The latest commercial in Chef Boyardee’s “Obviously Delicious. Secretly Nutritious” campaign REALLY irritates me. Here’s why:

1. They refer to the ‘food’ as a snack. Since when is serving your children a tub of ravioli slop a “snack”?! What’s for dinner? A bucket of KFC and a 2 liter of soda? A snack to me is grapes and raisins or yogurt and granola not a 240 calorie carbohydrate-laden sodium bomb. Just sayin’.

2. The vegetable ignorance. I know it can be very difficult to get children to eat sometimes but I feel it is less about vegetables and more about dealing with picky eaters. My kids know that vegetables are good for their health. I tell them that vegetables make them strong and smart.  Some nights they gobble down their green beans and other nights they turn their noses up at the asparagus. One thing that stays constant is that vegetables are available every single day in my house. Chef Boyardee is not. Hide the vegetables in food or don’t but please educate your children on why vegetables are good for their little bodies. Please. Okay, lecture complete.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

I need to apologize to some of my readers. I have been on Christmas overload and completely overlooked Hanukkah. It seems to have come extra early this year though, didn’t it? As a way to make things right I have put together a photo gallery of 8 (one for each night of Hanukkah) of my favorite famous jews for your viewing pleasure…and mine.



Paul Rudd.

Super adorable. I just want to grab his face and give him a big wet one.

Adam Brody.

Loved him since the OC. He still looks a little jail baitish but that’s part of his appeal. Sorry, this cold weather in Florida has me feeling a little frisky.

The Boss.

He’s like 103 years old now but I’m still diggin’ him.

James Franco.

A little artsy and a lot HOT.

Ben Stiller.

The main man of two of my favorite movies – Zoolander and Tropic Thunder. What’s not to love?

Here’s a father & son duo for you: vintage James Caan as ‘Sonny Corleone’ and…

…his gorgeous son, Scott Caan.

Lovin’ all 4′ 11″ of him.

Robert Downey Jr.

Drunk, stoned, sober – whatever. He’s my #1 jew (but I think he’s only half).

*Happy Hanukkah*

Written by Lea Barlow • 1 Comment

Name: Jennifer McClintic (It will be Jennifer Garbowicz as soon as we stop procrastinating and get married)

Kids: Justin Reilly Garbowicz, 5 months

Occupation: Wealth Manager and Principal at Sabal Trust

Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

H&H Interview with Jennifer:

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

Fat-free milk, bananas, multi-seed crackers

2. What are you reading (honestly)?

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child—a must-read for any parent.  Justin sleeps from around 7pm until about 5:30 or 6am thanks to implementation of some tips from this book!

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

Pedicures with one of my best girls

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

One of those old school hair picks that we used to use for our permed hair in high school in the 80’s.  Fits in the in the purse far better than a brush.

5. What is your favorite reality TV show?

I don’t really have a favorite, but I have to admit to watching a few episodes of Hoarders and Supernanny.

6. What is your cocktail of choice?

It’s a tossup between red wine & grape vodka with soda.

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

Justin doesn’t talk yet, but the faces & noises he made when trying his first “real” food (green beans) a few days ago were hilarious.

8. What is your favorite quotation?

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass. -Maya Angelou

9. What are you currently working out to on your iPod?

A crazy mix of Usher, Gnarls Barkley, Kings of Leon, Blues Traveler, and Jason Mraz

10. Who is your favorite celebrity mom and why?

I know so many amazing everyday moms that it doesn’t seem fair to mention a celebrity. Celebrities already receive enough accolades, right? Everyday moms are chronically underappreciated.

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

I absolutely despise talking on the phone.

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

Trying to eat healthy and working out regularly—being with a man almost 11 years younger certainly doesn’t hurt either!

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Today’s giveaway is from the renowned Dr. Farrior Facial Cosmetic Surgery Center. Dr. Farrior is kindly offering a 2-month supply of Latisse ($280 value).  As a Latisse lover myself, I am on my way to looking like a Kardashian – just my eyelashes, not my butt.

Reader Tip: ‘Like’ Dr. Farrior’s Facebook and page stay tuned for more amazing holiday offers.

For a chance to win, please send an email through the H&H Contact page. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!

*Disclaimer: LATISSE^® solution is a prescription strength treatment and will require a medical history be filled out prior to dispensing and will be handled through email correspondence.

Update: Congrats to our winner Sherry Hoffman!

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment