KISS (Keep it Simple & Sustainable)

Hello, Weight Watchers! You've survived the holiday season - congratulations! The new behaviors we've learned will help us stay on the plan all year and reach our goals in 2009. Keep that weight-loss holiday letter we wrote last week handy, and refer to it throughout the year to keep your goals fresh and in front of you.

SALES AND SPECIALS

• Has that $20 registration fee or having to pay missed week fees kept you from re-joining your traditional meeting? From now until March 14, all new and re-joining members get FREE REGISTRATION and NO MISSED WEEK FEES!
• Are you looking for new ways to Move More in 2009? From now until March 31, you can save $5 on our Get Moving Mix (five 10-20-min beginner segments, regularly $15) and Next Move (five 10-20-min intermediate segments, regularly $15) DVDs or our Walking Kit (audio CD, indoor walking DVD, Walking Guide booklet, and $10 coupon for a POINTS pedometer, regularly $25). What a great way to beat the winter blues and earn those Activity POINTS!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• FBI At-Work members - This week is your Open House meeting! Please invite anyone interested in joining our meeting to attend this special preview meeting for free. There is no obligation to join, but those who know they will be joining should come prepared to pay for the next series. Payment options and series offerings are available on my website.
• The Cooking Up Success promotion has ended, which means this week is the drawing for goodies in each of my meetings! Must be present (or have a very good friend who is willing to claim your prize) to win!

ARTICLES OF NOTE

• The Science Behind Self-Monitoring
• Cutting Calories: Portion Control, Energy Density
• Petika's Healthy Education

The new Momentum plan is built on two simple concepts: choosing and tracking. This week, we will explore the Seven Steps for Success as proven success strategies for sustaining our weight-loss efforts.

Have a great week, everyone! I'll see you at your meeting!

Cyndi

Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.
--Mark Twain

Quick Beef and Pinto Bean Chili
Makes 4 servings
POINTS® value: 6

◊1 (1-pound) package frozen onions and peppers
1 small garlic clove, minced
◊1 pound lean ground beef (7% fat or less)
◊1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
◊1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
◊1 cup canned crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1. Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and place over medium-high heat. Add the frozen vegetables and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are thawed and the liquid is evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add the beef and cook until browned, about 5 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.

2. Add the beans, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, chili powder, salt, pepper, and oregano; bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally until the chili is thickened slightly, about 3 minutes.

Recipe from Weight Watchers Cookbook Best Eats © 2008. All rights reserved.