5 Secret tips to losing weight that work

It's no secret that losing weight takes hard work, dedication, commitment and desire. When you're not feeling up for the gym every day or eating right 24/7, there are a few "secret" tips to help move your weight loss progress along.

Unique weight loss tips

According to a survey by the Calorie Control Council, 80 percent of men and women ages 18 and older are weight conscious. More than 50 percent of those people are trying to lose weight. In today's society — where we're surrounded by fast food on every corner, weekly office parties and happy hours a few times a week — it can be downright impossible to stick to your diet. Instead of stressing over every calorie, try these unusual (and downright strange!) weight loss tactics that work!

Get more sleep

Anything that involves sleeping more is a bonus in our book. That's right — those who sleep more have an easier time losing weight. The American Thoracic Society International Conference showed that women who slept five hours or less per night are 32 percent more likely to experience significant weight gain than those who slept seven hours or more per night. Surprisingly, the women who sleep less don't take in any extra calories than those who sleep more. So what's the reason for the weight gain? No one knows for sure — but it could be attributed to less fidgeting during the day and slower metabolic rates by those who sleep less.

Brush your teeth often

Using minty fresh toothpaste after every meal is a surefire way to prevent you from overeating. This especially rings true for those who have trouble with portion control. If you find yourself always going back for seconds, brush your teeth after your first serving. The minty taste tells your brain the meal is over. If you still end up going back for more, the food won't taste nearly as good as it did the first time, so why bother?

Sniff bananas

Simply put, sniffing bananas relays a message to your brain that you're full. Smelling bananas before each meal will make you eat less, according to the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago. Women who participated in this study lost 17 pounds per month simply by smelling bananas. Other smells that reduce your appetite include green apples, peppermint and vanilla.

Surround yourself with blue

The color blue is a known appetite suppressant, so surround yourself with everything blue when you sit down to eat. Use blue plates, blue napkins, blue food dye, blue tablecloths and even a blue light in your refrigerator. Blue makes food seem less appealing. Why? Not many foods are blue — except blueberries — so our bodies don't naturally produce an appetite response to the color. Also, thousands of years ago, the color normally meant that something was poisonous, which naturally kept us away.

Wear tight clothes

While this isn't something you'll want to try in public, consider putting on a pair of tight jeans the next time you sit down for dinner at home. It's harder to overeat if you're feeling uncomfortable, so bust out those skinny jeans and bring on the food! Think of this as the opposite of Thanksgiving — the day in which you wear sweatpants to allow plenty of room for all that extra food. Give it a try, you'll be surprised at how well it works!

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Dessert party ideas

Skip Straight To DessertThrowing a party is a daunting task. Lighten your load by throwing a dessert party. It’s easier on the budget because you’re not serving a full meal. It’s a lot less stressful as well, since most desserts can be prepared ahead of time. But don’t throw out just any desserts for your guests. Kick things up a notch by choosing one of these fun themes for your dessert-only soiree.

Brownie bar

The prep for this party couldn’t be easier. Bake a few pans of boxed brownies (don’t worry, they’ll never know!) the day before your party. Keep them covered overnight so they stay fresh, then slice them just before your party begins. To keep the slices clean, place your brownies in the freezer for 20 minutes before you cut them. Offer whipped cream, buttercream, chocolate syrup, sprinkles and crushed cookies and candies as toppings.

How to make the best brownies >>Cupcakes

There are a billion different types of cupcakes out there – why not serve up a few dozen at a cupcake party? Set up a buffet table with as many different cupcakes as you can make. Use tiered trays to give your display height and to make space for more sugary sweets. Be sure to offer some cupcakes that are more savory than sweet in case all that delicious icing becomes too much to handle.

Cupcake recipes >>French theme

Transport your guests to a French bakery by offering up some of the best treats Paris has to offer. Think Napoleons, creme brulee, eclairs, mousse and macaroons. Use French-themed decor to really set the tone.

Easy macaroons recipe >>Childhood favorites

Take your guests back in time by offering favorite sweets from a time when everything was sweeter. Offer homemade versions of Ding Dongs, Twinkies and Sno Balls. Serve grown-up s'mores and root beer floats – anything that you remember coveting as a child. Put together gift bags filled with retro candy so your guests will remember your bash for days to come.

Dipping stations

These types of parties can get messy, but they sure are a ton of fun. Set out warm dipping sauces in flavors like chocolate, vanilla cream, white chocolate and white chocolate raspberry. Serve fruit, plain cookies and homemade marshmallows for dipping.

Quick tip

Make it easy! Avoid having to deal with silverware by serving only bite-sized desserts.

More on desserts

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Tonight's Dinner Gnudi in a brown butter sage sauce recipe

Ravioli is that wonderful pasta with the surprise inside. They're filled with everything from a variety of cheeses to vegetables or even meat. But what if you just want the filling without the heavy pasta shell? These gnudi are the way.

Ravioli filling without the pasta shell

Ravioli and tortellini are two of my favorite pastas. Not only do I get the delicious pasta shell smothered in a scrumptious sauce, but I get the added delight of an extra burst of flavor from the filling hiding inside. The only problem with these little pillows of pleasure is that they can be very heavy. But recently Michael Symon showed me a way to have that delightful filling without the heavy pasta shell. They're called gnudi and since I'm such a huge fan of cheese-filled pastas, I knew they were for me. They were rich and creamy and unlike any pasta I'd ever had.

While they didn't look as nice as Chef Symon's because I only chilled them for 30 minutes instead of two hours, the flavor was still out of this world. They were so good in fact and so incredibly easy to make, i can't wait to make (and eat) them again. Only this time, I'll make sure to chill the raw pasta for the correct amount of time.

Gnudi in a brown butter sage sauce

Serves 4

Ingredients:1-1/2 cups ricotta cheese1 cup Grana Padano cheese, grated2 whole eggs1 egg yolk2 garlic cloves, finely gratedSalt and pepper to taste1/2 cup flour4 cups corn meal1/4 cup butter1/2 cup sage leavesDirections:

Whisk together the ricotta, Grana Padano, eggs, egg yolk, garlic, salt, pepper and flour in a large mixing bowl until well combined.Spread the corn meal out in a large pan. Place spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture into the corn meal and roll so each ricotta ball is completely covered with the cornmeal. Chill for at least two hours.Boil a large pot of salted water over medium-high heat. Once boiling, drop in each of the gnudi and cook for three to five minutes or until they float to the top.While the gnudi cook, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter begins to brown, add the sage leaves and sauté for about one minute.Using a slotted spoon, transfer the floating gnudi to the skillet with the brown butter sauce and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

More Tonight's Dinner recipes >>Other brown butter recipes

Brown butter, lemon and caper sauce
Pecan brown butter
Ravioli with green beans and brown butter sauce

Parents miss cold med rules

Some Cold Meds Not OK For Kids Under FourA new report shows that parents don't pay attention to labels on over-the-counter kids cold and cough medications.

Parents, pay attention to the labels on the medications you give your children—even if it is a remedy that says it’s for kids.

A new University of Michigan poll indicates that more than 40 percent of parents have given kids under the age of four cough medicine or multi-symptom cough and cold medicine, and 25 percent have given their kids decongestants.

What’s the problem in trying to treat a cold with these medications?

According to the federal Food and Drug Administration, some over-the-counter remedies can cause serious side effects. In 2008, the FDA changed its guidelines to say that children under four years old shouldn’t have such medications.

“These products don't reduce the time the infection will lasts and misuse could lead to serious harm,” said Matthew M. Davis, M.D., M.A.P.P., director of the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health. “What can be confusing, however, is that often these products are labeled prominently as 'children's' medications. The details are often on the back of the box, in small print. That's where parents and caregivers can find instructions that they should not be used in children under four years old.”

Side effects can include allergic reactions, drowsiness, sleeplessness, nausea, and constipation. Other side effects can also occur when children under four take these medicines.

Related topics

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Natural remedies to cure your kids' colds

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Is this normal When to call the doctor

Sex Questions AnsweredWhen it comes to sexual problems and women's health issues, distinguishing what's normal and what's not can be difficult. We consulted experts across the country to discuss common problems and find out when you need to call a doctor.

Is not being able to orgasm during sex normal?

Believe it or not, you aren't alone. According to Dr. Diana Ramos, professor, OB/GYN and collaborator on 50 Years of the Pill, "Only about a third of women experience orgasm regularly during intercourse. A third can reach orgasm with intercourse but need extra stimulation. A third never achieve orgasm during intercourse but can by manual and oral stimulation."

If you haven't achieved orgasm yet, however, don't give up hope. Dr. Prudence Hall of the Hall Health and Longevity Center says:

"Like learning about anything new, having an orgasm can take a bit of practice. I tell my women patients that guys are very good at ejaculating because they practice so much. To have good orgasms, first identify the muscles involved in the process.

"These muscles are called the pubo-coccygeal (PC) muscles and are located deep in the pelvis underneath the vagina. If you squeeze your pelvic muscles to stop from urinating, those muscles are your PC muscles. It is important to exercise and build those muscles so they contract strongly when stimulated. An orgasm is simply a contraction of those muscles, and you need to have some good muscle tone to have an orgasm. Kegel exercises strengthen those muscles, as does the battery-operated Women's Liberty Machine, which gives a mild shock to those muscles and causes them to contract. Women need lots of time to have orgasms -- usually 45 minutes of continual stimulation."

Practice doesn't always make perfect, though. A hormonal imbalance may be the cause of the problem. If you have tried Kegel exercises, experimented with a vibrator, worked with your partner and are still unable to achieve orgasm, talk to your doctor.

"The birth control pill diminishes our hormones so dramatically that many of my patients complain of a low sex drive and poor orgasms while on the pill," explains Hall. "I advise them to come off it ASAP and to use condoms (crown condoms are best), a diaphragm, IUD or the new Ovu-Watch, which helps women predict and avoid their fertile times. When my peri-menopausal and menopausal patients begin to lose their orgasms due to declining hormones, I replace their hormones to youthful levels with bioidentical hormones. Testosterone, estrogen, DHEA and thyroid really help keep us vital and sexy, as well as prevent the diseases of aging that occur when our hormones decline."

Next up: Pain during sex >>

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Grocery store tips for healthy eating

Shop Smart
And Eat HealthyHealthy eating begins with smart choices at the grocery store. Though it's tempting to buy convenient, processed foods, they aren't the healthiest choices for you and your family. Follow these grocery store tips for healthy eating.

Don't shop hungry

Shopping on an empty stomach often results in impulse buying of unhealthy snack foods. You should also shop earlier in the day when you aren't tired, rather than after a long day at work. If you are exhausted and in a rush to get out of the store, you are likely to make poor food choices.

Make a list

Make a grocery list before leaving the house and make a commitment to stick to it. Shopping without a list also leads to unhealthy impulse buys, plus you are more apt to forget something that you really need.

Before making your next grocery list, check out these easy ingredient swaps for healthy eating >>

If you can't pronounce it...

Avoid foods that contain artificial ingredients, excessive additives, ingredients you can't pronounce or more than five total ingredients. Make it a rule that if you can't pronounce what's on the label, then don't eat it. Don't avoid canned foods altogether -- they are convenient at times, but fruit should be packed in juice not syrup, tuna in water not oil and vegetables without added salt.

Aim for lots of fruits & veggies

You should be filling your cart with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains, lean meat, fish, poultry, beans, nuts and dairy. Start shopping in the produce section and select a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. The different colors indicate different vitamins, minerals and phytonutrient content. Splurge on unique fruits and vegetables now and again to offer your family a different variety. Remember when buying potatoes to select sweet potatoes over white ones.

Select whole grains

Cereal, bread, pasta and rice offer opportunities to add whole grain to your diet. Choose whole wheat bread over white bread, and whole grain cereals whenever possible. With cereal, aim for five grams of fiber per serving with the least sugar possible. Pick brown rice over white rice and whole oats over instant oatmeal. Don't overlook quinoa, barley and other grains as well.

Buy fresh fish

Two servings of fish per week are recommended by the American Heart Association. Look for fish that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon or mackerel. In addition to fish, purchase skinless chicken, as well as lean cuts of beef and pork.

Don't forget dairy

You'll need three servings a day of dairy foods for vitamin D and bone-building calcium. Choose low-fat or non-fat options when it comes to milk, yogurt and cheese. If it's going to make your family more likely to eat it, pay a little extra for single-serve cheeses and yogurt.

Hungry? Don't miss these nutritious and delicious snack ideas >>

Shop the perimeter

In general, most of the healthy food in the grocery store is located on the perimeter aisles (fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish and meat) and most of the junk is in the middle. Frozen foods are alright, if you shop smart. Frozen fruits and vegetables are good choices in the wintertime when many fresh varieties aren't available. Frozen whole grain waffles are healthy, quick breakfast foods for kids. Read the labels and shoot for nutrient-rich foods that are low in calories, fat, sugar and preservatives.

By having a list and remembering these healthy eating tips, you can bring home an assortment of healthy foods for your family from the grocery store.

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5 Heart health lessons for kids

Healthy habits for a healthy life

The health landscape you grew up in is far different than the one your kids face today. Technological innovations like cell phones and the internet allow us to be less active. Processed food temptations lurk around every corner.

If you want to raise healthy, active children, you need to give them the right tools and information as they grow. Here are five heart health lessons from which your children will benefit for life.

Heart disease kills

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one American will have a coronary event every 25 seconds. Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and the temptation to slip into unfriendly heart habits is always in our faces with advertisements and fast food convenience. The best things in life come with a little work, and that includes regular exercise and a healthy diet. The threat of heart disease might not quite be real to your kids at their young age, but teaching this lesson early on can help prevent serious problems down the road.

Learn great eating habits

Eating right doesn't have to mean eating bland. Heart-healthy foods like whole grains, vegetables and more can be cooked to taste delicious. Learning how to cook these foods at a young age, rather than reaching for a frozen pizza, will help your child form healthy eating habits for the rest of her life.

Diet isn't about restriction

If you have an overweight child, putting him on a restrictive diet will make him want to cheat. Rather than going for a pre-packaged diet, teach your child about healthy eating habits and how treats like fast food and sweets should only be consumed on occasion. Teach that if an otherwise healthy diet is maintained, a slice of chocolate cake every once in a while won't be destructive.

Make exercise fun

Going to the gym is serious business, and running on a treadmill for 30 minutes isn't for everyone. Exercise doesn't have to be tedious. Children should find an activity that works for them. Group sports and dance classes are a great place to start. This is a lesson they can carry through their lives. When they're staring a treadmill in the face in the future, they will know there are other alternatives.

Don't smoke

Smoking is also a big factor in heart disease. Smoking dwindles energy and lung capacity, which could both be focused on exercise. With everything we know about the adverse health effects of cigarettes, even trying cigarettes once is an unwise decision. The best way to prevent your child from smoking is to not do it yourself.

More on heart health

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