Conference rocks::weight_control

			HOT APPLE TART

1/2 C applesauce, unsweetened
dash cinnamon
dash nutmeg
1 packet artifical sweetener
1 oz pocket bread

Combine applesauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, and artificial sweetener.  Spread 
mixture evenly in pocket bread.  Bake in 400 degree oven for 10 minutes or 
until crisp.

Yield: 1 serving
Calories: 133

(McDonalds Hot Apple Pie equals 300 calories)

    Sometimes when I have a sweet craving I can satisfy it with a cup
    of coffee. I order a cup of coffee when everyone is ordering dessert.
    In the past I have found that the big downfall is the cream they
    provide in restaurants. Well, I found the answer to that problem!
    
    Weight Watchers just came out with their own dairy creamer. It consists
    of just instant nonfat dry milk fortified with vitamins A and D.
    It is equivalent to one fluid ounce of skim milk. It comes in
    individual serving size packets that fit in your purse or pocket.
    
    And the best part of all is the taste. Your coffee looks creamy,
    not grey, and it dissolves perfectly.
    
    And finally, for those of us that are concerned
    about our arteries, it doesn't have any of the bad stuff that other
    instant creamers has. (coconut oil, etc.)
       
    G                                   

I have the greatest thing for an ice cream substitute.  I bought the Donvier
ice cream maker, the kind with the metal cylinder filled with liquid.  You
freeze it for a while (8 hours for the 1 quart size, less for the 1 cup size
(I bought both)).

Except for the first time, I've been making ice milk in it.  One of my
favorites (well, they all are wonderful!!) is banana.  For the 1 cup size,
combine 1/2 banana (1 WW fruit exchange) and 1/2 cup skim milk (1/2
WW milk exchange) in a blender, and freeze as per directions.  It's so sweet
you don't even need sugar, and it makes about a cup, so it's really filling.
For a sundae, you can even sprinkle raisins or something else on top, maybe
a little chocolate syrup or cool whip (optional calories).  You can even drink
it like a shake without freezing it.  And there's no leftovers!!

I've also made peach ice milk, strawberry ice milk, and peppermint ice milk,
all of which required some sugar (or you could try artificial sweetner).
I cheated and used some real peppermint candies, but the peppermint extract
is probably minty enough as is.

Jill

    As good as (almost) regular candy.
    
    1 packet choc. alba milk shake 
    1 Tbls. chunky peanut butter
    2 Tbls. water
    
    mix well, drop by teaspoon on plate lined with foil (should make
    10 to 12 pieces) freeze for at least one hour.
    
    exchanges=1 milk
              1 fat
              1 protein

    
    2 1/2 Tbsp dry skim milk powder
    5 whole large/regular size ice cubes (or equiv from auto ice
    	makers, which make smaller cubes)
    2 packs Equal (4t sugar equiv)
    1 tsp flavoring (like banana, lemon, vanilla, root-beer, chocolate,
    	whatever you like - you can add spices especially with vanilla,
    	or choc cinnamon sounds good)
    1/4 cup eggbeaters (or 1 egg white)
    
    Put everything in a blender.  Blend at CHOP for 1 min, to chop up
    the ice.  Then blend on HIGH for about 2 min, to get it to be frothy.
    If it's too thick, add some water and blend a little more.
    
    This is about 65 calories.  If I have the exchanges right, it should
    be 1/2 a milk, 1/2 a protein.  Double it and have 2 slices of LESS
    toast and a piece of fruit, and you've got a good breakfast.
    
    --Louise

    I also bought the Donvier icecream maker.  I have a different favorite.
    I take 1 large thing of the plainest lowest calorie yogurt I can
    find.  I put it in the icecream maker first and then add 4 to 6
    packages of equal and 3/4 of a bag of frozen rasperries in there
    own juice.  I figured it out and if you really wanted to binge you
    can eat the entire quart for 500 calories.  Not bad and I love it.
    If you just got to fill a craving this would do the trick for only
    500 calories.  

    What currently does it for me is making the Nutrasweet jello (or
    any other brand of flavored gelatin).  Even when I make a double
    pack, 8 servings, it's only 80 calories in the bowl.  And it's also
    4 cups of water!  Yeah, I know, water with stuff in it is not regarded
    as water to some folks, but it sure fills you up anyhow.  So far
    I haven't been able to eat a whole bowl - or just not tempted to.
    Usually 1/4 (20 cals) will do it - occasionally 1/2.  I think it's
    knowing that this is safe food that doesn't make it as tempting
    to go overboard.  And after I'm done my jello feast I'm not hungry
    enough to eat something else!
    
    Another idea, as noted in the COOKS notesfile, is fruit/yogurt
    parfaits.  You just layer the fruit and yogurt in a fancy glass
    or dessert dish.  If you want, you can add some low-cal whipped
    topping, or you could make up some jello in a square pan, cut it
    into cubes, and use that as one of your layers to add some sweetness.
    Another idea is to mix a pack of Equal and some cinnamon into the
    yogurt - then you don't really need the topping.
    
    --Louise

I had the most wonderful dessert Saturday night, and it only had about 10
optional calories (which could have been left out...).

I made a cup of banana ice milk (1/2 cup skim milk, 1/2 banana) in my Donvier
ice cream maker.  I took about 1/2 cup frozen strawberries (with no sugar),
thawed them in the microwave, and mashed them up.  I put a small amount into
the ice milk while I was still making it, and poured the rest on top (after
adding a tiny bit of sugar just to see whether it would make a difference).

Instant Strawberry Banana sundae, and it was FANTASTIC!

About 1 1/2 fruit exchanges, 1/2 milk exchange, and 10 optional calories...

    Another quick-and-easy dessert suggested in our WW meeting today was:

    2 cups plain lowfat yogurt 
    1 sm package diet instant pudding (vanilla or banana)
    1 lg can crushed pineapple in juice

    Put yogurt in a large bowl.  Add the pineapple and juice, then sprinkle
    the pudding mix on top.  Blend until completely mixed.  It will firm up
    like a pudding.  1/4 of the recipe has 1 milk, 1 fruit, and the
    optional calories for 1 serving of the pudding mix.

    I'm planning to make this in a measured bowl, so I can tell how much a
    portion is.

    I made the pineapple yogurt pudding last night, and it's great!  I
    blended the pudding into the yogurt, then added the pineapple & juice,
    then blended some more.  It made 4 cups, so a 1/2 cup serving has 1/2
    milk, 1/2 fruit, and 20 optional calories.  Not bad!

    I used vanilla pudding mix - I'll try the banana next time.

    Beverly

    Hi
    
    Could you tell me where you get the creamer, is it on sale in Britain?
    
    Thanks
    
    Tracy  7843 x 6273
    

    Tracy,
         I finally found the creamer at the new Shaws in CLinton.  I've
    been looking along time though.  I'll let you know if I see it anywhere
    else.
                                              Lori

    Weight Watchers has a hot cocoa mix out at 60 calories a cup.
    

    The makers of Ovaltine have a drink called Choc-o-lait out which
    really tastes like hot chocolate, made with water it has 40 cals,
    and it comes in sachets, so you don't have to worry about measures.
    If you top it up with the same amount of skimmed milk you woudl
    put in tea or coffee, it really does taste like ordinary hot chocolate
    made with all milk.
    
    jen

    Howdy, folks!
    
    I am looking for more low-cal dessert-type recipes. There's only
    one thing - I can't have anything with Nutrasweet in it. (Let me
    tell you, this is a royal pain in the tush! All the good ready-made
    sweet stuff is made with Nutrasweet...and so few calories!)
    
    I am rapidly approaching boredom with what I have been eating, so,
    it is important to find some new ideas...
    
    Let me share with you one of my favorites... (doesn't have a name...I
    made it up...)
    
    In a blender put 1 c skim milk. Turn the blender on high for a minute
    or so. (oh yeah, make sure you put the lid of the blender on...I
    forgot one day...good thing you don't absorb calories through the
    skin!) then, add about 1 t (give or take) of vanilla. Add about
    1/2 packet of Sweet and Low. (I imagine Equal would work as well,
    but remember, this is Nutrasweet-less!). 
    
    There you have it! The yummiest, frothy-est, filling-est vanilla
    shake! Mmmm... (and so simple...) 
    
    Variations: add a peach. Or add some strawberries. Or whatever.
    
    Another one I have recently discovered...about 3/4 c OJ, 1/4 c nonfat
    plain yogurt, and 1/2 banana mixed in the blender... YUM!
    
    Help me out here...
    
    -Amy.
    

    Here's a WW recipe that is an oldie...but a gooooodie!  
    
    Put in blender:	1 medium banana
    			2 eggs
    			2 teaspoons vanilla
    			4 teaspoons cocoa
    			1 teaspoon baking soda
    			1 teaspoon cream of tartar
    			2/3 cup nonfat dry milk
    			4 - 6 packages sweetener
    
    Blend until smooth.  Pour into 9 x 15 foil lined cookie sheet that
    has been sprayed with Pam.  Bake at 325 for 10 minutes.  Let cool
    slightly.  Spread filling on cake and roll from the long side. 
    Cut into two pieces, wrap and chill.
    
    Filling:  2/3 cup part skim ricotta cheese
    	      1 teaspoon vanilla
    	      2 - 3 packages sweetener
    
    On the WW program one serving equals: 	2 protein
    						1 fruit
    						1 milk
    						10 optional calories
    
    I take one for lunch along with a big helping of the WW vegetable
    soup.  I have the soup at lunch time with crackers so that's bread
    and veggies.  Then I have a chocolate log in the afternoon for a
    very delicious and filling snack.  My thin friends get jealous!
                             
    
    Enjoy!!

    < Note 3.9 by RSTS32::KASPER "Ever have one of those lifetimes?" >
                         -< Yogurt-pineapple pudding >-

    
    This is wonderful and satisfying.  Also try it with chocolate pudding
    and a can of red sour pitted cherries in water.  Add some Equal;
    it needs extra sweetening when the chocolate pudding is used.
    
    							Pat

    For those of you interested in low-cal foods to aid you in your fight 
    against the bulge, a large dose of willpower is the best recipe.  
    Anything else is just a stopgap measure.....
    

    Sorry, I don't agree.... re-educating the palete, altering eating
    habits, seeking creative ways to present food all add up to creative
    LONG TERM measures.  Willpower is important, but so is an intelligent
    approach to food.

>    For those of you interested in low-cal foods to aid you in your fight 
>    against the bulge, a large dose of willpower is the best recipe.  
>    Anything else is just a stopgap measure.....

    On what sort of background are you basing such an assertion?  "Willpower"
    only means something in relation to a specific program.  If your program
    calls for keeping calorie intake at a certain level, then collecting
    interesting low-cal recipes should be part of that.  How is "willpower"
    better than the "stopgap measure" of learning proper eating habits?!

    Sharing ways to keep a low calorie program interesting is within the
    charter of this conference.  That's what this topic is for, and I don't
    think it's appropriate to try to discourage such activity here.  If you
    have some reasons for thinking this is a bad idea, please put them forth
    for discussion in another topic.  If you can explain why you feel that
    we're doing things wrong, maybe we can learn from each other.  On the
    other hand, please keep in mind that thin people (including doctors)
    telling us that "all we need is a little willpower" is a big part of
    the reason so many heavy people have unnecessarily low self-images.

    Beverly

    Hurray Beverly, I couldn't have said it better myself!

    
    	Don't take this the wrong way...
    
    	An Orange.  Simple yet delicious.  Peel, separate into separate
    slices, place around the outside of a plate.  Then take an apple,
    wash it throughly, cut into slices, removing the seed section and
    place slices in another circle within the center.  The result is
    a great looking and tasteing snack.  The key is in the preparation.
    Take your time and for smaller portions, make 2 separate small plates
    in you choice of pattern.
    
    

    I also have a mite of a problem with "low cal" sweets.  By using
    these low cal sweets you aren't changing the behavior which led
    to the problem in the first place.  Now if you want to talk "healthy
    treats" maybe.  Something that uses natural fruits, yogurts, honey
    etc instead of processed sugar and fats.
    
    Geez I starting to sound like a health food nut, which I'm not.
     But all of a sudden it makes sense that I've gotten nowhere fooling
    myself all this time.  My body has adapted to these "tricks" and
    I'm just as heavy as ever.  Maybe I need to look more at the root
    of the problem rather than trying to patch the results with a minimal
    fix.
    
    Feel free to disagree and convince me otherwise, I'm just thinking
    aloud here.
    
    Linda B

    Okay, I see what you're getting at.  It's true that for some people,
    anything sweet will trigger serious cravings.  I find that I can have
    limited amounts of sweets without difficulty as long as they're totally
    sugar-free.  I do have to be careful, but if I avoid them completely, I
    feel bored and deprived, and sooner or later the willpower cracks.  The
    feeling of failure for having touched forbidden food can be overwhelming.

    There are often emotional issues tied to sweets; if we don't address them
    we can end up back where we started over and over again.  It's not clear,
    though, that being obsessive about *not* eating them is any healthier
    emotionally than eating them obsessively.

    Beverly

    One of the important aspects of following a food plan for me is
    to try and create a variety.  If I don't, I get bored, and there
    it goes out the window.  Speaking for myself, if I deprive myself
    completely of anything sweet, then it's only a matter of time
    before I quit and gain back whatever I've lost.
    
    Hopefully, by eating sugar-free sweets in what I consider
    moderate amounts, it will enable me to use "willpower" and
    continue with my food plan.
    
    I'm not trying to talk for everyone else, just me.  But if having
    a WW fudgicle every other day is what it takes to keep me going,
    then I'm going to do just that.  (I also like the vanilla pudding
    & pineapple mentioned earlier in this file and strawberries in yogurt.)
    
    There is more to overeating problems than sweets.  Portion control
    is key with _all_ types of foods and everyone is different as to
    what they can handle when trying to alter their eating habbits.
    
    Gail  

    	Recepies are good for other reasons such as entertaining guests.....

My sweet tooth has been my undoing for about the past 8 years.  It's 
solely responsible for the 40 pounds I gained in that period of time.  
Potato chips are of no interest to me, but I could easily eat a whole 
cheesecake at one sitting if I let myself.  I have no satiety level where 
sugar is concerned.

So... When I joined WW, I knew I'd have to find a way to include desserts.  
Otherwise I'd never make it.  I started "treating" myself to a Nutra-Sweet 
pudding or frozen yogurt every night.  I lost about 25 pounds, using Equal 
liberally but including almost no sugar in my diet.

Then my husband discovered the little Jello pudding cups that come in 
half-cup servings.  They're delicious, and have no more calories than I'd 
been getting in my artificially sweetened desserts.  So I started treating 
myself to one of those at night.  Suddenly the sweet tooth was back in full 
force; I couldn't stop eating sweets.  Instead of feeling satisfied, each 
sweet thing I ate just made me want more.

So I experimented: one night I'd eat the Nutrasweet dessert & see how my 
body & mind reacted.  The next night I'd try the sugar dessert.  I have 
proven to myself beyond the shadow of a doubt that I *cannot* allow myself 
desserts sweetened with sugar.  But with the artificially sweetened 
desserts I can maintain control.

Just my experience...

							Pat

    Back to the topic....Recipe's!  I just picked this one up at WW
    today.  I think it sounds good and I'll probably try it this weekend.
    
    Week 3 - Makes 4 servings
    
    PEANUT BUTTER CUP PIE
    
    1 1/2 ounces crispy type cold cereal
    4 TBSP Peanut butter
    1 TBSP Honey
    1 envelope (four 1/2 cup servings) instant reduced-calorie chocolate
      pudding mix
    2 cups skim milk
    1 medium bananna, sliced
    
    In a small bowl mix peanut butter and honey.  Heat in microwave
    on high for 20 seconds.  Stir in cereal.  Mix well.  Press mixture
    into bottom of a 9-inch pie plate.  Chill.  Prepare pudding according
    to package directions.  Place bananna slices evenly over prepared
    crust.  Spread prepared pudding over banannas.  Chill.
    
    Each serving provides:  1/2 fruit exchange, 1 milk exchange, 1 protein
    exchange, 1 fat exchange, 1/2 bread exchange, 15 calories optional
    exchange, 15 calories optional exchange
    
    Source:  WW Group, Inc. Recipe file

    You don't have to pay extra money to get WW Light Hot Chocolat.
    I buy Cadbury's or Carnation Light Hot Chocolat. You get a lot more
    product and the caloric intake is the same             
    
    Theresa

    Hi, I'm new to this.
    
    I also get a sweet tooth every now and then.  Here is what my housemate
    and I like.  Sugar Free Eskimo Pie ice cream bars (probably has
    Nutrasweet) or their new Light Eskimo Pie ice cream bars.  Both are
    like eating the original one.  Creamy ice cream, chocolaty coating.
     mmm  mmm good!!!
    
    trb/seo
      

    Mocha Mousse
    
    [modified from "Light n' Easy Diabetic Cooking" or something like
    that.]
    
    in a blender or food processor, mix until smooth:
    
    1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
    1/4 cup lo-fat cottage cheese
    2 Tbs orange juice concentrate
    1 Tbs powdered instant coffee
    1 Tbs unsweetened cocoa
    1-2 packets artificial sweetener (to taste)
    
    Pour into 3 cups or grahm cracker crust or whatever, top with
    
    slivered almonds or
    fresh berries or
    whatever
    
    The book says: diabetic exchanges: 2 fat
    
    *I* say: WW exchanges: 1 Pr + ?? [20-30, maybe?] optional calories
    
    D!
    
    [PS; I haven't tried this yet - made it last night, it tasted good when
    I licked the bowl - will try it tonight.]

    More recipes!  Can you tell we've been cooking a lot lately?? :-)
    
    This one is absolutely DELICIOUS!!!  Sweet and creamy and tastes like a
    million calories.
    
    Peach Pudding  (modified from "Sweet and Sugar-free")
    
    2 very ripe fresh peaches
    1 Tbs + 1 tsp cornstarch
    1/2 tsp lemon juice
    1 package artificial sweetener
    1/4 tsp cinnamon
    1/4 tsp nutmeg or allspice
    
    Peel both peaches and cut up into pieces.  Put one of the peaches  (ie:
    half the chunks) into a blender or food processor and liquify. Mix in
    the lemon juice and cornstarch.  Cook the mixture in a double boiler
    until thick.  Stir in the remaining peach, sweetener and spices and
    continue cooking until the peaches are soft.  Put into serving
    containers and chill.
    
    Servings: 2
    
    ww exchanges: 1 Fr (+ ??? for the cornstarch?  I dunno)
    
    D! 

This past weekend, I winged a reduced calorie peach trifle that was super!
I didn't get too precise with measurements, though, so I won't make any 
specific claims.  (Plus I splurged and used real peach brandy!)

The ingredients for 4 servings:

	11/2 of a Sara Lee reduced fat/reduced calorie yellow poundcake
	22 peaches, peeled, seeded, pureed and cooked until thick, 
		sweetened with 2 packets of Equal
	11 batch Weight Watchers Cheesecake Mousse made with and extra 2 oz
		skim milk
	33 oz peach brandy, peach juice, or other nutrasweetened fruit juice

Slice the pound cake into 1/4-1/3" thick slices.  In 4 "old fashioned" size 
glasses, put one layer of cake, breaking the slices to fit.  Moisten with 1 tsp
+/- of brandy/juice.  Add 1 Tbsp +/- peach puree spreading it into a layer that
shows at the edge of the glasses.  Add 1 Tbsp +/- mousse spreading it into a 
layer that shows at the edge of the glasses.  Continue until all the ingredients
are used up, ending with mousse.  

Place a towel on the counter and give each glass a firm rap on the towel to 
settle out any air bubbles.  Chill a few hours and serve cold.

    I take it the numbers on the ingredients were double, ie: 11 = 1, 22 =
    2, etc?
    
    D!

So that's what happened!  

Due to some quirk in my DECwindows display all the numbners suddenly 
dissappeared...  went back and typed them in, but never looked at the 
resulting note when entered.

The quatities are:  1/2 of a pound cake, 2 peaches, 1 batch WW Cheesecake
mousse, and 3 oz brandy/juice (although 33 oz has possibilities... nah...
it would make it too soupy...  and the calories!!!).

VERY LOW CALORIE VEGITABLE BAKE (IDEAL FOR WINTER MONTHS)	

INGREDIENTS

Large potatoe,  sliced                         3/4 pint vegatable stock
parsnips, sliced                               stuffing mix (your owb choice) 
carrots,                                       salt, pepper and any other mixed herbs   
onions, chopped                                wholemeal breadcrumbs
mushrooms, sliced
swede, sliced


INSTRUCTIONS

Lightly boil swede, potatoes, parsnips and carrots.  Drain then layer potatoe and other vegs
in large caserole disk, inbetween potatoe layer sprinkle dry stuffing mix over veg.

When all veg has been used add vegatble stock gently (you can add Oxo, marmite or bovril to 
the stock if you wish).  Then sprinkle breadcrumbs over final layer.  Place in medium hot
oven until potatoe and breadcrumbs are nicely browned.  

Tip:  if only cooking for 1 or 2 there's usually enough to last for a  reheated meal the next
      day and its very filling. 

	(copied without permission from Target Recipes by Covert Bailey)

	
	4 Large apples, pared and cored
	1/3 cup sugar
	1/8 tsp cinnamon
	1/8 tsp salt
	1/2 cup oatmeal
	1 teaspoon margarine
	1 1/2 cups skim milk

	

	Slice apples thinly.  Mix sugar, cinnamon, and salt together.
	Layer 1/2 the apples in the bottom of a baking dish.  Sprinkle
	1/2 of the sugar mixture over the apples.  Dot 1/2 the margarine
	over the top.  Sprinkle 1/2 the oats over the top.  Repeat
	the layers with remaining ingredients.  Pour the milk over the
	top.

	Bake covered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  Remove the cover,
	and bake 15 more minutes.

	Delicious, hearty, and low-fat!

	Modifications:

	I use at least 5 apples, skip the salt, and sometimes cut down
	on the sugar, depending on the sweetness of the apples.  I
	use less margarine than called for.

	Serves 6-8, 150 calories/serving, 2 grams of fat.

Karen

What is swede?

And where does "sweetness" come from in this recipe???

D!

    Swede is a root vegetable. Dunno what it's called in the USA. You might
    find it in Websters?
    
    	- andy

Ah, a swede is a rutabaga, which I believe is a variety of turnip.

Given that rutabagas ae not sweet, I imagine that the recipe was
accidentally put under this topic.

D!

    YUMMY FRAPE
    
    Place in blender:
      1 TBSP sugar free jello
      1/3 cup boiling water
    Blend on puree.
    Add:  1 cup crushed ice and blend thoroughly.
    
    Pour in glass, stick in a straw (I cut them in half) and go to it.
    
    YUMMMMMM   

    Here's an 'old' WW recipe...
    Pour 3/4 - 1 cup skimmed milk in blender.
    Add:  1 packet sweetener
          6 - 8 frozen strawberries
    Blend until thoroughly mixed.
    
    Pour (it is very thick) and enjoy.
    
    You can also add 1/2 banana, but it is good without the banana.
                

    note for 3.41...
    You can add up to 2 cups of crushed ice.  1 cup doesn't make a whole
    lot and 2 cups is not too much.
    

	Got this recipe at my WW meeting last night.  It
	sounds yummy, I'm going to make it for Easter dessert.


		Peanut Butter Cup Pie


	1 1/2 oz crispy rice cereal
	4 Tbsp   peanut butter
	1 Tbsp   honey
	1 pkg    instant sugar free chocolate 
		 pudding (4 serving size)
	2 cups   skim milk
	1 med    banana, sliced

	Mix peanut butter and honey.  Heat in microwave on high
	for 20 seconds.  Stir in cereal, mix well.  Press into
	bottom of 9" pie pan.  Place sliced banana in the pie
	pan.  Prepare the pudding, spoon into the crust, chill.

	Makes 4 servings!

	Exchanges per serving:

	1/2 fruit, 1/2 m, 1 p, 1 fat, 1/2 b, 30 optional cal.

	Picked up this recipe at WW this week and already
	tried it.....it's great.

			  RICE PUDDING
      			makes 4 servings

	2 oz uncooked regular brown
	     or long grain white rice
	1/4 cup dark raisins
	1 tsp ground cinnamon
	2 cup low-fat milk (1% milk fat)
	1 envelope (four 1/2 c servings) reduced
	     calorie instant vanilla pudding mix
	1 cup fruit salad (no sugar added)
	1/2 cup thawed frozen nondairy whipped topping

	In a 2-quart microwavable casserole, combine rice and
	3/4 cup of water.   Cover with vented cover and microwave
	on High (100%) for 4 minutes.  Stir to combine and
	microwave on Medium (50%) for 15 minutes, until all the
	water is absorbed.  Stir in raisins and cinnamon.

	In a medium mixing bowl, combine milk and pudding mix;
	Stir until blended.  Add to rice mixture and stir well
	to combine.  Microwave pudding/rice mixture, uncovered,
	on High for 8-minutes, stirring once halfway through
	cooking, until mixture comes to a boil.  Refrigerate
	until chilled, about 40 minutes.

	Fold in fruit and whipped topping.  Cover and refrigerate
	until ready to serve.

	For WW, each serving counts as:  1/2 milk, 1/2 bread, 1 fruit,
	55 optional calories.  

	NOTES:  I used skim milk and it worked out fine.  I also
		put in a little nutmeg and ground clove with the
		cinnamon.  Next time I think I'll try it with
		chocolate pudding and pitted cherries...!

	Enjoy!

	  Conni

    It's been awhile since anyone entered anything in this topic, but I'm
    new to the notes file.  This isn't a recipe, but seemed the most
    appropriate place to put this, given the other verbage I've read about
    sweets.  I just wanted to add a note of caution to those who use
    artificial sweeteners (particularly Nutra-Sweet) on a regular basis. 
    About 5 years ago I started following one of the Weight Watchers
    programs, and sweets was my biggest problem area (still is!). So....I
    ate A LOT of Nutra-Sweet desserts (like one every day, plus about 1 can
    of diet pop a day).  I never lost weight, and after ~2 months was
    having intestinal pains.  Within 4 months I was really sick, but kept
    blowing it off until one night my husband had to rush me to the
    emergency room.  I was bleeding internally and spent 3 days in the
    hospital, and another 2 weeks at home recupperating.  Come to find out,
    artificial sweeteners slow down the metabolism, and in my case,
    completely shut down my digestive track (temporarily, of course ;-) ). 
    To this day, if I try to drink a diet soda, my intestines really let me
    have it for a few hours.
    
    So, just be cautious and aware of what you put into your bodies.....
    
    Tina
    
    P.S. I've got a couple of fruit and yogurt based desserts, which I'll
    add as soon as I remember to bring them in.
    

                                        
    Artificial sweeteners - particularly Nutrasweet (aspartame) - are very
    bad for you.  I have an article from Science News many years ago that
    gave a case of a woman who began to drink iced tea with it, and she
    became depressed to the point of being suicidal.
    
    Her family took her to the hospital where she stayed for several days
    and subsequently checked out to be fine.  Then when she went back home,
    the entire problem began again.  Eventually they discovered it was the
    aspartame in the iced tea that was the culprit.  So be very careful.
    
    Cindy

    Oops - when I finally got my print out of the directory for this file,
    I noticed a topic for Nutra Sweet.  Sorry!  I'll try to keep notes in
    the right place from now on!  :-}
    
    Tina