Core Support Board
 

I am following the Core Program On-Line. If there are others choosing the Core Program, lets support each other on this thread. I know there are going to be a lot of questions and what one person doesn't get another one will. First let's say why we chose to switch. I like the idea of not having to measure and count points (except flex). However, the years of portion control from the points system will help me not to over do. I suspose we will still need to journal so that we can track our progress or more importantly lack of. :D

I'd love to join you but I can't get to a WW meeting until Saturday so won't be actually starting until then. Like you, I did the WW exchange program and loved it because it taught me how to eat nutritiously. I still write everything down because I find it keeps me on track. My pet rant is that 60% of Americans are now overweight and they insist on eating lots of snacks, carbs and junk foods and can't understand why they are gaining. Personally, I think there should be a 10% tax on the stuff to go for the increased medical care these people will need. Now that smokers are in the minority, watch out - the government is looking for a new crusade!

Today was the first day for me. I did ok. Used 4 flex points cause I ate fruit yogurt--can't understand why it isn't a core food since fruit is and ff yogurt is. I also had a cheese stick. But I had egg and cantaloupe for breakfast, salad with boiled egg for lunch (too much egg?) and stir fried chicken with veggies and brown rice for dinner. I also had raw veggies and grapes for a snack.

I look forward to comparing notes with you next week, Susan.

Look forward to your

I'm in with the core plan and very excited about it. As I mentioned in another thread -I am a little concerned that when I added up my points for the day (just to see) I only had 15. For me - its going to be important to figure out the core foods that I like AND maintain a reasonable number of total calories and/or points. Once I get this down - I'll feel a lot more confident.

I'd like to join
 

I got the new Core info today and I'm really excited to try it. I think its a great idea to learn what "satisfied" feels like. I'm anxious to get some recipes.Oh, and I have a question: say like I want a potato at lunch,does that mean I can't have pasta for dinner because I already had my starch?

Does the new Core Plan include a Restaurant Guide and is it different than the one we received with the Flex Plan?

Rose - There are new restaurant and food companion guides. They include points for all foods and checkmarks next to foods and restaurant items that are core foods.

p.s. There are not a lot of core foods in the types of restaurants listed, except the obvious choices like salad.

Thanks, Susie! How are you doing on the Core Plan? Since I eat out a lot, maybe the Flex Plan will work out better for me?

Ruffles, the way I understand the plan is that you can have the starch at one meal a day only. I don't mind that too much since I usually only ate potatoes or rice at dinner anyway.
I admit eating out will be a little more challenging but you can always use the 35 flex points for a weekend meal out. I don't usually eat out during the week anyway so I don't see that a problem for me. I usually always eat the salad bar when we eat out anyway--I just love veggies!
I had a big glass of milk at lunch and actually poured some of it out cause I was full! I am still using portion control I learned on points just not measuring it.
I really like not having to measure my fruit. I can just grab a bunch of grapes and throw them in my snack kit for the day and eat what I want of them and leave the rest.

Hi there!
I started the core plan yesterday. Not sure if I'll stick with it or go back to points... we'll see. I wasn't hungry though yesterday and I am always starving, and that was a very good thing. I usually have a feeling like I am starving in the afternoons and at "bare bones" for having enough food. Have to admit that in order to eat and feel satisfied, I was sacrificing certain things like milk and fruit, due to the points. I gleefully had a plum yesterday for lunch with kidney beans and chicken, it felt "glorious" to have that fruit and not have to count it. I used three flex points for the day, one for salad dressing with dinner and two for my breakfast, that I had before going to my meeting and getting the core info. I also had a bag of 94% ff microwaved popcorn (core) as an afternoon snack with water.
I am thinking of examining experimental recipe combinations. I didn't have enough money to buy the new core program cookbook yesterday, but did (regretfully) buy the two new "companions" the food guide and eating out guide. I regret the eating out guide and the other guide, I reserve judgement on for now, it's probably a good idea to have as it does encompass more choices. The eating out guide is "pointless" (get the humor?) as on this core plan there is almost nothing one can eat out with except using flexpoints. Even Applebees is now using up flexpoints, though we all know in our hearts some of the foods are core foods. Hope they come up with reasonable core plus point allowances for certain things down the road. Also, in the food compaion guide the ww frozen entrees are all done up in points, and we all know some of the foods in those are "core" foods too, so not sure how to count those at all. Their sales on frozen foods will probably plumet due to this oversite of theirs, so hopefully they will come up with an analysis of core plus 2 points or something like that????
However, knowing I can have beef, a baked potato and a salad at a "good" restaraunt and knowing they are "core" foods does help. I'd have to use points for lite dressing, but that isn't bad. I worry about fast food places, but most of these places now have a grilled chicken salad. Though the guide doesn't give that as "core", one can judge those as core, I think, and include points for things like croutons or cheese if they are on there, or ask that they be left off. All the salad dressings at places are pointed out as well, some are suprisingly 3 points, some are not depending on the place you choose to eat at. Wendys is a good choice for a plain baked potato and their small chilli is 4 points (but maybe should be core plus 2 points? due to the beans and meat that are core???) and their side salad is "core". Their ff french dressing is only 2 points for a packet and I only use about half the packet anyway. So, at Wendys, one could have a good sized "dinner" with a baked potato, pour the chili over top of the potato and a side salad. You would technically use 5 flex points, however I still think that maybe the chili shouldn't count as much? But, in order to go with their program, totally, one must count the full 4 points.
I'm thinking of creating pizzas out of broiled eggplant slices with diced tomatoes, ff cheese and even hamburger on them. Sounds interesting. All those foods are core, so they would be a good "meal".
I am also considering (as time permits) making oatmeal into a "flour" in my blender (as oatmeal is a core food) and making a pizza crust concoction out of that and adding toppings. One can take Splenda, mix it with cinnamon and bake an apple with oatmeal, cinnamon and splenda on top, maybe mixed with a tiny bit of margarine (1 point) and make a "mock" apple crisp kind of thing? I'm really brainstorming here.... we all need to "think outside the box", right? :cool:
If I can't come up with a really good and fast pizza substitute, I will probably end up using at least 10 - 15 of my flex points in a week on pizza, can't live without it!
Can't wait to see, on this thread, or elsewhere, other people's thoughts on recipe ideas. I was kind of astounded that bread was not a core food, even a high fiber bread. However, lite bread is one point for two slices and not all that bad to work with, I guess. Maybe they will come up with core bread or maybe the cookbook will reveal something.
My 13 year old daughter wants to do the core program, however, she starts school next week. I was already having trouble getting ww ideas for her on the flex program, but this makes it even harder. Any thoughts on that? She's not a good candidate for bringing (never returns containers!) soups and salads to school.
Last night, for dinner, I had two ears of corn with ff "butter" spray (all core!), roast beef (core) and salad (core) with lite dressing (one point). I left the table feeling very happy and satisfied. That meal might have been 11 points, but I didn't want to track it. I also bought and make, with skim mild, ff and sf chocolate pudding and that was dessert (core).
Today, I may eat core, totally, and try journalling as well and checking the points of what I am eating - not sure if that is a good idea or not!
Well, it's off to have a "core" breakfast which I will greatly enjoy due to a new variety of foods that I percieve I can have now - though we all know with flexpoints I could have had them anyway!
Please do post what you guys are eating and how it's working, I want to learn!
Linda in NH

This is interesting! I am trying the core program because I had gotten into some pretty bad habits. Getting to the core of eating seems like a great way for me to go right now. I absolutely want to lose weight.
Yesterday I had a bowl of oatmeal with milk for breakfast, a banana for snack, veggie baked beans for lunch (and stopped eating when I was satisfied!), a homemade cole slaw (ff mayo, onion,vinegar, Splenda, salt & pepper over store shredded carrots and cabbage)for afternoon snack, steak, potato for dinner, and 94% micro popcorn for snack. I was satisfied, but craved chocolate. Looking back on the day, I needed to boost my milk but because of the sizes of the cole slaw and banana I hit the number of veggies I aimed for, protein was fine, and I was happy. I went to bed without the chocolate and am thinking that if I can "cold turkey" away from even very low point processed foods I'll be ahead of the game.

I think the wonderful thing about WW's is that they are responding to their members' needs. Point is, if Flexpoints is working keep on it. If you're looking for a change, this may do the trick. I like the idea of serving sizes being up to me. I think it's going to help me analyze whether I'm hungry or "looking" for food. Good luck to everyone.
:grouphug:
Judy
234/221/getting tired of being so heavy!

I too, am excited about the Core program. Re-Joined WW last night and the program seems very doable. The big part for me is that the responsibility is all on ME. I will have to really focus on my own level of "full ness" instead of eating points when I am not hungry(in order to get enuf points in for a day).

Counting points make me crazy after awhile.

The Core list of foods seems nice...I love the idea that fruit is OK. I tried SBD for awhile, but couldn't handle the very limited fruit and starches.

According to my information that I got at the meeting last night (and I asked questions of the leader, and the WW Trainer rep that was there), here's how the starch issue was explained to me: You can have either potatoes or whole wheat rice or whole wheat pasta at one meal per day. There is no limits set on the rest of the grains list (which includes other starchy veggies). Of course, the 100% whole wheat cereal is limited to once per day too.

I really feel positive and motivated about this alternative program.....looking forward to giving it a go!

Shelle

for derry
 

Good Morning Ladies,
Just wanted to comment on a couple things especially for derry.............
I love reading what members are saying and wont comment on everything but the feedback is great.

The chili at Wendy's.....you are correct.you need to count it all points because even though it has beans and beef.the beef is not the lean beef.

Oatmeal blended for pizza would not work if you want to count it as Core because page 24 tells you the cereal needs to be with milk or yogurt.However you could have oatmeal and count it as points for your crust. I love pita brad or ff tortillas for crust.

RUFFLes.........you ask something I dont remember what but the answer is YES! :lol:

As a Leader I lurk the boards but wont post a lot because sometimes people around the WW boards get "testy" and I could live without added stress. But if I can help and answer simple questions I will sometimes.

The best information source all of us have ( including myself) is reading the Week One Getting Started Book.it is clear as crystal. TRUST yourself on this!
Ideas from others are great.................but learn the program from the book!

I am on my 3 rd week of Core and love it.of course I love Flex too! I have lost 4 pounds as of 2nd weigh in.

I make chicken fahitas.only have to count the ff shell.love cooking in that oil again!
I make salmon patties......salmons & eggs core...crackers points (used ff)fried them in that oil again!
I have made veggie soup this morning..with lean ground beef...............CORE
Omelets with onions and peppers and fried that potato in oil!(Core)

Hubby & I sit at the table and say "Core..Core......Core" :lol: :lol: :lol:


Hubby & I are eating well...in fact better than ever!

Hope you dont mind my comments!

Enjoy whatever plan you choose!

Just remember CHOICE not CHANCE determines destiny! Author Unknown!

Cin ;)

Cin, why would anyone mind your comments? Being a leader and having you here is fantastic! There might be so many questions! Even you guys are new to this as well, so talking about it is essential!
I am wondering if there is a misconception, though, with a few people here about starches that we can and should clear up. Someone mentioned that one should only have ONE starch a day, I re-read my week 1 info, p. 24, and didn't see that exactly stated anywhere, or did I miss it?
What I did see, though, was to limit the servings of whole wheat pasta or brown rice or potatoes to one per say, the rest of the "starches" are all listed together with grains and cereals and they are not suggesting one limits those. Though they do say at the bottom of pg. 24 that puffed wheat, rice, shreeded wheat and 100% bran cereals that do not contain added sugar are limited to one meal a day and must be eaten with fat free milk or plain yogurt.
The do not say, by the way, that rolled oats must be eaten with milk to be core, though. So, maybe I could still "play" with it a bit to see if I can make something.
I was actually thinking of making oatmeal and then almost making a pancake kind of thing with it, using non-stick spray - if I can get it to hold together? Then, I could make pizza over top of it. I love oatmeal bread, so was thinking this could work? Who knows unless you try stuff! I was also thinking of making an oatmeal "flour" in my blender and using that with some yeast and other ingredients to make a mock pizza dough. Still might try it to see if I am creative enough!
Have any of you made homemade potato pancakes from onion, egg, grated potato and cooked them on a griddle with non-stick spray? These are all core ingredients, so maybe making them and serving them with ff sour cream and no sugar added applesauce would work with this and by YUMMY! Again, I am totally trying to use what I know about cooking (why I need to go to ww!) and be as creative as possible!
Interestingly enough (can't get off the need to journal yet, I guess?) I journalled and "pointed" my food that I had yesterday and came in exactly at 21 points. I allowed myself 20 points, plus did time on my treadmill which would have earned me one point on the "old" flex plan. I actually ate exactly what ww would have allowed me on the flexpoint program anyway! I did select totally different foods that I might normally have had to acheive this.
This morning, I might have gone a bit overboard, we'll see how the day ends up! I made a fantastic omlet this morning! Was sooo good, must tell you guys. I pointed it all out and was a bit higher than I might normally be for a breakfast, but we aren't exactly supposed to point out these things - yet old habits die hard and I keep thinking I ought to use the points in a way in combination with this core thing to keep my portions in control. I think it would be so easy to lost control if one doesn't hold the reigns in a bit???
At any rate, must tell you guys about the omlett. I would recommend perhaps one egg and 1/4 cup egg substitute, though? I used two eggs that I beat with S+P.
While I was preparing that, I sauteed some onion and red and green pepper (I buy the onion and pepper frozen in a "stir fry mix" bag to use as shortcuts for cooking up stuff quick. I chopped a few mushrooms and tossed them in, all sauteed in non-stick spray, of course.
Then, in the omlet I used canned (always have some open in a container for quick stuff, so good over pasta - which will now be whole wheat pasta!) diced tomatoes, the veggies and 1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese. This omlet was super good and I was thrilled to have REAL eggs for a change vs. egg substitute, which I consider a "shadow" of a real egg and just doesn't have the taste and flavor.
But, if I do this again, I would like to cut the "points" or should I say "impact" on the body by mixing one real egg with 1/4 c egg substitute. I would save a point, or calories, or whatever, but still maintain the flavor. Both eggs and egg substitute are core, but I am thinking that one must use the knowledge one has learned with points to make this core program work really well? Just my thinking "out loud".
At any rate, lunch was kidney beens, leftover roast beef (eye round, core) and tomato soup. No cravings for an after lunch piece of chocolate or "something more" today. I'm not doing my mid-afternoong craving/starving thing today at all and feel as if I can make it until dinnertime, though maybe snacking on some carrots or something later? We'll see.
I worked out and went on the treadmill as well. Today, though, I figured out my points so far and I've only got 8 left for the day....again, I know I don't need to be figuring out points, but I am fascinted in terms of thinking how these core foods actually do "fit" in with BOTH the ww programs in a way. One has to be sensible about portions, etc.
Judy, I am a person who craves chocolate constantly and last night having the sugar free, fat free chocolat pudding (made with skim milk) was satisfying. I only allowed myself one 1/2 cup serving and COULD have had two, but stopped myself from overdoing it! I noticed that ff and sugar free hot cocoa is core as well, and that might help you out.
I'm enjoying the diversity of this.
Linda
I'm going to "test" core a bit tonight as I have to eat out. My son is performing somewhere and we won't be home for dinner. We eat frequently at this one place, their main theme is pizza (of course the one item I crave) but I know thier menu well. They serve what is called a "chicken ka-bob salad". It comes with a roll, but I never eat that anyway. They grille chicken breast cutlets with peppers and onion and put that over top a regular "garden" salad. There are no croutons or cheeses in this salad to worry about. They have lite italian dressing (one point for a tablespoon and I won't need more than that - not a huge dressing fan as it "masks" the taste of things anyway). So, using only one point I feel entirely safe to judge this salad as "core". I do think that eating at places you know if you must eat out might be important during this "get acquainted" time period?

Derrydaughter
 

Derry
You are sooooooooooooooooooo right about the oats...............see?? That is what I mean about all of us reading the book!

Try it and let us know!

It took me several days to start seeing all the real possibilities with this plan! The sky is the limit! I,too had an omelet one morning...with ff cheese onions & peppers........light toast(points) It was great!

Variety and portion control kept in mind...and this plan is "Heaven" to me!

The pg 24 reference...yes one choice of wholewheat pasta,potato or brown rice and one choice of the cereals highlighted in the book.

Hey! I have enjoyed shrimp cocktail several times.The shrimp and the sauce are CORE! Love it!

The first week I recorded food just to have some examples for members...but now I am not.just checking off the weekly points and Good Health Habits..

BOTH plans will work and BOTH meet someones needs!

I think I will switch back and forth often on them depending on what plans we have for the week.

Later
Cin ;)

OK - now I'm more excited about trying Core from counting points - I have done low-carb before and really feel better when I stay away from bad carbs. I have lost almost 35 pounds on counting points, but probably will do better if I stay away from those things. I have my meeting tonight - still not clear on the bread/starch issue, so I will make sure I ask if someone else doesn't.

CIN - A LEADER AMONG US - GREAT!!!!! We loving having access to you, especially since we only have our meetings once a week and could use some guidance through this new program!!!!

Derry - keep coming with ideas/recipes, I'll add as I come up with things and see the program in print.

I make omelets with 1 egg and 2 egg whites all the time - just don't care much for eggbeaters and their high price. I think this plan is going to be great. Can't get to a meeting until Saturday, so you guys will be ahead of me in the weight loss game. Some foods are not core, like the flavored yogurt, because WW eliminated from core those foods people tend to overdo on. That's also wh FF cream cheese isn't on the list. Those fast food restaurants inject their chicken with a mixture that contains sugar so that's why the chicken isn't core. I'm sure if it's only an occasional thing it won't really matter that much. I'm thinking that'w why a lot of the frozen dinners are also off limits - processed meats and way too much gravy. I'd love it if they'd come out with some that were just meat and veggies. I love the Life Choice ones.

Is it possible to have a board for just CORE people?

So glad to see all the posters that are trying the Core plan! Welcome CIN. I am doing ww online so I don't have the materials everyone else has so I will learn from what yall talk about. One question, why does the cereal have to be with skim milk or yogurt? I thought that just meant that you could not eat the cereal with full fat milk or fruit yogurt!
Let's stay exicted and keep putting those recipe and meals plans down so we can alll get suggestions. I had a banana today. The first one I've had in a long time cause I didn't want to spend the extra point! I had beef fajitas for supper with ff refried beans and brown rice. I also stopped eating the fajita when I felt full and only had to count 3 points for the ff flour tortilla (It was the large type!). I feel great after only 3 days on plan. Have to go for me walk. Talk to everyone later.

Good Morning Everyone.
CIN, I have another question. It says coffee without sugar. Does that mean I can use the non-dairy creamer? It has 10 calories with 0fat and 0 sugar. I used to always drink my coffee black but somehow got hooked on the liquid creamers.
Susan, I wondered about the flavored yogurts. It didn't make sense to me that 2 core foods combined would not be a core food! I used it on points as a way to get calcium and protein since I don't like meat much. I only ate it once a day.
I plan to go over the food list and make a shopping list (on excel) that I can use to stock up on the core foods I will eat. I am cleaning off a shelf on my pantry for them to make it a little easier.
I wasn't hungry after dinner last night. Did even want a glass of milk. Guess the full factor is working for me. I can see a difference in my energy level-guess it is because I am not getting the sugar anymore! I even got a vitamin down yesterday morning!
Have a good OnCore Day everyone!
Janette

Hi again guys!
I've been having fun brainstorming (wish I had been a professional cook way back when I made career choices, oh well!) about recipes! I should probably try to write a cookbook one day....
What if you took whole wheat pasta, such as ziti, cooked a serving (a serving being what the box tells you is a serving, not how much fills a big bowl guys!!!!) and mixed it with canned diced tomatoes. Then add a bit of oregano or italian seasoning to a half cup of ff cottage cheese, a pinch of garlic powder if you'd like, and mix in a small individual sized casserole dish. For bulk, you could add a bit of tofu, if you like that, or the meat free crumbled hamburger substitute, or real lean hamburger, chicken or beans? I could just do it as a lunch without the "bulk" but one could make a dinner out of it that was more substantial with something else added. You could also toss in cooked, leftover zucchini or a small can of mushrooms, etc. Then, sprinkle ff cheese over top and pop in the micro long enough to melt the cheese. Might be pretty good! In fact, one could make a casserole to feed a family in a similar fashion and they would never really judge it as "diet food", which is my big "test". One can add sauteed onion and garlic of course, but I was initially thinking of this as a quickie lunch idea, but an entire meal could work with this, just use portion control.... if you make up a casserole, use 4 "portions" as per the pasta box and 1/2 cup ff cottage cheese per person. Cottage cheese is much like ricotta in recipes and something I tend of have on hand in the house more than ricotta. But, I think there is ff ricotta as well and I think it was on the core list???? Then, add a salad and you've got a great dinner!
Also, if you were making that pasta anyway, boil a little extra whole wheat pasta and add it to you favorite low sodium ff chicken broth (I use Swanson) and add a bit of chopped up chicken and you've got your own core homemade chicken soup! If you've got scallions on hand or parsley, a little bit on top might be nice. We can do this guys! I also freeze leftover veggies such as string beans, carrots, etc in a gallon sized zip lock bag. Whatever is left in the pot after diinner goes into the bag. I made that WW garden veggie soup and just dump in the already cooked, chopped veggies that I have on hand. In winter, when I slow cook beef stew in my crock pot, I just dump my bag of frozen veggies into it or when I make (not core) homemade chicken pies, I've always got veggies to toss in. Adding a few veggies would make it more filling. A pinch of basil and you've got chicken soup to south the soul!
Also, another "treat" that I have had that is really good...... Make your own banana "ice cream", totally core! Freeze a ripe banana in sections. When frozen you can toss it in your food processor or blender and add about a half cup of skim milk. It becomes a creamy taste sensation that you would swear was some kind of "shake" that was made at an ice cream parlor. Then, you can re-freeze it to make ice cream of put in a frosty glass and eat, luxuriously, with a spoon. For an extra point, a tsp or two of herseys syrup over top or a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips blended in is good! Try this!
I'm going to keep putting on my thinking cap. I love to cook and, truly, this is what led me to join ww as I got "overly" creative!
Still trying to think of take along lunch ideas for my 13 year old who is coming to ww with me..... that is very hard unless she uses points for bread, but even cold cuts are NOT core..... is there any thing one could put in a sandwich that would taste good, not look "weird" to her fellow high school students tha she would like? We think she might be better staying on the flexpoint system, actually.
Linda in NH where it's going to be a THIN day!
My scale dipped down a pound this morning, I know it's not weigh in day but I am a scaleaholic!
Linda

One more quick post on my way out the door..... trying to plan a great dinner tonight!
I have a London Broil steak and none of the core plan info is worded in terms of defining that cut of beef as sirloin, round or what? So, would that be "core" or not core????? Help!
I plan on using it as it was purchased and in my freezer anyway, but don't know how to count it.
Just wait til I share a few more things with you guys, just don't have time right now!
Linda

Good Morning
 

Good Morning Ladies!
Thank you for making me feel soooooooooooooooo welcome ;) !

I dont want to disappoint you all but I do want to tell you I wil pop in when I can. Time wont permit me to read every post.....wish I could.

Fiftieslady.....why the milk with the oatmeal etc? I dont know the why behind it.wish I did but I trust it is with a good reason if WWers makes that choice. As far as the 0 point cream.the 0 point food are the same on Core............just watch the servings....as long as they are not in excess..they should be fine.like sugar free jello etc!

I am helping my daughter move today.....................will check in later if I can.

I see there are many people on the boards who are just as qualified as I am...remember what I said yesterday..............it isnt our opinion that counts with WWers.It is going by the book and accepting it. All of us are in essence Weight Loss experts.......and we all learn from each other. I get my best ideas from my members! ;) AND I have got many ideas and tips from the boards in 3 fatchicks for a few years! This is my favorite place!

Later
Cin~

Hello all! May I Join you??

My name is Spryng (pronounced spring) mother to 3. I am a SAHM and have been on ww for almost a year now! It will be one year next month. I hit my goal weight back in april and have been trying to get to my personal goal weight of 120 lbs and haven't even hit 125 yet.
I love this new Core program! Today is day 3 for me and my scale is going down! (my signature says 125.5 but pms had a hold of my last WI and I was 126) I do ww at home and didn't get the new list and all that, not from ww anyway, but I did get it from my aunt who is on ww online. I LOVE CORE! I love not having to count soooo many things. I have to admit, being on ww for almost a year now I was getting burnt out on counting pts and was thinking about stopping counting and doing it on my own, but I'm glad I waited because now there is a plan just for me!!!
But anyway, I wanted to introduce myself and join this group! And about those frozen bananas--- how do you freeze them? in a ziplock or something? and do they turn black? do you remove the peel first? that smoothie/icecream sounds like something I would love and so would my kids. Do you have to let them thaw a little before blending them up with the skim milk?

I hope to get to know you all a little better as time goes on! See you soon!

Hi. Great ideas. Here's one for yogurt that my WW leader suggested last night. Using the Core ff plain yogurt, set it in a coffee filter in a strainer in your fridge overnight. In the morning you'll have a thicker nicer textured yogurt. To that you can add Splenda, vanilla and/or any berries or fruit you'd like to use to flavor your yogurt. Sounds great to me.

I went out to dinner last night at Outback and had a steak and baked potato with olive oil to top it off. I had decaf coffee and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I could have had a salad, but was happy without it.

So, here's to possibilities *and* to losing weight! :bravo:
Judy

I am making CORE stuffed peppers for dinner with brown rice and tomato soup, with lean ground beef. I am on day 2 of CORE and MOVE it!! Coming off of strict Atkins (14 weeks), this is heaven to me!

Livvi, I LOVE stuffed peppers! Care to share the recipe? I'm looking for any and all core recipes today because I'll be going grocery shopping tomorrow. So I would appreciate it!

Ok, gotta get off here and get some housework done... TTYL!

I had my meeting on Tuesday and although I am not doing Core this week, I am thinking of doing it next week. I had my fridge stocked with food to use with the Flex program and wanted to get rid of that before another round at the store. But I have a question, what is everyone eating for breakfast? Is there any cereal that is "core"?
Thanks!

I had oatmeal sweetened with splenda for breakfast yesterday and it really filled me up! Today I plan on having the same or boiled eggs with some fruit, haven't decided yet. I haven't stocked up yet on core foods but I will tomorrow! I'm looking for meal ideas too.

Ok, lol... I really am getting off here, lol. I had to get back online to look up a recipe for ranch chicken, which is what I am having tonight. If I don't use the bread crumbs it will be completely core... but I wonder what difference that will make. Probably just a texture difference and not a taste. Hmmm... what do you think?

Hi everyone:

Since I had lots of flex/plan food in house, I thought I would eat as I would normally on flex but track on Core & after 2 days I am totally out of Core points! Anyone else have this problem?

I had already bought food for flex for the week too, I'm just adjusting my recipes now, and it's been ok.. only using a few weekly points each day.

Gosh, just went to the ww meeting introducing it yesterday and I still have to read the booklet. Wish I had time to read through the thread, but it looks like everyone has a lot to say!! Since I find logging everything pretty burdensome, I hope this new thing helps reduce that aspect of it.

Hi guys!
I checked at a local butcher shop and London Broil is round steak, so it's core - thank goodness!
At any rate, had a fantastic idea for a recipe that I am going to try for dinner, it will be one point due to one ingredient, but not bad at all and probably not enough to count a point, but one should if one goes by the book.

CORE Beef stroganoff
Slice up a round steak in strips, put aside, or you can use one pound of extra lean ground beef and make hamburger stroganoff!
Chop one onion and sautee' in non stick spray, add 1/2 pound sliced mushrooms and continue sauteeing until the mushrooms release their juices. Then add the beef and quickly brown it while the mushrooms and onions continue cooking, about 5 -6 min on med heat.
Add one can of 98% ff campbell's cream of mushroom soup, undiluted (this is the ONE point ingredient, not core)
Add 1/2 packet of Lipton Onion Soup mix
If you need to, add a bit of water to keep it a bit soupy looking (making this up as I go along here) and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes until beef is tender.
Then add 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp worcestier (sp?) sauce, S+P to taste or do at the table. Keep warm until just before serving and then add 2 Tablespoons catsup and 1/2 cup ff sour cream.
Serve over top of whole weat pasta or brown rice.
ONE point due to the soup, the rest is all core!
I have adapted this from a real recipe I have made up myself and have accomodated it to the core program. I will be trying this tonight for dinner, so will let you all know how it works, but needed to type it out for my own benefit anyway.
Generally, this recipe is sauteed in butter and uses regular sour cream. I also make pot roast with the cream of mushroom soup and onion soup mixes and make a stroganoff out of the leftover pot roast, but this will work as I have done it this way making stroganoff from scratch.
Also, for the person who asked, freeze the banana in a zip lock without the skin, broken into approximately 2" pieces that can be dropped into the food processor or blender, don't defrost them before doing this, they will be icy and very good! Also, I said 1/2 cup of skim milk, but that is an approximate as I just usually pour in milk while the blender/processor is running and don't measure. I get it the right consistency and just know when it's the right thickness! Hope that makes sense.
I can get fairly creative with cooking and sometimes make things without measuring!
But, that is the fun of it!???
Love the strained "yogurt cheese" idea as well, will be trying that for sure!
Go Core people!!!!!
Linda

2 boiled eggs for breakfast. 3 tomatoes and a cucumber for snack. Lunch was a big salad with canadian bacon, pineapple, green peppers and green olives, topped with FF Catalina dressing. For dessert I had yogurt - 2 points of my "allowance", but I had thought any ff yogurt was ok until I checked. I need it as I don't eat cereal or drink milk, so it is 1 calcium for the day so far. I'm also keeping track of points to see how I do on Core. Not sure what dinner tonight will bring. I'm use to having a frozen meal or a pita with meat in it since I'm usually on the run. I think I have one more grilled chicken breast in the fridge - may make some chicken chili with it - can of kidney beans, can of tomatoes and seasonings. Will definitely make more than one serviing - will be good for lunch on Friday. I think I'm going to make some sf/ff pudding too for my other milk for today - I know with flex I wasn't getting my milk either.

Am pushing water - I do good for a while then get away from drinking it, I know it will help!

Linda,That stroganoff recipe sounds great!! I printed it off and will make it next week, I just finished my menu for this week and have no room for one more, but boy does that sound good! Can't wait for you to let us know how you like it! And thanks for the banana tips! I have that on my list to get tomorrow, sounds like a perfect core treat and the kids will like it too!

My menu so far today is
B- oatmeal sweetened with splenda
L- boiled egg with two corn tortillas (1 pt for the tortillas)
D- will be ranch chicken with baked potatoes and another veggie.
My WI is tomorrow so I didn't want to use anymore pts today. I have cantelope in the fridge for a snack if I need it later.

Hello everyone! :wave:

I had a few details on the Core program but missed my meeting on Monday as I was away :( I did go to another WW location to weigh in today and got the new materials as well as the new food guide and new mag. I will be reading up on the new plan tonight - sounds pretty interesting and since I have been stuck on a plateau for a while I am thinking of giving it a try though I still like the flex points program.

Hi guys, just a very quick post to let you know the stroganoff was great.... a bit different with whole wheat pasta (couldn't even finish it, I was too full!!! Full, what is that anyway - not something I've been lately!!!). My 16 year old son, who hates all "diet food" like it, a true "test"!!!! So, do try it!
I have made stroganoff for ages and have combined five or six different recipes over the years and make it a tiny bit different each time, but this works great. Just remember this is one point to count due to the soup. But, I think it's worth the point - it's been four hours since dinner and I am still not hungry!
Loving this program so far!
Linda

Linda, keep those recipe ideas coming. I'm not too good at thinking up things like that.
I made it food wise tonight. I fixed a banana/strawberry smoothie with ff yogurt and skim milk and drank it on the way to the cruise in. I had a glass of tea while DH ate his chicken. I stayed full until on the way and I got that empty feeling so I ate the 1 oz of trail mix I carried (3 flex points) and will have a glass of milk and go to bed.
Glad to see we have our own board now!

Just checking in here as I'm reading everything to do with Core ... I love it! The recipes look great. The only two totally Core ones I've come up with so far are warm tuna/corn salad with ff dressing and the good ol' fashioned banana/skim milk weight watcher's milkshake! :) I haven't been keeping track of what I eat, except for logging noncore and activity points ... I've been journaling my weight loss and eating for so long, I guess the real appeal of this for me is to stop doing that ... it's time and this is the way to go for me. The freedom of drinking some milk whenever I need it is the biggest plus for me ... I love milk but for so long have tried to deny that ... not wanting to waste the calories/points on simply milk ... felt I needed to use low carb protein shakes to up nutrition, just couldn't drink milk on its own.

I'll be cooking more on this program next week ...

Question about the program......why do you think they allow Tomato soup and not V-8..I looked and compared the ingriedeints and the soup has more sugar and salt than the v-8.......also....are their any nuts on the list? As for the yogurt, the plain has less sugars in it that the fruited kind even with sweetner. Is there not even whole grain bread?????????... I thought whole grains were so healthy for you. I still do not understand how to count the grains. They say only 1 serving a day so can you have that serving and then oatmeal and then a starchy vegie too?

Why does the cereal have to be with milk? I eat mine as a snack without dairy some tiems. Just so confused..do not think some of the core foods make since. Do you have to count Kashi now too? I do not see it on the core.

I do WW at home and still on the winning pts, never could get used to eating the flex way but am considering this new program to use with my wining pts one. I cannot make any food off limits...too restricting for me but the core would make a nice change every now and then. Just not sure I want to spend the money for a new kit untill I have all the facts.