I absolutely do not believe in dieting. I don’t think I have even been on a true ‘diet’ before. What I have done is modify my eating habits to fit my lifestyle. What does that mean? It means when the scale is being particularly nasty to me, I look at what and how much I have been shoveling into my mouth. The usual culprits are too many dinners out or too much vino over the weekend. Two things that are very easy to manage. I don’t have to starve myself or eat only grapefruit for 3 weeks or buy a whole slew of different foods at the grocery store. When I need to drop a couple lbs I just sharpen what I have already been doing for over 10 years now.
By now, you have all read that the best way to feed your body is with 5 to 6 small meals a day. Well, that’s true. It’s interesting because I don’t even remember making a conscious decision to make this my lifestyle. My body led me there because it couldn’t handle the ups and downs of the traditional three meals a day. 5 hours between every meal left my blood sugar low, my mood foul and my stomach growling. You know what would happen next – fat fest. It is really the worst way to eat because your body clings to that food out of fear of being starved again. Definitely not a way to lose weight. Grazing is the healthiest and most natural way to fuel your body. This fact became even more clear when I had my kids. After trying in vein to sit them down for ‘meal-time’ I saw that this was a futile task. They never ate. They eat when they are hungry which surprise, surprise is 5-6 times per day of small meals.
Here is an example of how I eat during the week:
Breakfast: greek yogurt with cup of blueberries or strawberries, 2 cups of coffee and lots of water
Snack: Myoplex Light Carb protein shake (strawberry)
Lunch: half a light carb pita with turkey, 1/2 slice of swiss cheese and tabouli…more water
Snack: banana and mozzarella cheese stick…water, water and more water
Dinner: bunless buffalo burger and mixed green salad with vinaigrette *I never eat past 5:30 pm*
and of course dessert…1 glass of red wine and 2 tiny Famous Amos cookies
On the weekends I allow myself more flexibility because I know I can get everything back on track come Monday. I could write menu after menu so drop me a line if you would like to see more examples.
Written by Lea Barlow •
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I’m usually quite the sucker for over-priced skin care products. My tinted moisturizer comes in just over $50, my eye cream a little under $70 and I’ve been seriously eyeing a $250 regenerative serum made of some very questionable ingredients. In my mind, I off-set those expenses with my $1.50 astringent – generic witch hazel from the corner drugstore. My dermatologist turned me on to this natural toner while cleaning my face at one of my ‘recapturing of youth’ sessions. The astringent properties in this herb from the witch hazel tree, provides a dual purpose for not only toning, but also has stong antioxidant properties, which makes it an ideal toner for oily and combination skin. The herb does an excellent job of absorbing oil without making your skin feel dry and screaming for moisturizer. Because I believe 6 am is a little too early to splash cold water all over my face, I use a cotton swab of witch hazel instead. It instantly refreshes my face and actually takes a lot of the puffiness away from my eyes. Witch hazel is also one of the main ingredients found in more expensive toners, astringents and interestingly enough, hemorrhoid cream. The generic bottle looks a bit out of place next to all of my fancier lotions and potions on my counter but it’s definitely one of the more effective – especially for the price.
Written by Lea Barlow •
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Name: Gayle Guyardo
Kids: 4 Katie(12) Lindsay (10) Ali (4) Ella (3)
Occupation: TV Host for TVGoods and Former Morning News Anchor
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
H&H Interview with Gayle:
1. What are the top 3 items in your grocery cart?
Milk (I’m a dairy farmers daughter) – avocado, wine
2. What are you reading (honestly)?
“Good-Night Moon” – too many kids for adult books
3. What is your guilty pleasure when you get a break from the kids?
My husband!
4. What would we be surprised to find in your purse?
My daughter’s lip gloss
5. What is your favorite reality TV show?
Shark Tank
6. What is your cocktail of choice?
Grey Goose Martini Straight up with a twist of lemon
7. What is the funniest thing your kids have said or done lately?
Oh God everything – they always make me smile.
8. What is your favorite quotation?
Children will not remember you for the material things you provide but for the feelings that you cherished them – Richard L Evans.
9. What are you currently working out to on your iPod?
Black Eye Peas Lil’Wayne
10. Who is your favorite celebrity mom?
Demi Moore
11. What is something most people don’t know about you?
I can REALLY box.
12. What is your secret to staying Hot & Healthy?
Hanging out with my four little girls!
Written by Lea Barlow •
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I absolutely do not believe in dieting. I don’t think I have even been on a true ‘diet’ before. What I have done is modify my eating habits to fit my lifestyle. What does that mean? It means when the scale is being particularly nasty to me, I look at what and how much I have been shoveling into my mouth. The usual culprits are too many dinners out or too much vino over the weekend. Two things that are very easy to manage. I don’t have to starve myself or eat only grapefruit for 3 weeks or buy a whole slew of different foods at the grocery store. When I need to drop a couple lbs I just sharpen what I have already been doing for over 10 years now.
