Jen, glad to help if we can. Do you get Weight Watchers magazine in your area? library? I weigh 145 pounds at present, started at 157 pounds. I use about 18 points a day which works for me. I don't miss meals, I actually eat when I am hungry during the day but I annotate what/how much I eat in a diary so I don't forget. I know I am hungry mainly in the afternoon so that is when I 'graze' on healthy foods - fruit salads, low fat yogurts, low fat chips (small portions) and I count everything. At night I am more tired than hungry so I usually have a nice veggie/broth soup, some fish/meat (about the size of the palm of your hand and fruit or veggies. Some nights I just have soup and a slice of toast. Most of my food is in the afternoon. Do check the link above. Someone on one of these threads has posted a points calculator link online. Start reading food packages - avoid hydrogenated oils of any type. There is a lot on WW website but I can post more info for you. Please feel free to join us on the Diet Pals thread. Later on I will start posting more info on portions and points. If you can tell me a basic list of foods you enjoy eating, I can give you the points for them from my books. I have a family funeral today, so I may not be posting again until tomorrow. I will start a new thread about Weight Watchers basics. Cheers, McPeg

Good Morning Ladies Donna good for you on your WI. Tell your DH we all have ups and downs with diets, just don't let it get you down and keep going. Sounds like you two are having fun with changing your eating life style and that is what it is all about making it work for you :) Guess what my DD told me to go to KOHL's and look for Lee brand jeans in the Tried and True style, her and I both have booties and it is hard to find pants to fit our waist without taking them in or wearing a belt, I hate belts I am bulky enough on my own! I found them they looked great BUT they were not on sale and Lunchlady does not buy unless it is on sale and I have a coupon for extra % off. I did spy some crop pants which I love, same brand same type style and they fit great, were on sale and I had a 15% coupon AND a $10 gift card I had gotten in the mail from the store!! The beauty of these pants is they come 9/10~~11/12 sized. I have not seen that in ages, the 9/10 too tight in the waist the 11/12 just right:) That is my problem my waist is not as small as the rest of me~~I have to go up a size to fit it. I will be getting these jeans for work as soon as they go on sale since I throw away all of my trusty big ones I liked so well~~~had too or DD's would burn them LOL!! I am off to visit my mom and my brother today in the next county and wearing my new crop pants:) Also a cute fall top my quilting pals gave me. Have a good one!!

Ok, I know it's been a while since the original idea... but I'm back with updates. I decided that I didn't want to fuss with both new ingredients and new techniques. That would leave me with only instinct to ensure things came out as planned and they're not always reliable! Instead I used a recipe called Good Dog Biscuits I found on doggiebistro.com and adapted it as follows: 2 C rye flour, plus a little 3/4 C steel cut oats 1/2 C nutritional yeast 2 tsp garlic powder 2 egg yolks 1 1/2 Cups boiling water with approx 1 1/2 Tbsp beef boullion Mix all in stand mixer (I discovered that the eggs either need to be tempered or mixed in VERY quickly once the boiling water is added). Plop on plastic wrap and freeze until hard enough to cut into 1/4 inch slices (I recommend a serrated knife due to the steel cut oats still being rather hard). Bake 375 for 20 mins if brought to room temp or longer if still frozen/cold. Turn oven off and leave biscuits in oven overnight or until cooled to ensure they are dry and crunchy. Couple of thoughts... Grainlady was right, and I could have probably used 3/4 cup of broth mix since the rye flour got very sticky (these were originally supposed to be rolled) and I was slightly short on the steel cut oats and the nutritional yeast. This calls for way too much garlic for my taste-the house smells like meatloaf and the dog wasn't too keen on the dough. I'm sure he'll find them more appetizing once they're done and he doesn't have to lick it off my finger, though. As they're baking now, I'm pleased to see that they're not spreading so I can pack them on the cookie sheet next time. Will try to remember to comment on the finished product tomorrow when they're dry, cool and have been taste tested.

I was googling to find Heart-Healthy recipes and ran across your post. I would like to request the Healthy Eatin' Recipes Vol. 1 if it is still available. Perhaps you've made Vol 2 by now?! Our family has a terrible heart history and I have high cholesterol. Thanks! drake6234@gmail.com