She has gotten me in the habit of taking some myself. I’m not really sure if it’s making a difference health-wise. The last time I took vitamins was when I was pregnant, and I was not a fan. Those prenatal vitamins were huge and gave me wicked indigestion. However, my friend turned me on to Flintstone Gummy Vitamins, and they’re a lot more pleasant to take.

I also supplement with borage oil, COQ10, and folic acid to help with my blood pressure, plus B12 and a baby aspirin a day. It’s quite an array of pillage I have going on in the morning, but we check in with each other to make sure we’re taking them. For her, it’s a matter of life and death — and actually, it is for me too.

Hey, at my age, I’ll take any edge I can get.

One place to start is in the morning. I am not fond of swallowing pills, but I do realize womens vitamins are an important part of anyone’s health regimen, and they are even more important once you reach those pre-and post-menopausal years. Here are a few tips to help you develop a good habit helping you to make the most of your Wonder Years and hopefully make you a healthier person:

1. Buy a pill organizer — you can find one at the dollar store that will work nicely. I know I often forget if I’ve taken my vitamins or not, and I have a pill organizer for my medication (okay, I only take one, but I take it twice a day and it’s easy to forget) and an organizer for my vitamins. Works great.

2. Decide what vitamins and supplements are right for you. Since I don’t do pills well, I chew up two Flintstone gummy vitamins. They are really quite yummy, and they go down a lot better than the huge multivitamin pill. You can get the generic brand at Walmart that is the exact same thing for a dollar less than the name brand. Whatever is missing from the gummies you can supplement, if you feel the need. For instance, there is no calcium in the gummy vitamins, but I don’t have a calcium deficiency (I have very dense bones) so I don’t bother supplementing. However, I do need extra B vitamins, so I do take those.

3. Don’t take your vitamins with coffee or soda — take them with water. Coffee or soda can break the vitamins down too soon, and you will lose their beneficial effect. Some vitamins are meant to break down in the stomach, and some in the intestine. Also, some vitamins need fat in order to be metabolized, so it’s a good idea to eat something before you take them.

4. Do your research and tailor your vitamin regimen to your needs. Everyone is different, with different physical and genetic challenges. For instance, heart disease runs in my family, and I have a problem with high blood pressure. In addition to my multivitamin gummies, I’ll take COQ10, B vitamins, borage oil, folic acid, and zinc. I might tweak that out to accommodate the winter months and add vitamin C, and sometimes I get wild and crazy and switch borage oil out for flaxseed.

I picked up this habit from a friend of mine who underwent gastric bypass surgery. Taking vitamins for her is a necessity for her health — but then, it occurred to me, it’s a necessity for me, too. I honestly do feel better, and this is one habit I’m glad I’ve developed.

The Adkin’s Diet is all protein, no carbs. The problem is that your body has to have carbs to maintain a healthy balance. Again, it comes down to moderation. If you eat nothing but carbs and don’t expend the energy they produce to exercise, well, you get fat. The key is good carbs: whole grain breads, whole grain pastas.

The most important key is you can’t take a pill, sit on the couch and expect to lose weight. Especially at our age. You have to exercise. Granted I don’t do as much as I should, but I do walk about a mile a day (in the blistering Florida heat.) But I’ve also walked four miles home from a bus stop (mostly out of impatience, but I did it and didn’t think twice about doing it) Walking is good cardio, and if you do it consistently everyday, while watching your caloric intake, you will lose weight. I’ve kind of given the nutrition guidelines here, more than a few times, so add some exercise.

Another however is, however, if you want to tone up those muscles, like those turkey wing arms, use weights and do some exercises. If you can’t afford a membership to the gym or think you won’t have time, then invest in some dumb bells. The exercises are simple and easily found on the Internet. If you can’t afford dumb bells, then invest in stretch bands. I honestly can’t tell you whether dumb bells are better over stretch bands or vice versa, but let’s face it, exercise is always good.

Good caloric intake is the key. If you eat 5000 cals a day, you can exercise all you want and it still ain’t coming off.

You can indulge in those “sinful” foods. Just don’t over-indulge and add the much needed exercise to it.

So you can take diet pills, but you may suffer diet pill side effects. Here’s a list of the possible side effects you may incur: insomnia, headache, adominal pain, palpitations, arrhythmias, norexia, constipation, nausea, thirst, joint disorder, dizziness, anxiety, depression, rash, acne. Just to name a few.

I always remember my mom telling me “I was thin until I hit 30.” As we get older, we really have to watch what we eat.

Cut out the fried foods, although you are allowed a few because what is life without fried food. I’m a southerner and I love my fried, battered ocra.

Most people don’t want to hear it, but use fresh spinach as the base for your salads. Please stay away from Iceburg lettuce that has absolutely no nutritional value at all. Go spinach or ramain or endive.

Throw an avocado in there as good fat.

Eat lots of tomatoes which are filled with much needed antioxidents.

Of course, lots of fruits. Because of my Crohn’s Disease, I don’t digest fruits very well, but I’ve found at my local deli, or even at a 7-11 small portions of pre-cut fruits that work for me, and help me get in my daily portion of fruit. Yesterday, I had cantelope and strawberries. Yum!

And guess what? You can have your omelet and eat it too. Eggs take a hit for cholesterol, but you can indulge in a one egg omelet a day and still be good to go. Eggs are a great source of protein and as long as you don’t over-do, they are safe to eat. What’s also great about a one egg omelet is you can fill them with spinach, tomatoes, top it with some cheese, and you have your protein, potassium, anti-oxidents and a little bit of dairy all in one tasty meal. Have a side of fruit, maybe a cup of yogurt, and you’re good to go on the nutritional train.

It goes without saying, ladies, that exercise is what brings it all home. It doesn’t have to be strenuous. A 15 minute walk every day will do wonders. However, another 15 minutes with a stretch band or some light hand weights will help you tone up and focus on those problem areas, most notably, those annoying flabby arm flaps. I swear, some days I think I can fly with those wings.

Most importantly, find ways to de-stress: a trip to a spa, a nice long bubble bath, a walk through your favorite calming nature spot. I find the beach to be calming to me, but before I moved here, just a walk through a small forest which I was surrounded by in my neighborhood always centered me and calmed me down.

De-stress, a good diet, light exercise, and getting in tune with nature will help you shed those middle-aged pounds.

Oh, yeah, and a healthy sex life is always helpful. LOL.

Good golly Miss Molly, I am a hippy. I always suspected it, now I know after reading this post, I am hippy-dippy.

1. Mint 2

M. balsamea (peppermint) Peppermint is preferable to spearmint as a medicinal herb because it contains menthol.
* Take a handful of mint leaves and crush them thoroughly with a mortar and pestle.
* Rub the leaves and juice on affected skin and leave for 5-10 minutes.
* Rinse with cold water.
* Repeat as often as desired to alleviate pain and inflammation.

2. Oatmeal

Method Cook a single serving of plain oatmeal as you would for eating. Add approximately ¼ cup honey and mix thoroughly. Allow to cool. Apply to face, avoiding the eyes. Leave for 10-20 minutes. Do not leave it on too long or it will become difficult to remove.

Did you know that a deficiency in vitamin A can actually cause acne?

3. Nettle

Urtica dioica Nettle is the general term for herbaceous plants of the genus Urtica. “Stinging nettle” (Urtica dioica) is the best-known variety and is regarded variously as a garden weed.

* Wear gloves when handling fresh nettle plants.
* Remove leaves from stems and discard stems.
* Fill a teapot full of nettle leaves
* Pour boiling water over the leaves.
* Steep for 5 minutes.
* Add honey and/or lemon if desired and drink.
* The tea will be somewhat bitter. However, it is quite nutritious an especially high in calcium.
* Dried nettle is also available in tea bags but will not be as effective.

4. Aloe Vera

Aloe barbadensis There are hundreds of varieties of aloe that grow all over the world. Most have medicinal properties. However, it is aloe barbadensis that is known as aloe vera.

* Remove a whole aloe leaf from the plant. Take an outer leaf and remove it as near the trunk as possible.
* Cut a slit down the middle and allow the yellow latex to drain. The latex has other uses but is not good for irritated skin and might cause inflammation in some people.
* If you want to use the aloe immediately, use a serrated knife to remove the thick skin. This will take some practice but after a few tries you will be able to remove the skin and end up with a nice thick piece of gel. and rinse the gel under cold water.
* If you are using aloe arborescens, it is not necessary to drain the leaves. You can open the leaf and apply the gel directly.
* Cut a piece of the gel and apply it directly to the skin as needed, avoiding the eyes..
* The gel will keep for about a week if stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

5. Lemon juice and rose water

* Mix equal parts lemon juice and rose water.
* Apply directly to skin. You might feel an initial sting from the lemon juice.
* Rinse after 15-30 minutes.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. From the 1940s through the 1980s, asbestos was widely used to fireproof roofing and flooring, and used as heat insulation due to its ability to resist heat. It’s a natural occurring silicate, used since the time of ancient Greeks. Even then, the damage to the lungs of slaves exposed to asbestos was noted.

Many uses of asbestos have been banned in several countries, including the United States. However, the ban in the US was overturned in 1991 and the manufacture, importation, processing and distribution of asbestos containing products is still legal. The problem is when the fibers of asbestos become airborne due to demolition or destruction. The more prolonged or intense the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chances of developing health problems.

It is estimated that over 100,000 people will die from diseases resulting from asbestos exposure in the next decade. Some of those people include those who worked so hard after the tragedy of 9-11 in rescue and clean-up from the disaster due to the exposure to asbestos in the air after the demolition of the Twin Towers.

Mesothelioma is incurable and lethal. It is thought to be directly linked to asbestos, and it can take up to 30 years to develop.

I have to stop watching commercials.

I credit part of the recovery to all natural vitamins and supplements like echinacea. My BFF has undergone gastric bypass surgery (and has lost a whopping 160 pounds, or thereabouts) and is fanatic about taking her vitamins. She recently started nagging uh….ENCOURAGING me to take vitamins, especially since my immune system seems to be on a downswing.

Now, I hate taking pills, I really do. And a mulitvitamin pill is huge. But she’s not the first person to suggest I start a vitamin regimen — my doctor said something very similar. (I know. Don’t roll your eyes.) So, I’m starting off easy and progressing. Flaxseed and borage oil, zinc, multivitamin (no iron) and B12. I will add to the array as appropriate — but I think I’m going to switch to the Flintstone chewable gummy vitamins.

Hey, better late than never, right?

Any other recommendations? What vitamins do you take?

I’ve learned over the years (sorry darling) from a lot of fats. I eat veggies and veggie burgers, although here in Florida that means Boca Burgers (yuck) I eat avocados, spinach and tomatoes.

The three perfect foods.

I do however like my fruit cups of cantaloupe and a nice bit of yogurt to dip it in.

Eat right, eat healthy, and there is nothing to worry about. Not only will the weight fall off naturely but you’ll feel better in the long run.

A cold. Or, should I say, ANOTHER cold.

The joys of a running nose. That great feeling of snot leaking out of one nostril. The overwhelming joy of sneezing and wetting your pants at the same time. What a wonderful day it’s been, peoples. Fabulous.

Right now, I’m going to take some drugs and pass out.

Summertime. Pfft.

The government does not require warning labels on diet products, and they are not regulated by the FDA. Often, serious health problems can occur as a result of long-term use of some of these products. Therefore, it’s really a crap shoot as to the safety of what you’re putting in your mouth to help you prevent yourself from putting stuff in your mouth. For most dieters, it’s a Catch-22 — there might be weight loss, but as soon as the diet aid is discontinued, the weight comes back on, and it brings friends.

This is even evident on the popular show, “The Biggest Loser”. When contestants are on the ranch and working out 8 hours a day or more, and have a staff to help them make the right choices and keep them on track, the weight melts off. However, once back in the “normal” world, several contestants have regained the weight they worked so hard to lose. If, with all their training and support, these contestants can’t do it, what about the regular person?

Weight loss is a lot more than just the basic mechanics of calories consumed – calories burned. Often, there are emotional issues to be considered, as well. One can assumed the Biggest Loser contestants receive some kind of counseling, but this is not a subject that’s often addressed. Weight loss can be a hot-button topic and difficult with which to deal, involving relationships, self-esteem, and emotional baggage of years.

There is no magic pill for weight loss, but that doesn’t prevent the big business of weight loss touting the latest fat blocker, carb destroyer, or appetite suppressant. Just be aware that these products are largely unregulated, and can lead to bigger health problems than weight gain.