Tip: The key to enjoying mac 'n' cheese when you're losing is to give it a boost of flavor without boosting fat by adding veggies.

Pick up the March/April issue of Weight Watchers magazine, on newsstands now for our ultimate Mac n Cheese recipe, and these 3 delicious variations. — with Lindsey Hackney.

Healthy Cookies
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 8 • Size: 2 cookies • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 2 pt
Calories: 93 • Fat: 3.5 g • Carb: 15 g • Fiber: 2 g • Protein: 2 g • Sugar: 4.5 g
Sodium: 0.4 mg

Ingredients:

• 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup of uncooked quick oats*
• 1/4 cup crushed walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Spray a non-stick cookie sheet with cooking spray or use a Silpat.

Combine the mashed bananas and oats in a bowl. Fold in the walnuts and place a tablespoon of each on the cookie sheet.

Bake 15 minutes. Makes 16 cookies.

Mini Chocolate-Chip Cookies

Weight Watchers Recipe

Ratings (3052)

1PointsPlus Value

Prep time: 10 min

Cook time: 6 min

Other time: 0 min

Serves: 48

Go ahead and grab a few of these bite-size cookies. They might be little, but they pack a big chocolate punch.

Ingredients 2 Tbsp salted butter, softened    2 tsp canola oil    1/2 cup(s) packed brown sugar, dark-variety    1 tsp vanilla extract    1/8 tsp table salt      1 large egg white(s)    3/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour    1/4 tsp baking soda    3 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips, about 1/2 cup    Instructions Preheat oven to 375ºF. In a medium bowl, cream together butter, oil and sugar. Add vanilla, salt and egg white; mix thoroughly to combine. In a small bowl, mix together flour and baking soda; stir into batter. Add chocolate chips to batter; stir to distribute evenly throughout. Drop 48 half-teaspoons of dough onto one or two large nonstick baking sheets, leaving a small amount of space between each cookie. Bake cookies until golden around edges, about 4 to 6 minutes; cool on a wire rack. Yields 1 cookie per serving.

 

Cumin, Mint, & Yogurt Smoothie Recipe

2 cups plain yogurt (low fat or whole milk)
½ cup fresh mint leaves, torn up and loosely packed
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon salt
To make the smoothie:
Place all of the ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. Store in refrigerator for up to four days.
To serve:
Fill glass with ice cubes and add 4 ounces of smoothie. Add ¼ cup sparkling or still water and stir with a spoon. Enjoy!
93 calories, 1.6 g fat, 1.2 g saturated fat, 9.7 g carbohydrates, 8.6 g sugar, 7.4 g protein, 0.8 g fiber, 380 mg sodium, 2 PointsPlus

up coming e-tools demonstrations in the Palmdale Store.

Monday, March 4 11:30 a.m.  Mobile e-tools demo (smart phone & tablets)
Wed March 13 4:00 p.m. Computer demo
Sat. March 16 11:30 a.m.  Mobile e-tools demo (smart phone & tablets)
Tues March 26 4:00 p.m. mobile e-tools demo (smart phone & tablets)

TIP: Accept imperfection. Aim to eat sensibly MOST of the time. None of us have a "perfect" diet. Instead, make the best choices you can, when you can!

Here is a tip to help you stay on track.
Find a pair of pants that is tight, but not impossible to zip, Every Friday morning, try them on.

Why Friday? Weekends are typically a tougher time to stay on diets. And the Friday morning try-on will motivate you to watch your eating during the weekend.

If they are loose, you will say to yourself 'I am making progress, I am staying on track during the weekend.

And if they're snug? That will provide motivation to stick to your diet so they'll fit better next week.

REVIEW OF the LAST THREE MONTHS of ROUTINES ON 360*
December- Take a SNACK with you when you go out
January- Eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal and snack
February- Know how you'll be active tomorrow (plan it!)
     You keeping up? Planning these routines into your life? Each one helps with weight control and maintenance! Learn it, Live it, Lose it, Love it!
 

This Month's Routine: Know How You're Going to Be Active Tomorrow
Meeting Topic: Ready, Set, Goal!

Feta and Spinach Dip

Larger Image

Weight Watchers Recipe

Ratings (270)

2PointsPlus Value

Prep time: 12 min

Cook time: 1 min

Other time: 0 min

Serves: 8

This creamy spinach-feta combo dresses up fresh vegetables or baked pita chips deliciously. Or use it as a tasty spread for sandwiches and wraps.

• Recipe

• Read All Reviews (247)

Ingredients

	4 cup(s) fresh spinach, fresh, chopped (about 2 oz)
	1/2 cup(s) low fat cream cheese
	1/2 cup(s) fat-free sour cream
	1/4 cup(s) crumbled feta cheese
	1/4 cup(s) chives, fresh, minced, divided
	2 tsp fresh lemon juice
	1/4 tsp black pepper
	1/4 tsp table salt, or less to taste (optional)

Instructions

• Place spinach in a small saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat and then cook for 1 minute; drain well.
  
• Place spinach, cream cheese, sour cream, feta cheese, 2 tablespoons of chives, lemon juice and pepper in a blender; puree. Taste dip and add salt if desired. Spoon dip into a serving bowl and sprinkle with remaining tablespoon of chives. Yields about 3 tablespoons of dip per serving.

Notes

• For a nice flavor boost, substitute sorrel or watercress for half the spinach and follow the recipe directions above.

 
Slow cooked shredded chicken with corn, tomatoes and black beans. Prep this the night before and turn your crock pot

on in the morning for an easy weeknight meal.

Serve over rice or in a bowl with nachos on the side, and don't forget the toppings. Chopped scallions, fresh cilantro, fat free yogurt or sour cream and reduced fat cheddar are my favorites.Crock Pot Sante Fe Chicken came in first place (yay!) for Ziplist's most saved recipe in 2012 (they have over 800K recipes). I'm thrilled, and I see why you would choose this one! It's delicious, easy, requires no pre-cooking, and everyone loves an easy slow cooker recipe. It's also kid-friendly, freezer friendly and gluten-free. In it's honor I decided to revive it from the archives and give it some love.

Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 8 servings • Size: 1 cup • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 190 • Fat: 1.5 g • Fiber: 5.6 g • Carbs: 23.1 g • Protein: 21 g

Ingredients:

• 24 oz (1 1/2) lbs chicken breast
• 14.4 oz can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
• 15 oz can black beans
• 8 oz frozen corn
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 14.4 oz can fat free chicken broth
• 3 scallions, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)
  
• salt to taste

Directions:
Combine chicken broth, beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt in the crock pot. Season chicken breast with salt and lay on top.  

Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Adjust salt and seasoning to taste. Serve over rice or tortillas and your favorite toppings.

"There are too many people praying for mountains
of difficulty to be removed,  when what they
really need is the courage to climb them.”
Unknown 

REVIEW OF LAST THREE MONTHS OF ROUTINES ON 360*
December- Take a SNACK with you when you go out
January- Eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal and snack
February- Know how you'll be active tomorrow (plan it!)
     You keeping up? Planning these routines into your life? Each one helps with weight control and maintenance! Learn it, Live it, Lose it, Love it!

Healthy Cookies

Healthy Cookies

A healthy cookie made with just three ingredients! Mashed ripe bananas, oatmeal and walnuts. OMG, these really ARE healthy!

Cookie's for breakfast, cookies for lunch, cookies, cookies coooookies.

I'm really so excited about these cookies, can't you tell? Thank you, thank you to the person who emailed me this recipe. It was actually a recipe for a two ingredient cookie, but walnuts and bananas really do it for me, think banana bread.. in a cookie.

The cookies are best right out of the oven, they are chewy and soft – just how I like my cookies.

I'm anxiously awaiting my next batch of bananas to get super ripe so I can make them again. This time, I'm going to add almonds and see how they turn out. Next time, maybe raisins? chocolate chips? Cinnamon, pumpkin spice, vanilla... can't wait!

Egg free, dairy free, gluten free (use gf oats), vegetarian, vegan, kid friendly... what else can I say??

Be sure your bananas are super ripe. I've only tested them with quick oats, so I'm not sure how they work with rolled oats. My gut tells me stick with the quick oats.

If you're on Weight Watchers; each cookie is 1 points plus. Quick breakfast to go; 5 cookies and a piece of fruit = 5 point plus! Leave the nuts out, they are still 1 point each. Replace the nuts with mini chocolate chips... still 1 point. Make these today!



Healthy Cookies
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 8 • Size: 2 cookies • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 2 pt
Calories: 93 • Fat: 3.5 g • Carb: 15 g • Fiber: 2 g • Protein: 2 g • Sugar: 4.5 g
Sodium: 0.4 mg

Ingredients:

• 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup of uncooked quick oats*
• 1/4 cup crushed walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Spray a non-stick cookie sheet with cooking spray or use a Silpat.

Combine the mashed bananas and oats in a bowl. Fold in the walnuts and place a tablespoon of each on the cookie sheet.

Bake 15 minutes. Makes 16 cookies.

*Use gluten free oats such as Bob's Red Mill quick oats to make them gluten free.
Adapted from the Burlap Bag.

This Month's Routine: Know How You're Going to Be Active Tomorrow
Meeting Topic: Fuel Your Activity

What's for dinner?? Try this easy WW recipe for 6 points per serving. Add a side salad with a low fat or non fat dressing and you have another complete meal for under 10 points!

Creamy Chicken and Noodles - 6 points per serving (recipe makes 4)

Ingredients
6 oz wide egg noodles
1 lb boneless/skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 cups small white mushrooms
1 tbsp unsalted butter
4 tsp all purpose flour
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup light sour cream
PAM cooking spray

Directions
1. Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions. Drain and keep warm.
2. Brown the chicken in a non-stick skillet and transfer to a separate plate. Spray the skillet with Pam cooking spray and saute the onions and mushrooms until brown. Add mushrooms to plate with chicken.
3. Melt butter in the skillet and slowly add in flour. Cook, stirring constantly, until bubbling. Continuing to stir, slowly pour in chicken broth. Add mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Continue to cook and stir constantly, until thickened, and then stir in sour cream. Stir in chicken and vegetables until mixed well.
5. Serve over noodles.

Enjoy!!!

Castaic Friday Meeting

Come check out the Castaic Meeting

SCVI CHARTER SCHOOL
28060 HASLEY CANYON
CASTAIC , CA 91384

Friday Mornings @ 8am with Lisa M

MEETING IS HELD IN THE CAFE.

Crock Pot Beer Chicken
A wonderful and easy Chicken Crock Pot Recipe that tastes great and has just 3 Points +.


2lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts (I used 8 breasts, 4oz ea)
1 bottle or can of your favorite beer (I used Guinness)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper

Place all ingredients in the crock pot, and cook on high for 4-5 hrs, or low for 6-8 hrs.
Feel free to change out the spices and herbs and use whatever you’d like.

Entire recipe makes 8 servings
Serving size is 1 chicken breast
Each serving = 3 Points +

WW Recipe for today

Sweet and Sour (Spicy) Shrimp - 3 pts per serving
Serving Size - 1/4 of meal

Ingriedients
1 (8 oz) can of pineapple chunks in juice
1 tsp corn starch
3 tbsp Red Chili Sauce (leave out or decrease if you're not a fan of spicy food - found in aisle with Asian food)
1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder (I use minced garlic)
Pam cooking spray
2 tsp sesame or vegetable oil (I use sesame)
1 green bell pepper (coursely chopped)
1/2 onion, sliced
3/4 lb peeled and deveined fresh shrimp

Instructions
1. Drain pineapple and reserve juice, set pineapple chunks aside.
2. Combine pineapple juice, corn starch, chili sauce, garlic, and soy sauce and set aside.
3. Coat a non-stick skillet with cooking spray and add oil (veg or sesame). Place over medium heat until hot. Add bell pepper and onion and stir fry 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender. Add shrimp and stir-fry 2-3 minutes longer or until shrimp are pink (cooked).
4. Stir in cornstarch mixture and pineapple mixture into shrimp. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick and bubbly.

Serve with 1 cup of white or brown rice (for 5 pts) and you have yourself an 8 pt dinner!

I've made this dish several times and it is super good!

Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Topping
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 5  • Size: 2 pancakes + cream cheese topping • Old Pts: 5 • Points+: 6 pts
Calories: 231 • Fat: 4 g • Protein: 7 g • Carb: 43 g • Fiber: 2 g • Sugar: 24 g
Sodium: 436 mg

Ingredients:

For the cream cheese topping (makes 3/4 cup):

• 2 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese (recommended: Philadelphia)
• 3 tbsp plain fat free yogurt
• 3 tbsp honey 
• 1 tbsp fat-free milk

For the pancakes:

• 1/2 cup white whole wheat
• 1/2 cup unbleached all purpose
• 2 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup raw sugar (Splenda or Stevia would work)
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup + 2 tbsp fat free milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp red paste food coloring (I used Wilton no-taste paste)
• cooking spray

Directions:

Combine the cream cheese topping ingredients, set aside.

Mix the flours, baking powder, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.

In another dissolve the food coloring with the milk; whisk in egg and vanilla.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients until there are no more dry spots, careful not over mix.

Heat a large non-stick griddle pan on medium-low heat. When hot, lightly spray with oil to coat and pour 1/4 cup of pancake batter onto the pan.

When the pancake starts to bubble and the edges begin to set, flip the pancakes. Repeat with the remainder of the batter.

To serve, place two pancakes on each plate, then top with about 2 1/2 tbsp of cream cheese topping.

Yields 10 pancakes.

Come check out the Castaic Meeting

SCVI CHARTER SCHOOL
28060 HASLEY CANYON
CASTAIC , CA 91384

Friday Mornings @ 8am with Lisa M

MEETING IS HELD IN THE CAFE.

Tracking. Spaces. Routines.

These are the three foundational skills we
​cover in the new Weight Watchers 360 program.

If you are on board, you can-

Expect Amazing

amazing results, an amazing life, an amazing new look-
what would amazing look like for you?

Sweet Potato Pudding Recipe

Sweet Potato Pudding Recipe

(serves 1)
½ baked sweet potato
¼ cup vanilla yogurt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
sliced almonds for garnish (optional)
Mash sweet potato in a bowl and mix in cinnamon. Top with yogurt and almonds. Enjoy!
To bake sweet potato: Heat oven to 400F. Make fork holes in the sweet potato and then place on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes to one hour until soft.
With low fat yogurt = 130 calories, 1.4 g fat, 0.7 g saturated fat, 23.5 g carbohydrates, 4.4 g sugar, 5.3 g protein, 0.0 g fiber, 50 mg sodium, 3 PointsPlus

Come check out the Castaic Meeting

SCVI CHARTER SCHOOL
28060 HASLEY CANYON
CASTAIC , CA 91384

Friday Mornings @ 8am with Lisa M

MEETING IS HELD IN THE CAFE.

This Month's Routine: Know How You're Going to Be Active Tomorrow

Meeting Topic: Be a Portion Pro