[CHANGES] WW quickies and more

Tue May 7 15:07:09 CDT 2002

Weight Watcher members and other friends
 Here are: 4 quick things about WW; A recipe for Crockpot Potato Chowder
that was posted on the wall at WW this week;  A list of 25 things that I am
grateful for (with a teaser about my next CHANGES newsletter).

1) Request for the 100 WW recipes link. Note: This is the same link that I
published last week. A few people didn't get that email. Click on "recipes"
once you get there. http://donnita.com/journal/index.html

2) Thinspiration. This a contest for anyone who has lost weight with WW and
would like to tell their story. You do not have to be at goal. All entries
win a cookbook. Forty-eight grand prize winners win $250 plus other prizes.
You need to tell your "thinspiration" in 150 words or less. Being a writer,
I know that is a real challenge. If you need help with the editing, send me
your lengthy version and I'll help you pare it down.

3) I'm looking for an editor myself. I would love to have my CHANGES
newsletter spot checked and edited before I send it out to all of you.
Problem is, I like to write it one day and send it the next. If you can work
in a tight turn around and are interested let me know.

4) One last reminder. WW's has free registration through May 18. A $15
registration fee will go into effect at that time. That is the same day that
our prices increase to $10.95 per week. In order "beat the system" you can
buy prepayment coupons (10 for $89.50) in unlimited quantities right now.
These will be able to be used for your weekly meeting fees through March
2003.

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Crockpot Potato Chowder

2 cups potatoes cut in 1/2 in cubes; 1 large carrot; 1 cup chopped leek
(white part only); 1 clove minced garlic; 4 cups ff chicken broth; 1/2 cup
pearl barley; 1 bay leaf; 1/4 tsp dried crushed thyme; 1/4 tsp. pepper; 4
oz. Canadian Bacon cut into 1/4" pieces.

Combine these ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.

Add: 1/2 cup evap ff milk; 1/4 cup ff half and half

Stir and heat through, uncovered about 10 minutes.

This makes 8 servings at 4.5 points each. Approx 1 1/2 cup per serving.

Note: FF Half and Half is available at Schnucks, SuperWalmart (Savoy), and
Mejer .

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My Gratitude List.

Later this week I will be sending out a CHANGES newsletter about how being
grateful changed my life. I decided to make a list of 25 things that I was
grateful for that had to do with my body, my diet, food, or Weight Watchers.
Try it. You can borrow some of mine if you need help getting started.

1) Grilled Chocolate Chip Sandwiches (I'm not kidding). Try this! Two slices
Natural Oven's Happiness Bread (2 points). 1 Tbls. Chocolate Chips (2
points). Make the sandwich like a grilled cheese using 1 teaspoon of Brummel
and Brown yogurt margerine - or butter spray.

2) Corn on the Cob with Balsamic Vinegar

3) Strawberries and Angel Food cake

4) Splenda  http://www.splenda.com

5) My new bike

6) My new walking shoes (shame on me for waiting so long to buy them!)

7) I'm committed to trying tennis this week. Even bought new tennis balls.

8) Went to the tennis courts yesterday and when they were full, I didn't
turn around and go home (Well I tried. should get points for that!) instead
I went for a nice brisk walk.

9) Bike ride on Saturday (30 miles!)- Grateful that I could physically do
it.

10) - Grateful for the beautiful weather

11) - Grateful that we live in flat terrain

12) - Grateful for my husband who rides patiently slow with me and never
tells me to quit whining.

13) Absolutely fabulous birthday dinner at Timpones on Saturday with Kevin
and my dear friends Carol and Matt. Wow the food!- Grouper with shrimp and
Rissoto and Lobster Sauce. (note: Note Timpones is on the second floor. Not
recommened ... see #9 above)

14) Decided to reign in the birthday celebration eating and journal my
points yesterday to monitor my eating. Came in at 23 points without even
trying! (But I'm at 20 today and it's just 1pm).

15) My memory of my time in Vermont comes to me each time I have a salad
with Balsamic Vinegar for the dressing. (I had it almost everyday when I was
on my artist retreat last October.)

16) Vegan Bar-bq. You can have a sandwich in the little deli next door to WW
(Natural Gourmet) or make it your self using this recipe
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CUWWAnnounce/message/107

17) Farmers Market in Urbana. May 11! Can't wait.
http://www.city.urbana.il.us/Urbana/

18) Kevin's Fruit Salad. The last one was: a mango, a grapefruit, 2
tangerines, a "Unique" fruit, 2 cups of strawberries, 2 kiwis. Oh my.

19) My garden is tilled and ready in preparation for an abundant crop of
home grown tomatoes. (If you haven't tried the tomatoes called "Uglies"- you
have to. They are the MOST like home grown that you will find. Worth the
price. I have found them at IGA and Schnucks.)

20) Water. (While I'm on this one. take time to really feel gratitude about
the abundance that we live in compared to the much of the rest of the world)

21) My bi-ceps. (What can I say?)

22) Being happy about being in this 41 year old body. It feels good despite
creaky knees, irritable tummy, poor eyesight and being prone to big old
hormone fluctuations. Still it's mine and I'm grateful for it.

23) Mobility. Grateful that I can get around.

24) Members who've inspired me lately. Especially Elaine today. She's lost
more than 50 pounds and will be a lifetime member this week. I love that it
has not all been a downhill coast for her. She has struggled, and made
decisions, and wavered, and changed her mind, and committed, and
recommitted, and looked at motives, and habits, and wants, and dreams. She
has truly grown in mind and spirit while she's shrinking. (She wore her old
pants at Halloween and came as the Incredible Shrinking Woman.). It is a joy
to a part of Elaine's life and a part of other members who share their
struggles and successes. It makes it so easy to be a meeting facilitator.
Thank you all.

25) Chocolate Chip Sandwiches. (They'll be on your list twice too once you
try them.)

Take good care!

Sandra Ahten

If you are having the email forwarded to you- You can now sign up yourself
by clicking on the link below.

http://lists.cu.groogroo.com/cgi-bin/listinfo

My WW meeting times: Tues 5:15, Wed 9:30, noon, 5:15  Friday 7:30, 10, noon