Resolutions and a Recipe

2015 Resolutions

Easy Resolutions

Shirley presented resolutions for 2015 that improve your life and are very easy to keep, from Inc.Com:

1. Breathe more deeply. It helps take oxygen to your brain, your spinal chord, and your nervous system – making you smarter, helping you cope with stress and helping you lose weight. You have to breathe, so why not take a few minutes a day to breathe more deeply?
2. Smile more frequently. It also reduces stress, lowers your heart rate, and releases endorphins into your brain. It builds trust and helps you feel connected and content.
3. Feel more gratitude. Gratitude is powerful, helping you focus on the positive and appreciate every step of your journey. One key to gratitude is simply to express it frequently.

Personal Resolutions

Donna challenged each member to write down personal resolutions, which she read during the meeting. She will hold on to them, and will read them again periodically through the year so members can re-visit and renew their resolutions.

Zesty Tomato Soup Recipe

From TOPS.org: Recipe of the Month

Ingredients

• 1 can (14 ½ oz.) no-salt added diced tomatoes
• 1c. jarred roasted red peppers, drained (or substitute fresh roasted red peppers)
• 1c. fat-free evaporated milk
• 1t. garlic powder
• 1/4 t. ground black pepper
• 2T. fresh basil, rinsed and chopped (or 2 t. dried basil)

Directions

1. Combine tomatoes and red peppers in a blender or food processor. Puree until smooth.
2. Put tomato mixture in a medium saucepan, and bring to boil over medium heat.
3. Add evaporated milk, garlic powder and pepper. Return to a boil, and gently simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add basil and serve.

Prep time: 10 min. Cook time: 15 min.; Servings: 4 (1c. soup)

Nutrition Information:

Per serving: 94 calories (0 from fat), 0g total fat (0g saturated fat), 0mg cholesterol, 231mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 8g sugar, 5g protein.
Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 carbohydrate.

TOPS News

Six TOPS and one KOPS were present at the January 8 meeting of Imperial TOPS NE0267. Shirley was the best loser.
Shirley, Donna, Cheryl, and Diann won cash prizes for losing weight over the New Year’s holiday, and Barb won a Subway gift certificate for winning the Christmas Tree contest. Donna also won a little cash in the Ha-Ha drawing for her weight loss.

Week’s Challenges

Challenges are to follow this week’s instructions in the calendar from Karen, with an emphasis on exercise: Set a specific when, where, and how for exercise; drink your water over the weekend; make a pot of vegetable soup for the week; and read a book, to exercise your brain. The No-No is snacking after 7 p.m.
TOPS Club meets from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursdays at the Imperial Community Center, with weigh-ins beginning at 8:30. The first meeting is free. Find out more at www.TOPS.org or imperialnetops.blogspot.com.