Happy Friday! To celebrate the first weekend of June we are sharing our love of essential oils by giving away a package of Martha's Favorite Essential Oils! (You'll find all the details at the end of the post.)
But first, we've got some slimming bites for you…
Slimming Bites: Inspiration & Recipes for Weight Watchers
Encouragement and inspiration are critical whenever you're trying to change your 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.
My mission is to provide you with a constant supply of motivating articles and enticing Weight Watchers friendly recipes to encourage your pursuit of a happy, healthy, balanced life. 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
BJ Fogg's Advice for People Doing Weight Watchers | BJ Fogg, PhD by BJ Fogg. A behavior scientist and Weight Watchers lifetime member says that, "The Weight Watchers program clearly works. There's nothing gimmicky about it." And provides specific advice for success with the program.
How Can "Eating Healthy" Get In The Way of Healthy Weight Loss? | Bangor Daily News - by Jackie Conn, A Weight Watchers Manager in Maine. Too much emphasis on healthy eating as a weight loss method can derail successful weight loss progress. It can make a tough job much harder.
Do You Compare Yourself to Others | Roni's Weigh by Roni Noone. I remember being at the beach asking the husband to size me up (literally) to other women at the bar. Was I thinner? fatter? uglier? prettier...
A Day in the Life of Heather | Trading Cardio for Cosmo by Alexis Eagleton. A great series which showcases a day in the life of a real person on their weight loss journey!
How to Start A Habit You Don't Enjoy | Summer Tomato - by Darya Rose. Steps for forming a habit that isn't rewarding from flossing to fitness.
Favorite Weight Watchers Friendly Recipes
The Ultimate Mason Jar Salad Guide and Recipe Roundup | Organize Yourself Skinny - Tami provides a detailed step-by-step tutorial for making mason jar salads as well as a roundup of easy healthy Weight Watchers friendly recipes.
Mediterranean Topped Grilled Chicken (7SP, 8PP) | Emily Bites - The combination of the warm marinated grilled chicken topped with a cool a Greek-inspired "salad" of chopped crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, salty olives and creamy feta cheese is one I can't wait to try.
One Pan Spicy Peanut Chicken and Broccoli (8SP, 9PP) | Slender Kitchen - I'm a huge fan of one pot/pan meals, so this recipe, which reminded me of my favorite Roasted Shrimp and Broccoli, is right up my alley.
Creamy Slow Cooker Enchilada Soup (3SP) | Meal Planning Mommies - All you need is a can opener and a slow cooker to make this tasty Weight Watchers friendly soup, which can be stirred together in less than 10 minutes. Perfect for busy days. A simple and delicious way to satisfy your cravings for the flavors of the southwest for minimal calories/points.
Kale Caesar Salad (3SP) | Snack Girl - As a long time Caesar salad lover, this recipe using kale and a lighter healthier homemade Caesar dressing is one I can't wait to try.
And here's a fun video from Snack-Girl demonstrating how to make "massaged" kale salad…
6/7/16 GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!
The winner of the Essential Oils Package is: Maggie, who said, "The easiest thing for me is all of the websites and blogs available for me to use to keep me on track and to give me inspiration for recipes and meal planning. The hardest part for me is when we are on vacation and friends don't eat as healthy as we do. Always try to do my best but it is challenging when fatty meats and lots of carbs are served at every meal."
Congratulations Maggie! Please send an email to 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.
FAVORITE ESSENTIAL OILS PACKAGE GIVEAWAY DETAILS…
Now onto the Giveaway… to celebrate the first weekend of June we are sharing our love of essential oils by giving away a package of Martha's Favorite Essential Oils!
This Favorite Essential Oils Package, with a retail value of more than $160 includes:
- PureSpa Deluxe Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Oil Diffuser (Retail Value: $39.99)
- Mini Modern Essentials Usage Guide (Retail Value: $15)
- Balance Grounding Blend (affiliate link) (Retail Value: $26)
- Lavender Essential Oil (affiliate link) (Retail Value: $28)
- Lemon Essential Oil (affiliate link) (Retail Value: $13)
- Peppermint Essential Oil (affiliate link) (Retail Value $27)
- Wild Orange (affiliate link) Essential Oil (Retail Value $14)
TO ENTER
To enter the giveaway, just answer the following question in the Comments section of this post:
This is a two part question. 1) What do you find easiest about living a healthy balanced lifestyle? 2) What do you find most challenging?
Just let me know what you find 1) easiest and 2) most challenging about living a healthy balanced lifestyle and you'll be entered to win the Favorite Essential Oils Package.
THE RULES
One entry per person, please.
Winners will be announced Monday morning. Be sure to check back to see if you won.
Have a Wonderful Weekend and Good Luck!
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.
Related:
- Daily Motivational Quotes for Weight Loss
- Is Calorie Denialism Hurting Your Weight Loss Efforts Like It Did Mine?
- The Power of Positive Thinking for Weight Loss Success
Martha is the founder and main content writer for Simple-Nourished-Living.
A longtime lifetime WW at goal, she is committed to balancing her love of food and desire to stay slim while savoring life and helping others do the same.
She is the author of the Smart Start 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge.
A huge fan of the slow cooker and confessed cookbook addict, when she's not experimenting in the kitchen, you're likely to find Martha on her yoga mat.
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!
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Sherri Jones
(1) The easiest was when I was physically fit and able to walk to the fridge without pain to get a piece of fruit or anything I wanted (as long as points were counted).
(2) The most challenging has been the upcoming complete knee replacement surgery, which has put me in a total spiral and I can't seem to get it under control. I'm terrified of this as my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at the same age I am (53) and I am my mother's daughter (knees and all). I've got this mind game going on in my head and I'm trying to get myself out of it before I have the surgery on the 13th. So, anything that precludes me from exercising and getting my groove on is the most challenging.
I would ask that everyone please keep me in their prayers for an easy surgery and a smooth recovery, as my son gets married in less than 3 months and I want to be able to dance with him at his wedding.
Vicki Heick
The easiest is the great tasting recipes online. The hardest is exercise -I do not like to exercise at all!
Becky S
The easiest thing is all the choices that are available especially during summer when we have so many fresh vegetables and fruits. The most challenging thing is always being prepared so you aren't caught off guard in a situation where you have to make unwanted choices. Thank you for all your wonderful tips and for doing the drawings.
Maggie
1) What do you find easiest about living a healthy balanced lifestyle?
I've tried all kinds of diets...including WW a 'zillion' times....What makes it easy this time is ...all the great inspiration, ideas and recipes by people like you..and...the fact I can 'customize' those ideas and recipes to my own taste or preferences without guessing!!! I LOVE that!!
2) What do you find most challenging?
Prep and menu planning is what challenges me...but...I can do this!!
Deanna Harrison
1. The easiest part of healthy living is getting outside to walk and swim, because I get tired of being cooped up in the house all day.
2. The hardest part is trying to keep doing healthy meals when we have guests, which we often do. They are never satisfied with my low-calorie options and always wanting to "help" by bringing in desserts or frying up some nems to "round out" the healthy stir-fry I was planning.
Cass
Easiest part is prepping food for the week which makes lunches and snacking a no brainier.
Hardest part is not picking at/finishing what is left on my kids plates.
Sherri Gaither
Easiest - the way it makes me feel. In control, healthy, happy with myself
Hardest - managing nighttime eating. I am a sneaky eater and try to tell myself if I wait until my husband is in bed, he won't know.
Colleen Fitzpatrick
The easiest is following others who guide me and make suggestions that I would not of thought of on this journey. The hardest is sticking with it over time.
Cathy Gogo
1) What do you find easiest about living a healthy balanced lifestyle? It doesn't take much effort to eat well, as I enjoy cooking, and I'm fortunate to be able to afford quality proteins and produce.
2) What do you find most challenging? Getting enough exercise.
Matthew Blecha
Easy Part? Once you have made changes and they become habits. I have so many of my own little tricks and secrets that help me to live this lifestyle.
Hard Part? Being able to stick to your healthy lifestyle and still maintain a social life. I have worked in the service industry and in that time took advantage of the "foodie" lifestyle. Wine samplings, beer tastings and pairings, cheese plates, gourmet burgers and cupcakes.
Wendy Wriggins Ernst
1)What's easiest about living healthy, balanced lifestyle is the desire to do it, 2) what's most challenging about living a healthy balanced lifestyle is actually doing it.
Nanci
Easiest: running on my treadmill while watching Netflix.
Hardest: making healthy food choices.
Christy Spurlock
The easiest for me is having my husband as my accountability partner. We plan out our meals and exercise programs together.
The hardest is since I'm a homemaker and my husband works outside the home, I struggle with "stress" eating. I'm learning to make this easier is to find another homemaker to be my accountability partner during the hours my husband works and I'm not putting poor eating foods in my home.
Susan Swisher
The easiest is all of the healthier choices available in the stores these days. The hardest for me is consistently making those healthier choices. I struggle with being lazy, about changing, planning, and exercising.
Laurajj
Oh the easiest part for me is getting enough exercise. With dogs that love walks and kids that never seem to stop....I love being outside and chasing them all around! 🙂
The hardest part for me is to cook healthy meals that the whole family will enjoy! I have found some great recipes....but need more.
Chris Olds
The easy part is having a lot of different fruits and veggies readily available. The hard part is cooking during the week after working long hours at work.
Kay Youngman
The easiest way for me is to what I have learned in Weight Watchers which track what I eat...The challenge comes when I don't track because there is no end to how much I eat.
Bonnie Christensen
I find it easy to cook healthy when I shop for healthy foods. I have a difficult time not snacking at night when watching TV?
Michelle Perlick
1. How good I feel physically and emotionally when I eat healthy.
2. It's hard to get past wanting some of my old high point comfort foods
Colleen Richards
1. The easiest is Wanting to start and attempting to do what is right.
2. The Hardest is actually making it day by day, That is why I try to have one or more friends who I can text or call, when I am feeling Not up to it.... It is a daily challenge for some of us, but one thing is for sure, it is always a new day to start over.
Have a great week and Blessings from my House to all of yours...