The Big Game (Managing Parties)

Hello, Weight Watchers! Did you notice yourself practicing any of the Helpful Habits this week? The more we can make healthy choices as a habit, the easier it will be to lose and maintain a new, healthy weight. Success is Habit-Forming!

SIZZLING SHORTCUTS

I’m thrilled to introduce the newest cookbook from Weight Watchers, Shortcuts. This book, available soon, includes over 130 family-friendly recipes that can be made in 30 minutes or less, have seven ingredients or less, and take three steps or less to prepare. Shake up the winter blues with this cookbook for only $10!

SOURDOUGH DELIGHT

Make sure to attend a meeting this week to receive your free sample of the newest flavor of Pretzel Thins, Sourdough. If you’re looking for a portion-controlled salty snack, these are for you! They would also be great with a little Laughing Cow cheese or mustard.

RIPPED

Many members shy away from strength training because they’re afraid of bulking up or slowing their rate of weight loss. (Sorry, ladies, we can’t blame a gain on lifting weights. We just don’t have the right mix of hormones to gain muscle faster than we lose fat.) We lose more than just fat when we lose weight – we also lose lean muscle tissue, bone mass, and fluid. Strength training helps us conserve lean muscle mass, improve bone density, and increase our resting metabolism. You don’t have to pump iron at the gym to improve your strength and endurance – sneak in some curls with cans or small hand weights during television commercials or do a few push-ups and squats before you go to bed at night. Visit Strength Training for Dummies for some basic strength training exercises to try!

ARTICLES OF NOTE

• The Skill of Flexible Restraint
• Super Bowl Smarts
• No-Cook Dinners

This week, we’ll be discussing strategies for handling an upcoming challenge that many members will face – Super Bowl Sunday. Typically filled with chips, dips, and junk, we will discuss offensive strategies to prepare ourselves and defensive strategies to keep us on the plan on game day. You can use these strategies year-round to manage special events. Join me for The Big Game (Managing Parties)!

Have a great week, everyone!

Cyndi

Use attack as the tactic of defense.

--Chinese proverb

Turkey-Bean Chili

Serves 4 | 6 POINTS and Core

From Shortcuts

• 1 lb skinless, boneless turkey breast, cut into 1” cubes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 T chili powder
• 1 15 ½ oz can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 14 ½ oz can diced tomatoes with jalapeno peppers
• 1 11 oz can Mexican-style corn kernels
• ½ c chopped fresh cilantro

Spray a nonstick Dutch oven with nonstick spray and set over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and onion; cook, stirring frequently, until the turkey is no longer pink (~5 min). Stir in the chili powder.

Add the beans, tomatoes, and corn. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until the turkey is cooked through and the flavors are blended (~15 min). Stir in the cilantro and serve immediately.

Mediterranean Meatball Pitas

Serves 4 | 7 POINTS

From Shortcuts

• ½ c plain FF Greek-style yogurt
• 1 T lemon juice
• 1 T chopped fresh mint
• 1 12 oz package fully cooked turkey meatballs
• 4 6” multigrain pitas
• 1 tomato, chopped
• ½ cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
• Fresh mint leaves (optional)

Combine the yogurt, lemon juice, and chopped mint in a small bowl. Set aside.

Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, covered, turning frequently, until heated through (~5 min).

Cut a pocket in each pita. Fill each pocket with 3 meatballs, ~2 T each tomato, cucumber, and yogurt mixture. Add mint leaves if desired. Serve immediately.