News and Reviews July 2022
- Tomorrow is US Independence Day and Friday was Canada Day…so happy independence from Great Britain to all of us!
- And just like that bam! Everything we look forward to in the summer season is here. The watermelon, blackberries, freestone peaches, green beans, and more are flying at me faster than I can learn how to use this pressure canner. Even if you don’t plan on preserving anything I highly recommend you find a farmer’s market fast and enjoy this season!
- In June WW announced the results of a 6 month clinical trial among members with diabetes who are following the new Personal Points Program. 136 people living with Type 2 Diabetes experienced a 5.7% body weight loss, 9.8% decrease in diabetic stress, a 0.76 decrease in A1C and an overall 13% improvement in overall well being. Visit this link for more info! https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1832468/WW_Diabetes_Trial_Infographic.html
The month’s theme is “Drop an Anchor” and we will spend the entire month discussing tried and true strategies that really do work!
Last week during Chat #278: How To Stop Stressing When You Are Already Stressing, I confessed that as a small business owner every day starts at 100 mph. Was that ding on my phone someone texting out sick? Did I remember to put money on the gas card so the installers can be on time for once? Is the internet, phone, power, copier, you name it going to be on the fritz so that my 2 hour to the office early plan is blown before I even get there? So what can you do to stop stress in its tracks (or at least slow it down a little when it’s racing toward you like a runaway train)?
Drop Your Other Anchors
Simple things that you CAN do when you’re not already under pressure can keep that runaway train from completely derailing. Things like:
- Eating something – anything. Even if it’s just string cheese and an apple it’s better to have some fuel before it gets so crazy that you don’t eat at all.
- Drink some water before you start on the caffeine. I know you need your Diet Dew to give you some energy when stress hits, but being hydrated first will help keep you going too.
- Get a good night’s rest or if that fails hide in the bathroom. I’m not kidding…I can’t tell you how many times I’ve just gone in the bathroom, closed the door, tried to catch a breath and compose myself, and let everyone sit for a minute. If the stressor isn’t the building being on fire you can probably afford to hide for a few minutes before they come knocking on the door.
Say no if you can, delegate when you can’t
Sometimes the added stress is because I just didn’t say no. For the times I can’t say no, I’m working really hard on learning to better delegate. I watch some of you running around fixing everyone else and never helping yourself. Pot calling the kettle black right? You know what they say on those irritating pre-flight safety briefings “in case of a loss of cabin pressure put on your own oxygen mask first before you help someone else.” If the stranger in the seat next to me panicked or was unable to put on their own I’d like to think I would say “no, I can’t put yours on first…but as soon as I put on mine I will help you or make sure the person on the other side of you does.” Trust me, I’m a work in progress on this one too.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1
I like the WW Graphic on this one…look at your Weekly or click that little Discover icon on your app to find it and check it out for yourself! When stress comes flying at you try this:
5 – Take a deep breath and find 5 things you can SEE
4 – Keep breathing and find 4 things you can FEEL
3 – Close your eyes and find 3 things you can HEAR
2 – Another deep breath and find 2 things you can SMELL
1 – Last one…find 1 thing you can TASTE and then one more deep breath before you tackle that oncoming train
Your homework for last week was #AnchorYourTrain. This week’s homework was only for those of you willing to try it. I’m hoping some of you will see this as “challenge accepted!” rather than “sounds like too much trouble.” This week BEFORE you are in a stressful situation I want you to try the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 method and practice anchoring your runaway train before it runs away ….and then type it, snap it, share it however you like, and then tag me for your next cool badge!
Let’s see how you did!
- Julie anchors her train by dropping one of her other anchors. She knows starting her morning with 24 oz of water and her vitamins will help keep her from derailing later by being dehydrated!
- John knows that skipping breakfast is a train wreck waiting to happen. It might be leftover pizza, a breakfast sandwich, or even a pack of trail mix, but starting his day with something on his tummy keeps him from trying to stay on the rails when he’s already running on empty!
Bravo, you did it!
This Week’s Topic: Anchors – How To Find Your Go To Foods
Without peeking…tell us 5 things that are in your fridge right now.
You could probably rattle off 5 things (and maybe keep going) because there are certain foods you just keep in your fridge all the time. Right?
Now shout out one zero point food that you can’t imagine being on this journey without. Congratulations, you just started your go-to food list without even thinking about it!
Step 1: What is important to YOU when you think about a must have fridge or pantry item?
- Points value?
- Availability?
- Taste or Enjoyment?
- Convenience?
- Fits in your budget?
Step 2: Check Some Boxes
Think about the foods you named off in your fridge (or panty) and see how many of the boxes they check off
Step 3: Make a Go To List and Check it Twice!
Now make a list of 5 foods that hit the mark(s) on your importance list and write down how you can use ONE of them this week to keep you out of a sticky food situation. For example, if fresh fruit made your list and you know you are headed to a cookout this week, how about making a fun watermelon bowl filled with other fresh fruits or fruit kabobs to share?
This Week’s Homework: #AnchorYourFridge
Your homework for this week is #AnchorYourFridge. 3 minutes…tops, seriously you can do this one! For this week’s homework I want you to write, photograph or somehow tell us your TOP 3 Go To Foods that will now and forever always be in your fridge! For special imaginary bravo points tell us WHY they are your top 3! ….and then type it, snap it, share it however you like, and then tag me for your next cool badge!
Don’t forget to do your homework #AnchorYourFridge and tag me when you share on social media!
- Tag @ifyouhaveanegg on Instagram
- Tag @ifyouhaveanegg on our Facebook Page
- Tag @Kelly Green Milligan in our Facebook Group
- Tag @ifyouhaveanegg on WW Connect
Extra Credit: Summer of Savings – Top 3 Energy Saving Tips in the Kitchen
I wasn’t kidding last week when I said we are going to spend the next few weeks talking about ways to save this summer. Gas prices are through the roof in most areas, grocery prices will be right behind them. This week we are going to talk about my top three tips for saving energy (which equals money!) in your kitchen.
Tip #1 – Pick a day to cook. I’m not a big meal prep person but even I know only heating up my kitchen one day a week will save some big bucks on my energy bill. Use something like SouperCubes innovative freezer, dishwasher and oven safe containers to make ahead meatloaf, lasagna, soup and more!
Tip #2 – Fewer trips to the store. Um hello? My biggest expense right now is gas. The fewer trips I can make to the store the better. Stock up on shelf stable staples once a month like canned veggies, rice and beans. Sturdier veggies like potatoes, onions and winter squash can be kept fresh for several months in a cool, dark spot. Visiting the farmer’s market? Make sure you eat the most fragile items first like lettuces, berries, and herbs or freeze or pressure can what can’t be eaten quickly.
Tip #3 – Use lower heat output appliances. Yes, I’m going to talk about my air fryer. You know it’s coming…hold tight a minute LOL. My top 3 go to, can’t go wrong lower heat output appliances are coming up, but first according to this article from the BBC, approximately 20% of a household’s entire energy consumption comes from the kitchen. Say what? It’s not all the hour long candle lit baths and A/C turned down to 68 degrees during a hot flash?
My recommendations for lower heat output appliances are:
- Air Fryer – you knew it was coming, why did you even doubt it? Aside from being my most versatile cooking tool, my Simple Living Products Air Fryer doesn’t even raise the temperature beyond a few inches from its surface. And when I run two of them at the same time here at KC Kitchen Center the results are the same! And making something like my That Man’s Chicken or Candied Bacon in the air fryer not only keeps the heat down in the kitchen, it eliminates the grease and oil associated with frying on top of the stove.
- Slow Cooker – I have literally been using a slow cooker for over 40 years. Sometimes out of convenience. Many times out of necessity. This summer for the necessary convenience of not heating up my kitchen. And there is nothing like coming home to a house that smells like your favorite restaurant. Try this Copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli soup the next time you need a meatless meal that makes itself!
- And my soon to be new favorite (ok nothing is replacing my air fryer but you get me) my Nesco Digital Pressure Cooker / Canner. I literally started using this less than a week ago and have already canned peaches, green beans, and blackberries. Tonight we are trying my first ever pressure cooked green beans and I’m not gonna lie…I’m a little nervous. They finished cooking about an hour ago and the pressure has been releasing as we wait for a first glimpse. We’re doing this live…no going back, are you ready?
I also want to point out that while prepping for tonight’s chat I pressure canned green beans, then water bath canned blackberries, and then pressure cooked green beans WHILE air frying bacon. And I didn’t even break a sweat it’s so cool in here.
What are your favorite ways to keep the heat down in the kitchen this summer? Comment below, I’d love to hear them!
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