BBQ Pulled Chicken



photo from my kitchen



Thank you Melissa (via Tracy) for this easy and delicious recipe! Melissa uploaded her photo to Instagram, and shared the recipe at our Weight Watchers meeting this morning.

I had everything to make it at home, so as soon as I got back to the house, that's exactly what I did. I used chicken tenders since that is what I had on hand, but Mel used chicken thighs. That goes to show you that any boneless, skinless chicken parts would probably work. Mel used 4 thighs, but to tell you the truth, I just tossed in the pack of chicken tenders, however many pieces that was. By the tine I realized I didn't know the exact amount I'd used, the package was out in the trash and I wasn't about to go fetch it. I didn't measure anything, and it came out just fine! Below is what she told me from what I can remember), but I think it is pretty forgiving if you're not exact.

Calculate your own points, based on the weight of your serving size, and the points plus in your particular BBQ sauce. It should come out to around 4-6 points/serving, depending.

 

You'll need:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken parts
• 1/2 cup (or so) of BBQ sauce
• 1/2 onion, sliced

1. Slice onion and put it in the crock pot
2. Lay chicken on top
3. Cover with BBQ sauce
4. Heat on low 3-4 hours until chicken is done.
5. Remove chicken and shred using 2 forks, or your favorite way
6. Return to crockpot and let sauce thicken. At this point, I actually just added a little more sauce, and packaged it up for the frig. To keep the PPV as low as possible, Melissa suggests thickening the remaining sauce with cornstarch. Remember to dissolve it in a little water before adding it to the remaining sauce in the crock pot. Stir until thickened, then add back in the shredded chicken.

Enjoy!!

Congratulations are in order!

2013 FitClub Winner!

Another round of the Pathology FitClub comes to an end, and I'm happy to say that I'm still the Queen . . . well, technically, that is! The winner this round, losing 22%, was my friend Arnie. Arnie and his wife decided to join Weight Watchers this last February, after I told him how great it was. And, see - I was right! So he is now the FitClub King, and I, yours truly, came in second, with a 13.6% loss this round. So since Arnie is a King, I am declaring myself as still reigning Queen! To make the victory even more sweet, in addition to a nice, fat monetary prize, Arnie also won the raffle and took home a mini iPad! I'd say that was a good day!

Congratulations, Arnie!!

Mexican Black Bean and Hominy Salad

Mexican Black Bean and Hominy Salad

Almost every week the recipe in the Weight Watchers Weekly looks good. At least lately, anyway. For those of you who don't go to Weight Watchers meetings, the Weight Watchers Weekly is a little pamphlet we get at our meeting. It goes over the topic for the week, and includes a featured recipe, inspirational/success stories, tips, and coupons.

 

This week's recipe was Mexican Black Bean and Hominy Salad. I stopped on my way home and picked up the ingredients, came home, and had it whipped up in no time. And, I wasn't disappointed! My salad looked just as pretty as the one on the cover of our Weekly, and tastes great! A 3/4 cup serving is 3 points plus.

 

After I finished that, I roasted a batch of Brussels sprouts, made a batch of Baked S'mores Bars (no - not Weight Watchers friendly! They are going to my co-workers), and prepared a batch of Lazy Day Lasagna for my dinners next week. Now, I'm going to relax for the rest of the weekend!

 

Mexican Black Bean and Hominy Salad

 

You'll need:

 

15 oz canned black beans, rinsed and drained    

15 oz canned hominy, rinsed and drained    

1 cup(s) grape tomatoes, halved    

1 small yellow pepper(s), diced    

1/2 small uncooked red onion(s), diced    

1/3 cup(s) cilantro, fresh, chopped    

1 medium jalapeño pepper(s), seeded, minced

      

2 Tbsp fresh lime juice    

1 tsp honey    

1 tsp olive oil, extra virgin    

1/4 tsp ground cumin    

1/4 tsp table salt

 

Instructions:

1. In a medium-size bowl, combine beans, hominy, tomatoes, pepper, onion, cilantro and jalapeno.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, oil, cumin and salt; pour over bean mixture and toss well to combine. Yields about 3/4 cup per serving.

Hope you enjoy one (or all) of the recipes!

Happy Anniversary . . .

Weight Watchers 1 year anniversary



. . . to me! My Sunday morning meeting seemed to start out as usual, but as soon as Kerry and Melissa arrived with big hugs and flowers I knew it was not just another Sunday meeting. They said they were proud of me!! Now I'm teary . . . but back to writing . . .

When I joined last year, I hoped Weight Watchers would be the thing I needed to stop the pounds from adding up. And as you know, if you've been following along, it was, and I successfully have lost almost 70 pounds! What I didn't know was all the other positive things it was going to add to my life . . . most importantly, my new friends from my 2 Weight Watcher meetings!

• Melissa
• Jackie
• Kerry
• Tonja
• Rebecca
• Penny
• Summer
• Nicole
• Debi R.
• Deborah G.
• Kitti

Those by FAR are the best things that happened to me this year. Without the support of my new friends I would have fizzled out into another fail long ago. But that wasn't all.
This last year on Weight Watchers:

• got me up and off the couch every Sunday morning
• got me to complete 6 5K walks
• brought my blood pressure back to normal
• was the reason I got to buy new tech toys - an ActiveLink and 2 Striiv pedometers
• contributed to me winning the "FitClub" at work
• helped me develop wonderful new friendships with many of my co-workers
• finally got me out of my giant granny panties
• got me excited and wanting to share the WW lifestyle and ramble about my journey via my blog (My leader Jackie told me this morning she met a Weight Watcher leader who actually follows my blog!! Follows?? I have real followers?!?! I had no idea!! Hello!!! Welcome! Thank you for following me!!)
• was the reason for my first tattoo
• made me fall back in love with brussels sprouts
• turned me into an "inspriration" for both people I know and many that I didn't!
• made my son proud

I wonder what will happen this year?

Who's a Lifetime Member?

 

ME!!!

After 43 weeks of losing, and 6 weeks on maintenance, at my weigh in today I was officially "Eligible for Lifetime"! You have no idea how fast I ran home and updated my account. WhoooHooo! I have been waiting for this day, and it took me 3 weeks short of a year to get here.

I'm not sure that last May when I joined I really truly believed it would happen. But I am telling you - if you follow the plan, it works! The key for me was the group of great girls I met at mt Sunday morning meetings. My biggest inspirations have been my leader, Jackie, and my friends Melissa and Penny. Jackie is a no brainer - one meeting with her and you will never want another leader! I know I mentioned this before, but my original meetings started out as Monday evenings. But, when the second meeting fell on Memorial Day (a Monday), I needed to find a different meeting to attend that week. Well boys and girls, I have never been to a Monday night meeting since! Jackie had me captivated and entertained from the minute I walked in the door, and got the "Brussels Sprouts" talk (a week has not passed that I have not roasted a big pan of Brussels sprouts). If you know Jackie, you know what I mean. THANK YOU!! I don't think I would have been successful with anyone else. I wanted to make you proud.

Then there's Penny. Energy in jeans, she is! She walks at least 7 miles a day, and 4 of them before breakfast! On my first 5K walk, Penny stayed right by my side, and kept me talking - which kept my mind off the fact that I expected to collapse any minute and be hauled off by paramedics, and then prominently featured on the evening news as the poor woman who collapsed during a local 5K, while small children had to leap over my crumpled body to continue their race. She was the one who told me about an app called "Runkeeper", which I now use at work when I walk at lunchtime. I was so busy trying to download and walk at the same time I forgot I was even doing a 5K! Thank you, Penny! Love you!

But most of all, where would I be without Melissa?!? Back in the dark ages, and not nearly so technologically connected. Besides being an expert in all things computer & app related, she's a wealth of knowledge on anything Weight Watchers. I'm not sure if she knows, but during the first few meetings, I kept moving up rows of seats till I could sit right behind her. I wanted to hear everything she said and join in her conversations. I even followed her to the grocery store once. We walked through the aisles shopping for "power foods" together. Then there was the time that Jackie, Melissa and I went to go get a Weight Watcher tattoo. But, the place we picked apparently didn't realize that if their shop was open they should actually have a tattoo artist available, in case a customer would come in. We would of had to wait an hour for the guy to roll out of bed and mosey in, so we left. 

I know I can (and often do) text Mel at all times of the day and evening with questions and asking her opinion on things. Or to tell her about a new cookbook. We are both addicted to purchasing cookbooks, I have found out. And most recently, we have both gotten the Striiv Play, and now can compare our "magical islands". But mostly she's just the one I run to when I'm in need of a little TLC, some conversation, or support. Thank you, Melissa. LOVE YOU!

But, wait - there's more! Yep - there are even more great women who have helped and supported me along the way. Tonja and Rebecca, Kerry, Summer, and Nicole. They are always there for me. Rebecca has become my 5K walking partner, and I was Nicole's "client" for her college project as she finished her classes to become a Registered Dietitian. She promised me this day would someday get here.  Summer encourages me every weigh in, and even demonstrates exercises for me. Yes, us girls have staked out out section of chairs for the Sunday morning meeting, and have a great time every week.

So anyway, I'm finding maintenance to be very HARD for me. Much harder than losing the weight. To suddenly be "OK" with no loss on the scale each week is a little difficult for me, as is realizing it OK to actually use the extra points you get back when you're on maintenance. And I kind of feel like I'm out of the inner circle of the game, off on a solitary mission of my own. No more little milestones will be celebrated in the meeting room. Maybe I'm supposed to make my own? I just don't know. But I do know that my journey will continue, and that this is they lifestyle I'll lead for ever more.

I accidently found this "before" picture while searching my files for a specific cat picture. I know the only reason I didn't delete it was because Colin was in it. But now I guess I can see how far I've come, and am happy to have some kind of reference. So when Colin was out last week I asked him to take an "After" picture with me. What do you think?

BEFORE, with Colin in June 2007

AFTER, with Colin April 2013

Hmmmmm . . . .

Week 43 - GOAL!

I made my goal! Thanks to my wonderful leader, Jackie!
Showing off our Weight Watcher tattoos.

It took 43 weeks - today I made it to my "official" Weight Watcher goal - actually under it by 1.2 pounds. Weight loss total is 61.6 pounds - 29.28% of my starting weight lost. Whooohoo!!! Am I happy there? Hmmmm . . . maybe. I'd like to lose another 3.2, but we'll see how it goes. E-tools wasted no time at all assigning me 4 extra points per day for "maintenance". I guess Weight Watchers thinks I am done.

 

It seemed not all that long ago that I made a commitment to improve my life, and walked in to my first WW meeting. May 21, 2012. I went to a Monday evening meeting, which was a little difficult. I had to arrange for my mom and dad to come to the house to let the dog out, and also feed the cats and dog. I even had to leave work early to get to the meeting on time. Luckily, I have a wonderfully understanding boss (thank you, Nancy!!). I remember thinking it was going to be really inconvienient doing this every week. Lucky for me (although I didn't realize at the time just HOW lucky!) the following Monday was a holiday (Memorial Day), and Weight Watchers would be closed that day. We were told we'd have to find a different meeting to attend that week. Grrrrrr.....to early for a bump in my not-even-fully-set-routine. But, like a good little member, I found another meeting to attend. Sunday morning, 9:30 am. Seriously? Then how would I sleep in? Besides, "In the Kitchen with David" on QVC started at 9:00 am. Clearly this was NOT going to be my usual meeting time. Until I attended it.

 

When you hear people say "find a leader you like and connect with" LISTEN TO THEM. It is true! Nothing against the Monday night leader, but the leader at this Sunday morning meeting was ♦amazing♦! Jackie had me hanging on every word, and laughing along the way. She was so motivating and really got me excited, and believing I could do this. And the group of girls were just as amazing - from the receptionsts to the members. Melissa, Kerry, Penny, Tonja, Rebecca, Nicole and Summer, you girls are amazing, and I love all of you. Thank you for your friendship! That Sunday morning was when I knew that I had found "my meeting". See ya, ITKWD, that's what DVRs are for! And sleeping in?!?! To this day I'm so excited to go to my meeting Sunday morning that I have a hard time staying asleep if I accidently wake up "early".

 

Things have really changed in this last 10 months. For one,  I have drastically changed the way I eat. No more tubs of frosting for dinner! And I haven't been to fast food since I joined. I used to go through the drive-thru every evening on my way home for dinner. Now I cook on weekends and know what I'm having for dinner when I get up. I eat more fruits and vegetables than I ever did, and really look forward to the giant Granny Smith apple I have after dinner every night. I roast a big batch of brussels sprouts every Sunday, too, and am addicted to those. I pack snacks, and bring my lunch everyday to work. All those things are just routine for me now - that's just the way it is.

 

Secondly, I got up off the couch. I have walked 6 5ks. Please note, I did say "walk" . . . but at least my biggest fear didn't come to pass. Before my first 5k walk, I left home with my will on the table, and had already envisioned the evening news report about the lady that collapsed and was dragged off the road by medics during a local 5k walk/run. To my utter surpise, I walked (under my own power even!) across the Finish Line! Now, I know many people walk more than that daily, just in their normal course of a day . . . but I surely didn't. For me, this was a huge accomplishment and I was thrilled with myself! I emailed a picture of my bib number (which included my name) to my son. Up until then (2 months on WW), I hadn't told him I had joined Weight Watchers. My hope was that I would be able to suprise him with my weight loss when I saw him over the Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays. But, I was just so proud of mself that I had to show him. And he was surpised - and proud! Just what I'd hoped for! I would love to be able to do a walk a month, but at $40 (appx) for each walk, that isn't in the cards right now.

 

And of course, I track! I have not missed a day of tracking since I started. I really think it is important for success in this program. I track on my iPhone with the Weight Watcher moblie apps, and for me, that is what makes it so easy.

 

Coincidently, I had the usual blood work done last February before I changed my ways, and currently have orders in my hand to repeat them to see if my new life style has made any improvement in them. I haven't done it yet, though. I also am struggling with exercising - I just can't seem to get into a routine there. But I know it is important. I'll get there.

 

So, thank you family - Mom, Dad, Colin and Natalie; Cypress Weight Watcher friends Jackie, Kerry, Nicole, Melissa, Rebecca, Tonja and Penny; UCI Weight Watchers at Work friends - Debi, Deborah, Kitti, Gracie, Erin, Nancy, Heather, Marcy, Jenny, Lora, Anna and Priscilla; fellow UCI co-workers and friends Rhonda, Nancy, Deanne, Ellen, Benedicata, Julie, Janet, Arnie, Lisa, Hang, Alma, Maryam, Carol, Soheyla, Liz, Laura, Victor, Steve, Laurie, Sophie, Rooba, May, Tracy, Margie, Shirley, Tricia, Dr. Rezk, the entire Micro gang (too many to mention!) . . . sheesh, and I know I'm leaving people out . . . for your support, encouragement, kind words and compliments along my journey. With the support I've gotten from all of you I made it!!! Now I need your help to stay there . . .
 

"Goal" charm from Weight Watchers