loved ones and have a thought for those of us who are away from our families at this time of the year.

As always I'm only an email away! See you in the meeting rooms!

Your leader,

Melanie Bourgeois

seamountains.net/mtg.html

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!

~Hamilton Wright Mabie

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