GottaLoveMom

By: Cyd Deserva Potian Since 1992, I have been practicing Yoga lifestyle. I studied the philosophy behind a vegetarian diet, and the benefits of eating vegetables and fruit. I made a decision to change the way my six-year-old daughter and I ate. Meat was out, veggies and fruit were in. My daughter made the transition easily because she was able to have her usual singang , menudo , and dinuguan without adding meat to the dishes. I substituted tofu and other meat alternatives. The meat cravings were gone - out the door! Four of my children were born into the vegetarian lifestyle. The challenge for them came once they started school. Sadly, there are no vegetarian choices at their school. I would get up early every morning and prepare their favorite dishes. My children did not mind taking their lunch to school, since there was no other choice. I made lunch for my youngest son, who was four at the time. Steamed corn and mushrooms with brown miso paste on the side. His cla...

Kris Maszkiewicz is the founder of TopColoringPages.net, a website where coloring fans can download for free, printable coloring pages such as cartoon characters, super heroes, celebrities, nature designs for children and adults. Kris is based in Poland and is enjoying fatherhood. GottaLoveMom had a chance to talk to him about fatherhood. What inspired you to create your website? I am a father of a little boy named Antoni. He appeared in my world a year ago and virtually turned my world upside down. Everybody is ready for it until it happens, right? The day Antoni was born I decided to use my new-found energy and enthusiasm to create a website where children around the world can download coloring pages for free. As a child, I loved coloring pages and I thought that it was a good idea to spread this activity for future generations. That’s why I put together the website,  topcoloringpages.net,  with classic coloring pages in a modern package: You can ...

"There is something amazing about sharing stories. The ability to truly see another human being inside their story or to see their imagination at work is the greatest honor. " - Natasha Reilly, Artist, Writer, Founder of CreativeNachos.com What’s your morning routine? David Bowie’s song, Under Pressure , is the alarm that sounds first thing and kicks off my morning routine. I just love that song and when I hear it I start giggling before my eyes are even open. This idea that I’m “under pressure” to get up and get the day started cracks me up. Once the kids are off to school, you can find me engaged in yoga or some form of exercise before I sit down to begin working. Usually I will start by responding to emails and then dive in to work with clients or focus on my own creative projects.

I’m a California girl at heart, whose soul now belongs to New York.   I’m a jaded, romantic, who believes in crazy-about-you love. I’m a daydreamer and goalkeeper. And I’m always planning my next adventure.  What’s your morning routine?   My weekday routine, during the school year may scare people away, so I’m going to tell you what a typical Sunday is like.  I’m the first to get up and my dog, Stella follows me downstairs. I love the quiet stillness in the morning in my kitchen, with the sun streaming in.  I start my day with a glass of warm lemon water – and coffee with almond milk and cinnamon.  Then I walk Stella.  We live on an acre of land and our backyard looks like a park.  It’s a nice meditative time with her, until she sees a rabbit or deer and then I have to chase her down. I have a nice breakfast, then it’s off to work out.  I’m currently obsessed with TRX/Spin fusion classes and Pilates. I work out at least 4 days a wee...

How do you describe yourself? What tickles your imagination? I am the proud mother of three beautiful children, the complementary half of my life partner/soulmate, and a nonprofit professional and philanthropist. I love travel, art, languages and people of other cultures.  I also like to keep busy, to continuously learn new things, to connect people, to find solutions, and to help others.  I also like the odd and peculiar, and things that are rare and hard to find. What’s your morning routine?   I am a morning person.  I’m usually awake around 4 AM -5 AM.  I use this time to just lie in bed, and reflect and mediate.  This is when I thank God and the Universe for all that I have and have gone through, and for what the current day will hold for me.  I also plan out my day and figure out which things need to be done, when and in what order. What is your everyday “go-to” outfit? I’m usually simple.  If it’s fall/winter, I wear...

Melissa Nicole Ocampo was born and raised in Long Island , NY . She studied Media and Communications at SUNY Old Westbury, and has worked in Sports Broadcasting since 2012.  Melissa is the Founder of Social Beehive NY , a Social Media Marketing and Beauty Pageant Consulting Agency.  Melissa advocates for the awareness of Domestic and Dating Violence and the rights and welfare of the victims and survivors. How did you decide to join the beauty pageant? I grew up watching pageants and, in 2007, decided to compete in one. From there , I was hooked. How did you prepare for your most recent competition - swimsuit, talent, formal wear competition? I competed in the Miss New York USA pageant. From past experience, I knew that the USA/ Universe system is based solely on appearance, so I focused my preparation on working out.  Out of all the pageants I've competed, t he Miss USA system is by far my favorite production to be a part of. However, ...

"I believe most people don’t understand that individuals with autism are still people. Individuals with autism learn differently and develop at a slower pace, but they are still unique individuals with varied interests and personalities, just like everyone else." Cheryl Ocampo, 40, is the founder of the non-profit organization,  Queens County Parents Coalition (QCPAC).   QCPAC is a support network for families who have children with autism. Cheryl is the mother of three: Joshua (22), Isaiah (18), and Zariah (13).  Her daughter, her youngest child, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  As a Behavior Intervention Specialist, Cheryl works with adults who have autism and developmental disabilities.

Lyca, aka @lykkeve , 29, is an Assistant Manager at a Call Center in the Philippines. A job she is happy to have. But the effects of working different hours on a rotating basis, over a long period of time, took its toll on her. In this interview, Lyca tells a riveting story of what the negative effects of her job had on her mind and body, and subsequently, how she turned her life around. Today, Lyca is happy and healthy. She continues to work at the job she landed right out of college. HOW HAS WORKING FOR A CALL CENTER AFFECTED YOUR HEALTH? I was active in sports and was part of a varsity team back in high school and college. When I started working in my early 20’s, my love for sports stopped. I was too excited to work. When I graduated from college, I landed a job with BPO Industry working in the call center as a “call center agent”.  Due to shifting schedules on a monthly basis, I had to adjust to different sleep patterns.  There were times when my mind a...