Meetings

Let's face it; how many of us LIKE to attend or even "participate" in meetings?  The very word sends shivers down my spine.  The actual meeting has evolved-- no longer do we sit in suits and ties and wear horned rimmed glasses (although some of you might-- I'm not judging!).  Today's meetings are more informal...well except for HS student council.  Do they still use gavels to call the meeting to order?  I guess what I'm saying is although meetings have loosened up a bit, I still find them to be a four-letter word.  Who say "yipee, I'm going to a meeting today?"  I believe we mostly roll our eyes and slump our shoulders and seek pity from our audience.  I know I do!  LOL

Moana!!!! Get off my blog.  I did not give you permission to post on my site!!  I attended a wonderful WW meeting last night so meetings are YOUR 4-letter word!  The WW meetings are encouraging and uplifting and last night's meeting was long.  Note to self: do not attend Tuesday night's meeting if you have some place to be!  I find the meetings extremely helpful and it is encouraging to meet with others who are smaller (they give me hope) and larger (maybe I give them hope?).  I especially like it when the life-time members are in attendance.  They truly motivate me!  I've never achieved lifetime status with WW.  That is my goal this time.  I fall off the wagon and feel guilty about going.  The more time that passes and the more meetings I miss, the easier it is to just stay away.  I secretly think, I'll lose some weight before I go back.  I don't want them seeing how much I've gained.  What a crock!!!  They are just happy to see me back.  And who am I hurting?  Them?  No!  I'm hurting me.  My pride (Moana) is getting in the way of my healthy life.  Again I say "What a crock!"  Everyone in that meeting has or is struggling with food and exercise.  Last night a young woman was in attendance who lost 60 pounds.  She must be a whole 20 years old and now she is weight lifting and training for competition.  She would have never thought about that 60 pounds ago.  We are all proud of her and she encourages us older ladies to get moving!  But here's the funny thing....she had gotten away from the meetings.  She said that years ago (she must have been 15!!) she lost 45 pounds but didn't reach lifetime.  She got down in weight and size but the weight didn't stay off.  Before long she gained back and then some.  Now she is adding weight lifting.  She is our muscle building guru.  She has lots of helpful hints....I'll pass one on.  She says always do cardio exercise and then weight lifting....never lift weights then do cardio.  There's some science behind it which she explained but my eyes rolled behind my sockets and I passed out for a while.  Google it if you want the scientific explanation.  Science is not my bag!

Now I know meetings aren't for everyone.  Lord knows Moana hates them!  But I find modern technology to be a wonderful invention.  Grainiacs, we have a meeting right here on this very site.  We can encourage each other and provide helpful tips.  Why just yesterday I heard from a grainiac who likes sweet potatoes and is planning to mash up 2 Tbsp of sweet potato in place of the canned pumpkin.  My chops are licking just thinking about that yummy tasting oatmeal.

Banana says she washes and cooks as many sweet potatoes as one shelf in her oven will allow.  Now that's a lot a sweet potatoes!!  First they cook for 75 minutes at 475*.  Then for 75 minutes at 300*.  She leaves them in the oven for a couple of hours after the oven is turned off.  She says they turn out "so sweet and gooey."   They caramelize; she also doesn't have to use pumpkin pie spice or anything  on them "as they are too delicious the way they are.   I sometime do put them in salads though."  I am drooling just thinking about them!

Her email reminded me of my WW creamy orzo risotto with butternut squash.  This is taken from a WW (ahem) meeting circular.  I am straying from my HG cookbook just this once....oh who am I kidding...it will most likely happen again.  But you know me....and she's off and running....wait she's going in the wrong direction!!!  LOL  Yep, that would be me!

borrowed this picture from my other post...did I mention it was a hit at the potluck meeting I attended?

     Preheat oven to 425*F. Coat a small rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, toss 2 cups uncooked butternut squash, cut into small cubes with 1/2 tsp oil and 1/8 tsp salt; spread on sheet. Roast, stirring halfway through, until squash is tender and lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter in medium saucepan over medium heat; add 1 cup uncooked orzo.  Stir until orzo begins to smell toasty, about 3 minutes.  Add 1 1/2 cups water, 1 cup canned chicken broth, and 8 sprigs or 1 tsp fresh- thyme; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until liquid is nearly absorbed, about 15 minutes.

Remove thyme; stir in 2 Tsbp fat-free half-and-half, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and cooked squash.  Season with salt and pepper; serve.  Yields 3/4 cup per serving. Serves 4.  PPT: 6  

As usual, I didn't have an ingredient, actually I couldn't find it in my store-- this is the store that shelves its oatmeal with flour instead of cereals!!!-- so I had to use a flavored risotto box mix.  My recipe yielded less points! 

I'm off to the store, grainiacs, to purchase oatmeal in the flour aisle and butternut squash and sweet potatoes.  Time to mix up my oatmeal.