I love eating salads…especially Greek salad. The only problem is the dressing can be loaded with fat.
I learned a little trick years ago to lighten up dressing made with oil.
I buy Good Seasons Italian Dressing quite often. It's one of my favorite Italian dressings to make at home. Not only do I use it on salad, but it is also great as a marinade.
I was making the dressing when I happened to notice it said to reduce the fat replace half of the oil with water. I never thought to do that.
It worked great! The dressing still tasted delicious, but had half of the fat. I just had to make sure to shake the bottle really well to mix it up.
I basically use the same concept when making my Greek dressing. Instead of using 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil I use 2 tablespoons of the oil and 2 tablespoons of water.
There is also lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper in the dressing.
One serving of the salad dressing (3 tablespoons) used to be 8 Freestyle points, but it is now only 4 Freestyle points.
I used reduced fat feta cheese to also save points. 1/4 cup is only 2 Freestyle points vs. full fat feta cheese which is 12 Freestyle points. That's a 10 point difference!
The rest of the ingredients I used are 0 point ingredients – tomato, cucumber, garbanzo beans and lettuce. I usually add red onion but I didn't have any.
Another great idea is to add boneless, skinless chicken breasts. It's 0 points and will make your salad even more filling.
This is a salad that I take to work a lot. It travels really well. I just wait until lunch time to add the dressing.
If you're looking for some zero point recipes, check out my post 20 Zero Point Recipes or my post 20 (More) Zero Point Recipes. Both are filled with delicious recipes that won't cost you a single point! They're perfect for days when you're running low on points, or trying to save up points for a night out.
If you're looking for more dessert recipes you can visit 50 Weight Watchers Freestyle Desserts. It's filled with delicious desserts perfect for Weight Watchers!
Yield: 2 servings (5 Freestyle points per serving)
Course: Salad
Keyword: freestyle, weight watchers, WWFreestyle
2tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil
2tablespoonswater
Juice from 1/2 of a lemon
1tablespoonred wine vinegar
1/2teaspoonoregano
Pinch of salt and pepper
4cupslettuce, chopped
1cucumber, peeled and sliced
1/2cupgarbanzo beans
1cupcherry tomatoes
1/4cupreduced fat feta cheese
Optional: sliced red onion and boneless, skinless chicken breast
In a small bowl mix together the oil, water, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper.
In a large bowl add the lettuce, cucumber, garbanzo beans, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese and optional ingredients.
Give the salad dressing a good stir and add it to the large bowl.
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Weight Watchers is a diet program with millions of members in over 30 different countries around the world.
It was founded by Jean Nidetch, a Brooklyn homemaker, in 1963. Nidetch and a group of friends in Queens, NY, started meeting once a week to talk about how to lose weight.
Today, Weight Watchers is an international company and the largest commercial weight loss program in the United States (U.S.). Approved by many physicians, it is available in various settings, from the local community to the workplace and online.
The program includes regular meetings, self-help type learning sessions, group support, and a points system. The dieter aims for a target weight or a body mass index (BMI) of between 20 and 25, considered the ideal range.
This article is part of a series called What are the eight most popular diets today?.
Share on PinterestPersonalized plans, meetings, one-to-one coaching, and online tools help dieters achieve their goals.
Community is important for Weight Watchers. It provides a support network for people who want to lose weight. This, they say, is essential for both short-term and long-term success.
The support system provides ongoing positive reinforcement for dieters. Attempting to lose weight can be stressful, but community support can make the process less daunting.
Weight Watchers members attend regular meetings, where they learn about nutrition and exercise, as well as having their weight loss progress monitored.
Anyone can join Weight Watchers, as long as they are at least 5 pounds (lb), or 2.3 kilograms (kg), over the minimum weight for their height.
Busy people who cannot attend meetings can sign up to the online community.
Coaching
Apart from group meetings, Weight Watchers offers one-on-one coaching and a personalized action plan. A personal coach can help the individual make a plan that suits their lifestyle and routine.
Members can communicate with their coach by email, text, or phone.
Weight Watchers dieters are not restricted to specific foods or activities. Instead, they use a point system to monitor themselves on a daily basis. This makes them accountable for their weight loss activities each day. Members can record smart points on their mobile device.
The point system helps people lose weight over the long term.
Points depend on fat, sugar, and protein. The higher the protein content, the lower the points gained. The higher the fat and sugar content, the more points that food has, and the less you can eat.
The points encourage members to change their dietary habits, to eat more fruit, vegetable, and lean protein, and less fatty, sugary food.
Here is an example:
an egg is worth 2 points
two tablespoons of low-fat cheddar cheese are worth 1 point
chopped tomatoes, onion and fresh herbs are worth 0 points
one tablespoon of olive oil is worth 1 point
A person who eats a 2-egg cheese omelet fried with olive oil and sprinkled with tomato, onion and herbs uses up 4 points. If their target for the day is 30 points, they now have 26 points left.
A person will aim to achieve within a certain range of points, depending on how heavy they are and how much weight they need to lose.
A person who weighs 150 pounds, for example, will aim to gain 18 to 23 points a day. Someone who weighs over 350 pounds may aim to collect between 32 and 37 points in a day.
Members also can gain "Fit points" for activities such as cleaning, walking, or gardening.
An etool can be used to record the points digitally.
Each person has their own daily and weekly target points to meet in their own way, but within the limits agreed.
Share on PinterestMembers who keep within a certain weight range during the Maintenance period do not pay to attend meetings.
After an initial weight loss period, members can reach their target weight. At this point, they enter a maintenance period. Their daily allowance increases by 6 points, but they continue to track their food intake and activity levels.
For 6 weeks, they gradually increase their food intake until they are neither losing nor gaining weight.
During these 6 weeks, there are regular weigh-ins. If a member manages to stay within 2 pounds, or 0.91 kg of their target weight during the 6-week period, they then become a "Lifetime Member."
Lifetime Members can attend any Weight Watchers meeting free of charge as long as they weigh in once every month, and do not stray from their target weight by more than 2 pounds or 0.91 kg.
Lifetime members who drift from their weight target range have to pay weekly for meetings. They can then recover their Lifetime membership by going through the process again.
Findings published in The Lancet in 2011 suggested that patients who were referred by their doctors to Weight Watchers lost about twice as much weight as those on standard weight loss care over a 12-month period.
The researchers concluded:
"Referral by a primary health-care professional to a commercial weight loss programme that provides regular weighing, advice about diet and physical activity, motivation, and group support can offer a clinically useful early intervention for weight management in overweight and obese people that can be delivered at large scale."
Another study, published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, found that adults who attended at least 2 in every 3 Weight Watchers sessions for 6-months significantly reduced their fasting glucose and insulin levels, as well as losing weight.
In 2011, researchers described Weight Watchers as a "useful first line weight loss intervention" for the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) to refer patients to if they needed and wanted to lose weight.
A review of 45 studies, published in 2015 in Annals of Internal Medicine, suggests that Weight Watchers may be a suitable program for physicians to recommend to patients who wish to lose weight.
Anyone who is considering a radical change to their diet should discuss plans with their physician first.
Dieters can either join a Weight Watchers program online or in person, and they can opt for meetings only, or they can add an online option, individual coaching, or both. Attending meetings is recommended.
The features offered include:
Food and activity tracking
Personalized goals
Weekly group meetings
24/7 online chat support
Synching with fitness trackers
Private weigh-in every week
Guidebooks and resources
Personal coach and unlimited one-on-one phone sessions
The Weight Watchers website provides a wide range of recipes to help their members lose weight and engage in a healthier lifestyle.
The cost of joining Weight Watchers depends on the package and the location of the meetings. A monthly pass gives access to unlimited meetings and etools. It may be cheaper to buy a 3-monthly subscription.
The toilet is perhaps one of the most important features of your bathroom and selecting one for a bathroom shouldn't be an afterthought. Color, style, and cost are important factors to consider, but you also want a toilet that's comfortable and works well.
Fortunately, many people who've purchased toilets in the past left reviews to help future buyers make an informed decision. These toilets rank among the best according to people who've installed and used them.
Best Overall: American Standard Champion-4
Photo Courtesy: Amazon
Homeowners and contractors alike rate the American Standard Champion-4 highly. It's easy to install, quiet to use and comfortable to sit on. Reviewers also like that it has a stylish design that helps enhance the look of their bathrooms after a remodel. It is available in standard and elongated formats.
Best Value: Glacier Bay One-Piece N2420
Photo Courtesy: Home Depot
With its low price and utility-saving features, the Glacier Bay One-Piece N2420 offers incredible value. It has dual-flush technology that allows you to control the flow rate. Reviewers love that it performs just as well as toilets that cost two to three times more. They also like the sleek and modern design.
Budget-friendly Pick: Glacier Bay Two-Piece N2428R-DF
Photo Courtesy: Home Depot
Out of hundreds of reviews, most purchasers rate the Glacier Bay Two-Piece N2428R-DF as a "good buy." It's priced at less than $100, bringing the cost of your bathroom remodel down. At 2.4 inches, the height is slightly higher than many standard toilets, adding to users' comfort. Reviewers state that it's easy-to-install, conserves water, and works reliably.
Easiest to Clean: American Standard Cadet 3 FloWise
Photo Courtesy: Home Depot
EverClean technology makes the American Standard Cadet 3 FloWise one of the easiest to keep clean and sanitized. This technology inhibits mold and mildew growth. The PowerWash rim scrubs the bowl to make it cleaner with every flush. Many reviewers purchased more of this model after installing one because they loved its look, operation, and features so much.
Easiest to Install: Kohler Santa Rosa
Photo Courtesy: Home Depot
People without a lot of plumbing knowledge found that the Kohler Santa Rosa toilet was easy to install without the help of a contractor. Reviewers like the one-piece design that gives it a sleek look and makes it easy to clean. They also love that the toilet seat is easy to remove and install without tools.
Best High-end Toilet: TOTO Ultramax II
Photo Courtesy: Lowe's
For major bathroom upgrades, the TOTO Ultramax II has all of the features that fit the bill. Reviewers were especially impressed with the flush power and stated that it had as much power as commercial toilets despite its water-saving design. Additionally, the bowl has a special glazing that prevents particles from sticking to keep the bowl looking clean all the time.
Most Comfortable: Kohler Cimarron
Photo Courtesy: Home Depot
Many toilets are too low for adults to use comfortably. The chair-height design of the Kohler Cimarron makes it more comfortable to use and more comfortable for sitting and standing. Other features that users love are the DryLock design that prevents leaks and the ease of installation even for those who've never installed a toilet before.
Most Attractive Design: Woodbridge T-0019
Photo Courtesy: Amazon
The skirted trapway gives the Woodbridge T-0019 an upscale look that's also easy to clean. It has a modern look that goes well with any bathroom remodel. It has a space-saving design that fits in any size bathroom. In addition to its nice appearance, reviewers also love that it's comfortable.
Best Quality: Kohler Highline Classic
Photo Courtesy: Home Depot
Reviewers give the Kohler Highline Classic 4.5 stars for quality. The toilet comes with everything you need to install it right out of the box. Materials are sturdy, reliable, and built to last. It's comfortable to use, and uses less water than other standard models. Overall, reviewers were happy with the quality of this toilet and that it worked better than expected.
Best Eco-friendly Model: American Standard H2Option
Photo Courtesy: Amazon
The WaterSense-certified American Standard H2Option uses 25 percent less water than standard toilets. It uses just one gallon of water for a light flush, which puts it below other eco-friendly models too. Even with its water-conserving design, reviewers were impressed with the amount of power behind each flush.
Advertiser Disclosure: When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
I have a hallway and closet that I'm thinking of converting to a half bath. It's a little awkward and I'm not sure I can meet the 24 in. space in front of the shower.
What do you think?
#6
Try using a by-fold type door or shower curtain!
#9
It's a little awkward and I'm not sure I can meet the 24 in. space in front of the shower.
What do you think?
I think your right, your measurement is at an angle and does not meet the IRC figure R307.1, like Rick sez "need to measure straight from the shower to the WC.
I mistakenly took the 2'0" as a shower door swing.
#12
The shower department
access
is 22-inches (opening into shower?)
The
clearance in front of the shower
is 24-inches. See figure R307.1
Isn't this two different requirements?
#13
Thanks all for your replies. I've drawn up new plans based on the feedback. Could you please take a look?
Where did the 24" code come from? What are the finished dimensions of the shower stall?
I'm using the 2016 California Residential Code and 2016 California Plumbing Code. As some members have noted the CPC seems to omit any shower clearance requirement:
My R307.1 sends me to the CPC. I can't find anything about it in the CPC.
tiger there is nothing in the CPC regarding this These are the closest sections
Although I don't imagine they would go less than the IRC. Usually they are stricter than the IRX: like requiring 24 inches in front of the toilet, instead of 21 in.
The shower dimensions are 32x32.
Why do you want the shower
I really need a second shower for the morning school/work rush..
1. Is this on the first or second floor? 2. Is corridor door existing? If not consider using a sliding barn door as I have done on a similar sized bathroom. 3. Can toilet location be swapped with the sink? If so then you could use a corner sink just as I just did in a similar sized space..
1. First floor. 2. Corridor door is not existing. Barn door is a good idea. But I'd prefer an inswing if possible. (I know, I'm asking too much.) 3. Good idea! I've drawn up a new plan (below). But I tried to fit in a standard 24x19 vanity.
The clear space in front of the toilet is 24 inches but not for the entire 30 inches. There is a corner overlapping the vanity. Would that matter? Thanks again! You all are really helpful.
#18
Please verify with your building department as the the minimum interior dimensions required for a shower. I thought CPC 408.6 requires a minimum finished interior of 1024 square inches, and capable of encompassing a 30 inch circle.
Financial planning means putting your incomes and expenses on a scale to achieve monetary equilibrium or upward mobility on your income levels. Your plan should capture how your current and future risks are covered to protect you from economic uncertainties and losses. Planning helps you to sustain yourself and your family, and so it should be taken as a priority and not a choice. Another aspect of your plan that you should prioritize is your goals either in short, medium and long term and their budgetary requirements.
1. Understand Your Money Mindset
The first tip to having a productive financial plan is to understand your money mindset. If what matters most to you is the present then you fall in the survivor's list. Survivors also include people who tend to have the urge to satisfy their current desires such as a pricey pair of shoes or a sumptuous snack with little or no thought of the financial implications of their decisions on tomorrow.
Achievers are action oriented and are classified as precious. They have investments, shares and bank deposits. Even if they lose their jobs, they still have something they can bounce back on. However, these actions do not portray financial stability because such people lack intention.
The wealthy people are the strategists. They are long term viewers. All their actions fulfill a purpose, and they seek development in all aspects of their life. They don't just pump in money in endless investments but instead have fewer investments that are sustainable and profitable but take time to actualize.
Once you understand which money mindset best describes you, you will be able to draft a financial plan that works for you and your needs.
2. Formulate a Financial Plan
No engineer is complete without his measuring tape just as no electrician is complete without his tester. When you draft your plan on paper, you bring your ideas and thoughts to life. A blueprint of your plan enables you to have a reference for your progress. Start by stating your short, middle and long-term goals and then align them with their expenditure and projected profits. You also need to put into consideration your assets and liabilities and how you can maximize and minimize them respectively to achieve your goals.
Implement your plan and then conduct a monitoring and evaluation exercise as per the set timelines and make adjustments where necessary.
3. Save
The golden rule here is to avoid spending before you have dealt with small/personal debts and bills. Saving does not require you to be earning a lump sum salary. Starting small especially when you are young with minimal responsibilities helps you have enough for investments in the future. Analyze your spending and cut on expenses that are not necessary. It is also advisable to plan for your retirement, even though you might not think about it when you're young. The earlier you start saving, the more financially stable you will be once you've stopped working.
4. Invest in Yourself
The most valuable investment you can make is in yourself. It does not necessarily mean to completely lose you in a classroom trying to amass a good number of degrees. It captures your entire being. Learn to exercise more, travel to different places in the world or your country or attend inspiring and informative talks. When your life gets sucked into these various facets, you get exposed to a lot of things that will eventually guide you in making your financial plan. It is also crucial to build your career and increase your earning potential.
5. Seek Financial Advice
Once you have managed to grow your savings, it is advisable to seek advice from a financial planner to assist you to make sensible investment choices. A wise financial adviser will help you identify the risks involved in potential investments, and provide viable options for maximum returns while helping you achieve your financial goals in the shortest time possible. A financial adviser can also come in handy by helping you prepare a budget. You don't have to seek financial advice from a financial planner only. You can also talk to a relative or a mentor who is good with money.
The US business operates primarily under the Ferguson brand and is a value added distributor of plumbing and heating products in the USA. It operates nationally, serving the residential, commercial, civil and industrial end markets. Ferguson predominantly serves the Repair, Maintenance and Improvement (RMI) markets, with relatively low exposure to the new construction market.
Ferguson operates 1,470 branches serving all 50 states with approximately 28,000 associates. The branches are served by 10 distribution centers, providing same-day and next-day product availability, a key competitive advantage and an important requirement for customers.
Our operations and associate expertise align with the nine customer groups where we predominantly serve trade customers. By differentiating between the customer types, we are able to provide bespoke services and better cater to specific requirements. Each group has its own set of competitors that range from large national companies, including trade sales by large home improvement chains, to small, privately owned distributors. In line with the Group's strategy the business aims to strengthen its position in existing and adjacent markets through bolt-on acquisitions.
Our nine customer groups
Operates a national network of 247 showrooms, serving consumers and trade customers. Showrooms display bathroom, kitchen and lighting products and assist customers by providing advice and project management services for their home improvement projects.
14%of total US revenue
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Provides commercial plumbing and mechanical contractors with products and services including bidding and tendering support and timeline planning to assist with their construction projects.
14%of total US revenue
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Provides products, services and solutions to enable reliable maintenance of commercial facilities across multiple RMI markets including multi-family properties, government agencies, hospitality, education and healthcare.
4%of total US revenue
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Serves the residential RMI and new construction sectors with a large proportion of sales through the branch counters. It provides plumbing and sanitary supplies, tools, repair parts and bathroom fixtures to plumbing contractors.
20%of total US revenue
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Fabricates and supplies fire protection products, fire protection systems and bespoke fabrication services to commercial contractors for new construction projects.
3%of total US revenue
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Sells home improvement products directly to consumers and trade customers online through various websites. The primary brand is Build with Ferguson and the business creates synergies by using the same distribution network as the trade businesses.
10%of total US revenue
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Supplies PVF and industrial maintenance, repair and operations ("MRO") specializing in delivering automation, instrumentation, engineered products and turn-key solutions. Also provides supply chain management solutions.
6%of total US revenue
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Distributes heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") and refrigeration equipment, parts and supplies to specialist contractors in the residential and commercial end markets for repair and replacement.
11%of total US revenue
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Distributes pipe, valves and fittings ("PVF"), hydrants, meters and related water management products alongside related services including water line tapping and pipe fusion often to civil or municipal organizations.
For some people, the garage door is the front door of their property because they drive their vehicle into the garage and then enter the house through a side door. For others, it's just a door to a place filled with stuff that needs to be sorted through. However you see it, you need a secure door that doesn't jam and rarely needs maintaining. The look of the garage door is also important because it has to fit in with the rest of the property, and how well the door's insulated also has to be factored in if you want to work in the garage and you live in a cold-weather area.
Garage Door
The price of the door and how much installation will cost are also important things to take into account, but don't go for the cheapest garage doors without considering your options. You could take a single layer steel door made from a 24-gauge steel skin, but you'll be compromising on security and warmth. A double-layered door is more durable, more energy-efficient and helps to keep road noise out. The added insulation also makes the garage warmer and more secure. A triple layered door with expanded polystyrene insulation is the most durable door, but it won't be the cheapest to buy.
Automatic Garage Door Openers
Automatic garage door openers are more convenient than manual doors, and they're also safer if you come home late at night. You basically have two options: a belt drive or chain drive opener. A belt driven opener is quieter and quicker but it's not as durable as the chain driven equivalent and it's more expensive. If you live in a cold climate, you will need the added durability of the chain. If not, you'll have to weigh the pros and cons for yourself.
Garage Door Sizes
Standard overhead garage door widths are, generally, eight, nine or ten feet by seven feet for standard garage doors and twelve, fifteen, sixteen or twenty feet by seven for double garages. When you're thinking about constructing a double garage you have the option of installing a single door or a double door. Two single doors together often look better than one door and there are practical reasons to go this route. If you have a problem with one of the doors, you can still get your vehicles out of the garage through the other, and the price of two single doors is often very similar to one double.
Double Garages for RVs
If you own an RV, you'll need a bigger garage not just a bigger garage door. The standard garage door height of seven feet won't be high enough. You'll need a garage opening that's sixteen feet wide by eight feet tall and the ceiling height of nine feet. If you're building a new garage to accommodate your RV, make sure you have proper architectural plans in place that allow space for the RV, other storage items and maybe even another vehicle.
Garage Door Parts
There are loads of websites offering parts for garages so you can maintain the doors very cheaply. Whether you want new springs, rollers, locks or a remote, you'll only need a toolkit and some time to fix most of the issues that happen through wear and tear. The websites and retailers who sell you replacement parts also sell weatherproofing kits that can help you keep out the worst of the weather if you live in a cold weather area.
Common Problems with Garage Doors
You can repair a garage door yourself if you've got the right tools and you're confident enough to try, but if the door needs some major work, call an expert in. If the gear and sprocket assembly have begun to strip out because of wear and tear, you will find the opener making noise but not the door moving. This can be worrying but the work isn't expensive. Another common problem is the traveler or trolley becoming stripped out over time. The symptoms are the same as those with the gear and sprocket and the price for replacement is equally low.
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