Category: Weight Watchers

10 Things I’m Thankful For

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

B&W #roadtrip

Happy Thanksgiving! I’ve decided that since it was Thanksgiving and all that it would be a good time to write down what I’m Thankful for this year.

1. My family. After this afternoon’s FaceTime session with them I realize that they are quite unlike any other family I know and for that I’m truly thankful.

2. J. It has been a wonderful year with him and I am grateful every day that we met sitting in Steak-N-Shake late one night.  It’s great having a guy that is so supportive of my ideas, my dreams, and everything going on in my life.

3. My friends. The first text I received this morning was from friends wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving. It’s great to remember all the fun times we’ve shared in 2012: a cruise, a haunted house, road trips, weekends at the lake, ‘family’ dinners, and so many more.

4. Work. This year has been quite a departure for me from the past several.  I started an amazing journey as a Weight Watcher Leader and have met so many amazing, supportive people since that time.  I’ve also been blessed with a job at a local law firm that has supported me through my school with a flexible schedule and has always been a place to go when I need an extra quiet study room at midnight.  Finally, I recently started a job as a Sales Associate at a retail store and cannot wait for my future with such a bright company.

5. Maggie.  We all know how obsessed I am with that pup so it’s no surprise that I can’t even make it half-way through my list without mentioning her.  Maggie and I have had quite a life together these past years.   I am thankful that she picked me that cold, rainy day in a hospital parking lot.

6. Graduate School.  Though I complain about it.  I am grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to further my education.  In less than 25 days I will be walking across the stage at Missouri State receiving my Masters in Business Administration degree.  Alright, so I actually won’t be getting my diploma that day, but I will be receiving an empty leather holder that symbolizes all the hard work and late nights I have put in these past 2 years.

7. My parents.  I know that I mentioned family as number 1, but the more I thought about it I really think my folks deserve their own number.  My Mom and Dad are awesome.  Seriously, I have the best parents around.  They support one another as they support their two kids.  I cannot say thank you enough to the two people who brought me into this world, guided me, and taught me to be an independent, educated, young adult.

8. J’s family.  They have welcomed me into their lives this past year and I’m grateful.  J’s family is absolutely wonderful and knows how to have a good time.

9. My Grandmas.  I’m lucky to have two amazing Grandmothers that have taught me a lot as I’ve grown up.  Still to this day the sound of wind chimes puts a smile on my face thanks to my Grandma D. who always had them on her front porch.  Grandma W.’s sandtart cookies are my all-time favorite and each Christmas I look forward to them.

10. Creativity.  I like that I can think out of the box (most days) and have a passion for creating.  There are so many ways to reduce stress out there and I’m glad that the one that helps me calm down the most is just so simple.

Okay, I know this post was a bit long.  Sorry.  Happy Thanksgiving and may your day be filled with happiness!

2 weeks

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®


It’s been a long while since my last post.  I figured it was time for an update.

Life has been crazy and not in a sweep me off my feet, good crazy.  More of a I want to pull my hair out, I miss sleep crazy.

First change – I started a new full-time job at a major retail chain.  Training has been a great experience so far and I’ve met a lot of new people who are super nice.  The downside to training is that… well, I’m training.  I keep being moved from department to department and have absolutely no idea where I am going to land.  Another downside is that Thanksgiving is next week and this will be the first time in 5 years that I am working retail for the holidays.  It’s going to take some adjustment not being able to spend days with my family.  On a good note – I am so freakin’ excited about my new job!  Retail is a passion and I’m finally back in it.

Second – I’m still working my other 2 part-time jobs.  Honestly, the hours are meniscal each week and I enjoy what I’m doing so I can’t really complain.  They are just adding to what is keeping me uber busy.

Finally – 30 days until graduation! One month. I can do it. I can do it. I have no choice at this point! Projects. Projects. Projects. They are kind of taking over my life. Group projects, individual ones, tests to study for, papers to write. It’s ridiculous how much time I’m spending at the library each evening.  Honestly, I got done an hour earlier than expected tonight and that’s why I’m writing my post.

I can talk on and on about how tired I am or how I constantly seem to be sick; and perhaps that’s what this post will come off as, but I don’t want it to. I wouldn’t change one thing about my life right now. I really don’t know what I’ll do when I have graduated. It’s going to be a surreal, out of the body experience for a bit.

Grad school has been an amazing adventure and I’m pretty proud that I kicked its butt.  Maybe, the next time I have some free time, I’ll write about my favorite parts of grad school… ya, that’d be a good, exciting posts. Right? Right!

Until next time…

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

spinartdip
So, here is another delicious outcome from a recipe I followed from Eat Yourself Skinny! Are you seeing a trend with where I get my recipes from? Sure I like to make some up as I go or adapt them to my tastes, but I swear Kelly from Eat Yourself Skinny has the same tastes as I do.
spinartdip2
Spinach Artichoke Dip turned out great and was super easy. I actually put this dip into two smaller baking dishes before baking. The best part of this whole recipe was that 1/2 cup was only 2 PointsPlus. This dip is so doable during Sunday football.

Not too bad for you, oh so yummy Beer-garitas

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

beer-garitas1

I found a delicious drink recipe on one of my favorite cooking blogs – Eat Yourself Skinny! – check it out here.

I tasted tested it the morning after I made it and found that it was a bit too lime-y tasting for me.  I’m sure others would think that it was great, but I wanted to tone down the lime.  So, I altered the recipe a bit at that point.

Here are my final ingredients:
2 cups frozen limeade (see recipe below)
3 bottles of light beer (I used Select 55)
1/2 cup tequila

Ingredients for limeade:
1 cup fresh lime juice + 2 limes for zesting
1 1/2 cups of water
1/2 cup Splenda sugar blend
How to make the limeade:

In a large saucepan, combine water, Splenda and lime zest from the 2 limes.  Heat until Splenda is dissolved.  Remove from heat and  cool to room temperature.  Stir in lime juice and freeze until ready to use.

How to make the beer-garitas:
In a pitcher, combine frozen limeade, 3 beers and 1/2 cup of tequila.  Place pitcher in the freezer overnight or until frozen, then mix so that it is in slushy form and serve.
It made 6 servings and was at 3 PointsPlus per serving.  Now, I used different beer than the original recipe.  I prefer Bud products over here, now when calculating the beer it said that 1 can of Bud Select 55 was 0 PointsPlus and 3 beers was only 1 PointsPlus.  Now that’s hard to believe so please don’t go crazy if using Bud Select 55.

beer-garitas2

It was a perfect drink to have in hand while watching football this past Sunday.

Perfection!

Crispy Baked Shrimp

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

crispbakshrimp
I adapted this recipe from one from Dashing Dish.  It was simple, quick and can trick the mind into thinking you’re eating something fried.  If you’re like me and love fried food, but know that it’s not the best thing in the world to eat then this is a recipe for you.

Ingredients:

1 lb. of cooked medium shrimp
2/3 c. of whole wheat bread crumbs
4 T. Egg Substitute (I used Egg Beaters original)
1 pkt. Stevia
1 spray of cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425.  Spray cooke sheet with cooking spray.  In shallow skillet heat breadcrumbs on medium heat for about 2 minutes.  Then pour crumbs into shallow bowl.  Dip shrimp into egg substitute, let excess run off.  Then dredge into bread crumbs, shake off excess.  Place in a single layer on cookie sheet.  Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until warm.
crispbakshrimp2
It will serve 4 at only 3 PointsPlus per serving.

“fried” mozzarella bites

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

friedmozbites
I found this recipe on one of my favorite food blogs Eat Yourself Skinny!  I made it just as the recipe called, no substitutions and it turned out perfect.  It was a great snack for football this past Sunday.
friedmozbites2
Plus a serving is only 3 PointsPlus, can’t beat that!

Caramelized Onion-N-Steak Salad

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Caramelized Onion Steak Salad

Here is a super quick, super easy salad recipe that is so, SO good.

I made this one on Sunday when I wasn’t feeling great and needed to avoid making poor eating choices.

I went out to dinner the night before and had some leftover steak – 3 oz. to be exact (it had to be fate to make this salad!).

Ingredients:
1/2 head of romaine lettuce
1 cucumber
1/2 small onion
1 hard-boiled egg
3 oz. lean steak
light ranch dressing
2 tsp. butter
2 tsp. Canola Oil
To hard boil an egg:
add egg to pan then cover with cool water.  Heat until at a boil.  Turn down heat, cover pan.  Let sit for 15-20 minutes.  Then add the egg to a bowl of ice water until cool to the touch.  Peel and slice.
Directions:
heat 1 tsp. oil and 2 tsp. butter in pan, add the onion.  Let caramelize – few minutes.  Remove onion from pan, set aside.
Add 1 tsp. oil to same pan and heat cucumber for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and set aside.
In large bowl – add cut lettuce, steak, cucumber, onion, and sliced egg.
Makes about 4 servings.  Top each serving with 1 T. light ranch dressing.

5 PointsPlus per serving (4 without dressing).

Chicken Salad

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

This past weekend I decided to mix up my lunch menu.  I mean, a girl can only handle so much deli meat before the thought of a turkey sandwich makes her want to scream.

Chicken Salad copy

Here’s my take on a classic, but with a healthy twist.  Healthy eating is a passion of mind and I’m a strong supporter of Weight Watchers.  I follow their Program and want to share the successful recipes I create, edit, alter, follow, etc…

Ingredients:

11 oz. of chicken breast, cooked without bone and skin, cut into small pieces
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
1 yellow squash, chopped
¼ c. light mayonnaise
1/3 c. dill pickles
2 T. light sour cream
2 T. parsley, chopped
1 t. Dijon mustard
1 t. lemon juice
pinch of salt, to taste
small pinch of pepper, to taste

Directions:

Mix well in large bowl.

Information:

Makes about 5 servings.

2/3 cup per serving.

3 PointsPlus per serving.