Do you have any Weight Watchers Cookbooks?

[kwormann]

Now that I have started back on points, Id like WW cookbook. Any you recommend? I have been looking at the New Complete Cookbook on Amazon. It looks good. I dont eat meat except seafood, but there seems to be lots of non-meat recipes.

I also see one called Simply the Best Italian. Any ideas for that one?

Thanks:)

[ebobbitt]

I have one called Weight Watchers Favorite Recipes and one called Simply the Best that's I've used way more than any of my other WW cookbooks. My first attempt at WW was in 1981 and I became lifetime. At the time I purchased lots of their cookbooks and used them. That was before I discovered CL. Now I much prefer the CL recipes. The two cookbooks I mentioned was before the "points" so anything I make out of them I have to run through MasterCook.

I have that New Complete Cookbook but can't remember what I've made out of it. Think I'll get it off the shelf and see if I can't find something to put on my menu for this week. Thanks for bringing it back to mind.

[boisewinesnob]

Kim,
I use "Simply the Best" and it is really good. I also have made a few things from the "New Complete Cookbook". And, I have one of the magazine-type books that they sell at meetings (got it when I worked for WW) called "Cream of the Crop". I have made several recipes from that one and they are all awesome.
I have told other people my philosophy of the difference between WW vs. CL recipes. CL is for people who love to cook and want healthier recipes. WW is focused more on helping people lose weight, and many of those people don't necessarily enjoy cooking. You may find a lot of the WW recipes are simple and use a lot of everyday ingredients, whereas CL uses a few more exotic/interesting things.
I haven't seen the "Simply the Best Italian", so I can't comment. If you can find them, try out the library. I usually try the library (for books that are not just-released) to see if I'd really want to buy a book or not.
Good luck on your weight loss! I easily lost about 30 poounds on WW in 1999. I have let a few creep back on, so I may join you in a renewal in the program! :)

Suzy

[Carolina68]

I have the WW Complete cookbook and have picked out several recipes to try, but so far I haven't made anything out of the book yet. I agree that CL and WW are a lot different in the way they approach cooking. While I dearly love CL, there are some days that I come home from work and just don't feel like cooking, but still I want to eat healthy and lowfat, that's when I need to pull out that WW cookbook. Maybe I will take it off the shelf today and pick something out to try this week.

[Tiger]

I have the Weight Watchers Annual Recipes for Success 2000 and I really don't use it. I too like CL recipes better. But if someone has this and likes any of the recipes I would love to know which ones. I would like to get some use out of it!

[kwormann]

So far it doesnt seem like anyone has the Italian book. I may have to go to B&N and look for it. I would like to see a Mexican one too, since those are my 2 favs.

I agree with Carolina....Some days I dont have the strength for CL, and I think a WW book would come in handy!

[jan83]

I have WW New Complete Cookbook and I must agree with the other posts. Most of the recepies are very good, but not "exceptional" and the portion sizes are much smaller. But if you want simple but still delicious, it's a good one to have in your repitoire.

[doggerham]

Hi Kim!

I have Simply the Best and like it (esp. Bella Braised Chicken!) I also have the STB Italian one and STB American one -- they were a real deal at Sam's Club. However, I have never made anything out of either of those two, so I can't really help!

I lost about 65# on WW, and have put a few back on :( However, I am SO FREAKING TIRED of the weight game that I don't know what to do. Also, the WW meeting I had attended got totally out of hand in terms of size, AND, I don't think WW does a great job of offering support to lifetimers like me.

That said, I think its a teriffic program. My problems stem from my general resentment that I can't constantly overindulge and not suffer the consequences!! When I WORK the program it works, I just am being whiney these days I guess.

I am toying with rejoining at my current weight and going from there, but $$ is a little tight right now. Also, I will have to find a different meeting.

Amy

[Gracie]

I have a ton of their cookbooks and many of the Magazine style that i buy at meeting. I like these the best.

It's funny about CL and WW recipes, though. A while back, we all discovered here that the Chili Cheese Recipe for a Crowd was in both CL and WW publications. Then I found a great recipe, Green Bean and Feta Saute, that came to me from a pamphlet given out at meeting called "Tired of the Same Old Thing?". At the bottom of the recipe in the pamphlet it said that the recipe was also found in the WW Magazine Cookbook Two's Company, which I have, and not only was it there, it was on my list of "to try" from that book. Then, I was going through my CL Complete for something else, and there it was again! Exactly the same!

I'm not sure there are really that many differences in the recipes except that CL probably does get a little more complicated/fancy and WW sticks to the simpler ones.

Loren

[valeriek]

I have the WW Vegetarian Cookbook and I abosuletly LOVE it. The dishes are simple but filling, and don't require a million ingredients. There hasn't been one thing out of there that I didn't like. And, the portions always seem reasonable - just enough to fill me up. I've never looked into the WW program (an ex bought me the book because he knew I loved to cook - how was that for a hint - guess how long that relationship lasted :)!) but now I'm thankful. I've been meaning to buy some of their other books since I enjoy this one so much.

[swquilts]

At our meeting today a friend just bought the new one "Take out Tonight!". "150 Restaurant favorites to make at home". I've looked throught it a bit (she's letting me borrow til Monday!) and it covers deli style, Chinese, Mexican, Thai, Indian, Italian, Greek and Japanese! Whew!! I might just blow the $10 on it for myself.

[kwormann]

I just ordered Fast and Fit Mexican. I use that, I will try the vegetarian......

[greysangel]

I have Simply the best and it collects dust to be honest :rolleyes: I tried a couple recipes and I just wasn't impressed..blah central. However I have tried other WW recipes that are fantastic and I caved in and bought the take out tonight book yesterday. It looks beautiful and a little less complicated than CL stuff. I will let you know what I think!

Amy/Doggham -On the healthy living thread there is a thread called The ME I Want to be...it's a weekly weight loss/weight maintenance support thread. You may want to check it out!

JeAnne

[kwormann]

Jeanne, I will be anxious to find out how you like the take out book...take out is my weakness! Is it only available at WW?

[greysangel]

i dont know ...i just saw it for the first time myself at the meeting! Maybe it's new?

My menu is set for this week, but something is going to go on from that book next week :)

It already gets a thumbs up for a light version of neopolitan cookies...I'm a sucker for those :D

JeAnne

[melis104]

I've been on ww for a year now and am a lifetime member. I have several of their cookbooks including the "New Complete Cookbook" and "Simply the Best" but my new favorite is the "Meals in Minutes" the recipes are quick and really good. I got mine from Amazon but they have it at Borders as well.