Large Tasty Portions! One Yummy Point! www.vitalicious.com Use Coupon Code WDOT123108

Some tasty things to think about from http://www.vitalicious.com — VitaTop Giveaway! Winner will be announced by Dotti! ——> Make 2 Point Toasted Snowberry Nut Cake—holiday recipe! Healthy Holiday gift ideas! New! Live Chat & PayPal added to www.vitalicious.com for easier shopping Canadian site now honors Dotti's coupon for 5% Off (same code)

Win a Case of VitaTops! New Flavor! Are we going nuts or going bananas? Banana Nut VitaTops —Launch Date: Dec. 31

While visiting Vitalicious®, don't forget to check out their VitaMuffins which are fortified with at least 15 essential daily vitamins and minerals. They have an awesome selection which, includes:

BlueBran, CranBran, MultiBran, AppleBerryBran, Deep Chocolate, Low-Carb/Sugar-Free BananaNut and Velvety chocolate, VitaBrownie, and Double Chocolate Dream.

Vitalicious® VitaTops, VitaMuffins and VitaBrownies are delicious. They are healthy, taste great and fit within any program you are using to attain your healthy new lifestyle. ~ Dotti

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Dotti's Update

Al and I are still getting settled into our new home and lifestyle with Mom. My little brother Rip helped us pack up our final truckload from the house and came down here to Tiller to help us unload and enjoy a couple of days on the river.  My life has not gotten into a routine yet but I am hoping to find some structure soon after the New Year.

As for my Journey, I'm working my best to get through these very busy days and the adjustment period with the move. I've gone back to my Weight Watcher meetings and am enjoying learning about their new "Momentum" program. 

My stress level is still a bit high on some days and I'm trying to adjust and figure out a way to deal with those days without turning to food.  I try to listen to my "Enjoying Weight Loss" Hypnosis CDs" whenever I can to help keep my 'head' in the game, usually a couple times a week.   When I miss listening to my CD's I can tell it.  So my goal is to continue to listen at least a couple of times a week, especially during this time. 

We have no big Christmas celebrations planned so all the sweets and high calorie foods are not going to be a problem for me. We will be in Vancouver, WA over Christmas so I do need to watch what I eat when we dine out. 

All in all, I'm in a positive place but not where I should be on my Journey.  It's a day-to-day process and I know one of these days all will be in place. Meanwhile, I keep on keeping on.  Thank you all for your support.  It truly does mean the world to me.

Al & Dotti's 2008 Christmas Letter
      written by Al

Merry Christmas from Tiller, Oregon! "But wait!" you say. "Don't Dotti and Al live in Vancouver, Washington?" We have moved to Tiller, Oregon, about 4 hours south of Vancouver, WA.

I know you're dying for a detailed play-by-play description of everything that has happened to us this year, but, well, I'll be blunt: I only have a small space to work with so I have to disappoint you. (Was that a sigh of relief I heard? )

We moved down to be with Mom, and hopefully make life a little easier for her for the next 23 years. (Mom says that she is shooting for 100 and I am right behind her on that!)

Our visitors in Tiller so far have usually been some of Bambi's cousins. But in 2008 we did have a number of friends drop in for a visit including "web friends," as well as other friends and family members.

One highlight was having our son Glenn (36), and our grandson Kai (10), in from Japan for 3 weeks! They even got Grandpa (57) on the basketball court with them. (Pant, pant!) We all came down to Tiller to see Mom as well, and to play in the river.

Our younger son LeRoy (31 & just like you, I can't believe it) came down for a few days as well and the whole family went over to the Deschutes River for a little whitewater rafting in a boat captained by Dotti's younger brother, Rip. We had a ball! Yes you can be shivering from cold with the air temperature pushing 100, if you are drenched with snowmelt followed by a stiff evaporating breeze.

For 11 years it has been Spokane at Thanksgiving with our bestest friends, Jim and Tammy. But sadly, due to our move, we couldn't make it this year. Now that LeRoy is there too, it is doubly hard to miss. However, we spent a great Thanksgiving with Mom, with an excellent meal. Next year back to Spokane for a great celebration!

I can't make up my mind. Last year I had all my upper teeth pulled and this year I am putting them all back in with implants. It has not been fun, but I ate an apple the other day, and can chew gum again. YES!

In September, Dotti had a 45 mph crunch with a lady who "failed to yield the right of way." After some physical therapy she is almost back to normal. The car wasn't quite totaled, and so a month in the shop & it was good as new.

We are getting settled and doing 2-mile walks with Mom. Hopefully, next year will be less eventful, but you know how those things go.

Merry Christmas from Al & Dotti

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GOLEAN Crunch! Fresh Fruit Parfaits
with Creamy Raspberry Mousse

If you love pineapple, as I do, you'll love this drink.  The sparkling water gives it a little fizz.

Serves 4

Recipe Ingredients

Crunchy Layer:
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp lite cream cheese
1½ cups Kashi GOLEAN Crunch! cereal
¼ cup oatmeal, dry
2 tbsp almonds, chopped or sliced

Raspberry Mousse Layer:
½ cup low-fat cottage cheese
½ cup fat-free or low-fat ricotta cheese
1 cup frozen raspberries and/or other berries
2 tbsp maple syrup or honey

Fresh Fruit Layer:
½ med. fresh peach, apple and/or pear
1 cup fresh strawberries, blueberries and/or raspberries
1 squeeze of fresh lemon juice, optional

Toppings:
Nuts, dried fruit or Kashi GOLEAN Crunch! cereal

Directions

For Crunchy Layer: In a microwave-safe bowl, mix maple syrup with cream cheese until smooth.  Cover to prevent boiling over and microwave for 45 seconds until bubbly.  Mix in GOLEAN Crunch!, oatmeal and nuts until well coated.  Pour onto parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes until slightly toasted.  Let cool. 

For Mousse Layer: Place cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, frozen berries and maple syrup in your blender or food processor and blend until very creamy.  Place in refrigerator.

For Fresh Fruit Layer: Cut fruit into bite-size pieces and toss them with a squeeze of lemon juice.

Assembling the 6-layer Parfaits ~ Use a tall glass.
1)  Start with ½ cup of cut fruit on the bottom
2) Add ½ cup of Crunchy Layer over fruit
3) Top with ½ cup Mousse Layer
4) Repeat steps 1-3
5) Add topping, if desired

Serve immediately or place in refrigerator for serving later (up to 2 hours)

Nutritional Info:

Each Parfait (or approx. 1 ½ cups per serving):
265 Cal, 5.5g Fat, 6g Fiber, 44g Carbs, 220mg Sodium, 14g Protein *4.5 (5)

    ~www.kashi.com

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Weight Loss is 90% Mental

I use Dr. Roberta's Enjoying Weight Loss Hypnosis CDs as an important help on my lifelong Journey to a healthier me:

• Whenever I listen to these CDs—I have a good day on program.
• Whenever I have failed to do well on program, it has always been when I stopped listening regularly.
• They continue to be an irreplaceable part of my Journey back to goal!

The "Enjoying Weight Loss" hypnosis CDs help me to be the best I can be On Program. ~Dotti~ If you are struggling on your Journey these CDs are a great tool to help you stay focused & positive. Click Here to Learn More and Order

If you would like a power assist on your journey I highly recommend these Enjoying Weight Loss Hypnosis CDs!

Want to know more?

• There's lots of info on our Review Page—see how this has worked for me.
• Don't want to pay all at once?—Just choose 3 equal installments!

What can you do to get your mind onboard with your weight loss desires?
     —I honestly believe this is an answer to a dilemma that we all face. Come and read about it.

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Salad Dressings ~ A Little Fat Makes the Salad Healthier

Research has shown that a few grams of fat in your salad helps the body absorb antioxidants known as carotenoids. Carotenoids give veggies such as carrots, green peppers and tomatoes their color and as antioxidants, they help protect against heart disease and other chronic conditions.  Try to aim for 6 grams of fat on your salad (includes the garnishes too) to reap this benefit.  Remember to choose a dressing that is higher in unsaturated fat, such as olive oil rather than saturated fat.  Below are some good and bad choices.

Good Choices

• Wish-Bone Light Creamy Caesar - 50 calories (20 from fat) - 2g fat; 0.5g saturated fat
  
• Newman's Own Lighten Up Light Cranberry Walnut - 70 calories (40 from fat) - 4g fat; 0.5g saturated fat
  
• Kraft Light Done Right Creamy French - 80 calories (40 from fat) - 4.5g fat; 0.5g saturated fat

Bad Choices

• Kraft Buttermilk Ranch - 150 calories (140 from fat) - 16g fat; 2.5g saturated fat
  
• Newman's Own Creamy Italian Dressing - 140 calories (130 from fat) - 14g fat; 2.5g saturated fat
  
• Wish-Bone Extra Thick! Classic Ranch - 140 calories (140 from fat) - 15g fat; 2.5g saturated fat
  

~~Arthritis Today Magazine

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Positive Thought

Confidence ~ "It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult."  --Anonymous

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Food Finds

This is one of my favorite parts of our newsletter. I love to share new food finds. It's always great to try some new foods. Here are a few things that I tried recently.

* Banquet Crockpot Classics ~ Beef Pot Roast, 2/3 cup
[150 Cal, 3.5g Fat, 3g Fiber, 18g Carbs, 660mg Sodium, 11g Protein] *3

* Swiss Miss Pick-Me-Up Hot Cocoa (caffeine=cup of coffee), 1 packet
[110 Cal, 2g Fat, 1g Fiber, 23g Carbs, 160mg Sodium, 1g Protein] *2.5

* Quaker Baked Morning Minis, 1 pouch
[130 Cal, 4g Fat, 3g Fiber, 25g Carbs, 100mg Sodium, 2g Protein] *2.5

* Honey Bunches of Oats with Real Chocolate Clusters Cereal, 3/4 cup
[120 Cal, 2g Fat, 2g Fiber, 25g Carbs, 150mg Sodium, 2g Protein] *2.5

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FREE SHIPPING when you order our Sampler!

Eat Penny's Healthy Low Fat Cookies, Muffins and TOPS. These are the best tasting healthy, low fat, high fiber desserts you'll ever try.		Prepare to eat healthy. If you have been waiting to try us, now is the time. Sampler: $18 includes shipping. 20% off Assortment Boxes. Code = NY2009 (thru 12/31/08, excludes Sampler)
	Cookies, Muffins and TOPS Best Tasting, Nothing Artificial, Very Portable and Plan Friendly

" Penny, you are so right about the peanut butter. I ate one right out of the box when delivered. Have a nice xmas and new year. Thanks again---Jackie. My gosh so so good." —Jackie A., Oklahoma HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

YUMMY—They just happen to be healthy, too!

Website: http://www.PennysLowFatDesserts.com/ Penny's Newsletter—sign up now! http://www.pennyslowfatdesserts.com/newsletter_ic.asp Are you a weight loss leader? Have a question? Please give me a call or email me directly. Penny@PennysLowFatDesserts.com

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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.

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Lickable Leftovers

Below are some tasty tips on what to do with those extra Christmas candy canes.  Enjoy!

• Use as a stirrer for hot cocoa. Mmm, minty!
• Crush, then use them to coat the rims of glasses for peppermintinis! [recipe at quickandsimple.com/magazine)
• Add ½ cup crushed candy cane to a single batch of cooled pudding for a peppermint twist.
• Use as a colorful topping for plain ice cream.
• Save for Valentine's Day.  Glue two together to form a heart and stick it on the front of a card. Or, you could attach a ribbon at the top and hang it from your door for a sweet decoration.
  
  

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Positive Thought

Courage ~ "What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?"  --Vincent Van Gogh

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Low-Fat Buttermilk Dressing

Recipe Ingredients

½ cup fat-free mayonnaise
½ cup buttermilk
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
¼  cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped

Directions

Mix all ingredients together, and serve.

Nutritional Info ~ per 2 tbsp serving
17 Cal, 0.5g Fat, 114mg Sodium *0.5

    ~~Arthritis Today Magazine

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Baja Bob's Cocktail Mixes
     ~ Home of the Original Sugar-Free Margarita Mix

Note from Baja Bob's

Baja Bob's mixes are great with or without alcohol, allowing people who are watching their weight, or those who are forced to watch their sugar intake due to health reasons the opportunity to enjoy the great taste of a cocktail. Enter Coupon Code dotti10 when ordering and receive a 10% discount…

The growing popularity of the Weight Watchers Diet, combined with Baja Bob's incredible taste, has helped to push this cocktail mix leader into the mainstream. Baja Bob's newest release, Mojito Mix, follows their other popular flavors. All of the Baja Bob's cocktail mixes contain approximately 70-100% less calories and carbs than traditional mixes sweetened with high fructose corn syrup making these the perfect Weight Watchers addition.

Baja Bob's cocktail mixes come in several flavors: Original Margarita, Wild Strawberry Margarita, Desert Key Lime Margarita, Crazy Caribe Pina Colada, Loco Lemon Sweet & Sour, Maui Madness Mai Tai, Cranberry Cosmo Martini Mix, Sour Apple Martini Mix, and more to come… Enjoy a cocktail and stay on your Program

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Healthy Food Options at Starbucks

How many of you love to stop at Starbucks for a nice coffee and some relaxation?  I am one of those that do.  Starbucks now offers some healthy food options for you to choose from.  I have listed them below.

Perfect Oatmeal - 100% whole grain goodness finished with your choice of dried fruit, nut medley or brown sugar.
[140 Cal, 2.5g Fat, 4g Fiber (oatmeal only), 5g Protein] *2.5

Berry Stella - Bursting with 100% whole grains plus juicy baked berries and omega-3's.
[280 Cal, 9g Fat, 6g Fiber, 6g Protein] *5.5

Chewy Fruit & Nut Bar - Real fruit, oats, nuts and clover honey with plenty of yum.
[250 Cal, 10g Fat, 4g Fiber, 5g Protein] *5

Multi-Grain Roll - Made with 7 hearty grains and seeds and the sweet taste of honey.  Comes with your choice of almond butter or fruit preserves.
[280 Cal, 6g Fat, 7g Protein (roll only)] *6

Apple Bran Muffin - A good source of fiber, with hearty grains, dried cherries and baked apple.
[330 Cal, 8g Fat, 7g Fiber, 7g Protein] *6 (6.5)

Power Protein Plate (in select stores) - An on-the-go snack of Cheddar cheese, fresh fruit, hard-boiled cage-free egg, whole-wheat bagel and peanut butter.
with peanut butter [330 Cal, 16g Fat, 5g Fiber, 16g Protein] *7 (7.5)
without peanut butter [260 Cal, 9g Fat, 4g Fiber, 13g Protein] *5.5

Spinach Feta Wrap - With egg and roasted tomato.
[240 Cal, 10g Fat, 7g Fiber, 13g Protein] *4.5 (5)

~Starbucks

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Motivation  

ABC's to Success

Acknowledge that you know what to do
Believe that you have the ability to do it
Courage to do what needs to be done
Deciding that today is the day
Enjoying the journey
Forgiving yourself and moving on
Going for your goal
Hearing the compliments
Inviting success into your life
Journaling everything that goes in your mouth
Keep coming to WW when you feel like quitting
Loving yourself enough to change your lifestyle
Making delicious meals
Not ever giving up on yourself
Offer to share your new knowledge with others
Patience with the journey...the weight did not come on overnight
Quiet time for yourself
Remind yourself all of the reasons you are doing this
Self-talk that is positive and repetitive
Turning to solutions instead of food for "problems"
Using all of your "tools" for success
Visiting other meetings during the week if you need support
Wanting success with your weight loss more than you want that "treat"
Xerox copies of your favorite recipes
You alone can do this, but you don't have to do it alone
Zero in on your goals and move toward them one pound at a time

~Thank you Roz

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Software You Can Use! — And Now Available Online!

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.

And for those who don't feel comfortable downloading software, or who cringe when Windows gives them another unnecessary warning about running perfectly safe software, Michael has created a wonderful online version of Weight Commander, where you can always access your information with privacy, with no worry about trying to transfer it from computer to computer when you switch. You can of course still get the software version (which continues to work very well, even on my Windows Vista computer), but the online version of Weight Commander is a wonderful new option! You make the choice, but you win either way.

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Comic Relief   

'Twas the Month After Christmas & I Ate Too Much

'Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt.
I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So--away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore,
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

   ~Thank you Donna

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Did you know…?  

Our Journey is not just about weight loss; it's about constantly learning new things…

Word Game Inventor Was a Bad Speller

Odd as it may seem, the man who created Scrabble, Alfred Butts, was himself a bad speller.  His wife, Nina, helped him with the spelling part as he was conceiving his word game. 

Alfred fooled around with the creation of Scrabble for years.  He started working on it at his home in Newton, Connecticut, in 1931.  He painted wooden tiles, each with a letter of the alphabet, then kept trying to figure out the best point value for each letter based on frequency of use.

He went through several name changes for his game.  He originally called it Lexiko, then Criss Cross, and finally, Scrabble.

At last, in 1948 - seventeen years after he began - Alfred was ready to copyright the name and rules.  He took it to game manufacturer Selchow & Righter and they agreed to put it on the market.

For the man who couldn't spell so well, his invention became the best-selling word game in the world, and the second-best board game in sales, after Monopoly.

       ~Strange & Fascinating Facts about Famous Brands by Charles Reichblum

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Al's Essays on Weight Loss and Maintenance

Al has written many in depth essays on Weight Loss and Maintenance and they are now available on the website!
You can find Al's Essays on Weight Loss and Maintenance at:

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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 also make wonderful gifts.

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Philly Swirl

Receive a 1-day shopping pass to Sam’s Club   To receive your FREE 1-day pass to Sam's Club from Philly Swirl, go to http://www.phillyswirl.com/aboutus/1day.cfm  Shop as if you were a member all day and don't forget to stock up on lots of Philly Swirl Pops! Philly Swirl’s Sugar-Free, Fat-Free Swirl Pops [10 cal/0 g fat/1 g fiber/4 g carbs] 0.5 pts

Every day is a good day to stock up on some great tasting Philly Swirl's Sugar-Free, Fat-Free Swirl Pops! They are delicious and only 10 calories.

Keep your freezer stocked with these great 10-calorie pops, which can be enjoyed anytime throughout the year. If you are interested in learning more about the Philly Swirl products please visit them at http://www.phillyswirl.com/ and drop them a line. They would love to hear from you. Psst…don’t forget to pass the word! We want to see these awesome Sugar-Free, Fat-Free Swirl Pops remain available to all of us on our Journey. Let's take the power we have to make a difference by passing the word about these awesome pops and keeping them available to us in the future.

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DWLZ Website Updates

Keeping Dotti's Weight Loss Zone current is a full time job and then some. Anytime you would like to find my latest updates you can find them at these links:

The DWLZ Website News & Updates forum— http://www.dwlz2.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4 US restaurants updates are on my Restaurants TOC page— http://www.dwlz.com/restaurants.html Canadian restaurants updates are on my Canadian Restaurants TOC page at— http://www.dwlz.com/restaurantscanadian.html

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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   

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Newsletter Sign Up

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

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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.

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Copyright and Disclaimer

Copyright © DWLZ, Inc. - 2008, 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.

    *Whenever possible, I calculate ALL my Points on my Offline Points Calculator in the Half Points Mode, which rounds UP to the nearest Half Point. This keeps my site consistent. All point values shown in BLACK are calculated with the 10-gram fiber cap [Original 123 Success Points]. When there is a difference with the 4 gram fiber cap calculation, I show the points value for that in RED.

Note: Points® is a registered trademark of Weight Watchers International, Inc. The Points® values displayed are not intended in any way to show an endorsement or sponsorship of any product or organization by Weight Watchers International, Inc.