Piece of Cake Reviews

Walgreens rocks

2011-06-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

I was raised on name brands. Had to have them. My jeans were Guess, my sneakers K Swiss, my shirts said Benetton. Generic to me always meant second best.

And I wanted best.

Well, things have changed. Four kids, school tuition, grocery bills, doctors bills, rent to pay...and needless to say, somewhere, somehow, I needed to find a way to save. Sure, I could do without the name brands on my clothing. I could even do with generic groceries. But skimp on Health and Wellness products? Take a chance on medicine I need for my children? Dare I even suggest generic feminine hygiene? Not a chance.

And then I found Walgreens.

Walgreens products are not just a great value that allows my family to live within our means, but they are products I can buy knowing that just because they are not a name brand, I am in no way sacrificing quality or trust. Walgreens products are pharmacist recommended, contain the same active ingredients as other name brands, and have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. I can't tell you how happy this makes me, because I can still feel like I am giving my family the best, while staying on budget.

Just for fun, I did a little price comparing while shopping at Walgreens today...

the sunscreen (and do you even know how much money I spend a year on sunscreen for a family of 6??), teeth whitening kit, and children's cold medicine, all came to about $30...that is more than HALF of the price, had I bought three name brand products.

So knowing how much money I save, there's room for a treat for Luke.

A win-win for everyone.

And how about a win for you too?

I will be giving away a $100 Walgreens gift card, provided by BlogHer. (think of how much sunblock you can stock up on for the summer!!!)

Leave a comment telling me what Walgreen's Brand Health & Wellness products you have tried, or how many bottles of sunscreen you go through in a summer, for a chance to win.

Giveaway starts June 6th and runs through June 30th.

Walgreens rocks.

Try Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness products. Visit the Walgreens site and BlogHer Round-up page for more information. And while you are at it, check out Walgreens Way to Well Fund!

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 .

GATORADE, you had me at "Become"

2011-03-31T03:00:00.000-07:00

This is a sponsored post from BlogHer and GATORADE.

A couple of weeks ago, I was on the phone with my girlfriend. Between the two of us, we have eight kids. Our entire call was about the sports our children are playing. The travel teams, the tournament teams, the drives back and forth, the way we manage to fit dinner in, the trips we take for sports training, the amount of time we spend on the bleachers, the amount of money we invest in these activities, the way our husbands get crazy over what our kids play and how well they play them, and so on, and so on.

When I hung up the phone, exhausted just from talking about our kids' ridiculous schedules, I couldn't help but wonder....

why do we moms do this?

Managing four kids is enough of a job. And between school, homework, religion class, and socializing, do I really need to be busting my ass to get Jack to his 567th basketball practice of the week? I am quite the traveling circus...kids stuffed in the mini van, basketballs rolling around the brake pedal at my feet, back packs full of homework that will have to wait until we leave the sports facility, and then dinner...???? Who the hell is making dinner after all of that?

So, now, you just might be asking yourself...why do we moms do this???

Until I came across this Gatorade website, I don't know that I could have put my feelings about my kids' involvement in sports into the right words.

Have you checked these sites out? Warning...you will need a box of tissues for the real sports moms documentaries.

And as it turns out, there is an unbelievable science behind Gatorade.

Behind the red and blue color, are electrolytes, carbohydrates, sodium, and protein, that all play an important role in our athletes rehydration.

who knew?

But what truly has me singing the praises of Gatorade?

Mom and Gatorade have similar goals.

You see, as a Sports Mom, I am responsible for way more than schlepping kids from one activity to the next, and looking super cute in the bleachers. My duties go beyond signing up for snacks, baking the cake for the Championship Game after party, and flirting with the really hot coach that looks exactly like Ashton Kutcher. I am one of nearly 13 million moms in America that are raising an athlete. (study showed 7/10 moms with kids in middle or high school have kids in sports, the 13 million represents moms with kids in that age group) It is up to me to make sure that my kids show up to practice ready to perform their absolute best. And this means I have to fuel them with way more than a pair of brand new Kobe sneakers, and an enthusiastic "Go get 'em, Champ!"

But I am not alone in this awesome responsibility.

77% of Sports Moms see themselves as nearly solely responsible for their kids eating habits.

wow.

That is, in my book, big.

The eating habits I teach my kids now are most likely going to be the habits they carry into adulthood.

And up until I spent time on this Gatorade site, I had thought I was doing a really great job.

Turns out?

I suck.

I happen to be one of the 75% of Sports Moms that didn't know that in order to help promote muscle recovery, their athletes should consume protein within a 30-60 minute window post-exercise. Hmmm...maybe that Burger King "reward shake" after a good game isn't the best choice for my budding super star???

I am also the Sports Mom that had no idea that 70% of teen athletes show up for athletic events dehydrated.

Yup.

I am the mom of the really thirsty kid.

I am thirty just thinking about it.

(excuse me while I get something to drink..seriously...I am suddenly so freakin' thirsty)

Also, according to *this study, more than half of Sports Moms report that their kids aren't eating appropriately to fuel before practice, and aren't able to eat a meal within an hour of the activity, as well.

I have to say. The more I learned from Gatorade, the more I felt like a Sports Mom failure.

I mean, I am the one who feeds my family. And have you seen my family? They are BIG. Did you know that kids in sports eat one extra meal per week? That might explain why Jack eats so damn much.

It is a tough balance...don't you agree?

Short of having a full time nanny, personal chef, housekeeper, and math tutor on the side, this juggling act is not always an easy one. In fact, the top challenges Sports Moms say they face in raising young athletes is helping kids to achieve balance between school, sports, friends and family (81%), ensuring their athlete gets enough sleep (76%) and proper nutrition (69%).

I would personally like to add "lack of a sex life" to that list.

Just sayin'.

Hmmmmm.....one might still be wondering why we Sports Moms do this.

And as if everything I have mentioned isn't enough to make you throw out your kids sports equipment and hand him a kazoo instead, lets talk about the expense involved. Sports Moms spend $154 a month on their kids entire span of extracurricular activities. This topic is a personal one for me. Money...or the lack of it...has been our struggle for years now. And every last dime seems to go to basketball registration, or baseball camp, or yes...a new pair of Kobe sneakers. Next week begins cheer leading and football registrations, as well as basketball for Luke. Every time I think we might have some extra cash to, oh, I don't know...call me crazy, but say...go out on a date...or take a vacation, heaven forbid, or buy a multi pack box of tampons with the plastic applicator, ...a new sports season rolls around, and there goes the money. Not to mention my time. Sports Moms spend 32 hours per month supporting their kids' entire span of extracurricular activities, and nearly three quarters-72%-say they give up their own personal time to help balance their athletes' activities (sleep, personal activities, spending time with friends)

hmm....now I really want to know...why the hell am I doing this???????

When the kids were really little, it was hard to juggle.

But not anymore.

8 in 10 Sports Moms say it's no problem balancing the demands of their young athletes with other responsibilities.

Now it is fun.

Plus, the football field has a snack shack.

And grandma and grandpa come to the games, and always have money for the snack shack.

It's a family affair.

I love it.

So maybe that is it? Perhaps that is my answer as to why I do all of this.

I have heard many people's opinions on this matter.

Some say our kids are over scheduled.

Others say we don't play enough with our kids.

Most would tell me to save my money for myself.

Some complain that we are too competitive.

And then there is the ever popular "stop living your dream through your child" remark.

But did you know that 9 out of 10 sports moms say they just want their young athletes to have fun?

THEY JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN.

But it is more than that.

89% want their child to learn teamwork.

86% want their child to learn hard work and discipline.

85% want their kid to learn life skills.

And 81% like the idea of a group of friends to connect with.

Not sure why this survey left out the moms who like to hang around cute young movie star look alike coaches.

Next survey, perhaps.

So I spent nearly an hour on this Gatorade website...no joke...you will too...

and I found myself crying my eyes out.

And want to hear the crazy thing? You want to know what made me cry the hardest?

It was when I read the word...BECOME.

Yup.

BECOME.

It made me cry.

You see, that is all I want for my kids.

To become all that they can possibly be.

I want them to know that they can become anything.

I want them to know that the harder they work,

the more they sweat,

and the bigger obstacles they are challenged by,

the better they will become.

I want them to know what it feels like to lose.

I want them to face failure head on.

And then I want them to perservere.

I want them to feel the joy of winning.

I want them to taste success.

I want them to have a goal.

I want them to be held accountable for their actions.

I want them to depend on those around them,

and know when they need to pick up the slack for someone else.

I want them to lose their breathe,

bruise their knees,

and run until they can not run any more.

I want them to know what they are capable of becoming.

I want them to become everything their God created them to be.

And most of all?

I want to be the one who at the end of the day, can say, I helped my kids become the very best they could possibly be.

And hopefully, when my kids are grown, they will see me.

And they will know.

Being involved in sports gives all of that and more to my little athletes.

This is why I do what I do.

It is not whether you win or lose the game, but rather, what you become at the end of it all.

And if this helps them better focus in school?

If this keeps them off of the streets and out of trouble?

If this motivates them to take care of their bodies?

Well then, to me, it is worth every dime, every moment.

What about you?

Are you a Sports Mom? Do you plan on one day being one? Or maybe you you are thinking of trick or treating as one next Halloween?

Because I have a great give away for you.

How would you like a $100 Gift Card to Dick's Sporting Goods?????

Of course you would love one!

I wish I had one!! Do you even know how much those Kobe sneakers cost?

Let's just say we won't be eating for a few months.

So, what to do?

Leave me a comment, and tell me what cute movie star actor your kids coach looks like.

Or...tell me why you enjoy being a sports mom.

Or your biggest challenge as a Sports Mom.

Or just go ahead and brag about your athlete.

I don't care.

How else can you win?

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

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

Send me a new digital camera, lap top, and bottle of wine (ok, fine, I made that rule up)

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

This give away is open to US Residents age 18 or older

Sweepstakes dates are 3/31-4/30

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.

And that would really suck for you.

So get back to me if you win, OK?

Good luck... and may the best Sports Mom win!

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.

Visit these links for more information and more ways to win!

Visit the Official Rules

Prizes & Promotions section

Visit the Official site

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My Pepperidge Farm retreat-finally a vacation I can afford!

2009-11-01T07:01:00.000-08:00

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and Pepperidge Farm.

I love free stuff. There. Said it. Not ashamed. Trust me. When you find yourself having to sell your own clothes to pay the rent, free stuff is totally a good thing. And I don't even care what it is. If someone has something, and says I can have it...for free...I take it. "Laura, wanna free dog bed?" Sure, I don't have a dog, but hey, it's free! "We're getting rid of our couch...could you use it?" Absolutely! So what if it is the ugliest thing I have ever seen. It is free! Sold! So, imagine my delight, when the lovely people at BlogHer asked if I wouldn't mind tasting some cookies...and not just any cookies... Pepperidge Farm...for FREE! Um, hello? No brainer! Send me those cookies!

When the package arrived, you would have thought that I had just announced to my children that we had won the lottery, and that we were moving to Disneyland. They tore through the box, and fought over the tins like a pack of blue sharks. (I just read a book on blue sharks to my 3 year old yesterday, and learned that they will kill another shark just to get to a dead whale…so you see, this describes my children's behavior perfectly) Out came the Pepperidge Farm Petite Pirouette® and Petite Twist® cookies! Immediately, I hid the raspberry and cinnamon twists. They looked like the perfect treat to go with my "the kids are finally asleep" glass of wine, or my mid afternoon latte. And the tins filled with the Petite Pirouette cookies? They lasted all of 5 minutes. Why? Well, because this is no boring, every day cookie, people. This is a delicate, crispy rolled wafer with creamy, chocolaty filling on the inside. You must try either the chocolate hazelnut or chocolate crème flavor - or both!, and you will know exactly why we ate them like it was our last meal. And the good news? Three Petite Pirouette rolled wafers add up to 90 carefree calories! And the cookies that I hid?? These little beauties are Petite Twists; puffed pastries, with layers of delicate, crispy pastry, that is swirled with sweet cinnamon or raspberry. A delightful treat with only 90 calories in two treats! Only 90! That means you can eat them ALL without feeling like a total pig! How great is that?

Am I happy with my free cookies? Happy is an understatement. This little rolled wafer of love and all things good is more than a cookie for me…it is a retreat. A getaway. My little way to indulge when the kids are in bed and the house is quiet. Would I prefer a trip to Hawaii or a week at a spa? Absolutely. But remember? I just sold my clothes to pay rent. These are not options. But that's OK. Really, it is. Because the kids are asleep, I have my glass of wine, and I just grabbed my tin of Pepperidge Farm sweet cinnamon Petite Twists that I had hid in the back of the cabinet.

Sorry kids...this tin is mine. And do I feel guilty? Absolutely not. Honestly? This is it folks. This is my guilt free, moment to relax, alone time. This is my way to indulge and treat myself. This tin of cookies is my day at the spa. And I am not about to share. Even if they were free.

However, because I feel like we are so close, and you know more about me than my own mother, I will share this...how about a $150 spa gift card...for you...for free? Wanna chance to win it? Of course you do!

To enter, leave me a comment below and tell me if you could have an entire day all to yourself, what would be your favorite way to spend it - or you may leave a link to your post on your own blog in the comments below. The contest will begin at 9:00 a.m. (PST) November 2, 2009and will end 5:00 p.m. (PST) November 30, 2009. Make sure that the e-mail address you leave is correct.

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.

You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.

This giveaway is open to US-residents, aged 18 and older

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

You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

Please see the official rules here: Official rules

Go to BlogHer.com review/giveaway round-up page here to check out the other reviews. Remember, you have 7 chances to win!