Welcome

Hi everyone! How have your last couple of weeks been?  Al and I have had the pleasure of some wonderful company the last couple of weeks.  First, our bestest friends, Jim & Tammy, came for a couple of days and we had an awesome time.  Shortly after they left our very good friends, Joan (Jsche123) and Vikki (purplenorsemen) came for a visit.  We met both of them through our Message Board. (It's a wonderful place to meet some wonderful people!)  Joan comes from Milwaukie, WI and Vikki from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  It was so much fun catching up with them and showing them some of our sites and attractions, including the Oregon Coast.  Of course, as most visits go, the time went way too fast. Of course, many great memories were made so we have much to look back on bringing smiles to our faces. 

Al has again written our article for this newsletter.  He always jumps right in and makes sure I can have all the time possible with our visiting friends.  I absolutely love this article as I'm sure you will also.  His article below hits upon something that we have all experienced on our Journey at one time or another. 

It's that time to get settled into our most comfy chair with our tall glass of water! Don't forget to bring your beautiful SMILE ☺

Tomorrow Never Comes  
by Al Coon

If you are like me, you have often reached the end of your day and asked yourself, "What happened?" I didn't get done what I had wanted to, and I did things I am very upset about. Maybe it was falling off the wagon completely and overeating in a big way; or maybe it was just not getting something important done—like exercising.  Such times almost always include the determination to "do better tomorrow."

The hard thing to understand is that you can't do better tomorrow.  You can only do better today, because you only live in today. The earth spins around on its axis and creates periods of time when our part of the earth is facing the sun and then it faces away, but that is only an appearance from where we stand. No matter how many times the earth spins around, it is always now, and it always will be.

That means you can only act today, and can do nothing tomorrow; waiting to fix things until tomorrow is just a delaying tactic. Procrastination is in reality only avoidance; and avoidance is simply refusing to deal with something that is often important. Sadly, as time passes, during our avoidance, the problem will often grow more troublesome, or even dangerous.

While we can't do better tomorrow, can we do better today? We often tell ourselves that we cannot. Our patterns of behavior are deeply ingrained after all. We have years of repetition behind us, making those behaviors feel comfortable to us. When things get tough, we run to what has worked in the past for us. We say to ourselves, "It is how I have always done it, how can I change?"

One of my favorite movies is Miracle on 34th Street. Right at the end of the movie, Susan Walker, a little girl played by Natalie Wood, was sitting in the back seat of a car and she was saying to herself, "I believe. I believe. I know it's silly, but I believe." As it turned out, she wasn't being silly at all, and her belief was validated in a very special way.

Sometimes believing something can help you get over the hurdle that disbelief can erect in your path to your goal. When I was attending electronics school in the Navy, our instructors had a technique to help us over this hurdle. A difficult concept would be presented to us, and then an explanation would follow. Sometimes, the explanation didn't do the trick and some of the students were still scratching their heads.  Time was limited and so the instructors would say, "For now just push the I Believe Button, and we will move on." This allowed us to continue on, and build upon a concept, even when we might not fully understand it.

It is helpful to remember that we don't have to "reinvent the wheel" at every step of the way along our path to success. Sometimes it is good enough to believe that something works, without understanding how.  When I was a child, I was perfectly happy to throw a light switch and have the light come on, even without understanding the concept of electromotive force measured in volts, or that about 5.67x1018 electrons would be flowing through my 100 watt light bulb each second and heating the filament to a white hot intensity and causing it to emit light. I could use the light without understanding where it came from. I threw the switch, while mentally pushing the "I Believe Button", and went on with what I was going to do in the newly lit room.

So, for a start, we are going to believe that we can do better today. YOU can do better today! Not tomorrow, but today. If you believe that, then you can move on to do exactly that. If you don't believe that, then it is time to push the I Believe Button and do it anyway. In time you will find that the light bulb will produce light, even if you don’t have a clue as to how.

Most behaviors that we have, were learned, and therefore they can be changed. We have done the same thing over and over again so many times that it feels natural to us. That means, by doing something different over and over again enough times can make that feel natural as well!

Even many instinctual behaviors that we were born with can be modified. I remember in high school I played fast pitch softball. My team was in need of a catcher, and so I decided to give it a try. My natural instinct was to blink when the batter swung his bat, but I found over time I could train myself not to blink, and to keep my eyes open until the ball was in my glove. Other things, like wanting to turn my head away, also could be overcome with practice. I developed a whole new set of behaviors for when I was behind the plate. And we can do the same thing "in front of the plate" today.

Once we believe, or at least push the I Believe Button, what are the steps we need to take in order to grab on to today and make sure that we accomplish what we have set our goal upon?

Do not turn away. Face this day, because it is yours. The knot in your stomach and the tightening in your chest will pass when you face your fears.

Plan your day. List what you would like to see yourself do today. Define what you feel is a "good day."

Study your plan. Take each item on your list, and picture how you will accomplish it. If you see a possible problem, find a solution for it now. Don't wait until you are actually facing the problem. Problems are far easier to analyze and to solve when the pressure is off, while in the quite of your own thoughts.

Give your plan top priority. Don't let other things push your plan aside. Use your plan as a justification for your actions, both to yourself and to others. Don't be afraid to say, "I am sorry, but I am working on changing a few things in my life right now, and so I will have to do this instead of that today. I am sure you will understand." Your plan is not only a guide, but it can be a weapon to strike down obstacles that come along.

Remind yourself often of your plan's purpose. Throughout your day remind yourself that your plan is there to accomplish something very important; it is going to improve your life.

The changes you are making today will become your "normal" behavior patterns in the future. You are creating a new you who will naturally do the right things. And the things you will be doing will move the readings on your scale to your goal weight, and then hold them there for good. You will exercise and eat healthier, so your health will improve. These changes will help you to increase your chances, not just for a longer life, but for a life where you will feel better all along the way.

Yesterday, this time was tomorrow. By grabbing hold of today and treating it as you always have promised yourself you would treat tomorrow, you will outshine your yesterdays, and make your tomorrows something to really look forward to!

Motivation - Someone Is Always There For You

Stressful situations and trying times
are some of the realities of life.
When you experience them,
you may think they'll never leave.
But even the most difficult times come and go,
and the strength you need to meet the situation
will be there for you in the helping hand of a friend,
in the compassion of a loved one who cares,
and in the listening ear of someone who knows
what you are going through.
All you have to do is look up and reach out,
and someone will be there to share your troubles.

Linda E. Knight

Come Join the Fun!    

Do you want some extra support during your Journey? Would you like to have a place you can call "home," where you can be yourself? Our Message Board is just the place.  It's home to all our Zonie friends who share their Journey experiences and are always willing and ready to offer support, laughs, friendship and ~ 24/7.  Our DWLZ Message Board is at:  http://www.dwlz2.com/forum/.  Don't forget to register if you haven't already done so.  

"Enjoying Weight Loss" by Dr. Roberta Temes

As many of you know, I use Dr. Roberta’s Enjoying Weight Loss Hypnosis CDs to help me to continue to move in the right direction, and to live my journey from day to day. They have been an irreplaceable part of my journey back to goal.

I am happy to see that the Hypnosis Network is continuing to offer Dr. Roberta’s Enjoying Weight Loss Hypnosis CDs for $97. For anyone who is "hypnosis-friendly" (about 90% of the human population can derive some benefit from hypnosis) the money could not be better spent. If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Roberta’s Enjoying Weight Loss Hypnosis CDs you can read our review at http://www.dwlz.com/hypnosisreview.html. I would not recommend them if they hadn't of worked for me.

Here is what the Hypnosis Network says:

Dr. Roberta’s Enjoying Weight Loss was tested and recommended by the National Health & Wellness Club.

In the National Health & Wellness Club's Product Test Program, club members conduct their own independent tests of health and wellness products. The fifty independent testers who tried Enjoying Weight Loss gave the program a 92% approval rating.

The Hypnosis Network is still offering a special on the Enjoying Weight Loss CDs. The Enjoying Weight Loss CDs are only $97, a savings of $22 off the regular price. They are also including the Mental Toughness CD.

Click Here to go directly to their site and find out more about the Hypnosis Network, and how you can order your CDs.

Thank you to all of you who continue to be there for me and support me in my Journey to becoming a healthier me. Thank you for caring. 

Always remember, "If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got."

Dotti   

Cooking Fresh Vegetables

To boil, add vegetables to 1 inch boiling water. Heat to boiling, reduce heat and boil times in chart below; then drain. To steam, add vegetables to steamer basket over 1/2 inch water. Cover and heat to boiling; reduce heat. Follow the steam times in chart below.

Vegetable (4 servings)	Boil	Steam
Asparagus 1 1/2 pounds	Boil spears uncovered 5 minutes; cover and boil 7-10 minutes or until crisp-tender	6-8 minutes or until crisp-tender.
Beans, Green Purple Wax and Yellow Wax 1 pound	Boil uncovered 5 minutes; cover and boil 7-10 minutes or until crisp-tender.	10-12 minutes or until crisp-tender.
Broccoli 1 1/2 pounds	Boil 10-12 minutes or until stems are crisp-tender.	10-12 minutes until stems are crisp-tender.
Brussels Sprouts 1 pound	Boil 8-10 minutes or until tender.	20-25 minutes until tender.
Cabbage, Red & Green 1 pound	Boil wedges 10-17 minutes turning once, until crisp-tender.	Wedges—18-24 minutes or until crisp-tender.
Carrots 1 pound	Whole—25 minutes Slices—12-15 minutes or until tender.	Whole—12-15 minutes Slices—9-11 minutes or until tender.
Cauliflower 2 pounds	Whole—20-25 minutes flowerets—10-12 minutes or until tender.	Whole—18-22 minutes flowerets—6-8 minutes or until tender.
Corn 4 ears	Place in cold water; bring to boil. Boil uncovered 2 minutes; remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes.	6-9 minutes or until tender.
Eggplant 1 1/2 pounds (1 med)	1/2-inch cubes or 1/4-inch slices -- boil 5-8 minutes until tender.	1/2-inch cubes or 1/4-inch slices— 5-7 minutes or until tender.
Peas, Green 2 pounds	Boil uncovered 5 minutes; cover and boil 3-7 minutes or until tender.	10-12 minutes or until tender.
Potatoes, White and Red 2 pounds	Whole—30-35 minutes. Pieces—20-25 minutes or until tender.	30-35 minutes or until tender.
Squash, Summer 1 1/2 pounds	Slices—5-10 minutes. Cubes—3-6 minutes or until tender.	5-7 minutes or until tender.

~~~Pillsbury Kitchen Helper

Software You Can Use!

Weight Commander

The Weight Commander is an awesome program for your Journey.  I highly recommend it to all those who are on a Journey of their own.  It is a wonderful program to track your progress on any weight loss program you are using.  You can read My Review of the Weight Commander or go straight to the source and check out this great software by following this link to Weight Commander. He has many tips and ideas throughout his program which will help you to be successful on your Journey. 

Comic Relief 

The Best Reasons Ever For Not Exercising

1.  My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. She's 97 now & we don't know where the heck she is.
   
   
2.  The only reason I would take up jogging is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.
   
   
3.  I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to show up.
   
   
4.  I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing.
   
   
5.  I don't exercise at all. If God meant us to touch our toes, he would have put them further up our body.
   
   
6.  I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
   
   
7.  I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.
   
   
8.  The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.
   
   
9.  If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.
   
   
10.  I don't jog. It makes the ice jump right out of my glass.

~~~Thank you Marilyn

Food Finds

Check out this new food find - Caribou Coffee Bars. They come in four delicious flavors. Vikki and I tested these while she was here for the week and I can just say one word - DIVINE!  We both had problems eating "just one". So, that being said, buy with caution.

          ♦ Caribou Coffee Bars, Mint Condition, 1 bar [140 calories/3.5 g fat/1 g fiber/26 g carbs]
          ♦ Caribou Coffee Bars, Vanilla Latte, 1 bar [140 calories/3.5 g fat/1 g fiber/26 g carbs]
          ♦ Caribou Coffee Bars, Caramel High Rise, 1 bar [140 calories/3.5 g fat/1 g fiber/26 g carbs]
          ♦ Caribou Coffee Bars, Chocolate Mocha, 1 bar [140 calories/3.5 g fat/1 g fiber/26 g carbs]

Penny's Low Fat Desserts

Note from Penny

Try Penny's during our special:  10% off Assorted Ones! and Assorted Muffin-A.
(Enter code:  VACSNAK)

Muffin Flavors:  Zucchini, Orange-Cranberry, Apple Cinnamon, Cherry, Raspberry, Black Forest, Lemon Poppy, Blueberry, Banana, Strawberry-Banana.  2 Assortment Boxes are available.

Cookie Flavors:  Chocolate Chip, Mocha Chip, Mint Chip, Peanut Butter, Oatmeal Raisin, Pumpkin Raisin, Lemon, Macaroon, Maple Walnut.  2 Assortment Boxes are available.

TO ORDER:   http://www.PennysLowFatDesserts.com/  
NEWSLETTER:  http://www.PennysLowFatDesserts.com/newsletter 
TESTIMONIALS:  http://www.PennysLowFatDesserts.com/testimonials.asp
EMAIL PENNY:  Penny@PennysLowFatDesserts.com  or call (866) 221-5109

What are the benefits of drinking water?

I know we have covered some of the benefits of drinking water before, but I really wanted to bring this subject up again as we are in the middle of summer which brings some very warm days.  Along with those hot days comes dehydration. Summer brings lots of activities and many keep us so busy we forget to drink our water. Water is the one fluid that you cannot live without.  Water is used by your body to transport nutrients to where they are needed.  Can you guess about how much water a day your body processes to do this?  Two to three quarts a day! Becoming dehydrated by not drinking your water daily prevents your body from functioning as it should.  As you can see, water is a very important part of your daily diet. Below are a few more reasons why drinking enough water daily is good for you.

          ♦ Water burns fat. The fat-burning process can only work in the presence of water.  There are some scientists who believe that if you do not get enough water it can cause your body to store fat.

          ♦ Water boosts your brainpower.  While water can boost your brainpower, not enough water can leave you with the mental fuzzies.  Some scientists believe that too little water in your body can cause your brain to shrink slightly which in turn affects your ability to think and concentrate.

          ♦ Water quashes cravings.  A lot of time when you are experiencing a "hunger pain" you are really experiencing a "thirsty pain".  Before you go for the food, try drinking a glass of water.  Your "urge" may disappear.

          ♦ Water keeps you moving. Your body uses water as a natural lubricant which cushions your joints, keeping them from stiffening up and keeps you limber.

          ♦ Water fends off fatigue.  Being tired or fatigued is a sign of dehydration.  Try filling up on water; you might just get re-energized!

          ♦ Water satisfies your appetite. Water is a great fluid to satisfy your appetite and to make you feel fuller.  I like to drink a glass of water before eating out which helps me to not eat as much.

          ♦ Water helps with stress.  Staying hydrated keeps your body's systems in balance.  This, in turn, counteracts stress "symptoms" such as heart palpitations, dry mouth, and perspiration. Next time you are in a stressful situation, drink up!

          ♦ Water turns back the clock.  Water helps fend off wrinkles and other signs of aging. Next time you reach for that skin cream try reaching for a glass of that wonderful water.

          ♦ Water douses urinary tract infections and staves off colon cancer.  Doctors agree that drinking plenty of fluids can help flush UTI-causing bacteria out of your system.  Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle have uncovered a possible link between water consumption and colon cancer.  In a survey they conducted, women who drank more than five glasses of water a day had about half the risk of colon cancer of women who drank less than two glasses of water a day. 

~~~Food Smart by Susan G. Berg & the Editors of Prevention Health Books for Women

Note from Pizza Fit'n Free

It’s that time of year where people start breaking their diets and eating their favorite foods again.  Are you missing your favorite foods? Well now you don’t have to miss Pizza ever again. Pizza Fit’n Free is Fat Free and only 252 Calories for the entire 7” Pizza. Pizza Free is only 4 Points® on Weight Watchers® or one meal if you are on Nutrisystem®. Visit us online at PizzaFree.com for more information on our revolutionary product.

TO ORDER:           www.PizzaFree.com
Nutrition Facts:      www.PizzaFree.com/FAQ.htm  
TESTIMONIALS: www.PizzaFree.com/reviewsdb.asp 
Contact:                  www.PizzaFree.com/contact.html

Note: Points® is a registered trademark of Weight Watchers International, Inc. The Points® values displayed were calculated by Pizza Fit'n Free, and is not an endorsement or sponsorship of Pizza Fit’n Free’s products by Weight Watchers International, Inc.

Al's Essays on Weight Loss and Maintenance

Vitalicious - Vitamin-fortified, delicious, better-for-you baked goods

Note from Vitalicious

Introducing: License to Eat Corn

Vitalicious has just come out with a brand new Golden Corn VitaTop. I don't know about you but I've been missing a healthy, low calorie corn muffin with my chili - YUM! These Golden Corn Vita Tops (per 2 oz) have 100 calories, 1 g fat, 6 g fiber, 4 g protein and 135 mg sodium. Why not try some today while they are running a 10% discount!

Use Coupon Code WDOT73107 Expires 7/31/07

Corn has been around for hundreds of years, and has sustained civilizations. But as far as it being a "healthy food," what do we know about corn? Well, for starters, corn is a vegetable not just a starch. It also contains protein, fiber, and essential vitamins including thiamine, pantothenic acid, folate, and Vitamin C-making it a great ingredient for healthy food. Well, in the long Vitalicious tradition we added much more "vital" and loads more of "delicious"- A single 2 oz. serving provides 6 grams of fiber, which is approximately 25% of your fiber needs for the entire day.  Now that's a good excuse to snack! They're also made with whole grains which are an important part of eating a well balanced diet. And though shucking and eating fresh corn is a fun summer activity, it's not always available. Thanks to this new treat from Vitalicious, you can now toss a pack of Golden Corn VitaTops in your bag or lunch box, and go.

While visiting Vitalicious, don't forget to check out their VitaMuffins which are fortified with at least 15 essential daily vitamins and minerals. Look at this great selection: BlueBran, CranBran, MultiBran, AppleBerryBran, Deep Chocolate, Low-Carb/Sugar-Free BananaNut and Velvety chocolate, VitaBrownie, and Double Chocolate Dream.

I have tried their VitaTops, VitaMuffins and VitaBrownies and love them all. They are healthy, taste great and fit within any program you are using to attain your healthy new lifestyle.

Did you know...?
Our Journey is not just about weight loss; it's about constantly learning new things...

Disney World in Orlando, Florida, covers 30,500 acres, which is 46 square miles.  That is twice the size of Manhattan.

In 2003, the personal fortune of J.K. Rowling - best-selling British author of the wildly popular Harry Potter books - surpassed that of the Queen of England.

Dr. Seuss wrote Green Eggs and Ham after his editor challenged him to produce a book using fewer than 50 different words.

If the minimum wage had risen as fast as CEO pay since 1990, the lowest-paid workers in the United States would have earned $23.03 an hour in 2005.

On average, women utter 7,000 words a day; men manage just over 2,000.  [Al can testify to that ☺]

~~~That's a Fact Jack! by Harry Bright and Jakob Anser

Mango Yogurt Pops

Makes 8 servings

Young and old alike will love these pops!

          ♦ 1/3 cup peach or apricot nectar
          ♦ 1 tsp unflavored gelatin
          ♦ 2 6-oz cartons (1 1/2 cups) vanilla or peach fat-free yogurt with sweetener
          ♦ 1/3 of a 24-oz jar refrigerated mango slices, drained or one 8 1/2-oz can
             peach slices, drained

Combine peach nectar and unflavored gelatin in a small saucepan.  Let stand for 5 minutes and then cook and stir over medium heat until gelatin is dissolved.  In a blender combine gelatin mixture, yogurt and mango slices. Cover and blend until smooth.  Spoon the mixture into eight 3-oz paper cups.  Cover each cup with foil. Cut a small slit in center of each foil cover and insert a rounded wooden stick into each pop.  Freeze 4-6 hours or until firm.  To serve, remove the foil cover and tear paper cups away from pop. 

Per serving: 49 Calories, 0 g Total Fat, 28 g Sodium, 0 g Dietary Fiber, 10 g Carbs, 2 g Protein

~~~Recipe Adapted from Better Homes & Gardens Smoothies & Healthy Snacks

PurFoods Fitness 

Fresh, Healthy Food Delivered To You

How would you like a personal chef and nutritionist to do all your food shopping and cooking? You would never again worry about eating healthy and you’ll save so much time. PurFoods Fitness makes it happen.

With PurFoods Fitness, you design your own personalized meal program from hundreds of delicious meals tailored to your tastes and healthy eating goals. PurFoods Fitness’ award-winning chefs prepare your meals and ship them fresh – never frozen – right to your door. Each week, a box of healthy, great-tasting meals and snacks arrives. No more shopping, cooking, or worrying about portion sizes and fat content. Eating healthy has never been this convenient.

Their food is absolutely delicious!  I loved how it was delivered fresh to my door, ready to eat for whenever I wanted.

Click Here to read our review of PurFoods Fitness ~ we have tried these meals and they are absolutely delicious! 

If you prefer you can Click Here to go directly to the PurFoods Fitness website to find out more about this wonderful program.

DWLZ Cookbooks One and Two

Have you ordered your DWLZ Cookbooks yet? These cookbooks are filled with recipes that are Zonies' favorites, dishes that are delicious but on program, with nutritional information listed. This is two books in one package: DWLZ Cookbooks Volumes One and Two. The recipes are easy to make and don't use hard-to-find items. They are together in one PDF file, viewable in your free Acrobat Reader (Version 5 and higher). These make wonderful gifts.

DWLZ Website Updates

All my updates can be found on the Message Board in the DWLZ Website News & Updates forum at:

US restaurant updates can be found at our Restaurants TOC page at:

Canadian restaurant updates can be found at our Canadian Restaurants TOC page at:

"My success is measured by my willingness to keep trying." ~~~Anonymous

Goodbye

Until our next visit, always keep in mind you are never alone on this Journey.  We are all here with you, right beside you, rooting you on. 

Take care until next time...

Dotti    

"I cannot relive yesterday and tomorrow isn’t here yet, so I will just deal with today." ~Dotti

Newsletter Sign Up

If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can sign up for it yourself at:

Dotti's Newsletter Subscription Page - http://www.dwlz.com/eletter.html
(You can also unsubscribe from Dotti's Newsletter at the same place.)

Dotti's Weight Loss Zone

And please don't forget to come and visit DWLZ!   

If you are not already a regular visitor, it is time for you to come and make yourself at home at my web page, where you will find lots of tips on losing weight, and help in picking out good things to eat at your favorite restaurants, while still remaining on program. We have motivation, success stories, and much more. It is a lot like Disneyland: you'll have lots of fun, and you could never see it all in just one day! However, unlike Disneyland, Dotti's [ http://www.dwlz.com ] is open 24 hours a day, every day.

Copyright and disclaimer

Copyright  ©  DWLZ, Inc. - 2007, all rights reserved. This document may be reproduced freely as long as it is always reproduced in its entirety, including this copyright message, and the disclaimer below, and as long as it is always distributed free of charge.

Disclaimer - This newsletter is not meant to be a substitute for any professional advice, guidance, or counseling. We are not doctors. Any information contained in this email reflects our own opinions and experiences. It is not intended in any way to serve as or take the place of medical advice from a physician.