[CHANGES] Inspiration, Forgotten Cookies & More

[Sandra Ahten]

Hello Friends:
This e-mail contains
1) A little inspiration about letting go of a perfectionistic, know-it-all 
attitude (who, me?)
2) Recipes for Forgotten Cookies, Taco Junk, "Fried" Fish, and Tuna 
Casserole
3) A member's cookbook recommendation
4) My WW schedule

"I know what to do. I just don't do it." In my Weight Watchers meetings 
we've been discussing letting go of a know-it-all attitude and being 
"teachable" instead. In the last few weeks we've been learning about healthy 
food to eat when we are in a fast-food mode, ideas for simple foods to make 
at home, and ways to compose your grocery list. Here is something to ponder 
from "Believing in Myself" by Earnie Larsen and Carol Hegarty:

"Depending on our attitude, being in the wrong may be seen as a chance to 
learn, an invitation to wisdom. Everyone makes mistakes. The question isn't 
whether or not we do, but how we handle it. If we use every mistake as a 
chance to get down on ourselves, our mistakes can teach us nothing. And 
every mistake thereafter will not serve as an opportunity to learn either. 
Think how different it would feel to simply acknowledge the error, pull up 
our socks, and forgive ourselves! Then, in the absence of all that 
disproportionate emotion, we could learn from the mistake. Perhaps in spite 
of the momentary embarrassment, we would find it was well worth the tumble."

Maybe now is the time to forgive yourself for your failings of the past and 
try a new approach. How about joining a support group, or coming to Weight 
Watchers with an attitude of "allowance" instead of punishment. "I allow 
myself to do this thing that will help me feel better, provide me with 
inspiration, let me meet new people, help me on a road to healthiness, etc."

What is it that you need to forgive yourself for? What do you need to allow 
yourself to be imperfect at? What do you need to let yourself do? I like 
this quote by Allan Picket: "To admit I have been in the wrong is but saying 
that I am wiser today than I was yesterday."

-----------------

Here are some simple recipes that were posted in the Champaign WW Center 
during the last two weeks.

***FORGOTTEN COOKIES
3 dozen cookies, 1 point each

2 egg whites
2/3 C. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 C. chopped pecans
1 C. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Gently beat egg whites, then add sugar. 
Continue beating until stiff peaks form. Fold in vanilla, then fold in 
pecans and chips. Drop by teaspoonfuls (making 36 cookies) onto two large, 
ungreased cookie sheet. Turn off the oven and put the cookies in. Leave them 
in the oven overnight, or for a minimum of 4 hours.


***TACO JUNK
5 servings of 1 cup each; 2 points per cup

1 lb. lean ground beef or turkey
1 16-oz can whole kernel corn (drained)
1 16-oz can pinto beans (drained)
1 16-oz can stewed tomatoes
1 envelope of taco seasoning
1 envelope of fat-free ranch dressing mix

Brown meat until done. Drain and rinse in hot water. Return to pan (or 
crockpot). Add other ingredients, mix well, and simmer for 1 hour (or 
longer). Serve with baked chips or over a baked potato (for additional 
points).


***"FRIED" FISH
5 points for whole recipe

6 oz cod fillets (you can buy these frozen and immerse the plastic bag in 
hot water to defrost)
3 T. plain breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs
Onion powder
All-purpose seasoning or other combination of spices (garlic, chili powder, 
basil, etc.)
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Coat fish fillets with crumbs. Place in baking 
dish lined with sprayed foil. Sprinkle with seasoning. Spray with cooking 
spray. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until fillets are flaky.


***TUNA CASSEROLE
8 points for whole recipe

1 6-oz can water-packed tuna, well drained
2 oz uncooked macaroni
1 can reduced-fat cream of mushroom soup
1 oz fat-free shredded cheddar cheese (or light Velveeta)
1 cup peas, canned or frozen
Salt, pepper and chili powder to taste
Cook pasta. Mix pasta with tuna, then add soup, cheese, and peas. Season to 
taste. Bake in a 2-quart casserole dish for 20 minutes.

---------------
Recipes in the next two weeks will focus on high-protein healthy vegetarian 
choices.
---------------

A note from one of the members:
Thanks for the e-mail! I don't think I'll be able to come to any of your 
meetings this week but please tell people how much my husband and I are 
enjoying the recipes in the "Make it Quick" Weight Watchers cookbook. Every 
single one of them has been fabulous; I have made at least twenty. Some of 
them are a little exotic so people with young children might not like them, 
but we have loved them! All of the recipes are really easy and fast, too, 
which is great!
Note: Both members and non-members can purchase products at the Weight 
Watchers Champaign Center. We are open one half hour before each meeting and 
during the meeting. The Champaign Center is located on South Neil St. in the 
Shoppes of Knollwood (just north of Windsor Road, west of Biaggi's).
---------------
Sandra's WW Schedule:
Tuesday 5:15 pm
Wednesday 9:30 am, Noon, 5:15 pm
Friday 7:30 am, 10 am, Noon

© 2002 by Sandra Ahten
Although I am an employee of Weight Watchers, this message has no 
affiliation with Weight Watchers International. I am solely responsible for 
the content.




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