Breaking the Family Norm

Hello, Weight Watchers! Did this weekend give you any opportunities to Cook Out – Get Fit? Grilling and barbecuing are popular ways to cook foods and Eat Wisely, especially in warmer weather. This is also a good time to start Thinking First about your plans for the Independence Day holiday. How will your food and activity plan fit into the festivities?

SMOOTH IDEAS

Thanks for making the first Smoothie Sale a big success! Even at the regular price of $7.50 for seven packets, Weight Watchers Smoothies are still a deal – both financially and nutritionally! Here are some fun smoothie recipes to try using the French Vanilla or Creamy Chocolate flavors:

· Root Beer Float: 1 packet French Vanilla, 8 ounces diet root beer, ice (2 POINTS)

· Mocha: 1 packet Chocolate, 1 tsp instant coffee, 8 oz water/ice (1 POINT)

· Peanut Butter Cup: 1 packet Chocolate, 1 Tbsp peanut butter, 8 oz. water/ice (3 POINTS)

· Peppermint Patty: 1 packet Chocolate, 3-4 drops peppermint extract, 1 cup skim milk, ice (3 POINTS)

· Black Forest: 1 packet Chocolate, 3-4 maraschino cherries, 8 oz water/ice (1 POINT)

THINK FIRST: IS IT WORTH IT?

It may take 45 minutes of brisk walking to burn off the calories consumed in the 30 seconds it takes to eat one cookie! Ask yourself, "If I had to walk 45 minutes BEFORE eating this, would it be worth it to me?" Before you take that bite, think first!

DECLARE YOUR THINDEPENDENCE!

· I have a right to be healthy

· I have a right to enjoy an active lifestyle

· I have a right to say NO

· I have a right to feel good

· I have a right to take time for myself

· I have the freedom to make sensible choice

This week, we’ll be talking about Breaking the Family Norm. Norms are behaviors or ways of doing things that are accepted as standard by your family or community. When we’re growing up, norms teach how to handle new situations and how to behave. However, sometimes our family norms support eating in excess or limiting physical activity, which can hinder our weight loss. We’ll be examining our own norms to establish new patterns for our own branch of the family tree.

ARTICLES OF NOTE

· Genes and Weight

· The Link Between Couples and Weight

· Factor’s Affecting Children’s Food Choices

Stovetop 'Baked Beans’

3 POINTS per cup

1 tablespoon butter

1 1/4 cups chopped onions

3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup ketchup

1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar (could subs. Splenda brown sugar)

1/4 cup maple syrup (could subs. light or sugar-free syrup)

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp barbecue smoke seasoning (I used hickory liquid smoke)

2 tsp prepared mustard

1 (16-ounce) can red beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15.8-ounce) can Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained

1 (16-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté 4 minutes. Stir in ketchup and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Asparagus Guacamole

0 POINTS per serving and Core!

· 1 1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed

· 1 Tbsp reduced-calorie mayonnaise

· 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice

· 1/4 cup cilantro, coarsely chopped

· 3 medium scallion(s), thinly sliced

· 1/2 medium jalapeno pepper(s), minced

· 1 medium garlic clove(s), minced

· 1/8 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

· 1/8 tsp hot pepper sauce

· 1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste

· 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste

Bring large pot of water to boil. Add asparagus and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain.

Place asparagus into food processor and purée until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients and serve. Yields 1/4 cup per serving.

Have a great week, everyone!

Cyndi

It is not the great temptations that ruin us; it is the little ones.

~John W. DeForest