Weight Watchers Wednesday

About 20 minutes before I had to leave for my weekly Weight Watchers meeting, J called to tell me that we were going to have some guests for the night. While I really wanted to just skip the meeting, I did not. Aren't you proud of me? I have actually only missed a meeting if I've been out of town and couldn't get to another meeting. So, I didn't want to break my streak now... especially when breaking the streak might cause me to go into a downward spiral of denial. ;)

So, I went to the meeting and weighed in. Surprisingly, I was down .8. Who would have guessed? I have to be honest... I abandoned counting points more than a month ago, as well as the gym. I missed a couple of days and the spiral began, hence my not wanting to miss a meeting, too-- that would only make the situation worse. Despite all of this, I have actually managed to still be down almost all of the total weight that I had lost to date. I'm telling you-- it's the change in my lifestyle and mindset! I'm just flat-out eating better and smaller portions. I still have cheese dip every now and again, but that's okay! I'm not going to live the rest of my life without eating food I love every once in a while. That, my friends, would be a diet.

I did manage to grab the weekly pamphlet on my way out the door. (I weighed in but skipped the actual meeting to go clean house for our unexpected guests.) This week's theme: Eat Out and On the Run. The gist:
-Before you go, Prepare:

• Plan ahead about what you'll eat
• Prepare your mind for success

-When you get there, Be Smart:

• Practice portion control
  
• Fit in splurges with extra Points values

So... without further ado, a recipe from Hungry Girl.

HG's Make-Mine-Mint Cookie-rific Ice Cream Freeze

PER SERVING (entire shake): 159 calories, 3.25g fat, 164mg sodium, 26.5g carbs, 1.5g fiber, 12g sugars, 6g protein -- POINTS® value 3

Ingredients:
5 ounces (1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp.) light vanilla soymilk
1/4 cup fat-free vanilla ice cream
1/2 pack 100 Calorie Packs Oreo Thin Crisps or 3/4 sheet (3 crackers) chocolate graham crackers
1 tsp. Coffee-mate Sugar Free French Vanilla powdered creamer, dissolved in 2 tbsp. warm water
2 no-calorie sweetener packets (like Splenda)
5 to 8 ice cubes or 1 cup crushed ice
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
2 drops green food coloring
Optional Toppings: Fat Free Reddi-wip and additional cookie (or graham cracker) crumbs

Directions:
Lightly crush cookies or graham crackers and set aside. Place all OTHER ingredients (except for the optional toppings) in a blender. Blend on high for 45 to 60 s econds, until mixed thoroughly. Pour into a tall glass and stir in the crushed cookies or graham crackers. If you like, top it all off with some Reddi-wip and chocolate cookie/cracker crumbs. Mmmmmm!

MAKES 1 SERVING