For the kids spring break we took them to Disney for a few days. Tennison behaved like a little angel. Grayson on the other hand, was completely out of control. It wasn’t tantrums. It was mischief and naughtiness on a level I have never seen and hope to never see again. Let me show you through pictures…

It started with total disregard for Disney authority.

Here is the little devil attempting to make a run with his wares from the resort store…

I selected the bunk bed option for this stay. That was a huge mistake. The kids fought like cats and dogs over the top bunk. Here is Gray going in for the attack. I won’t show you the after picture. It wasn’t good.

Dinner at Ohana started nicely enough. Here is Gray enjoying his daddy’s martini olives.

The night started to take a downturn after he got deep into his water martini…

Grayson became giddily violent with his Pop Pop.

He didn’t appreciate the lecture from his Nana so…

He went back for a 2nd martini.

Things got really messy when he started molesting the statue.

Surprise, surprise. Grayson had to be forcibly removed from the restaurant.

I wonder if we will be welcomed back?

Written by Lea Barlow • 7 Comments

Name: Terry Vogel

Kids: Madison, 14 and Gage, 10

Occupation: Owner/ Vice President Event Kings – event planning and production company

Hometown: Smithtown, NY

H&H Interview with Terry:

1.  What are the top 3 items in your grocery cart?

Salmon, apples, almonds

2.  What are you reading (honestly)?

I read health magazines like Self but mostly E-mails…all day and night.

3.  What is your guilty pleasure when you get a break from the kids?

Shopping

4.  What would we be surprised to find in your purse?

Good luck charms and trinkets I collected over the years. I put them all in a special pouch that I carry with me every day.

5.  What is your favorite reality TV show?

There are so many but right now it’s American Idol. Biggest Loser and Celebrity Apprentice are close 2^nd’s

6.  What is your cocktail of choice?

Any flavored martini except dirty.

7.  What is the funniest thing your kids have said or done lately?

My 10 year old son asked me what a condom was and I told him I was going to buy a book.

8.  What is your favorite quotation?

“Positive thoughts become positive realities” Louise Hay. I try to live my life by that.

9.  What songs are top on your iPod playlist right now?

Top 40 and 80’s music – for the memories.

10. Who is your favorite celebrity mom and why?

Heidi Klum. She seems so down to Earth and hands on with her children.

11. What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

I meditate and do positive affirmations every morning.

12. What is your secret to staying Hot & Healthy?

Eating healthy, exercising and having a positive outlook on life. I’m consistently trying new health trends and implementing new discoveries in vitamins, skin care, exercise equipment and even diet changes. I found it’s not one thing that keeps you healthy, it’s a combination of everything and incorporating it all into your life every day.

*Thanks, Terry!*

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Meet Sam the steer. Sam is your average bred-for-consumption cow.  He started life munching on heavily fertilized, weed killer soaked grass. He was then shipped off to a massive feed-lot where he was stuffed with a hearty diet of pesticide-treated corn and soy.  While there, he was injected with synthetic hormones to help him grow big and fat.  Not long after, Sam went to steer heaven and his remains were shrink-wrapped and shipped to your grocery store.  While I feel bad for Sam, I feel worse for my family.  Up until a year ago, my only deciding factor when selected beef was that I didn’t want it to be brown.  Now, after much research on the matter, we only eat 100% grass-fed beef.

Traditionally, all beef was grass-fed.  It seems obvious because, well, we all know that is what cows eat.  But in the spirit of high profit, farmers switched to feeding their stock grain to make them fatter faster.  This is a very unhealthy practice for both the cow and the consumer.  In many cases, the cows digestive system reacts negatively to the unnatural diet and is regularly administered antibiotics. This type of consistent, heavy dosing can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  Not good.  Luckily, for us and for Sam’s relatives, many farmers are switching back to the 100% grass-fed feeding method.  Just make sure to have your butcher point you in the right direction next time you are picking up the beef for those burgers.

Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef

1. Less overall fat and calories: A six-ounce grass-fed loin has 92 fewer calories than grain-fed. This saves an average American 16,642 calories each year.

2. More Omega-3: Grass-fed beef has 2 to 10 times more omega-3s than grain-fed beef and a healthy ratio as little as 1:1. Grain-fed beef is as much as 14:1.

3. More CLA: Grass-fed beef has 2 to 5 times more CLA than grain-fed. CLA supports immune and cardiovascular growth and lean muscle mass.

4. More Vitamin E: Grass-fed beef contains 3 to 6 times more vitamin E than grain-fed beef.

5. More Carotenoids: Grass-fed beef has up to 4 times more beta-carotene than grain-fed beef. Carotenoids promote eye and macular health.

6. More B Vitamins, CoQ10, and Zinc: Grass-fed beef has more B vitamins, CoQ10, and zinc than grain-fed beef.

Sources: alsearsmd.com, Food & Nutrition Board, time.com

Written by Lea Barlow • 2 Comments

As busy moms, we can sometimes make excuses for days when our attire is less than stylish.  But there are some fashion mistakes that are completely inexcusable.  Here are a few fashion pitfalls to be avoided at all costs told visually and for dramatic effect through my favorite celebrity mom disaster, Britney Spears.

1. Baggy, stained clothes

I have never understood this look.  Who leaves the house in clothes that are not even fit to sleep in?  The one and only exception to this is if you have a newborn.  Your brain isn’t working correctly and the baby is constantly spitting up all over you.  But if your baby is over three months old and you consider this appropriate attire to be seen in, quickly get on some meds.  Without a proper fit, you don’t have style—end of story. One thing to always remember is not to get hung up on sizes. This can be tough when you are trying to shed baby weight. Trust me, you will look much better in something that fits and is tailored to your current size.  It’s simple, when you look better in your clothes, you feel better about yourself.

2. Footwear

Okay, I realize there is a lot going on in this picture.  Let’s ignore the ill-fitting jean shorts and cigarette dangling from her mouth and focus on her shoe selection.  All I can think of here is how awful her feet must stink.  If the weather is warm enough for tank tops and shorts, why choose boots?  But I do not think anyone can explain what’s going on in Ms. Britney’s head.  Here are my rules on shoe selection:  1.  sneakers ONLY with workout gear – the only exception is if you are going to a theme park.  2.  Avoid Crocs.  You are an adult –  ’nuff said.   3.  I’m okay with flip-flops because I live in Florida.  Just don’t wear them all the time.  4.  Wear heels every chance you get.  They make your legs look amazing and that shoe choice alone means you have decided to put forth a little more effort into your appearance.

3. Bad Hair

This is one busted weave.  Ladies, I believe god created hats specifically with women in mind.  He is a loving god. So, for his sake, when you are having a particularly bad hair day, which for me is very often, put on a hat.  It’s easy and hats are one of the most inexpensive fashion accessories.

4. Sweats

Wearing dingy sweats is only acceptable if you are miserably sick or need to take the dog out to do his business late at night or very early in the morning. For any other reason, you will always look lumpy, bumpy, shapeless and just plain sloppy. I would hope that’s not the look you’re going for. If it’s cold, pull out a heavy cable knit sweater or a cardigan.  To avoid temptation, just throw the sweats out all together.

5.  Dress your age

Unfortunately, I am guilty of this sin.  In my mind I am still 16 and have to watch myself when selecting clothes.  You can secretly listen to Miley Cyrus on your iPod but you can’t dress like her. Besides, the stuff in juniors is typically of lesser quality.  I can still successfully shop at American Eagle by sticking to the longer shorts and skirts. I have come to terms with the fact that I look ridiculous in shorts the size of a postage stamp.








Originally posted September 2, 2010

*Reader Note: It is Spring Break and the family is headed to Disney. Please enjoy some of my favorite posts for the remainder of the week. H&H will be back in business on Monday!*

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment