This Week in Meetings....

BOUNCE BACK! 

If you find yourself drifting off Plan (summer has a way of doing that sometimes), you are not alone. Everyone disconnects at some point. 

Motivational speaker Jeff Keller agrees that staying on track can be tough. “No matter the task, there’s often some obstacle or temptation to keep us from our goal,” says Keller. “That’s why it’s so important to stay positive.” 

Come find out how to stay focused on your goals! 

"The Facets Magazine" recently posted this fantastic Fourth of July party snack idea! 
And it's ZERO PointsPlus values! 
#ServeItUpSaturday

1 container of strawberries (cut in half)
Blueberries
Bananas

Begin the flag by placing five blueberries on each stick for the first five kabobs.

Enjoy earning those activity points in the sun while staying safe! Etools has some great articles with tips and techniques to keep your cool when working out in the summer heat. #FitnessFriday

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=21981&sc=3039 

Topic of the Week: "Be a Summer Party Smarty!"
This week in meetings, we'll talk about how to enjoy warm-weather food and fun while staying on track. 

It's an amazing moment when you realize that it's not one meal or even one week that "does you in." Success in weight loss really is about what you consistently do and the ability to recover. Regardless of what the scale says this week, keep on keepin' on. Success IS the result of those repeated small efforts! #WowMomentWednesday 

This Week in Meetings:  
"Do you BLT?"

They're hardly noticeable. How much can they cost you, anyway? Well, a scoop or two of spinach dip, a couple of licks of an ice-cream cone, and a few gulps of sweet tea, and you're looking at 3 or 4 extra PointsPlus values. Maybe you didn't count them, but alas, they still add up. 

Don't let a bite here, a lick there, or "just a taste" sabotage your Plan. 
Attend your meeting this week to find out how!

Quinoa & Apple Breakfast Cereal

#ServeItUpSaturday

Been dying to try Quinoa? ("Keen-wa")

Try this delicious protein-packed cereal that also makes a sweet side dish – great with raisins, crystallized ginger, sautéed pear, nuts and dried berries, too! (Change in ingredients COULD change the pointsplus value).

PointsPlus value: 5
Serving size: 2/3 cup
Number of servings in this recipe: 6

Ingredients:
1 cup(s) uncooked quinoa 
2 spray(s) cooking spray 
1 Tbsp salted butter, divided 
2 medium fresh apple(s), chopped or diced 
2 cup(s) water, cold 
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 
3 Tbsp packed brown sugar 
1/4 cup(s) fat free skim milk 

Instructions:
- Soak quinoa in a bowl of water for 5 minutes. 
- Meanwhile, coat a large skillet with cooking spray; set over medium heat. When skillet is hot, melt 1/2 tablespoon butter until it just starts to sizzle. Add apples and cook, turning occasionally, until apples are soft and begin to caramelize, about 5 to 10 minutes depending on personal taste; set aside.
- Rinse and drain quinoa. Add quinoa and 2 cups of cold water to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat; boil for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low, cover pan tightly and allow quinoa to simmer for 10 minutes. When quinoa is cooked (a little tail will appear on each grain), remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Add remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter, cinnamon, sugar and milk; stir to combine and fold in apples. Garnish with cinnamon, if desired. Yields about 2/3 cup per serving.

Notes:
This recipe reheats well in the microwave.

Everyone starts somewhere. 

Grab a workout buddy and get moving this weekend! 

Even if you go slow, 

you're still lapping the person on the couch.

#FitnessFriday

To go along with our vacation topic in meeting rooms this week, the ACE Challenge is to attend a meeting no matter where you go! 

Remember, "SELFIES" are extra credit! #AceYourSummerChallenge2014

A little fun to brighten up your Thursday! 
The weekend ALMOST here! 
Is the thought of getting down to your original weight daunting? Don't be so hard on yourself!  
#ThrowbackThursday 

Failing leads to learning and learning leads to success. The weeks that are the most challenging can be the most important because it's what you do moving forward with what you learn that matters most!  #MondayMotivation

This week's meeting topic: "Vacation Renovation!"

How to come back with great memories & no regrets!

June 8-14, 2014

The very things that make vacations so wonderful — a relaxing vibe, beautiful new surroundings, feeling pampered — are often the same reasons some members say they fall off track. Toss in buffet breakfasts, tempting local delicacies, and lounging poolside with frozen cocktails and maintaining the balance between restraint and indulgence becomes even harder! You'll discover in your meeting this week that with a little planning and preparation it doesn't have to be.

Entertaining this weekend? 
This chocolate chip cheesecake is so creamy and rich - you might not even need more than half a slice. Serve with fresh sliced strawberries. #ServeItUpSaturday

"Chocolate Chip Cheesecake"
   PointsPlus Value: 7

Ingredients:

2 spray(s) cooking spray   
10 item(s) cream filled chocolate sandwich cookie(s)   
8 1/2 Tbsp fat-free cream cheese   
8 oz low fat cream cheese, tub-style   
1 cup(s) sugar   
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour   
1 cup(s) fat free cottage cheese   
2 tsp almond extract, or less to taste   
6 large egg white(s)   
3/4 cup(s) mini chocolate chips, divided   

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325ºF.
Lightly coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Crush cookies; sprinkle evenly over bottom of pan.
Using an electric mixer, in a large bowl, beat together cream cheeses on lowest speed until well-blended.
In a small bowl, combine sugar and flour; add to cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth.
In a food processor or blender, purée cottage cheese until smooth. Add cottage cheese and almond extract to cream cheese mixture; beat until smooth. Add egg whites; beat until well-blended. Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
Pour batter into prepared pan and sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips. Bake until cheesecake puffs and center is almost set, about 60 minutes.
Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely. Run a knife around sides of pan to loosen; release pan sides. Cover and chill overnight. Cut into 12 slices and serve. Yields 1 slice per serving.

Graduation season is here! 

Transitioning from college life to a desk job? Move a little more. Fitness tips and more in this "Post-Graduation Survival Guide!" #FitnessFriday
http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=222131&sc=3046

The "ACE your Summer" challenge 

starts in meeting rooms this week! 

Collect your card, attend weekly meetings 

to support your weight loss journey, & win!

This Week in Meetings: "PACK A SNACK!"

June 1-7, 2014

June's routine of having a healthy snack on hand is a sound strategy for summer’s less-than-clockwork schedules!