Our New Favorite Pasta Recipe

Wednesday night is "Pasta Night" at our house. We have a couple of WW Pasta recipes that we rotate through.  Here is our new favorite . . . perfect for Spring!

Orzo With Black Olives and Asparagus

1 pound box of orzo (in the pasta aisle)

1 lemon

12 asparagus spears

2-3 Tblsp. Olive Oil

1 can medium pitted black olives

Salt & pepper to taste

1. Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain.

2. Cut lemon in half. Cut asparagus spears into thirds.

3. In large skillet, heat olive oil. Add asparagus and cook until tender-crisp and just beginning to brown. Turn off heat. Add orzo and olives and stir so all is lightly coated with olive oil. Squeeze lemon over the mixture. Season with salt and pepper.  Serve.

4. Optional: Add halved cherry tomatoes at same time you add the olives..

Makes 6 servings;  6 Points each.

Enjoy!

      

It's Time for Freestyle!

I call my efforts to stay healthy "The 150 Project" because, at 5'5" tall and xx years old,  150 is my goal weight. When I was 40, my ideal weight was 120, at 50 I raised it to 130, at 60 it became 140, and now this Boomer is happy to maintain at 150. Which I haven't done in awhile.

When I was a kid, it was my ill fortune that my first name, "Cheryl", happens to rhyme with the word "barrel". I'll let you figure out the rest of the rhyme. I wasn't that big but was always "heavy set". Add to that a round face and, well . . .  you know.  Mom used to remind me that, "Sticks and Stones will break your bones, but names will never hurt you". Mom, God love her,  clearly did not have a first name that rhymed with "barrel".

I've been a  Lifetime Weight Watcher member since I first "made goal" back in the early 1980's. Since then, my weight has fluctuated from 105 (thanks to the "Divorce Diet") to 196 (the Nachos and Margaritas diet).  Having recently tried on my summer clothes (which didn't zip!) , I rejoined Weight Watchers ten days ago. It's my first time on "Freestyle" and, so far, I really like it, especially the list of  "200 No-point Foods".

Weight is such a sensitive issue for most women, me included. I am a well-educated, well-traveled, well-read, confident woman who has met Presidents in the Oval Office, and yet, I'm  still afraid to wear a sleeveless dress. I haven't bought a bathing suit in years. I actually dared to try one on in Target a couple of weeks ago and left the dressing room in tears. I'd rather walk over hot  coals than put myself through that again.



At one point, I decided to work with a personal trainer. Does it look like I'm having fun here? After a year, I hadn't lost a pound, although I have to admit working out was a big self-confidence builder and I did have a lot more energy. Unfortunately, the kettlebells eventually got the best of me and I ended up injuring my newly toned back. No more of that.

Last week, we received an invitation to a summer party in Kennebunkport. On it were the dreaded words, "Cocktail Attire Suggested".  Immediately my heart began to race. I love Kennebunkport, I love parties, I love my friends, but me in a cocktail dress?  I can hardly get my mind around the thought. Aren't cocktail dressed usually sleeveless? Form fitting? Slinky? Like bathing suits with longer skirts?

I have two months before I have to commit to "The Dress". So, I've emptied the "carb cupboard" and stocked the frige with lots of healthy foods. I know I can do this. This time, I just wish I could be smart enough to maintain my goal weight once I get there.

I'm lucky to have a supportive DH and the best Weight Watcher leader ever, Mary Elizabeth.  I know what to do and I'm determined.

There is only one question left . . . 

Hope springs eternal!

Hank's Stuffed Green Peppers

These are a "staple" at our house. Huge serving and a total of 8 Smart Points each. Add a salad and it's a meal! We make four at once and have enough for two evening's dinners.

Hank's Stuffed Peppers

4 large bell peppers (we use green but any color works)

1 lb. ground turkey

1 small onion, chopped

1 12 oz. can tomato sauce

1 10 oz. can diced tomatoes (we like the Southwestern style with green chiles)

1 cup uncooked white rice
1/4 t. red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt & pepper (optional)
Grated cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, or Mexican blend)

Preheat oven to 350. Wash & core peppers. Blanch for 5 minutes in boiling water. Drain & remove to 8 inch square baking dish.

Prepare rice according to package directions.

Cook and stir ground turkey and onion. Drain. Add salt and/or pepper to taste.

Mix cooked rice, turkey/onion mixture, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Add red pepper flakes if desired.

Stuff peppers. Cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes.

Remove foil, Sprinkle with desired cheese. Bake for additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven and enjoy!

4 Servings. 8 Smart Points each.

HALLOWEEN

ARE YOU SPOOKS  PREPARED TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES WITH ALL THE HALLOWEEN TREATS TEMPTING YOU?

NOTICE THIS LITTLE SIGN IS SAYING "TRACK OR TREAT" !!!

HUGGIES ,  LEADERLADY

THE LAWSONS IN PORTUGAL

PHOTOS OF OUR WEIGHT-MATES  CHERYL AND HANK ENJOYING  THIER TRIP TO PORTUGAL.  THEY REALLY DO  SEEM TO BE HAVING WAY TOO MUCH FUN, DON'T YOU THINK?

THEY WILL BE EXPECTED TO REPORT HOW THEY PLANNED THEIR WW'S SMARTPOINTS WHILE ENJOYING  PORTUGUESE WINE AND TARTS.

YOUR LEADERLADY

PASTA IN A BAG

HELLO, MY WEIGHT-MATES,,,,,,THIS IS A CASSEROLE THAT I MADE USING THE 'PASTA-IN-A-BAG' THAT WE DISCUSSED AT LAST WEEK'S MEETING:

THIS TIME, I EMPTIED THE PACKAGE INTO A SKILLET USING A LITTLE OLIVE OIL.  I STIRRED IN A CAN OF DICED TOMATOES AND ADDED SLICED BLACK OLIVES AND SLICED RED ONIONS,      FOR PROTEIN, I FOLDED IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF CANNED TUNA  AND SHREDDED SALAD CHEESE.  

THE PACKAGE OF PASTA =2 SERVINGS @ 6 SP PER SERVING. 

I ESTIMATED THE SMALL AMOUNT  OF TUNA  AND CHEESE PER SERVING = 2 SP.

THE CASSEROLE WITH ALL INGREDIENTS IS MORE LIKE 4 SERVINGS (AT LEAST FOR ME).

THIS PASTA DOES WELL USING THE MICROWAVE METHOD .  I USED CANNED TOMATOES AND SOME HAMBURGER THAT I COOKED SEPARATELY.

USE YOUR IMAGINATION AND ENJOY A TASTY , SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE MEAL.

          SERVE WITH A VEGGIE SIDE SALAD AND YOU HAVE GOURMET !!!!
....................................................................................YOUR LEADERLADY

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

HELLO TO ANY NEW FALMOUTH WW'S MEMBERS.   OUR  'BLOG' HAS BEEN INACTIVE FOR AWHILE, BUT SO MUCH FUN WITH RECIPE POSTINGS AND OTHER  FALMOUTH WEIGHT-MATES NEWS.
FALMOUTH WW , CHERYL LAWSON, CREATED OUR WW'S BLOG. CHERYL & HER HUSBAND, HANK, ARE GREAT SUPPORTERS FOR OUR GROUP.   THEY WILL BE RETURNING TO OUR WEEKLY MEETINGS AND WE WAIT FOR THEM TO RETURN AND CONTRIBUTE TO OUR WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUP.
IN THE MEANTIME, PLEASE REVIEW THE FORMER POSTINGS FOR INSIGHT TO OUR ORIGINAL WW'S GROUP.  I LOOK FORWARD TO THE RETURN OF MEMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN AWAY FOR AWHILE.
FALMOUTH WW'S ORIGINATED IN 2010 AT THE LEGION HALL.  OUR MEETING ATTENDANCE HAS BEEN CONSISTANTLY HIGH  AND SEVERAL OF OUR ORIGINAL MEMBERS STILL REMAIN ACTIVE . 
AT THE MOMENT, MEETING ATTENDANCE HAS DIMINISHED.  I AM TRYING SO HARD NOT TO TAKE THIS PERSONALLY, BUT I DO WONDER WHY THE LACK OF INTEREST IN ATTENDING MEETINGS FOR THE BENEFIT OF GROUP SUPPORT.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE ATTENDING EVERY WEEK AND I AM ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR SUPPORT, QUESTIONS, ENCOURAGMENT, HUGS, AND ANY OTHER INSPIRATIONAL NEEDS.
REMEMBER, MY MANTRA IS TO 'ASPIRE TO INSPIRE BEFORE I EXPIRE'.....
HEY, I AM GETING OLDER BY THE MINUTE...........SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY!

TEST POST 10-14-17

TEST

Reinvigorating Our Blog!

At tonight's meeting, Mary Elizabeth invited all of her current members to add to our little blog. Since I haven't posted since February, I was a little embarrassed! So I ran drove right home to write this post.

I've added the four or five of you who gave me your email addresses as "authors" so that you can post recipes, hints, inspiration, photos, or funny stories to the blog yourselves. Look for an email inviting you and click as directed to "accept". Here is a link instructing you on how to add a post. If you have trouble, feel free to email me at lawsonch@maine.rr.com and I'll try to help you out. The blog is more fun when we all add to it!

You may want to scroll down and check out some the links and blogging tips on the right sidebar. You can also search for "recipes" etc. by typing into the "Search" box or clicking on one of the "Labels" on the sidebar.

See you next week!

 

p.s. Here's one of our favorite recipes for you to try:

Southwestern Turkey Burgers

5 points per burger

20 oz. pkg. ground turkey

1 tsp. course salt

1 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/4 c. crushed tortilla chips

1/2 c. chopped white onion

4 T. fresh snipped Cilantro

3/4 tsp. chipotle pepper

1 tsp. chopped garlic

Mix all ingredients; form into 6 patties and grill or freeze. Yum!