Happy Friday! To celebrate the beginning of another glorious summer weekend we are giving away a Cuisinart 3-½-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker! (You'll find all the details at the end of the post.)
But first, here's a collection of Weight Watchers friendly articles and recipes for you…
Slimming Bites: Inspiring Articles & Recipes for Weight Watchers
Encouragement and inspiration and are critical when you're trying to adopt new habits. This is especially true when the habits involve eating better, losing weight and creating a healthy balanced lifestyle.
Sticking with the slow and steady sensible balanced approach to lasting change can seem dull and out of step when compared with our society's obsession with the opposing messages of overindulgent excess on one hand, and extreme fad diets on the other. It can be so tempting to seek out the latest fad or silver bullet.
Fortunately, are many great people providing helpful information and delicious recipes for Weight Watchers and others pursuing sensible weight loss and healthy balanced living. I love the opportunity to highlight them. Here are this week's hand-picked selections. I hope you find the time and space to sit down, perhaps with a cup of coffee or tea, or glass of wine or bubbly water, and savor them!
Healthy Weight Loss Inspiration
Longevity Pose: Teaching Yoga at 97 | New York Times by Corey Kilgannon. Meet my new hero, a 97-year-old yoga teacher that is still going strong, even after three hip replacement surgeries. "I haven't finished learning," she said. "My students are my teachers." If you think you are too old, think again.
The Key to Starting any Exercise or Diet Plan | Dr. Spencer by Justin Komph. One of the strongest sources of self-efficacy is experience. Many of us think we have to make a large overhaul to our lifestyles in order to achieve a healthier body. This can be totally overwhelming. The simple truth is that we do not have to change everything to become healthier, we just need to get started. The best way to get started is with a step-by-step process we are confident we can accomplish.
Ten Fun Ways to Reduce Your Cortisol Levels | Lissa Rankin by Lissa Rankin, MD. The body knows how to heal itself. However, these natural self-repair mechanisms get deactivated when your body is full of stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine in “fight-or-flight” mode. The good news is that it’s easy to shift the body into the opposite of the stress response into the relaxation response, and when this happens, your cortisol levels drop and your body’s self-repair mechanisms get back to work doing what they do best – healing you. All of the following techniques have been scientifically proven to activate relaxation responses and return your self-repair mechanisms back to optimal operation.
Nine Helpful Tips to Avoid Weight Gain on a Cruise | SkinnyTaste by Gina Homolka. Got a cruise planned? You'll want to after reading about Gina's 10-day cruise aboard the new Carnival Vista which started in Barcelona and ended in Athens. She even managed to lose one pound while sailing and eating her way through the Mediterranean.
A Teacher Lost 56 Pounds Eating Nothing But McDonald's and People Are Pissed | Nia Shanks - by Nia Shanks. Helping people with their health and fitness goals is about meeting people where they are. Someone's starting part may be different than another's. Someone's first step toward making better health choices may mean swapping out a Big Mac for a regular cheeseburger, or getting a small fry instead of a large. That is likely, for many, easier and more practical than going from a Big Mac to cedar plank roasted salmon and vegetables. It's about making better decisions, gradually, that lead to long-lasting change.
Are You Ready To Firmly Plant Yourself
On The Path To Lasting Weight Loss Success?
Favorite Weight Watchers Friendly Recipes for the Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers (6SP,7PP)| Organize Yourself Skinny - Lean poultry Italian sausage gets covered in sauce, bell peppers, and onions and then simmers all day in the slow cooker. Enjoy as is or serve in a hoagie roll or over a bed of whole grain pasta or zucchini noodles. Delish!
Slow Cooker Apple Bacon BBQ Pulled Pork (5SP, 5PP) | Emily Bites - This Slow Cooker Apple Bacon BBQ Pulled Pork is based on Emily's mom's amazing pulled pork recipe, to which she added apples and bacon. This Slow Cooker Apple Bacon BBQ Pulled Pork makes an awesome sandwich, but it’s also great on its own, on a baked potato or sweet potato, in a wrap or quesadilla, on a pizza or flatbread, the possibilities are endless (and delicious).
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken (2SP, 4PP) | Slender Kitchen - Slow cooked chicken tossed with just the right amount of buffalo sauce. Use it in tacos, lettuce wraps, sandwiches, chicken salad, the list goes on and on. And if you really want it to taste like a buffalo wing, add in the butter at the end for a smoother, richer taste.
Crock Pot Lime Chicken Fajitas (6SP, 4PP) | Dashing Dish - I just love chicken fajitas. They are such a wonderful 'family' food in my opinion, because they suit just about everyone's taste. The great thing about fajitas is that the basic ingredients are naturally healthy. However, many recipes call for a heavy amount of oil, making them surprisingly high in calories. This recipe is flavorful, light, and so easy to make. Just put everything in a crockpot in the morning (or the night before), and you will have a healthy and complete meal ready in just a few hours.
Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Molasses (5SP) | Snack Girl - These slow cooker baked beans with molasses are vegetarian and will outperform any can of baked beans. This recipe makes seven cups of beans and you can bring it in your slow cooker so the beans remain warm. I love these as a side for anything at a BBQ because they go so well with hot dogs, corn, coleslaw – you name it. (This should also work in a 4-quart slow cooker (affiliate link). Cut the recipe in half if 14 servings is too much.)
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6/20/16 GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!
The winner of the slow cooker is: Jack C, who said, "Need to lose 25 lbs. to fit into Army uniform. Grandson wants me to wear it to his graduation from basic training. Mexican fajitas in the slow cooker."
Congratulations Jack! Contact support@simple-nourished-living.com to claim your prize. And thanks to all of you who stopped by and participated. I'm so grateful for each and every one of you being part of this community.
****************** Now onto the Giveaway… Up for grabs is something that's been on my wish list for a while… a Cuisinart 3-½-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker. (The slow cooker I use most often is a basic manual 4-Quart Hamilton Beach Stay or Go Slow Cooker, which works fine for our needs. When and if I ever upgrade, it will be to this handsome baby which is perfect for smaller families!) To enter the giveaway, just answer the following question in the Comments section of this post: This is a two part question: Just let me know what your goals are for this summer and what you'll make with your new slow cooker should you win it and you'll be entered to win. One entry per person, please. Winners will be announced Tuesday morning. Be sure to check back to see if you won. Have a Wonderful Weekend and Good Luck! Giveaway sponsored by Simple Nourished Living You Might Also Like: This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase! This giveaway is sponsored by Simple Nourished Living. Awarded prize may differ slightly (color, design, etc.) from images that appear here - based on availability. Giveaway prizes may be forfeited if not claimed within 90 days. The Top 10 Most Popular Recipes (PDF) on Simple Nourished Living + Weekly Support Emails with Tips & Easy Healthy Recipes Not Found Anywhere Else!
TO ENTER
THE RULES
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Linda Galatas
My goal for the summer is to stay on program with Weight Watchers to maintain a healthy lifestyle. And should I win the Cuisinart slow cooker, I would probably cook a "rotisserie" chicken first. I can make several meals from one chicken and that helps me stay out of the kitchen when it is hot from oven cooking.
Betty
I plan on becoming as healthy as possible this summer.
I would make something healthy in this slow cooker if I should win it!
Sam Schrepfer
My goals include being able to run a 5k (not actually enter in one yet, but rather be confident to do it on my own first). And if I win I would love to try and make some chili or some of this jerk chicken I keep hearing about!
Marge Morrison
My summer goals are to return to an exercise regiment! Have been away from what little structure I had since early March -- personal reasons as well as my favorite center closing! Just today, made it a point to go someplace new and fill out my application - hope to begin a new schedule on Monday morning!!
I believe that a smaller size crock pot would be wonderful - and the first thing that I would make is your healthier version of Italian sausage and peppers! Love it - but the larger the crockpot, the more one makes and for a single person, this just has to change!!
Debbie Stanley
My summer goals are to get back into walking, keep tracking, enjoy my summer with friends and trying new recipes in my new crockpot. The very first one i will try is the Apple bacon Bbq pulled pork.
Marilyn
My summer goals are to do daily mindful meditation and cut out processed foods. The first thing I would make is homemade bone broth!!!
Jack Carpenter
Need to lose 25 lbs. to fit into Army uniform. Grandson wants me to wear it to his graduation from basic training.
Mexican fajitas in the slow cooker.
Anita Kirk
I want to stay on track and lose 8-10 lbs and get more energy. I will make the lime pulled pork. I love the smell when you walk in the door after a long day of work and dinner is done and ready to eat!
Anita kirk
Summertime is delicious fruit season. I plan to eat a lot of fresh fruits and veggies! I will try to find new crock pot recipes that include these fresh ingredients. Maybe I can shed a few extra pounds.
Becky S.
My summer plans are to enjoy being off work for the first time in 9 years and work on more exercise and toning. I would love to make some chicken meals with the crockpot. If I had it I would be able to make up meals and freeze them for quick uses at a later date.
Rochelle Klingele
My goal is to take my dog on more walks, he loves it and it helps get my steps in! I plan to make pulled pork. It is the one meal my daughter loves to eat leftovers of.
Gary L
Lose weight despite vacations
Pulled pork
Deanna Harrison
I am a teacher who will be running an intensive English course for students here in West Africa who speak French. So my goal will be preparing that class and then teaching it in an interesting way that will help my students make progress in English. I also hope to continue losing weight. In my slow cooker, I would like to try some kind of new Indian dish, since my husband and I love Indian food.
yvonne crow
I am planning to exercise more this summer and the first thing I would make is chicken soup.
Barbara Deem
I just got a fit bit so this summer I plan on challlenging myself on getting in a lot of steps!
I want to try The Apple bacon pulled pork recipe so that is The first recipe I would make.
Jenny
My goal for the summer is to break my plateau by eating healthy and riding my bike to prepare for a century ride. I would love to try the baked beans recipe in the slow cooker!
Donna Sharp
My summer goals are to hopefully get my feet in better health so I can walk again. I have very limited ability to walk without pain, so would love to be walking and enjoying the summer more.
I would cook our supper meals in this to allow me to come home and not stress about what to eat for supper.
Crystal Hotham
My goals this summer are to lose weight and be more active. I will cook tons of weightwatchers recipes in my new slowcooker! !!!!!
Sue Ames
I have several goals but the primary one is to keep losing on WW to reach my final goal. I have a bit to go but doable. My first meal will be something with an Indian flavor. Not sure what yet.
Dale duckworth
My goal this summer is to establish an exercise plan. I already went for a mile wal this am and have a yoga class tomorrow morning. I will probably either roast a chicken or pulled pork. Yum.
Bernadette Lacey
This summer I need to commit to a lifestyle that promotes my health and lose this belly fat once and for all! I like to make Danielle Walker's Paleo Meatballs in a slow cooker.