Points Plus Free Fruit

So many of you may have already heard that news that on the new weight watchers points plus plan fruit is zero points plus values. I know this was really exiciting for me because I love FRUIT! Here is the thing you really have to keep in mind....
1. Nothing in life is free... so you cannot have 12 bananas and expect to have a weight loss.
2. Enjoy it as a great snacks

3. Bulk up your meals with it

Some of my favorite ways to enjoy fruit...

Banana cut up with Rice Cakes and Peanut butter

Apples cut up with Cinnamon and FF Cool Whip (heat before putting cool whip on)

Strawberries with FF Cool Whip

Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries in Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat

Pears, Oranges, Grapes as snacks with Cottage Cheese

Apples and Grapes are also great to bulk up a salad

Greek Yogurt is great with all furit and a great way to get in some protein

What are your favorite ways to enjoy fruit?

Did you survive?

Thanksgiving can be a difficult holiday when it comes to weight loss or weight management. I think I survived well. I cooked for the first time ever. I made a no crust pumpkin pie, turkey breast, cranberry casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, ham and stuffing. I didn't eat any of the mashed potatoes those were for my boyfriend. I cooked a litte but enough that I had everything I love. No rolls because 1) I forgot them 2) I knew I would overeat them so I forgot on purpose. I think it turned out well. I also ran a 10K the day of so I would already have excerise in and feel great before even eating the meal. So far I appear to be down in weight. How did you get the results you expected? Next post will discuss many of the changes to the weight watchers program and my thoughts about it.

Survive Thanksgiving

Ok I promise to get better at posting. I am back and hopefully just in time. Thanksgiving is a difficult holiday. Especially if we are trying to watch what we eat. Desserts, Stuffing, Turkey, Casseroles, and many more dishes we only have at this time of year. Here is an easy cheat sheet to help keep you in check. I hope everyone survives the holiday without too much trouble. Enjoy time with your families. I often miss the time spent with my family now that I am unable to have Thanksgiving with them more than the food. Enjoy yourself. I will be back after the holiday to talk all about the new weight watchers program.








Item Points Value


Ham, 2 oz. 3
Dinner Roll, 2 oz 3
Apple Pie, 1/8 two crust 8
Dip, many types, 2TB 2
Sweet Potato 1 Large 3
Brown gravy, 1/4 cup 2
Collard Greens 0

Cranberry sauce, 1/4 cup 2

Macaroni and cheese, 1 cup 9

Mashed potatos, 1/2 cup 2

Pecan pie, 1/8 of 9 inch pie 12

Pumpkin Pie, 1/8 of 9 inch pie 9

Stuffing, 1/2 cup 4

Turkey breast, 1 slice (2 oz) 2

Wine, 4 oz 2

Beer Lite 1 Bottle 2

In a Hurry for Breakfast... Try these

Here are two great breakfast ideas that can be ready in a really big hurry....

The first is Cheerios and Low fat yogurt. I prefer  weight watchers yogurt because it has some fiber in it but if you like others any will work. Just dump 1 cup of cheerios in a bowl and add yogurt instead of milk. YUM! You basically have flavored cherrios. The second is also with the low fat yogurt again I prefer weight watchers yogurt and you can combine this with 1/2 Cup of Quick Oats or plain flavored Oatmeal. This takes even less effort. Just pour the oats into the yogurt. Great way to get some fiber and milk into your diet really quickly. These also make quick go to snacks.

Laughing Cow Cheese

So I have shared many times my affection for laughing cow cheese. They have a few new flavors including Sun Dried Tomato Basil and Queso Fresco & Chipotle. I have tried the Tomato flavor and it is really great. Tonight I had it with a Morningstar Farms California Turkey Burger. Its a great flavor and also taste great on a bagel thin with egg whites or egg beaters. If you are a fan of Laughing Cow this new flavor is really good.

McDonalds Fruit Smoothies

At the request of a few faithful bloggers here is the low down on the new fruit smoothies from Mcdonalds.

They have two options Strawberry Banana  and Wild Berry....

The Strawberry Banana small size 220 Calories .5g Fat and 2g Fiber 44g Sugar (4 Points*)

The Wild Berry Small Size 220 Calories .5g Fat and 3g Fiber 44 g Sugar  (4points*)

Althought I am not a huge Smoothie Drinker they are great during the "dog days" of summer. I must say they are much for point and Calories friendly than I anticipated. I haven't tried one yet nor do I think I am willing to fork over 4 weight watchers points for one unless I really feel the craving. I suggest the homemade kind.

1 Tbsp Whey Protein

1/2cu Fat Free Milk

Ice

All the Fruit you love... YUM!

If you do try one of these Mcdonalds Smoothies let me know if you thought it was worth forking over the points I would love to hear from some of my faithful bloggers on this new menu item.

Not so "snack" sized

So many people are pushing the smaller sized portions but are they really created equal? The most recent that caught my interest was the McDonalds Snack Size Mcflurry. They have two options

1. M&M which is 450 Calories 16g Fat and 2g Fiber (10 Points*)

2. Oreo which is 340 Calories 12g Fat and 2g Fiber (7 Points*)

Although if you ask me the best option at McDonalds for a treat is still the Small Reduced fat Vanilla Cone at 150 Calories 3.5g Fat and 0g Fiber (3 Points*) Satisfies my taste for something sweet and not overwhelming in the Calories department.

Although I have not tried the new snack size I am betting it isn't that big and even though I would have chose the Oreo I still would have use 7 Points. So just think better options aren't always in smaller packages.