Orovo is a diet pill that contains natural ingredients and is a supplement of super healthy ingredients such as wheatgrass and green tea that not only help with weight loss but are also good for the skin and energizing the mind. They use high quality ingredients which is a big factor with me. I have not tried these pills, but I am impressed with these ingredients:

• Acai
• Alfalfa Sprout
• Alpha Lipoic Acid
• Barley
• Buckwheat
• Cayenne Pepper
• DMAE
• Flaxseed
• Garlic
• Green Tea
• Lactobacillus Acidophilus
• Soy
• Wheatgrass

Orovo’s website states that their ingredients, a blend of the “Top 10 SuperFoods” and anti-oxidants, have been clinically proven.

(Please read the comment below!  ~  Charla)

According to Prevention, here are the top ten belly flattening foods:

1. Almonds - contain fiber, protein, vitamin E, & help cut cholesterol
2. Avocados - contain MUFA (Monounsaturated Fatty Acid), help cut cholesterol
3. Dark Chocolate - contains as much antioxidant capacity as red wine
4. Flaxseed Oil - the best plant source of omega-3 fatty acid
5. Macadamia Nuts - contain fiber & selenium
6. Natural Peanut Butter - contains vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, & vitamin B6
7. Olive Oil - contains mostly MUFA & antioxidants (extra-virgin is the best & the greener, the better)
8. Pistachios - contain lutein and zeaxanthin
9. Sunflower Seeds - loaded with B vitamins & vitamin E, help to curb hunger
10. Walnuts - contain omega-3 fatty acids

The great thing about all of these foods is that they’re super healthy for us. I eat raw almonds and pistachios, take flaxseed oil, and use extra-virgin olive oil all on a daily basis. I eat dark chocolate (oh yes!) several times a week and try to eat avocados two or three times a week. Sometimes I have sunflower seeds. The peanut butter we buy is not natural, so I wonder…does that count as 1/2? I need to start buying raw walnuts and pistachios again. So I guess we have a score of 7 1/2.

Of course, these foods need to be eaten in moderation. In other words, I can’t eat a whole box of dark chocolate in one day!! lol

(Some days…I wish I could!)

Sleep is crucial for our health, yet how many times do we stay up too late and then when the alarm goes off in the morning, it’s like, “Oh, no! It can’t be time to get up already. I don’t want to wake up.” If we don’t wake up refreshed, then our body is not getting enough sleep or maybe enough “quality” sleep. Here are some facts about deep sleep:

1. Eight hours of sleep a night is a good rule of thumb for most people. But quality is just as important as quantity. During the time of deep, quality sleep is when our body goes to work, refreshes itself, and has a restorative function.
   
2. Getting enough quality sleep is important for memory and other brain functions as well.
   
3. Poor sleep is connected with changes in appetite and metabolism which means that it’s easier to gain weight if we’re not getting the sleep that we need.
   
4. U.S. researchers have said that deep sleep may be important for keeping type 2 diabetes at bay.

If someone is having trouble sleeping, then there are several suggestions to aid in going to sleep and/or remaining asleep. Click here for more information.

I know personally, having fibromyalgia, that I don’t function well if I start getting behind on sleep. I can definitely tell a difference in the way I feel after a good night’s sleep. I think that’s pretty much universal, though. I know that Baby J is in such a good mood when he wakes up after a good night’s sleep!

When our daughter was growing up, she was in Girl Scouts. One snack she learned to make was called “Ants on a Log,” not too appetizing of a name. But in actuality, it was and still is a very tasty snack, one that we have continued making through the years. I remember when she’d be home from college during the summer, I’d make a big plate full of these for both of us to snack on, and they’d be gone within ten minutes or so. The neat thing about this snack is that all the ingredients are healthy, and it’s satisfying because of the fiber and protein in it:

• prepare celery in varying lengths, 2-4 inches long
• spread with reduced fat peanut butter
• top with “ants” (raisins - considered to be a “super food”)

This is also a great snack when trying to lose weight.  It’s a healthy snack for kids and everybody, and in case your kids don’t like ants, you can call it something different.

I’ve been hearing and reading a lot recently how artificial sweeteners can cause weight gain, especially diet sodas. There’s something in the chemical make-up of the sweeteners that alters brain chemistry. They can change metabolic limit.

A long time ago, my doctor took me off all artificial sweeteners. They’re not natural, even Splenda is from chemically altered sugar. There are studies on aspartame and safety issues, and there’s been a significant increase in common malignant brain cancers since aspartame was first licensed to use in sodas, etc.

So, considering all of the possible health issues and possible weight gain, there’s no way I want to use artificial sweeteners.

Since Christmas, a lot of people are thinking about how to lose weight. There are a lot of different diets and methods to choose from. For me, eating healthy is a good choice. Since our daughter had Baby J, she has been doing Weight Watchers which encourages healthy eating and getting fiber in the diet, etc. Whenever anyone starts a diet or using supplements, they should contact their physician to make sure what they are doing is healthy for them.

Here are some good tips I’ve read or heard about:

• Go ahead and have small servings of things you like that are fattening…just eat in moderation!
• Eat slowly and chew your food well.
• Drink water with your meals (or tea) - I’ve heard to drink a glass of water before the meal.
  
• Try to choose some items off fresh fruit and vegetable platters.
• Try to choose something with fiber which will make you full faster (whole grain breads, whole grain crackers, fresh fruits and vegetables)
• Sit farther away from a buffet table so it’s less convenient to get seconds.
• Visit with people so you have something to take your mind off of eating.
• At home, keep cookies, candy, and treats out of sight in a place that’s not easy to reach.
• Go for a brisk walk - It not only helps your metabolism, but it also helps relieve stress.
• In parking lots, park away from the store so you get in some extra walking time. (A few minutes here and there adds up.)
• Whenever you have the chance, take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Get enough sleep - people have a tendency to eat more when they’re tired and stressed.

Well, it’s that time of year when there are so many occasions where people have a tendency to eat too much. It starts with Thanksgiving dinner, then all the Christmas parties at work, with friends, and with family. Then there’s Christmas dinner and finally a New Years Eve get-together. All of those occasions add up to a lot of extra calories for most people. I try to eat in moderation and go for walks when I can.  Some people choose to diet or watch what they eat, some to exercise more, and some choose diet pills. Whatever people choose, they need to consult with their doctor and make sure they make the right choice for them.

This is such a great way to get in two or three servings of veggies. The veggies are raw which means you’re getting a gold mine of fresh enzymes which most people are lacking. Plus you’re getting vitamins straight from the food source, especially antioxidants. (Remember…cooking kills enzymes and vitamins!)

Here’s the “so very easy” recipe:

• chop your favorite raw veggies into bite-size pieces (carrots, yellow squash, zucchini, broccoli, cucumber, celery, bell pepper, cauliflower, etc.)
  

• fresh avocados, chopped

• drizzle extra virgin olive oil on top of veggies

• top with fresh ground black pepper and sea salt

Put in frig to chill.

Today I used red bell pepper, yellow squash, and zuchinni. It made a pretty salad and would be pretty to serve during the holidays.

Most people probably diet at some point in their life. Everyone has to find what works for them. But whatever diet is used, there are some common things to remember:

*Drink plenty of water. Water flushes toxins out of our system and keeps us hydrated.

*Eat five or six small meals or snacks throughout the day instead of three large ones. This keeps blood sugar and insulin at a steady level. When blood sugar spikes then the body tends to store fat.

*Eat slowly and chew your food completely. Chewing food well enables the body to absorb nutrients better.

*Use smaller plates so you won’t be tempted to fill up a large plate.

*Exercise at least three times a week. A good, brisk walk is great!

*Choose your favorite healthy foods that are loaded with vitamins and minerals.

Some people want additional help in their weight loss such as hydroxycut , but be sure to check with a doctor before taking any weight loss pill.