Turkey Chili
Servings | 4
Estimated PointsPlus™ value per serving | 9
Course | Main Meals
Ingredients
1 lb 93/7 lean ground turkey
1 small onion (diced)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 small can green chilis
1 small can tomato sauce
1 can black beans (drained)
3 cups fresh chopped spinach
1 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper
salt/pepper to taste
Instructions
Brown meat with onion. Add salt/pepper.
Once meat is browned, add in all other ingredients.
Simmer for approximately 15 minutes.
Special Notes
I like mine more on the spicy side. I've also used Rotel for some added kick and extra veggies.
And the spinach adds fiber and gives the chili color.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
De-Stress your Holidays
De-Stress Your Holidays
Article By: Estelle Sobel
Here's how to turn holiday havoc around so it doesn't get you down.
Christmas shopping, office parties, high-pressure family dinners—let's face it, the holidays can be as stressful as they are merry. With a little help, though, you can say "so long" to your inner Scrooge and enjoy this season.
"The four sources of stress during the holidays are fantasies, family, food and finances," says Mark Gorkin, a psychotherapist and public speaker who goes by the moniker "Stress Doc." "The temptation is to want it all," he says. People often get so caught up in the eating, drinking, partying and shopping, he adds, "that there is no time for spiritual reflection and quiet nurturing."
So nurture your sanity this holiday season with these nine tips from Gorkin:
1. Just say "no"
Be realistic about how many parties you can actually attend. Remember that saying yes to every invitation could result in burnout. Also, going to tons of parties presents more challenges to your diet than you might want.
2. Stay in your groove
Carve out time for yourself — and greedily guard it. If you have an exercise routine, such as walking every other day, keep that as your anchor, and try to make holiday chores and events revolve around your exercise schedule, not the other way around.
3. Take baby steps
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of holiday tasks, like sending out 114 holiday cards. Certain tasks are more doable when broken into chunks. For example, you could purchase the cards a month before Christmas or Hanukkah and write a few at a time over the next several weeks. Then, address all the envelopes. If you have kids, why not enlist them to stuff envelopes and put on the stamps?
4. Appoint a "designated nagger"
Give your partner or a close friend permission to nag you when you start worrying too much. Have your "designated nagger" tell you to slow down and take a deep breath as soon as you begin worrying too much about overeating, not exercising enough or finding the perfect gift for everyone down to your boss's cat.
5. Have a big holiday draw
Sit down with your family early in the holiday season and discuss the sources of stress and conflict that always seem to rear up this time of year. Then distribute crayons and paper, and have everyone draw pictures of your "family stress image" — a big ogre wearing a Santa hat or a giant present exploding like a firecracker, for example. "This is a great way to get out your frustration in a positive way," says Gorkin.
6. Revel in the scent of solitude
Light a lavender-scented candle in your bathroom and take a hot bath, or use some lavender-scented bath oil. A study on aromatherapy reported in the International Journal of Neurosciences stated that the scent of lavender helped adult test subjects feel more relaxed and perform mental calculations more accurately than did other scents.
7. Walk it out
Take a nice long walk and focus on smelling the crisp winter air or watching snow falling for a form of meditation.
8. Immerse yourself in music
Listen to a tape of holiday songs, or make your own recording by dubbing a set of your favorite tunes onto a cassette tape, CD or MP3.
9. Stroll down memory lane
Fill a hatbox or shoe box with objects that are important to you, such as your child's first tooth, family photos, postcards, love letters or inspirational poems or quotes. Whenever stress looms, take out your box and enjoy the warm feelings your mementos inspire.
Article By: Estelle Sobel
Here's how to turn holiday havoc around so it doesn't get you down.
Christmas shopping, office parties, high-pressure family dinners—let's face it, the holidays can be as stressful as they are merry. With a little help, though, you can say "so long" to your inner Scrooge and enjoy this season.
"The four sources of stress during the holidays are fantasies, family, food and finances," says Mark Gorkin, a psychotherapist and public speaker who goes by the moniker "Stress Doc." "The temptation is to want it all," he says. People often get so caught up in the eating, drinking, partying and shopping, he adds, "that there is no time for spiritual reflection and quiet nurturing."
So nurture your sanity this holiday season with these nine tips from Gorkin:
1. Just say "no"
Be realistic about how many parties you can actually attend. Remember that saying yes to every invitation could result in burnout. Also, going to tons of parties presents more challenges to your diet than you might want.
2. Stay in your groove
Carve out time for yourself — and greedily guard it. If you have an exercise routine, such as walking every other day, keep that as your anchor, and try to make holiday chores and events revolve around your exercise schedule, not the other way around.
3. Take baby steps
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of holiday tasks, like sending out 114 holiday cards. Certain tasks are more doable when broken into chunks. For example, you could purchase the cards a month before Christmas or Hanukkah and write a few at a time over the next several weeks. Then, address all the envelopes. If you have kids, why not enlist them to stuff envelopes and put on the stamps?
4. Appoint a "designated nagger"
Give your partner or a close friend permission to nag you when you start worrying too much. Have your "designated nagger" tell you to slow down and take a deep breath as soon as you begin worrying too much about overeating, not exercising enough or finding the perfect gift for everyone down to your boss's cat.
5. Have a big holiday draw
Sit down with your family early in the holiday season and discuss the sources of stress and conflict that always seem to rear up this time of year. Then distribute crayons and paper, and have everyone draw pictures of your "family stress image" — a big ogre wearing a Santa hat or a giant present exploding like a firecracker, for example. "This is a great way to get out your frustration in a positive way," says Gorkin.
6. Revel in the scent of solitude
Light a lavender-scented candle in your bathroom and take a hot bath, or use some lavender-scented bath oil. A study on aromatherapy reported in the International Journal of Neurosciences stated that the scent of lavender helped adult test subjects feel more relaxed and perform mental calculations more accurately than did other scents.
7. Walk it out
Take a nice long walk and focus on smelling the crisp winter air or watching snow falling for a form of meditation.
8. Immerse yourself in music
Listen to a tape of holiday songs, or make your own recording by dubbing a set of your favorite tunes onto a cassette tape, CD or MP3.
9. Stroll down memory lane
Fill a hatbox or shoe box with objects that are important to you, such as your child's first tooth, family photos, postcards, love letters or inspirational poems or quotes. Whenever stress looms, take out your box and enjoy the warm feelings your mementos inspire.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Individual Ham, Cheese and Veggie Frittatas
recipes (Thank you Linda and Greg, Frederick,Friday)
Individual Ham, Cheese and Veggie Frittatas
PointsPlusTM value | 3
Servings | 8
Preparation Time | 15 min
Cooking Time | 25 min
Level of Difficulty | Easy
breakfast | Whip up a batch of these mini frittatas on a Sunday night and you've got breakfast ready to go for the week. Pop them in the microwave for a few seconds and enjoy.
Ingredients
2 spray(s) cooking spray
1 pound(s) frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
4 large egg(s), beaten
1 Tbsp fat-free skim milk
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
2 oz cooked lean ham, finely chopped
1/8 cup(s) sweet red pepper(s), finely chopped (2 Tbsp)
1/8 cup(s) green pepper(s), finely chopped (2 Tbsp)
2 Tbsp onion(s), finely chopped
1/2 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, Weight Watchers Reduced Fat Shredded Cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 8 muffin tin holes with cooking spray. Spread potatoes around bottom and press potato up sides of each muffin hole; place in oven and cook for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, beat eggs and milk together in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add ham, peppers, onion and cheese to bowl; mix to combine.
Remove potatoes from oven (after cooking for 10 minutes) and press potatoes down firmly with a spoon so that they are spread out like mini piecrusts (potatoes should cover bottom and sides of each hole). Pour about 1/4 cup of egg mixture into the center of each muffin hole.
Return pan to oven and cook until potatoes are crisp and golden, and the egg mixture is set, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit about 5 minutes before serving. Yields 1 frittata per serving.
Individual Ham, Cheese and Veggie Frittatas
PointsPlusTM value | 3
Servings | 8
Preparation Time | 15 min
Cooking Time | 25 min
Level of Difficulty | Easy
breakfast | Whip up a batch of these mini frittatas on a Sunday night and you've got breakfast ready to go for the week. Pop them in the microwave for a few seconds and enjoy.
Ingredients
2 spray(s) cooking spray
1 pound(s) frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
4 large egg(s), beaten
1 Tbsp fat-free skim milk
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
2 oz cooked lean ham, finely chopped
1/8 cup(s) sweet red pepper(s), finely chopped (2 Tbsp)
1/8 cup(s) green pepper(s), finely chopped (2 Tbsp)
2 Tbsp onion(s), finely chopped
1/2 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, Weight Watchers Reduced Fat Shredded Cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 8 muffin tin holes with cooking spray. Spread potatoes around bottom and press potato up sides of each muffin hole; place in oven and cook for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, beat eggs and milk together in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add ham, peppers, onion and cheese to bowl; mix to combine.
Remove potatoes from oven (after cooking for 10 minutes) and press potatoes down firmly with a spoon so that they are spread out like mini piecrusts (potatoes should cover bottom and sides of each hole). Pour about 1/4 cup of egg mixture into the center of each muffin hole.
Return pan to oven and cook until potatoes are crisp and golden, and the egg mixture is set, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit about 5 minutes before serving. Yields 1 frittata per serving.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
What can you expect in weeks 2-4
What you can expect in weeks 2 – 4
With a week on Plan under your belt, you should be more comfortable tracking what you’ve already eaten, and may have started planning ahead using the online tools. You’ve also probably realized that some foods keep you full for longer, and that others are genuine treats best saved for special occasions.
During the next couple of weeks, you’ll start hearing about the benefits of exercise, as well as learning that not every goal should be about a number on the scale. After all — and let’s be honest here — the scale doesn’t always reflect your hard work without fail. The tips and motivation we’re serving up to you will help you stay on track, even when times get tough. And remember: Any time you need a knowledge boost, you can attend the Getting Started session at your meeting as many times as you like.
With a week on Plan under your belt, you should be more comfortable tracking what you’ve already eaten, and may have started planning ahead using the online tools. You’ve also probably realized that some foods keep you full for longer, and that others are genuine treats best saved for special occasions.
During the next couple of weeks, you’ll start hearing about the benefits of exercise, as well as learning that not every goal should be about a number on the scale. After all — and let’s be honest here — the scale doesn’t always reflect your hard work without fail. The tips and motivation we’re serving up to you will help you stay on track, even when times get tough. And remember: Any time you need a knowledge boost, you can attend the Getting Started session at your meeting as many times as you like.
Week 2 Challenge
Challenge to Use the PointsPlus™ Program: Week Two
Article By: Elizabeth Josefsberg
Welcome to Week Two of the Challenge to Use the PointsPlus Program. We dare you to dig in and make use of all of the amazing tools available, while watching the pounds melt away.
Join us for the next four weeks as we give you tasks that really allow you to take full advantage of the features that make the PointsPlus program so unique and revolutionary.
The introduction of a brand new plan in a brand new year is a perfect opportunity to focus on your weight loss and hone the skills you need to build. To help you get there, we’re going to take you through some of the great features of the PointsPlus program, which heralds a new, smarter way of eating.
Each week for the next four weeks we will focus on one of four pillars of the plan, sharing techniques, tips and strategies that will assist you in your efforts.
Week 2: Getting smarter
The message is clear. Not all PointsPlus values are created equal. Certain foods are more filling, nutritious and serve your body better than others. Taking the time to incorporate those foods into your meals allows you to eat more while losing weight. The PointsPlus program is crammed with tools that can help you learn to make smarter food choices. Food choices that lead to greater overall eating satisfaction while supporting weight loss. This week we challenge you to take time to understand how Weight Watchers Power Foods and the Good Health Guidelines steer you toward more eating satisfaction, better overall health, and weight loss.
The amazing thing about the tools is that they are intricately linked. If you take a careful look at the Good Health Guidelines you will notice that most of them guide you toward Weight Watchers Power Foods! They urge you to consume fruits, veggies, lean meats and calcium servings. By following the Good Health Guidelines you are effortlessly maxing out on Weight Watchers Power Foods!
As you tackle this week’s challenge to familiarize yourself with both tools more fully, perhaps you will reread each list and guideline, as they are brimming with information. A deeper knowledge of each and stricter adherence will only make your experience on the Plan more enjoyable! After spending some time familiarizing, take it one step further. Renovate a meal, adding Weight Watchers Power Foods or challenge yourself to squeeze in those two teaspoons of healthy oil each day. Push yourself toward those smarter food choices.
You may notice that when you follow the Good Health Guidelines you won't have a huge amount of room in your daily PointsPlus Target for indulgences. Smart, successful members take advantage of another great tool available to them, their weekly PointsPlus Allowance. Man cannot live on fruits and veggies alone! Use that weekly PointsPlus Allowance to keep life interesting. Work in your favorite indulgence alongside all of your healthy, new Weight Watchers Power Foods this week.
Join in the conversation. Share how you spend your weekly PointsPlus Allowance or how you get the Good Health Guidelines in each day. Found a great new way to work a Weight Watchers Power Food into your day? Share it in the Community!
Article By: Elizabeth Josefsberg
Welcome to Week Two of the Challenge to Use the PointsPlus Program. We dare you to dig in and make use of all of the amazing tools available, while watching the pounds melt away.
Join us for the next four weeks as we give you tasks that really allow you to take full advantage of the features that make the PointsPlus program so unique and revolutionary.
The introduction of a brand new plan in a brand new year is a perfect opportunity to focus on your weight loss and hone the skills you need to build. To help you get there, we’re going to take you through some of the great features of the PointsPlus program, which heralds a new, smarter way of eating.
Each week for the next four weeks we will focus on one of four pillars of the plan, sharing techniques, tips and strategies that will assist you in your efforts.
Week 2: Getting smarter
The message is clear. Not all PointsPlus values are created equal. Certain foods are more filling, nutritious and serve your body better than others. Taking the time to incorporate those foods into your meals allows you to eat more while losing weight. The PointsPlus program is crammed with tools that can help you learn to make smarter food choices. Food choices that lead to greater overall eating satisfaction while supporting weight loss. This week we challenge you to take time to understand how Weight Watchers Power Foods and the Good Health Guidelines steer you toward more eating satisfaction, better overall health, and weight loss.
The amazing thing about the tools is that they are intricately linked. If you take a careful look at the Good Health Guidelines you will notice that most of them guide you toward Weight Watchers Power Foods! They urge you to consume fruits, veggies, lean meats and calcium servings. By following the Good Health Guidelines you are effortlessly maxing out on Weight Watchers Power Foods!
As you tackle this week’s challenge to familiarize yourself with both tools more fully, perhaps you will reread each list and guideline, as they are brimming with information. A deeper knowledge of each and stricter adherence will only make your experience on the Plan more enjoyable! After spending some time familiarizing, take it one step further. Renovate a meal, adding Weight Watchers Power Foods or challenge yourself to squeeze in those two teaspoons of healthy oil each day. Push yourself toward those smarter food choices.
You may notice that when you follow the Good Health Guidelines you won't have a huge amount of room in your daily PointsPlus Target for indulgences. Smart, successful members take advantage of another great tool available to them, their weekly PointsPlus Allowance. Man cannot live on fruits and veggies alone! Use that weekly PointsPlus Allowance to keep life interesting. Work in your favorite indulgence alongside all of your healthy, new Weight Watchers Power Foods this week.
Join in the conversation. Share how you spend your weekly PointsPlus Allowance or how you get the Good Health Guidelines in each day. Found a great new way to work a Weight Watchers Power Food into your day? Share it in the Community!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Chocolate Eclair Points Plus 3
Here is one of my favorite recipes that I have converted to PointPlus and it is only 3, yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chocolate Éclair Dessert (Thank you again Tommy Jo)
24 Low Fat Graham Cracker Sheets
2 small Boxes Sugar-Free Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
3 Cups Skim Milk
1 (8 oz.) Container Fat Free Cool Whip
1 small Box Sugar-Free Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix
1 1/2 cups Skim Milk
Place 8 graham crackers in bottom of 9 in. x 13 in. baking dish. Mix vanilla pudding and 3 cups skim milk, let sit 2 minutes. Gently fold in Cool Whip. Pour half of vanilla pudding on graham crackers. Top with another 8 graham crackers. Pour remaining vanilla pudding over graham crackers. Top with last 8 graham crackers. Mix the chocolate pudding mix with 1 1/2 cups skim milk, let sit 2 minutes. Spread over graham crackers. Let it sit in the fridge for awhile to soften the crackers. Serves: 18 – PointsPlus per serving: 3
Chocolate Éclair Dessert (Thank you again Tommy Jo)
24 Low Fat Graham Cracker Sheets
2 small Boxes Sugar-Free Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
3 Cups Skim Milk
1 (8 oz.) Container Fat Free Cool Whip
1 small Box Sugar-Free Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix
1 1/2 cups Skim Milk
Place 8 graham crackers in bottom of 9 in. x 13 in. baking dish. Mix vanilla pudding and 3 cups skim milk, let sit 2 minutes. Gently fold in Cool Whip. Pour half of vanilla pudding on graham crackers. Top with another 8 graham crackers. Pour remaining vanilla pudding over graham crackers. Top with last 8 graham crackers. Mix the chocolate pudding mix with 1 1/2 cups skim milk, let sit 2 minutes. Spread over graham crackers. Let it sit in the fridge for awhile to soften the crackers. Serves: 18 – PointsPlus per serving: 3
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