Gatorade, Sports Moms and Your Chance to Win a $100 Gift Card to Dick's Sporting Goods

Congratulations to commenter #5 on winning this sweepstakes!

Last week I was lucky enough to join a call with Gatorade and Stephanie Hamm-- mother of retired American soccer player and U.S. Olympian, Mia Hamm. Our time with Stephanie was short, but she was effective at communicating valuable advice about balancing it all. Because anyone with children in sports understands how difficult that can be.

(Watch this video with Stephanie Hamm!)

The most important thing that I took away from our conversation with Stephanie is that we should let our children try as many sports as they want to so that they can figure out what it is they love and thrive at.

My boys have played sports since they were three years old. And they have loved it. The Middle Child is the one who is passionate about sports.



When he was just a toddler, he fell in love with the game of basketball. He's played city league every single season (with the exception of the one season he broke his toe playing soccer.) He played on the 7th and 8th grade middle school team. And he has big plans for high school basketball, starting this summer.



This call with Gatorade was eye opening and full of extremely valuable information. I Thought I had been doing it right when it came to nutrition and hydration for my (not so) little athlete-- turns out, I wasn't.

I was taking notes so hard while listening to Lisa Esposito from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute.

Here are the key things that I learned during this part of the call

*Most athletes start practice already dehydrated. It is important that kids start drinking fluids that contain electrolytes 4 hours before practice.

*It's important that athletes have 10--20 grams protein at least 30-60 minutes after a game for muscle recovery.

*It's important that athletes have carbohydrates before a game and even during. This is where Gatorade is so beneficial. Not only is your child staying hydrated, but they are getting electrolytes and carbohydrates to keep them fueled up.

Gatorade has developed an amazing site for Sports Moms. From the main page:

The vital role you play in your young athlete’s achievement and success is immeasurable. Here you’ll find expert advice, insights and information to help you give your athlete the support they need at every stage of competitive development.

You should visit the site to check out all of the great resources. The thing that I most love about the site is Gatorade's BECOME campaign. This campaign is using real moms in their ads as well as real and celebrity moms in webisodes. I know how hard it is to be a Sports Mom, so it's great to see Gatorade recognizing these women and their young athletes with this campaign! You should definitely go take a look at these videos-- they are touching and inspirational. (I MAY have cried little bit a couple of times.)

I'm proud to be a part of this campaign, to help spread the word about Gatorade and what they're doing with Sports Moms. I'm also happy to be able to offer you a chance to win a $100 gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods. (Be sure to visit BlogHer'sPrizes & Promotions section for more chances to win!)

Here's what you need to do. Answer this question in the comment section.

If you had a chance to talk to the mother of a professional athlete and you could ask them one question, what would that question be?

You MUST include a valid email address within your comment to be entered to win. Sweepstakes dates are 6/1-6/30.

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry
methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment
on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on
this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about
an alternate form of entry.


This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be
selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

Good luck!

The One Where I Try Mary Kay Makeup For the First Time. Bonus: You Can Win a $100 Mary Kay Gift Basket!

Look at the pretty package I received from Mary Kay! I was asked to try a few of their products and then tell you all about my experience with them.

I received the following products:

* Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color bundle, which was customized for my eye color (brown.)
* Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color-- fade resistant color that contains vitamins A, C and
E to help protect your skin from wrinkle-causing radicals!
* Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara
* Mary Kay Tinted Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 15- tint color that provides moisture with
ingredients like jojoba oil and shea butter.

I also received the Mary Kay Compact Mini and I have tell you that I absolutely LOVE it! It is a magnetic, refillable compact that makes it easy to carry your favorite selection of Mary Kay products. It also has a compartment at the bottom to hold the brushes, but is compact enough to fit in a small handbag with ease. I look forward to switching out different colors in the future.



This:



Now looks like this:





Awesome, yes?

Now, onto the makeup!

I was a bit surprised to see blue shadow in my eye palette. I have never worn blue eyeshadow because I'm scared of blue eyeshadow. However, I was willing to trust Mary Kay and give it a try.

I have to say, I was grateful for the instructions provided. As much I love makeup, I am not very good at applying makeup. It was super helpful to have a "how to" guide to follow, especially since I was going to be using a color that I was not 100% comfortable using.

I'm happy to say that I was pleased with the results. The blue was deep, yet subtle and made my boring brown eyes "pop!"

Before:



After:



Can we talk about the mascara for a minute? Because this mascara was fabulous. It went on smoothly, made my lashes look long and thick without any clumping. I have been pretty set on the same mascara for a while now, but I will absolutely continue to use this mascara.



(Hello, wrinkles!)


Bonus: my daughter enjoying the heck out of the Tinted Lip Balm



Now, here comes the fun part! As part of this review, I will be giving away a $100 Mary Kay gift basket! Just leave a comment telling me which Mary Kay product you would love to try and you will be entered into the sweepstakes! You MUST leave an email address within your comment! Looking forward to reading your responses.

Be sure to visit BlogHer's Visit the Promotions & Prizes section to read more reviews and for more chances to win!


Good Luck!


Short Rules:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OT WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Mary Kay® Sweepstakes Official Rules: Sponsored by BlogHer, Inc. Four ways to enter:
1) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post;
2) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post;
3) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post;
4) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules and follow instructions for an alternate form of entry.

No duplicate comments. Limit to 2 entries per household. Begins June 1, 2011 at 9 AM PST and end ends June 30, 20011 at 5 PM PST. 10 Winners (one from each participating blog) will receive a gift basket of Mary Kay® products (ARV $100 per basket). Odds of winning will depend upon the total number of eligible entries received. Initial Winners will be notified by email and will have 72 hours to claim prize before it is awarded to the Alternate Winner. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, including D.C. who are 18 years or older. For complete official rules, click here.