I could have written a post today about all the green health foods out there but I think these pictures will be better received than say kale or broccoli. Don’t you agree, ladies? Enjoy.

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers.

If Henry the 8th actually looked this good I would have married him too.

Aiden Quinn

From the two classics, Legends of the Fall and of course a personal family favorite – Practical Magic.

Cillian Murphy

Do I really have to say anything here? I’m just going to enjoy the picture.

Patrick Wilson.

I have no idea if he is Irish or not. He is named Patrick and he appears to be wearing tartan so I took a gamble. Also, I knew this choice would please Alexis.

Pierce Brosnan.

I have had a crush on Pierce since I was 6 years old. I would lay on the floor swooning up at the screen while watching Remington Steele with my parents. Because of my reading level at the time I thought his name was ‘Prince’ Brosnan which made him even more special at the time.

Pierce Brosnan now. Like fine wine.

Daniel Day-Lewis

A little crazy but that’s the appeal.

Conan O’Brien

An extreme ginger but beyond hilarious.

My two favorite Irish hunks.

*Happy St. Patrick’s Day*

Written by Lea Barlow • 1 Comment

Today’s swap is all about the sport drink. In the past, I have been known to enjoy myself some classic lemon-lime Gatorade, but who hasn’t? In recent years I have steered clear of the drinks because of the high sugar content, bizarro flavors and weird colors that marketers keep pumping out. But what turns me off naturally attracts my children. They quite loudly beg for the enticing blue gatorade on the juice aisle. Being the grocery store enabler that I am I end up relenting.

On one oddly calm day at the grocery store we ran smack into a Vita Coco display. I had a general knowledge that coconut water was supposed to be good for you. Apparently, my husband knew even more about it because he started piling Vita Coco after Vita Coco into the cart. We avoided the Gatorade aisle all-together and have ever since. Our families go-to sports drink is now coconut water. There are endless benefits about coconut water out there. Some are substantiated while others seem a bit far-reaching. My main reason for the swap is because it is an ALL NATURAL hydrating drink that is a healthier choice for my family. It’s that simple.

Though both coconut water and other sports drinks contain sodium and potassium, which are lost through sweat during heavy exercise, their ratios of these important electrolytes differ: An 8.5 fl.oz serving of Vita Coco has 30 mg of sodium and 515 mg of potassium (more than 2 bananas!), whereas an 8 fl.oz serving of Gatorade has 220 mg of sodium and 90 mg of potassium. Loss of both sodium and potassium can contribute to painful exercise-induced muscle cramping, but lack of sodium is the main culprit, making sodium-packed Gatorade the winner.

While serious athletes are probably better off hydrating with sports drinks, coconut water is our choice for light workouts and everyday activity. We are not a family of marathon runners so it works for us.  I like to drink half of a Vita Coco as soon as I wake up and the second half after I work out. On a flavor note, let it be known that I cannot drink the plain coconut water like my husband. Me and the kiddos drink Vita Coco with Peach & Mango. It’s a few extra calories but hey, did I mention it has more potassium than 2 bananas?!

Written by Lea Barlow • 1 Comment

The annual Barlow household tax refund debate kicked off last night. I have to say it got rather heated. We have vast differences of opinion when it comes to the allocation of our hard earned refund. In my opinion, the word re-FUN-d obviously suggests the direction the money should be spent. But by the end of our debate, I sensed he was only feeling the FU part of the word. Here’s how it went down…

Husband: “Let’s put the money is some mutual funds”

Me: “Hmmm. (polite fake pause) No. Mama hasn’t gotten a new Gucci is 3 years and I’m tired of waiting.”

Husband: “How about a long weekend at St. Pete Beach?”

Me: “Uh, we live in St. Pete.  How about actually leaving Florida and going to one of those exotic states where there is white stuff on the ground and you strap these things called skis to your feet and slide down a big mountain??” At this point he probably felt like throwing me off a mountain.

Husband: “We should really have our driveway and pavers re-sealed.”

Me: “That sounds like a plan. In addition, I will schedule a vasectomy for you and a boob job consult for myself. Deal?” I thought that was a win-win. He didn’t agree.

Husband: “So you want to play hardball, huh? Well, I want the 65 inch Samsung 3D flat screen currently on sale at Best Buy for $5399.98.”

Me: Speechless and visibly shaking. He knows how much I detest huge TV’s. Because of his cruelty we have decided to table the debate until further notice. Stay tuned.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Name: Christy Stross

Kids: Kevlar, 19 months

Occupation: Attorney and Co-Owner of You Fit Health Clubs

Hometown: Palm Beach, Florida

H&H Interview with Christy:

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

Organic Whole Milk, almond butter, and granny smith apples

2.  What are you reading (honestly)?

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

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

Glass of wine with my wonderful girlfriends to catch up on life and relive old memories

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

What’s not in my purse?! I have everything from matchbox cars to an extra pair of socks…I am like a modern day Mary Poppins!

5.  What is your favorite reality TV Show?

Shamefully I do catch a Jersey Shore or Housewives of Orange County…but I would prefer to watch a Law and Order SUV episode.

6.  What is your cocktail of choice?

A spicy bloody Mary at Sunday Brunch—I am a huge Brunch fan!

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

My son is just learning more and more words, but his standard response is “I Do” or “I Don’t” rather than yes or no…I asked him just today if he would like to go on our Summer Family Vacation to Alaska, he promptly responded “I Do”, so my husband said what about Australia? He looked right at him and said “I don’t” as if he knew the difference…it’s amazing how they know the right things to say!

8.  What is your favorite quotation?

“Love is like a butterfly, it goes wherever it pleases, and pleases wherever it goes”

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

Lots of Kenny Chesney since we are going to his concert in a week, tons of Beyoncé, Usher, Black Eyed Peas, Rolling Stones to get me pumped up for my runs!

10. Who is your favorite celebrity mom and why?

Victoria Beckham, she is able to build her business and career while raising three beautiful boys (and one more on the way) as well as always looking so put together and at peace.

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

I am obsessed with photo albums, instead of making prints off my camera of every picture I take, I have series of albums…my husband refers to as my encyclopedia of our lives.

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

Making time for myself every day, I pencil in an hour for myself whether it be do hot yoga, go for a run or catch up on some sleep…that hour is key to staying mentally and physically healthy.

*Thanks, Christy!*

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment