Photo courtsey of www.flicker.com/photos/keiramellis/"

Don't know if I'll be able to handle a

weekend with these two!

Charley...our girl sure has grown!

Free Food!

Photo courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos/keiramellis/

So...not really free food in the context that you think. I am talking about the foods that are free to eat to your hearts content while on the Weight Watcher Points program...within reason of course! Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. They are full of fibre, water, vitamins and minerals and add bulk to your meals with few calories. A serving of fruit or vegetable is 1/2 cup except for leafy greens which are 1 cup. Most of all the vegetables have a Points value of 0 for each cup, including asparagus, cabbage, cucumbers, celery, green beans, peppers, and the list goes on. I always make sure I 'fill' up my meal with vegetables. Fresh veggies make for a great snack....keep some cleaned, sliced and ready for munching. I make a vegetable soup every week to keep on hand for meals, lunches or snacks. Each week is a slight variation depending on my current craving.

I will be posting some healthy recipes in the weeks to come. They will all be my own variations of common healthy recipes with will help promote weight loss with this program.

Vegetable Soup #1

In a large pot, spray with non stick cooking spray and saute

1 large onion sliced in rings

3 large carrots sliced

2 garlic cloves crushed

3 large celery sliced

Add at least 3-5 cups chicken bouillon

1 can green beans with liquid

2 cups of broccoli florets or cauliflower

2 tbsp ketchup

2 tbsp parsley

Simmer until veggies are done. Add salt or pepper if needed and enjoy.

Vegetable Soup #2

In a large pot, spray with non stick cooking spray and saute

1 large onion sliced in rings

3 large carrots sliced

2 garlic cloves crushed

Add 1 large can of crushed tomatoes

1 small head cabbage shredded

2-3 cups beef bouillon

pinch of oregano

Simmer until the cabbage is cooked, add more water if necessary and beef bouillon powder or salt and pepper to adjust the taste. The flavour is reminiscent of cabbage rolls.

As with most home inspired recipes...the quantities are a bit of this and a bit of that...never usually the same everytime. You can add and adjust how you like it, use up vegetables you have on hand and spice it up with the herbs you enjoy.

To make your large bowl of soup a meal....add 3 or 4 oz. of cooked chicken or turkey to #1 and 3 or 4 oz. of cooked extra lean ground beef to #2.

Yummy!

"Turnaround"

On June 7th, 2007 I rejoined Weight Watchers after a long long hiatus. The previous time I was a member must have been over 15 years ago. At that time I never did reach goal or become a lifetime member. Back in August I posted on my commitment to finish what I started. At that time I had lost about 20 pounds. Well...I am still on the program and now am about 3 pounds away from goal. That will then be a loss of thirty! I must say the last ten pounds have been very difficult. Over Christmas I had gained back about four which I worked on diligently to get off again. It was more realistic of me to choose the high end of my goal range considering my age and lifestyle. I am so looking forward to reaching it and will be so proud to be a Lifetime Member!
Over the years I had tried so many diets...the coffee and cigarette one, Atkins, South Beach, the exchange program, and a few others. They all worked for a while but you can't sustain that forever. I needed one that let me eat everything that I wanted and guess what...that's Weight Watchers. At first I thought the 'points' plan was a bunch of crap. How can someone loose weight on a plan that counts points and not calories? How can someone be disciplined enough to eat the right things and not use all those points up on junk? It is definitely easy and more efficient than I thought. Following the plan not only promotes weight loss but a new healthier way of eating. There are only four little rules to follow...
1. Stick to your Points budget
2. Keep track of the Points values on everthing you eat and drink
3. Pay attention to portion sizes
4. Follow the Good Health Guidelines
All the tools you need are supplied, meetings are included (and full of helpful hints and support) and you can also include the online program if you like. I will not get into the details of the program but just want to pass on my enthusiasum and willingness to support Weight Watchers as a company. Ultimately it is up to us as individuals to continue with the tools we have been given to continue in keeping the weight off.
Stop Dieting. Start Living.
Weight Watchers is not a diet because it helps you eat right and live healthy. It works because it helps you learn to lose weight and keep it off, in a way that fits your life.

Down The Road

We are now well into the new year. The tree is down, the decorations put away and all the 'good' food is out of the house. My goal over the holidays was to maintain my weight...but alas...the festive five arrived. I have worked diligently on getting back on track and have lost 2.6 of shortbread/turkey/cheese. :) On Monday it's back to the gym. I am actually looking forward to it and hope my bum hip doesn't give me trouble. I have decided that I will not have any new year resolutions. Nothing new will be introduced to my world. I will continue with the 'program' that I put into motion last year. If all goes as plan...I will be at goal by the end of April. Then another phase will take over.
Keira blogged about the puzzle of life and I believe she hit the nail on the head. I can see the whole picture in my mind and looking closer I see all the individual pieces that it is taking to make it whole. I still have to find a lot of them to work on completing my puzzle.
I think I'll need to spend some more 'me' time this year and partake in some of the activities that I have let slip. A Christmas gift this year was a new set of paints, canvas and sketch book. I received a new novel I have waited for and a portable DVD to catch up on all the movies I have wanted to see. I have a sewing project to complete before next December. I have beaches to explore with Charley, photographs to take, new health foods to sample, a whale watching tour, shopping in the States, a clean sweep to complete and maybe even a trip north.
I have also thought maybe I should devote some more time blogging...how about throwing in a healthy recipe or tip every once in a while. Maybe a review here and there, a rant or two...we'll see.