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Winter Sports Tips from Gatorade + Gift Pack Giveaway

November 22, 2010 By

To help raise awareness of the effects of dehydration during winter sports & activities, Gatorade asked me to share these great tips from Brooke de Lench.  They are also generously offering a Gatorade Prize Pack giveaway, as well.

winter sports giveaway

Helping Student Athletes Perform Their Best

With the school sports season underway, the nation’s 30 million middle and high school athletes face challenges like never before. Competition for roster spots, playing time and athletic scholarships is at an all-time high. Mothers of these athletes are equally challenged with ensuring their kids perform their best in school and on the playing field. To help, sports parenting expert Brooke de Lench – a mom, former athlete, youth coach, author and founder of the sports parenting resource MomsTeam.com – recommends the following game plan:

Blow the Whistle at Bedtime. Studies show that students need nine hours of sleep but only get about seven. Set a consistent “lights out” time for turning off the computer, cell phone and television so young athletes get the rest they need. Consider docking texting and gaming devices away from their bedroom to reduce late-night distractions.

Fuel the Burn. Active young athletes need at least 3,000 calories per day for peak performance, so they need to eat very frequently. Help them maintain energy throughout the day by sending them off with healthy, high-carb, low-fat snacks such as energy bars, trail mix or dried fruit to munch at their desks (if it’s ok with the teacher). Students with early morning workouts should eat two breakfasts – one before the workout and one before school.  So, send athletes to practice with a snack to help them recover and refuel.

Be Proactive About Hydration.  Staying hydrated during the school day is challenging. In fact, studies show that many student athletes start their sports already dehydrated, making it difficult for them to catch up during activity.  For safety and performance reasons athletes need to be hydrated no matter what the season, and water isn’t enough because it doesn’t hydrate as effectively as a sports drink like Gatorade that is scientifically formulated with fluid, electrolytes and carbohydrates to rapidly replace what athletes lose through sweat and provide energy to keep them at the top of their game.

Use Sports Sense to Power Schoolwork. Great athletes are disciplined, focused and dedicated. Help young athletes channel these qualities to manage their schoolwork as well. Encourage them to use free time at school to review notes or knock off smaller assignments. Also, coach them to tackle the tough stuff first. Young athletes will be tired after sports, so they should finish priority and difficult homework earlier in the day.

Don’t Forget the Fun. Youth sports may be increasingly competitive, but the top reason kids play sports is to enjoy the game. Look out for warning signs that students are struggling to enjoy the experience, and work with them to find a solution. Warning signs include: complaints of sickness at practice or game time; slow return to practice after injury; nervousness, anxiety or anger before, during or after the game; practices well but plays poorly.

Brooke de Lench is the author of Home Team Advantage: The Critical Role of Mothers in Youth Sports.

Disclosure: Giftpack was provided.

gatorade dicks sporting goods giveaway

Giveaway

One lucky Blommi reader will win a Gatorade Prize Pack: whick includes a 6-pack of Gatorade G2 and a $50 Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card.

Choose any or all entry methods below (be sure to leave a comment for each):

  • Tell me about an experience you have had or witnessed concerning dehydration, or something you learned from Brooke’s post.
  • Follow this blog via email
  • Follow this blog via RSS
  • Follow me through Google Friend Connect
  • Follow both @Gatorade and @TwiMommi on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway up to one time per day (incl. link to tweet in comment).
  • For 2 entries! “Like” Blommi on Facebook (be sure to leave 2 separate comments)
  • For 2 entries! Grab my button and post it on your blog, or add Blommi.com to your blogroll.  Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment.  (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
  • For 2 Entries! Blog about this giveaway with a live link back to this post (be sure to leave 2 separate comments)

One winner will be randomly selected from all entries and validity of entry will be checked.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification.  If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be selected. Giveaways hosted on Blommi are sponsored by third parties. Site owner will of course endeavor to see all prizes are fulfilled, but is not responsible for fulfillment, nor for missing or damaged prizes. Contest ends December 7, at 11:59 pm CT.  Open to US residents , age 18+.

Confirmed winner Margaret S.

Filed Under: Food & Beverage, Reviews /Giveaways Tagged With: , ,

Exergen Temporal Thermometer: Review and Giveaway

October 12, 2010 By

exergen temporal thermaometer reviewMy preschool age daughter has always hated getting her temperature taken, so I was very happy to have the opportunity, to review a Temporal Scanner Thermometer.  There is little worse than trying to get an already sick and cranky three year old to sit still with a thermometer in her mouth.  The scanner came in early last week, and my daughter and husband both obligingly came down with colds by Friday, so I got to try out the thermometer on my “patients”.

taking temperature with temporal thermometerThe Exergen Temporal Scanner Infrared Thermometer was both effective, and very easy to use.  To take a temperature,  just push the button and slide it across the forehead for a reading.   It is just like the ones most of us have already experienced in our doctors office.  Perfect for taking the temperature of a sick child who is sleeping.

The first time I used it on my daughter, she was a little put off by the beeping, but after a couple times, she didn’t think anything of it.  This thermometer was so much more convenient than the oral one I was using before.  My daughter doesn’t fuss, anymore.  It is much faster and the results have been consistent and accurate (I tested it against 2 other thermometers I had in the house, on myself).  It was also nice, not to have to disinfect it after each use, I just sprayed it with Lysol once, after they started to feel better.

I would fully recommend this product to anyone, but it is especially suitable for anyone with younger children.

Disclosure: While I was sent a sample product, for the purpose of this review, all opinions presented here are entirely my own.

Giveaway

One lucky Blommi reader will win an Temporal Scanner Infrared Thermometer, courtesy of Exergen.

Mandatory Entry (must be done for all other entries to count): Visit this Exergen webpage and either tell me something you learned about this thermometer, or which of the listed stores is most convenient for you.

For additional entries:

  • Follow this blog via email
  • Follow this blog via feed.
  • Follow me through Google Friend Connect
  • Follow both  @Exergen and @TwiMommi on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (can be done once daily) 
  • For 2 entries! Become a fan (now called like) Blommi on Facebook (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
  • For 2 entries! Become a fan (now called like) Exergen on Facebook (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
  • For 2 entries! Grab my button and post it on your blog, or add Blommi.com to your blogroll.  Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment.  (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
  • For 3 Entries! Blog about this giveaway with a live link back to this post (blog must be public & have a minimum of 25 followers) 

One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification.  If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be drawn.  Contest ends October 28, 2010 at 11:59 pm CT.  Open to  US residents, age 18+.

Confirmed winner laura!

Filed Under: Reviews /Giveaways Tagged With: , , , , ,

Giveaway: Get Ready for Cold Season with Halls

October 7, 2010 By

halls giveaway

Cold season is already starting.  My preschooler caught a cold after just a couple weeks of school.  It is always good to be prepared before a cold or flu strikes, so that you are not dragging yourself to the store, when you should be in bed, or even worse toting a sick child around to pick up remedies. 

For many of us HALLS is a staple when sickness strikes, but we often overlook it’s usefulnes in alleviating the symptoms associated with allergies.  The menthol vapor action of HALLS can help open up your nasal passages, and sooth a scratchy throat at the same time.  We use HALLS in our home, to combat both allerigies and illness.

While I can’t handle the full power Advanced HALLS Mentho-Lyptus flavor like my husband can, I find the regular Cherry version helps my symptoms pretty well.

Disclosure: I received a couple samples, for the purpose of this review, through the Family Review Network.  All opinions presented here are my own.

Giveaway

Two winners will each receive 10 stick packs of HALLS.

No Mandatory entry on this one, just complete as many of the entries below, as you would like.

  • Tell me what your favorite HALLS product is.
  • Follow this blog via email or RSS.
  • Follow me through Google Friend Connect
  • Follow  @TwiMommi on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway up to 1x per time per day  (leave a separate comment for each tweet)
  • For 2 entries! Become a fan (now called like)  HALLS on Facebook
  • For 2 entries! Become a fan (now called like) Blommi on Facebook 
  • For 2 entries! Grab my button and post it on your blog, or add Blommi.com to your blogroll.  Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment.  (remember to leave 2 separate comments)

One winner  will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification.  If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be selected.  Contest ends October 18, 2010 at 11:59 pm CT.  Open to residents of the US and Canada, age 18+.

Filed Under: Reviews /Giveaways Tagged With: , ,

NJ Candle Shop: Review and Giveaway

September 26, 2010 By

NJ Candle Shop logo

I recently had the opportunity to try out a few products from NJ Candle Shop.  The basket I received had a glass wax melts warmer, with an unwicked scents double melt, in the scent Winter Pagoda.  It also contained a coconut scented exfloliating lip balm and an Insane Moisture scrub bar, in Enchanted Vanilla.  The items arrived nicely presented in a wrapped basket.

lip scrubMy daughter and I first tried the lip scrub.  It is a shea and jojoba balm which uses sugar crystals to give it exfoliating abilities.  My daughter liked this stuff a little too much and I had to stash it away.  She kept wanting me to put it on her lips.  It did work pretty well I must say.

I have used the Insane Moisture scrub bar several times now. I love the way the works.  I really like how soft it makes my hands, and the effect doesn’t just last a few hours like most moisurizers, it lasts days.  I would say the name is a little misleading  though, while it is a solid I would deem it more of a cake than a bar.  There is so much Shea and Jojoba in it, that it isn’t hard like soap.  The vanilla scent was deliciously strong.

The Winter Pagoda melts had an exotic insense like scent, and make for a great alternative to smoky insense.   The melts last a long time, deliver a lot of scent and no smoke or soot.

warmer and melts

If you decide to order just mention Blommi when you order and NJ Candle Shop will give you 10% off your order.

Disclosure: I had actually won this basket on another blog.  I thought my readers might like these products, so agreed to do a review/giveaway.

Giveaway

One lucky reader will win a similar basket, in the scents of their choice.

Mandatory Entry (must be done first for these to count): Visit the NJ Candle Shop, and tell me one product & scent you think you would most like.

For additional entries:

  • Follow this blog via email 
  • Follow this blog via RSS Feed
  • Follow me through Google Friend Connect
  • Follow  @TwiMommi and @NJCandleShop on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway up to one time per day. Feel free to use this tweet “  Win a @NJCandleShop Gift Basket from @TwiMommi http://is.gd/fuSwa #giveaway  “
  •  Fan (now called Like) NJCandleShop on Facebook .
  •  Fan (now called Like)  Blommi on Facebook. 
  • For 2 entries! Grab my button and post it on your blog, or add Blommi to your blogroll.  Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment.  (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
  • For 3  entries! Book a party (IRL or Catalog), or sign up to be  a Candlista .

One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification.  If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be drawn.  Contest ends October 10, 2010 at 11:59 pm CT.  Open to US residents , age 18+.

Confirmed winner Nicole Greene

Filed Under: Household, Reviews /Giveaways Tagged With: , ,

PureZone HEPA Sleep System: Review and Giveaway

September 15, 2010 By

purezone hepa logo

When I was given the opportunity to review a PureZone HEPA sleep system, I jumped at the chance. I’m quite tired of waking up all stuffy, and my husband can’t stand my snoring (although it doesn’t seem to bother my toddler at all, who is always trying to invade our bed).

purezone systemThe PureZone sleep system provides fresh filtered air in the breathing zone, while you sleep. The HEPA filter removes 99.97 of airborne allergens, within just a minute. The filtered air is pumped into a special pillowcase sleeve which encases your regular pillow. This special pillowcase not only supplies the filtered air to your breathing zone, but also ensures that dust mite debris from your pillow doesn’t enter your allergen-free air zone.

The PureZone system is an effective way to protect asthma and allergy sufferers at night, helping them get decent sleep.  Dust mite covers, stripping fabrics and carpeting  and room filters can lessen allergens, but don’t ensure a pure clean supply of air directly in the breathing zone, like PureZone does.

The unit can be set up to attach to the bed, or as a free standing unit.  Initial set-up only took a few short minutes, but plan ahead.  The pillowcase needs to be washed prior to use, and I suggested running the unit all-day prior to your first night sleeping with it.  I tried using the unit without doing so, and the “new product” smell bugged me, so I shut it off.  After running it most of the next day, I had no further problem at all.

I didn’t notice that the PureZone was helping, until about 3 days of use.  That is the point when I noticed that I had not been waking up stuffy and coughing.  Being the inquisitive sort that I am, I tried stopping use for a few days, halfway through my purezone remotesecond week of use.  The stuffiness came back, so I re-started use of the PureZone.  I am pleased to say my morning stuffiness, is now gone again.

The system is easy to use, and sturdy.  The unit can be turned on and off, and temperature and fan settings can be readily adjusted with the backlit button on the remote control.  The PureZone I tested received it’s fair share of abuse from my curious toddler, and made  it through completely unscathed, so I can attest to it’s safety and durability

purezone toddler sleepAs I write this, my 3 year old is taking a nap on the pillow attached to the system right now.  She has a head cold, and the filtered air seems to help her breathe better.

Verdict:  It works.  The system makes a gentle white noise while running, is easy to use, durable and did indeed, help with breathing and allergies.

Buy it Now : Vist PureZone and use the exclusive discount code BLOM50 to save $50 off the purchase price of a PureZone HEPA Sleep System.

Disclosure: While I received a unit to try for this review, all opinions presented here are entirely my own.

Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive a PureZone HEPA Sleep System of their own, courtesy of PureZone.

Mandatory Entry (must be done for all others to count): Visit the PureZone website, and tell me something you  liked or learned about it .

For additional entries:

  • For 2 entries! Follow this blog via email or RSS
  • Follow me through Google Friend Connect
  • Follow both @TwiMommi  and @PureZone on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway up to 1x per time per day  (leave a separate comment for each tweet) Feel free to use this tweet, or write one of your own ” Win a PureZone HEPA Sleep System, and beat Allergies and Asthma (ARV $329) from @PureZone + @TwiMommi  http://is.gd/fcvrm #Giveaway “
  • For 2 entries! Become a fan (now called like)  PureZone on Facebook
  • For 2 entries! Become a fan (now called like) Blommi on Facebook 
  • For 2 entries! Grab my button and post it on your blog, or add Blommi.com to your blogroll.  Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment.  (remember to leave 2 separate comments)

One winner  will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification.  If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be selected.  Contest ends September 30, 2010 at 11:59 pm CT.  Open to US residents , age 18+.

Congrats to the confirmed winner Kayte.

Filed Under: Household, Reviews /Giveaways Tagged With: , , ,

Back-to-School with Kid Safe Sunscreen from Marie Veronique Organics

August 27, 2010 By 5 Comments

kid safe Sunscreen Marie Veronique organicsWe all think about sunscreen when planning summer activities with our children, but it is important not to overlook sun protection as the school year commences.  You will not be there to apply it, so it usually has to go on during the often hectic time when we are getting our kids ready for school.  Not the time when you want to be dealing with messy slow to dry sprays or lotions.

Marie Veronique Organics has a good sunscreen option available for back to school.  This kid safe sunscreen dries almost immediately.  It also provides instant protection upon application, unlike most sunscreens which take approximately a half an hour to reach full effectiveness.  The small bottle show here would be a useful  inclusion to the backback of any child who is old enough to self apply some screen.  It would also be great for kids who participate in after school outdoor sports.

The SPF is 25+ and this screen provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.  The only thing I did not care for about this screen was the addition of ylang ylang essential oil.  Although the scent faded pretty quickly, it did give the lotion an unnecessary perfumy quality upon application, so this might be a better choice for girls.

Disclosure:  While I received a sample for the purpose of this review, all opinions presented here are entirely my own.

Filed Under: Reviews /Giveaways Tagged With: , , , ,

De Odor Works Stainless Steel Deodorant Bar Review

August 15, 2010 By

de odor works logo

As someone who worked in restaurants for many years, I was familiar with the practice of chefs/cooks rubbing their fingers on stainless steel, under running water to remove kitchen odors like garlic, onions and fish.  Hence, when I was approached to review the De Odor Works stainless steel deodorant bar, I didn’t find the technology particularly odd or unbelievable.

De Odor Works ReviewThe deodorant bars are made of approximately 2 ounces of medical grade stainless steel, so they are very lightweight.  They work by rubbing the bar on typically odoriferous body areas, for about 30 seconds, under running water.

De Odor Works has no chemicals, so it is good both for those with sensitive skin and the environment.  It can be used on any part of the body, and you never have to worry about running out of De Odor Works, the stainless steel bar will last indefinitely.  Deodor Works Stainless Steel bars can be purchased right on the website, for $19.95, and have a 30 day money back guarantee.

Verdict: While I find a  noticable  difference when using this bar, in my opinion it is not a complete replacement for deodorant.

Disclosure:  I received a sample product for the purpose of review, but all opinions presented here are entirely my own and no monetary compensation was given.

Giveaway is closed

The winner will received a  stainless steel deodorant bar, courtesy of De Odor Works.

Winner was  Kristi!

Filed Under: Reviews /Giveaways Tagged With: , , ,

Pocket Purifier Review

July 15, 2010 By

I recently had the opportunity, to review the Pocket Purifier from Purely Products.  It is a hand held sanitizing device, which kills germs with the power of a 4 watt UV light. The unit even has a built in flashlight, how handy is that.

pocket purifier review

 

I am sure some of you are already aware of the germicidal properties of UV light and how it works, but just in case you weren’t aware, it is a very simple concept.  UV light destroys the ability of DNA to replicate.  If a germ can’t replicate, it can’t spread infection.  Passing the UV light over the object you want to purify for 10 to 15 seconds is enough to get the job done.

I decided the perfect spot for my Pocket Purifier, was in my SUV.  I love having it on hand when my toddler and I go shopping.  Cart handles are a well know germ hot spot, and I just pass the Pocket Purifier light over the handle, and areas my daughter is likely to put her hands on.  I used to use disinfecting wipes to do this, but didn’t care for the way it made the cart wet.

In the fall, I switch to a larger handbag, and will carry the Pocket Purifier along with me.  Cold and germ season will be starting to stir then, and my daughter will be at the point in her potty training where we will have to deal with public facilities (something I dread).  The  hand held germ fighter will make me feel a bit better about the whole thing I am sure.

Although there is no way to actually see whether the Pocket Purifier is killing off the germ population on treated areas, the technology is widely used in hospitals and labs, so I feel confident in it’s effectiveness.  The device takes 4 “AA “, which are not included.  The Pocket Purifier can run up to 9,000 hours on one set of batteries though, so you won’t be changing them anytime soon.

pink pocket purifier

Purely Products’ Pocket Purifier retails for $19.99.  It is available in both black and pink, and can be purchased at Lowes stores, and at Amazon.com.

Disclosure:  While I received a complimentary sample of this product from Purely Products through MamaBzz, for the purpose of review, all opinions presented here are my own.

Filed Under: Eco-Friendly, Reviews /Giveaways Tagged With: , ,

SuperGoop! Sunblock Moisturizer: Review and Giveaway

July 13, 2010 By

SuperGoop

I was sent some SuperGoop! Everyday Face & Body Moisturizer with Parsol 1789 Plus to review recently.  SuperGoop! is a fragrance free UVA & UVB sunscreen for sensitive skin.  It is highly water resistant and fortifies skin with the antioxidants A, C & E.  This sunscreen meets the strict Healthy Child Healthy World standards, as well as, the European daily suncare recommendations, which are stricter than in the US.

SuperGoop! does not contain oxybenzone, proplyene glycol and octinoxate, and endocrine disruptors such as parabens, like some other brands.  These ingredients have been identified as possible carcinogens.  It makes little sense to me to cover your body in a possible carcinogen, in order to try and prevent skin cancer.

My more concienscious readers will be happy to know, that SuperGoop! is both environmentally friendly and cruelty free.

I tried SuperGoop! myself a few days ago.  I put it on my face shortly after getting to the beach.  I used a spray on screen from another company on the rest of me.  Well, my face did not burn at all, but my shoulders and back got rather fried.  While I am not particularly prone to break outs, I have had other sunscreens give me a small pore clog problem in the past.  This did not happen with the SuperGoop, probably due to the absence of fragrance and  toxins.

Giveaway

One winner will receive a 1.6 oz. tube of SuperGoop! Everyday SPF 30+, just like I reviewed (ARV $14).

Mandatory Entry (must be done for all other entries to count): Visit either the SuperGoop! website, and tell me something you liked or learned.

For additional entries:

  • Follow this blog via email or RSS
  • Follow me through Google Friend Connect
  • Follow both @SuperGoop and @TwiMommi on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway up to one time per day.
  • Become a fan (now called like) SuperGoop! Facebook
  •  Become a fan (now called like) Blommi on Facebook 
  • For 2 entries! Grab my button and post it on your blog, or add Blommi.com to your blogroll.  Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment.  (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
  • For 3 Entries! Blog about this giveaway with a live link back to this post (be sure to leave 3 separate comments)

One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification.  If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be drawn.  Contest ends July 27 , 2010 at 11:59 pm CT.  Open to US residents , age 18+.

Confirmed winner Missy R.

Filed Under: Reviews /Giveaways Tagged With: , ,
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