Weight Watchers Chat #346: “Speed Up Meal Planning!”

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News and Reviews

  1. John did make it back from Florida, thank you again to everyone who checked on him!
  2. Some of you have noticed a new feature on your WW app. For some, there is a new icon in the lower right hand corner called “Clinic” and you can click to see if you qualify for GLP medication thru WW. That feature is not showing on my app, anyone know if it’s rolling out slowly or if there was something about a member’s profile that made it appear?
  3. We will NOT be having LIVE chats on Sunday, Dec 24 (Christmas Eve) or Sunday, Dec 31 (New Year’s Eve but more importantly Alyssa’s 6th birthday!) but Casey and I are planning to pre-record two chats to play during our 8 o’clock time and to watch with you. Sound like a plan?

 

Last week was Chat #345 “Simple Swaps to Save You Points!”

Wouldn’t it be nice if during the holidays we could break out a pack of Monopoly money and “buy” some extra points?  Or a Get Out of Food Jail card would be even better!

So since we can’t buy any extra points, WW has given us a guide that is so epic it even says “you’re going to want to screenshot this.” And you are!

3 fast facts from WW:

There are no forbidden foods

You will never be able to live with your food plan long term if you rule out your favorite foods. Check out this week’s graphic (and stay tuned for the second half of tonight’s chat) for some ways to make easy substitutions on your favorite recipes so that everything can be on the menu!

Lowering the points doesn’t lower the flavor (or enjoyability!)

There are alot of seasoned WW pros out there who have forged the way for smart swaps that don’t cut down on the flavor. Lean on them to see how to lower the points without lower the enjoyment!

Focus on Protein, Fiber and Unsaturated Fats

Just making a simple habit of focusing on protein, fiber and unsaturated fats this holiday season can save points and your sanity!

 

Your homework was #SmartSwapSuperPower.  In the second half of last week’s chat I shared some of my smart swaps that I really do consider almost a super power. Without them I wouldn’t be able to keep those favorites on the menu. What Smart Swaps are your Super Power this holiday season?

Let’s see how you did:

  • Katy did her homework this week! She swaps NFPGY for sour cream in her Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe and I have to agree, that’s a winner!
  • Anna reminded us during the chat that applesauce can replace oil in boxed brownie and cake mix
  • and cake mix
  • This swap altered Deanna’s brain chemistry years ago. Any diet soda mixed with any cake mix (no other ingredients). You would then only need to count the points in the cake mix

Bravo, you did it!

 

This Week’s Topic: “Speed Up Meal Planning!” 

Speed up meal planning?  It’s 8 days until Christmas, 13 days until Casey’s 30th bday, 14 days until Alyssa’s 6th birthday, Casey and Allan’s anniversary AND New Year’s Eve. Speed up my meal planning…I need someone to DO my meal planning!

 

Who’s list for the next couple of weeks sounds similar?

3 fast meal planning ideas from WW:

Short on time?

Leaning on pre cooked, low prep, or even frozen meals can help!  Things like:

  • Rotisserie Chicken (debone and use for quick meals throughout the week)
  • Pre washed & chopped veggies and fruits
  • Even frozen dinners with an added can of peas or corn to #bulkitup

 

Missing or limited ingredients?

If you go to make something and realize you are missing an ingredient:

  • Send out an SOS in your favorite WW group or on Connect for suggestions on what to use as a substitute
  • Switch gears if you can and make something with what you DO have

All Recipes.com has a list of over 70 common kitchen ingredients and their best substitution on their website here!  This chart is courtesy of www.allrecipes.com

 

 

Just not in the mood?

It’s ok! Baking and making doesn’t bring joy to everyone and actually stresses out many of us. Try one of these ideas:

  • Setting aside one day to make a recipe ahead and that can be used multiple meals like chili, soup, baking multiple potatoes, or something you can divide and freeze
  • Enlist family or friends. Casey and I like batch making my cream cheese sausage balls, have found a new breakfast casserole that can be frozen courtesy of our friend Lilly, and spent this weekend collecting some easy to throw together things like sandwiches and already cut up fruit
  • Make it a double! This time of year I usually make two batches of whatever it is I’m taking the time to make and then freeze the second one. It only take a little extra time and saves so much headache when it’s time to take the second batch out of the freezer!

 

This Week’s Homework: #MakeItADouble

Your homework for this week is #MakeItADouble. What is something you are making in the next couple of weeks that you could easily double up? Now DO YOUR HOMEWORK because I promise there is someone who needs the idea you have already rattling around in your head. Whatever it is let us know, I promise your decision to participate this week will help you AND someone else!  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 #MakeItADouble and tag me when you share on social media!

 

Extra Credit: Holiday Sanity Meal Planning!

When I hear myself say “Meal Planning” visions of every colored marker I own, elaborate graphs, purchased groceries that aren’t going to get used, and a general sense of personal doom and gloom prevails.  Not really the mood you thought I was going to set this close to Christmas huh?

 

For this holiday season let’s Fa La La La Lessen the anxiety by coming up with ?? ideas that take a minimal amount of time to pull off and even less brain power!

If You Only Have 10 Minutes
“Fried Egg Sandwich” – Egg or Egg Whites + Light Bread or a low point tortilla
Scrambled Eggs – use my Secret Recipe Scrambled Egg recipe for the fluffiest!
Tuna Creations Pack – these are all delicious and can be eaten alone or in a salad
Frozen Meal – add a can of peas or carrots to #bulkitup!
Drive thru – Wendy’s Chili with NFPGY or Chick Fil A Grilled Nuggets are always a winner
Pre Cut Fruit – mixed in greek yogurt or fat free cottage cheese for a high protein meal
Make It A Double – pull the other batch of whatever your make it a double recipe was and heat it on up!
Bagged or Prepackaged Salad – add some of that rotisserie chicken or some garbanzo beans

 

If You Only Have 30 Minutes
Prep some chicken – pick up a rotisserie chicken and spend that 30 minutes (while it’s warm, makes it easier!) and pull it apart and portion in baggies for later
Hard Boiled Eggs in the Air Fryer – and make egg salad or tuna salad!
Make Your Own Protein Bowl – heat up some refried beans, some of that rotisserie chicken you shredded earlier, add some salsa and a little light cheese, top with NFPGY!
Waffles – make a double batch of protein packed waffles and enjoy some now while saving the rest for later!
Flavored cream cheeses – use some of the Fat Free Cream Cheese you prepped in the next section and add Everything But the Bagel seasoning and shmear away!  Zero points for the cream cheese, only count points for what you put it on!

Time to prep and even maybe double up! Fat Free Cream Cheese, Cream Cheese Sausage Balls, Taco Soup, and today I made a giant batch of Cabbage Beef Soup to enjoy this week and freeze for later!

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