U of M, Crookston Weight Watchers @ Work

5 restaurant salads that are worse than a Whopper

2010-08-23T13:57:38Z

This is a great clip from August 18, 2010 TODAY show... (thanks Bill for sharing!)

Think just because it's called a salad it has to be healthy? Think again. Men's Health magazine editor David Zinczenko turns the spotlight on five fast-food salads that pack just as many calories as a mega-burger meal.

View the video >>>

Rose's Homemade Pizza with Joseph's Lavosh Roll Up

2010-07-06T14:25:48Z

Rose's Homemade Pizza with Joseph's Lavosh Roll Up

Points Value: 8
Servings: 1

Ingredients
1 serving Joseph's whole wheat Lavosh Roll-Up (found at Hugos in Grand Forks)
1 tsp olive oil
1/8 medium green pepper
1/4 cup onion
1/4 cup mushroom
3/4 cup Contadina Pizza Sauce
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Instructions
Rub olive oil on lavosh and bake in oven for a few minutes. Add ingredients and bake at 350-400 for about 5 minutes. Crust will get very crispy.

Submitted by Rose Ulseth - rulseth@umn.edu

Learn More About the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)

2010-06-15T13:00:00Z

Follow the watchdog group CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest)!
http://www.cspinet.org

About CSPI
Its award-winning newsletter, Nutrition Action Healthletter, with some 900,000 subscribers in the United States and Canada, is the largest-circulation health newsletter in North America.

Founded by executive director Michael Jacobson, Ph.D. and two other scientists, CSPI carved out a niche as the organized voice of the American public on nutrition, food safety, health and other issues during a boom of consumer and environmental protection awareness in the early 1970s. CSPI has long sought to educate the public, advocate government policies that are consistent with scientific evidence on health and environmental issues, and counter industry's powerful influence on public opinion and public policies.

Tips for Dining Out On a Diet

2010-06-14T16:10:57Z

Dine Out on a Diet: Your Restaurant Survival Guide
Worried that eating out will wreck your diet? Use Fitness Magazine's 5 simple strategies to dine with no reservations.
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/on-the-go/dine-out-on-a-diet/?page=1

The 30 Worst Fast-Food Restaurant Choices
Reader beware: the 30 unhealthiest choices at fast-food restaurant chains -- and the healthier substitutions you can make to avoid the calorie bomb.
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/on-the-go/the-30-worst-fast-food-restaurant-choices

The Best Fast-Food Salads
Looking for a fast lunch? Here, is Fitness Magazines's quick picks for the healthiest drive-thru salads at McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, Taco Bell and more.
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/healthy-foods/best-fast-food-salads

Walk. Polk County - Challenge Yourself, Challenge a Friend

2010-06-02T18:15:37Z

Walk. Bike. Run. Mow. Trim. Rake. Jog. Exercise.
Swim. Karate. Build. Jump. Swing. Clean. Hop. Skip.

Walk. Polk County
June 1 - July 15, 2010

Everyone has been hearing about how important it is to get out and move, exercise, and get fit. It helps our body and mind...and our children for their future. We would like to CHALLENGE you to WALK. Polk County this summer.

By moving your body each day, you can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other illnesses.

Regular exercise:

increases energy & endurance
slows the aging process
reduces stress, anxiety and depression
builds and maintains healthy muscles, bones and joints
improves your sleep
improves mental activity

If these reasons aren't enough...how do CASH PRIZES sound?

$20 cash prizes will be awarded to several participants from community sponsorships.

One prize will be give out on June 22 - this will be drawn from the registrations postmarked by June 15.

The remaining prizes will be drawn on July 27 from those that return a map / tracking sheet postmarked by July 20.

To learn more or to register and download the map - please visit their website - www.pcphealth.org and click on "Walk Polk County".

Questions Contact:
Tammy Conn

218-281-3385

tconn@pcphealth.org

Find WW points this summer

2010-05-28T16:55:30Z

There are a lot of Food Facts label databases.

One that has weight watchers points calculated is: http://www.foodfacts.com The WW points are at the bottom of the record. The database also has a detailed list of ingredients (identifying ones deemed controversial).The site creates a health score with the positive and negative aspects of the food. It also list similar items so you can compare.

A similar site is http://www.nutritiondata.com/ No WW points but you could figure them with the label. This site has a Nutritional Target Map, Caloric Ratio Pyramid, and a Nutrient balance graph It also has information on the glycemic load and inflammation factor and a fullness factor. It contains very detailed information on the nutritional content of the food. Sounds boring but the graphs make reading easy and they are colorful.

Peggy's Fruit Salad

2010-05-27T13:24:52Z

Recipe #6 from the Spring 2010 Weight Watchers at Work Potluck!

Peggy's Fruit Salad
by Peggy Chaput

1 can apple or peach pie (I used the sugar-free Apple Pie filling from Walmart)
½ can chunk pineapple drained (I used the can in their own juices)
1 bag or box of frozen strawberries (if you use the box, drain most of the juice)
3 bananas
Mix together and refrigerate overnight
Add cool whip before serving

The whole recipe is 11-12 points.

Taco Soup - 3 pts

2010-05-26T13:49:41Z

Recipe #5 from our Spring 2010 Weight Watchers at Work Potluck.

Taco Soup
1 1/2 cups = 3 points
See modifications from Richard Genereux

1 can pinto beans
1 can red beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can corn or hominy
2 cans Rotel tomatoes or 1 can Rotel & 1 can diced tomatoes
1 package taco seasoning
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing Mix
(Richard did not use this)
1 lb of lean ground chuck
(Richard used lean ground beef and venison)

In a large soup pot over medium high heat, crumble ground beef and cook until brown, about 5-7 minutes.

Drain any excess grease, by placing meat in the colander to drain.

Return drained meat to large pot.

Next, add cans of tomatoes, corn, pinto beans, kidney beans, ranch dressing mix, and taco seasoning mix.

Stir mixture well and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes for flavors to blend.

Photo from: educomm.net

Vanilla Pudding Fruit Salad

2010-05-25T19:20:23Z

Here is recipe number #4 from the Spring 2010 UMC Weight Watcher's at Work Potluck.

Vanilla Pudding Fruit Salad
From Trish Erdmann

Mixture:
1 lg can of mandarin oranges with juice (natural)
1 lg can pineapple chunks with juice (natural)
1 lg package of sugar free vanilla pudding

Other Ingredients:
12 oz fat free cool whip
1 large fat free vanilla yogurt

Stir pudding into mixture until thick. Add 12 oz of fat free cool whip and one large fat-free vanilla yogurt. Add additional fresh fruit (apples, pears, strawberries, grapes and bananas) before serving.

Servings: Unknown
Points Value: Unknown

Chocolate Better than Sex Cake - 3 points

2010-05-25T19:07:17Z

Here's recipe #3 from the Spring 2010 Weight Watcher's at Work Potluck...thanks Sharon!

Chocolate Better than Sex Cake
24 servings
3 points per serving

1 box Devil's Food cake Mix
10 oz Diet Cola
1 egg white
6 oz fat free caramel ice cream topping
7 oz RF or FF condensed milk
1 cup Heath Bar bits (found by the chocolate chips)
1 container of fat free cool whip

Mix cake mix, egg white and diet soda. Bake as directed in a greased 9x13 pan. During the last few minutes of baking, put caramel and condensed milk in a sauce pan and stir on medium low until smooth. Take cake out of oven, and poke holes all over the top. Pour caramel mixture over warm cake, filling in the holes. Sprinkle Heath bits over the top, reserving some for the top. Cool completely. Cover with container of FF cool whip and sprinkle with remaining Heath bits. Put in fridge until ready to serve.

Photo from: allrecipes.com

Spinach, Strawberry and Red Pepper Salad with Lime Dressing

2010-05-25T19:00:51Z

Recipe #2 from the UMC Weight Watchers at Work Spring 2010 Potluck...

This is a "crowd pleaser" according to Gary Willhite (thanks for your submission)!

SALAD
10 oz organic baby spinach
2 cups sliced strawberries
1/2 cup chopped red peppers
1/2 cup fat-free croutons

LIME DRESSING
2 limes freshly squeezed juice
2 Tbsp sugar
2 large cloves of garlic pressed
Fresh ground pepper to taste
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil

Serves 6-8
Points Value: Unknown

Pasta with Meat Sauce - 7 pts

2010-05-25T18:54:38Z

We will be posting a bunch of new recipes from our spring 2010 potluck...and here's the first in the series.

From Weight Watchers Book 1, Food Plan Basics
Slight modifications by Sue Dwyer

PASTA WITH MEAT SAUCE (serves 4)
7 points per serving

4 tsp olive oil
2 tsp minced garlic
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup fresh mushrooms, chopped
12 oz 93% lean ground beef or turkey
14.5 oz can Italian-style chopped tomatoes
2-3 Roma tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp dried basil
Italian seasoning (to taste)
½ tsp pepper
3 cups cooked whole wheat spaghetti

In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté garlic, onion, and mushrooms in oil until lightly browned. Add beef/turkey, cook until browned (approx. 5 minutes). Add tomatoes, basil, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes. Serve over pasta.

Photo from weightwatchers.com
Original recipe found here: http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=99661

Eat This, Not That: Summer Edition

2010-05-11T15:06:01Z

from Bill...

Find out which indulgences are beach-body friendly and which you should avoid altogether.
By the Editors of Men's Health

http://health.msn.com/weight-loss/slim-down-for-summer/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100256275>1=31048

Member's Favorite Foods

2010-05-10T14:00:09Z

Some of Kristie's Favorites

Wheat Bagel Thins (I found them at Sam's)
Serving size 1 whole bagel
Cal 110
Fat 1
Fiber 5
Points value 1

Skinny Cow ice cream bars
Cal 140
Fat 1.5
Fiber 3
Points value 2

Fiber One Yogurt
0 points

Terri's Favorite Thing to Grill

Chicken Sausage w/Sundried Tomato Provolone Cheese Flatout Wraps

Grill Member's Mark Gourmet Sundried Tomato with Provolone Cheese, Chicken Sausage - 3 pts/ea (found at Sam's)
Whole Grain Flatout Bread (found at Walmart) - 1 pt/each (she uses half for .5 pt)

Points Value 3.5 - 4pts

How Much Weight Has Our WW@Work Group Lost So Far? Get Others to Join!

2010-05-04T18:25:03Z

Our 13 week total is 484.5 pounds!!!

That's awesome! We have 4 weeks left - let's shoot for a goal of 600 lbs by June 1 (that's roughly another 30 lbs per week as a group)!

Don't Forget! Weight Watchers Potluck
Don't forget the Weight Watcher's potluck on Tuesday, May 25th. Be thinking of something "healthy" to share (and don't forget copies of your recipes - if you use one!).

Do you know of others that are interested in joining?
Also encourage others that are thinking of joining to do so this summer or next fall! Weight Watchers will take the total cost of the program and divide it into 3 payments (summer - 12 weeks - $144 total - three checks written for $48 ...or... fall - 17 weeks - $186 - three checks written for $62 each.) Or you can use your $186 from this past spring reimbursement and apply it towards your summer or fall registration...or new clothes! Note: The reimbursement from the U is not available for the summer session, but will be for next fall and spring sessions (to be eligible for reimbursement, you must be a U faculty, staff member, or significant other of a faculty/staff member that is enrolled in the U health insurance plan and attend 14 of the 17 sessions.

Fall 2010 registration will be announced later this summer...watch your email for details! If anyone has questions about registration on the Crookston campus - please have them email or call me - albailey@umn.edu or 218-281-8379.