Name: Roni Noone

Kids: 5 Year son and another boy on the way!

Occupation: Web publisher

Hometown: Baltimore MD

Full H&H Interview with Roni:

1. Your blog says “One Mom’s Journey from Fat to Skinny to Healthy”. What were the most significant changes you made in that journey?

There were 3 big things I did that made a huge difference. I outlined them in a series of posts called 3 Steps to a Healthier YOU! In a nutshell, I learned to accept myself the way I am (stop negative self-talk), I realized that you are never “off plan” and I simply moved more. It sounds so easy to say it now but it took me 15 years to figure it out.

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

Only 3? I could ramble on and on about food! Let’s see, right now I can’t live without my grapefruit in the morning, I think it’s a pregnancy thing. I’ve also recently been obsessed with The Laughing Cow cheese products oh! and a bag of Baby Spinach. I can’t live without my baby spinach. I use it like lettuce on everything! Even recently adding it to smoothies.

3. What are you reading (honestly)?

I’ve been grabbing a chapter of What the Dog Saw here and there but besides that, Wired magazines and kid books, I haven’t read anything cover to cover in a about a year. Honestly, I have no time to read at the moment. My days are spent writing for my blogs and connecting with people online.

4. What is your guilty pleasure when you get a little time for yourself?

A loooong warm bath. I don’t nearly do it enough but when I have some free time I’ll fill up the bath with bubbles and read a magazine.

5. What is your most dreaded household chore?

LAUNDRY. Isn’t it every mom’s bane of existence? I don’t mind throwing it in the washer but then the folding and the putting away. Ugh! I wish there was a little laundry fairy!

6. What is your favorite reality TV show?

I can’t believe I’m about to confess this but Top Model is a total guilty pleasure of mine. I’m fascinated by the model industry and I love seeing the behind the scenes aspect of the photo shoots. Sad, I know.

7. What is your cocktail of choice?

I’m pregnant right now so none for me lately but when I get my drink on I’m mostly a vodka and cranberry girl. If I’m tired I’ll go with a vodka and diet red bull. I used to be a big beer drinker in college but vodka has since taken over in my later years.

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

My 5 year old is a complete trip. We were listening to Christmas music over holiday break and during one particular song (I’m sure you’ll figure it out) he says “How would Santa wrap a hippopotamus? He would just break out?” Imagine hands up, shoulders shrugged and high voice. He cracks me up!

9. What is your favorite quotation?

There are two by Dr. Seuss…

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

And the inspiration for my new site…

“In my world, everyone’s a pony and they all eat rainbows and poop butterflies!”

10. Who is your favorite celebrity mom and why?

I don’t really get into celebrity stuff too much. Don’t get me wrong I love good gossip but I don’t think we really have any idea what type of parents they are from what we read in tabloids or see on the news. Anyone can hire a good PR person.

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

Oh I’m pretty transparent. Anyone who reads my blog knows most things about me but if I had to think of something it may be that I like horror movies and listen to bands like Godsmack, System of the Down and Korn. What can I say? I’m a recovering 80s hair band fan who grew up in the 90s grunge era.

12. What advice would you give to other mom’s to stay motivated during their own journey?

The thing that you have to remember is that time is continually ticking away. We say things like “I’ll start Monday” but by the time Tuesday arrives we are already back to old habits. So we put off our goals to the following Monday. I was stuck in this cycle for 15 years. You have to decide enough is enough. Take a good hard look at yourself in the mirror and have a one-on-one. Life is going to start passing you by as you wait for that “perfect” Monday. You’ll never be perfect. You’ll never look perfect. You’ll never eat perfect. Do what you can now that gets you closer to your goals and stop punishing yourself. Life is too short.

Written by Lea Barlow • 4 Comments

Name: Wendy Ryan

Kids: 5 month old – Raquel Ryan Ritchey

Occupation: TV Anchor/Reporter – WFTS-TV

Hometown: Originally - Cleveland, Ohio.  Since 2003- Tampa, FL

Full H&H Interview with Wendy:

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

1.5 liter water bottles, bananas, and a bag of fresh spinach

2. What are you reading (honestly)?

I’m a news junky so I spend WAY too much time reading news stories online every single day. But when I get a free moment lately, I’ve been reading a recent gift from a friend – “Chicken Soup for the Soul: New Moms”

3. What is your guilty pleasure when you get a little time for yourself?

Deep tissue massage or pedicure

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

A few packets of Truvia, and individual dental flossers – hate having food stuck in my teeth!

5. What is your favorite reality TV show?

I don’t watch much Reality TV- But I do LOVE the chick shows – Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice.

6. What is your cocktail of choice?

A very dry Napa Valley Cabernet…

7. What is the cutest thing your baby has done lately?

Well – she’s still so young that just a simple smile or giggle fills my eyes with tears…. After all, she is my little miracle.:)

8. What is your favorite quotation?

“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” Randy Paush

“Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don’t, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it.  If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.”

9. What songs are on your workout playlist?

I teach spin classes so I use the CD’s I’ve bought and/or my students have put together for me. The songs I love are those that motivate me… some of my favorites come from Black Eye Peas, Lady Gaga, and Pink.

10. Who is your favorite celebrity mom and why?

Angelina Jolie with 6 kids! (3 biological children and 3 adopted children) Even with all her fame and fortune, she still seems to be a very hands-on mom. She also continues to help thousands of other vulnerable children with her extensive humanitarian work in the Third World.

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

I was a child actress and did my first national commercial when I was 4 years old.

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

I teach spin classes, do yoga when I can slow downL, drink lots and lots of water, pack fruits and veggies for work every day, and always try to have healthy snacks everywhere… in my car, in my purse, and in my desk. I also make all my meals on Sunday nights, wash/cut up all the fruit/veggies – so they’re ready to go during the week.

Written by Lea Barlow • 6 Comments

Name: Cavan Guenther

Kids: Brady 3 1/2 and Stella 10 months

Occupation: Middle School Science teacher by training, currently a stay at home mom involved in the Junior League of Ft. Myers

Hometown: Ft.Myers, Florida

Full Interview with Cavan:

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

Bananas, water and vanilla yogurt

2.  What are you reading (honestly)?

Magazines (when I have time)

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

Pedicure

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

An AMEX gift card that hasn’t been spent yet!

5.  What is your favorite reality TV show?

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

6.  What is your cocktail of choice?

Martini (fruity or chocolate…YUM!)

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

Brady said to me “someday when you are a little kid like me you can do this too”

8.  What is your favorite quotation?

“Life is like an hourglass glued to the table” not sure who said it but it definitely resonates with me.

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

Anything from Zac Brown Band to Neil Diamond

10. Who is your favorite celebrity mom and why?

Kyle Hilton from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills because she seems to feel the same about her kids as I do, they are her priority and her heart.

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

I hold a CDL license so I can actually drive a big rig…haha I had to acquire this when I worked as a school social worker just in case I needed to drive a bus load of pre-k kids to the dentist!

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

Well, I have always enjoyed distance running, weight training and eating well. My husband is also a big motivator, we usually work out together, runnning or doing P90X.

Written by Lea Barlow • 4 Comments

Name: Kristin Kovach

Kids: Landon born 06-16-09

Occupation: Employed by Landon….but still waiting on an official paycheck

Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN

Full H&H Interview with Kristin:

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

the biggest container of spring mix I can find, at least one red delicious apple for every day of the week, sugar free reeses peanut butter cup minis.

2. What are you reading (honestly)?

Squirrel meets Chipmunk by David Sedaris.  I absolutely adore David Sedaris.  I hate when people say they are reading a funny book because I know it isn’t really all that funny if he didn’t write it.

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

Drinking Coronas with the girls.  Or the boys.  Or anyone who needs their thirst quenched.

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

Honestly, I’m not even sure whats in that thing.  You gotta love a big handbag.  You gotta hate a big handbag.

5. What is your favorite reality TV show?

My name is Kristin and I am addicted to almost everything on Bravo.

6. What is your cocktail of choice?

I’m definitely more of a beer drinker, but I’ll take a Stoli Raspberry and Diet whatever every now and then.

7. What is your favorite quotation?

“True friends stab you in the front.”  -Oscar Wilde

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

Most days I take 2 classes at the gym, so I have no real use for an iPod.  But on that rare occasion that I do, I like to bust out old DMX, OutKast or anything I used to spend my 21 year old nights dancing to….anything that keeps me moving.

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

My kid is in that super amusing 18 month old stage where you are completely convinced they are they smartest, cutest, most well-versed toddler on the planet. Landon is just learning to say “please” and “thank you” for things he wants.  He asked for “juice please” the other day…but he whispered the “please” part.  So, I told him to “say it louder.”  He shouted, “IT LOUDER!!”  I almost passed out laughing. I’m pretty sure he had no idea he was being funny.

10. Who is your favorite celebrity mom and why?

I love Reese Witherspoon and Kelly Ripa.  They are both adorable, hilarious, great moms with amazing bodies.  Isn’t that the American dream?

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

There isn’t much.  I’m one of those people that doesn’t hold much back.  I don’t particularly like being alone…and I once took a personality test that told me I judge people based on their spelling and grammar.  That’s probably true.

12. Your secret to staying Hot & Healthy?

There is no secret….I bust my ass and I sweat and I love it.  I try to work out for 2 hours a day 5 days a week.  I am not naturally thin so I have to work hard.  I have Type 1 Diabetes and it is my civic duty to stay as healthy as I can so that I can be around to embarrass my son for as long as I can.  Being unhealthy is not an option for me and all the work I do is an attempt to give a big “screw you, I don’t need ya” to my pancreas.  So far, it’s working.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment