![\"Laurie](\"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_45512-e1500547539145.jpg\")
<\/a>Laurie Hernandez. Photo by Lisa Politz.<\/p><\/div>\n
I\u2019ve never had such a fun elevator ride (up to the penthouse,) as I did with all those giant football players!\u00a0 (And even an actual Giants<\/em> one!)\u00a0 The fun began as soon as we stepped off, into the suite.<\/p>\n My contributing writer on this one is Lisa, who enjoyed the whole day.\u00a0 (Her comments are the ones in quotes.) Over the course of our time there, we spotted skateboarding legend, Tony\u00a0Hawk<\/strong>; Olympic gymnast (and, more importantly to me,\u00a0Dancing With The Stars<\/em>\u00a0Champion,) Laurie Hernandez<\/strong>; Heisman Trophy winner, Matt Leinart<\/strong>; and\u00a0footballer Malik Jackson<\/strong> of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who was one of the most polite guests I\u2019ve ever run into at any<\/em> gifting event!\u00a0 I loved seeing that.<\/p>\n It was such fun discovering many new items there, and also seeing some of my favorites from past GBK suites.\u00a0 One of the things I appreciate most about GBK events is that they always feed us. We all need to keep up our strength for having so much fun!<\/p>\n Photo by Lisa Politz.<\/p><\/div>\n Which brings me to the winner of the day: the barbecue treats from the Central Coast\u2019s restaurant The Rib Line<\/strong>.\u00a0 They had an entire corner of the patio set-up with their buffet and grill.\u00a0 It was quite the site to behold.\u00a0 And I loved that they offered a wide variety of menu items which is very, very rare at a gifting lounge! \u00a0 Lisa said, \u201cThis place has it covered when it comes to deliciousness,\u201d and\u00a0declared it to be a \u201clovely meal every step of the way.\u201d\u00a0 My favorite item was what Lisa called a \u201cunique and luscious\u201d little sweet potato ball that they injected ranch dressing into.\u00a0 Wow.\u00a0 Lisa went nuts over the \u201cso tender and flavorful\u201d brisket sandwich, and the \u201cfall off the bone, meaty and flavorful\u201d pork ribs.<\/p>\n The beautiful choices for the s’mores. Photo by Lisa Politz.<\/p><\/div>\n And, even in the heat, we were happy to take advantage of their unique make-you-own s\u2019mores bar, complete with assorted flavors of homemade marshmallows and graham crackers!\u00a0 Lisa also scarfed-up her slightly-alcoholic root beer float.\u00a0 We were both really impressed that they were thoughtful enough to even remember to have wet wipes on offer!!\u00a0\u00a0Now we\u2019re both looking forward to taking a day trip up the coast to have lunch at this award-winning restaurant.\u00a0\u00a0www.ribline.com<\/a><\/p>\n There were a couple of other taste treats along the way, so let\u2019s get to them first, followed by the rest of the highlights of the gifts!<\/p>\n People loved this healthful pizza so much that I could not get a snap of the full pies! Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big one at the top of this page.<\/p><\/div>\n Cali\u2019flour Foods<\/strong>\u2014Since I absolutely love pizza, and am not allowed to eat white flour anymore, I was especially interested to try this pizza crust that\u2019s made from cauliflower! We sampled it right at the lounge, and Lisa pointed-out that the product from \u201cthis cleverly-named company\u201d is \u201creminiscent of a thin, crispy crust,\u201d and \u201cis so good, you won’t miss the flour.\u201d\u00a0 It\u2019s so easy to use at home\u2014you freeze the crust till you\u2019re craving some pizza, then just a few minutes in the oven, add toppings, and you can eat pizza without the guilt! (Or, more importantly, sans the unhealthfulness!) www.califlourfoods.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Ricos<\/strong>\u2014The guests all hit the jackpot with this company from San Antonio, the home of my beloved NBA Spurs. (And the just re-signed Manu Ginobili, which is the best news of the week!) Besides being able to sample these nachos right on-site, each guest received a cute sports sac full of Rico concession-quality treats. Among the goodies in there were two bags of their really<\/em> delicious flavored popcorn, a Nachos-on-the-Go box, a logo t-shirt, and even a giant dill pickle. (I could have just stayed there, eating their cheddar cheese popcorn for the rest of the day!) On top of all that, every VIP at the lounge will get to have their own<\/em> Nacho Party, courtesy of Rico. Ole! www.ricos.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Dr. John\u2019s Remedies<\/strong>\u2014These pain relief capsules and liquids (that I\u2019m assuming are named after the musical<\/em> Dr. John\u2019s famous album,) are made from hemp oil. So that\u2019s different.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure the athletes at the lounge were happy to discover products that will help them with\u00a0joint pain! Lisa and I definitely were! \u00a0\u00a0 www.drjohnsremedies.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Lisa Politz.<\/p><\/div>\n Zumer Sport<\/strong>\u2014I think you all know by now what a fan I am of this company that makes all kinds of products out of sports ball materials!\u00a0 Lisa had never seen their wares before, so she was impressed with the \u201clovely, high-quality\u201d products, especially the attractive keychains \u201cthat are made from authentic soccer ball material, and come with a zinc-plated ring.\u201d Now that tennis is over for the next month or so, I\u2019ve turned my attention back to baseball, (which is actually my favorite sport, even though I know that surprises most of you,) so my mouth watered when I saw their giant baseball pillows! I think one of them should be awarded to Aaron Judge, for bringing excitement back to the Yankees this year! www.zumersport.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Lisa Politz.<\/p><\/div>\n Bio Minerals<\/strong>\u2014This company was offering two helpful products for body health. As girls who want everything about our looks to be great, we were especially interested in learning about the collagen-generator, BioSil, which is said to help strengthen nails and hair while also promoting healthy bones and joints.\u00a0 Speaking of joints, they also make On Your Game, which helps men with their body pains. That must have been great news for all the athletes on hand! www.biosilonyourgame.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Lisa Politz.<\/p><\/div>\n Body Boost Men<\/strong>\u2014Since the majority of athletes at the lounge were male, they angled this stretch mark prevention lotion towards them, but the reps explained that it\u2019s just as effective on women.\u00a0 And it has other uses as well.\u00a0 It\u2019s designed to keep skin toned and mark-free, and also helps to improve the appearance of existing marks.\u00a0 Dieters will be happy to learn it\u2019s also a strengthener for post-weight-loss skin, as well. Lisa tried it, and said,\u201cThis product sounds great!,\u201d an assessment with which I agree. www.bodyboost-men.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Lisa Politz.<\/p><\/div>\n Liquid Skin Care<\/strong>–I\u2019m sure all the men at the event were thrilled to receive this duo of face products designed specifically for their own \u00a0gender from a company out of Australia. And we know how good (and hunky!,) all those Aussie mates look! Speaking of looks, the packaging is perfect for men\u2014neat and unfussy. Each product states just what it is on the bottle, with no wasted words. I know that Mr. X would appreciate that, especially living with me, who uses more words than almost anybody! www.lqd.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n The Cryo Zone rep, working her magic on a guest’s visage. Photo by Lisa Politz.<\/p><\/div>\n Cryo Zone<\/strong>\u2014This company was a big hit with all the guests because we got facial treatments right on site! I\u2019m not sure exactly how it works, but it\u2019s a stream of cold air that was sprayed onto our faces.\u00a0\u00a0Lisa told me she was thrilled \u201cto discover this cold-mist treatment for skin-tightening and joint pain relief,\u201d and said her skin felt rejuvenated after.\u00a0 I was just grateful that,\u00a0besides making us look better, it totally helped with the heat of that day. Now we can\u2019t wait to try it at their office\u2014I know this is what LeBron James uses, so maybe I\u2019ll be able to dunk after!\u00a0\u00a0 www.thecryozone.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n B Opulent<\/strong>\u2014I love this humble jewelry designer! Seeing B there always puts a smile on my face. And looking at his gorgeous bracelets always makes me even happier! Talented and uber-pleasant\u2014now that\u2019s a combo I wish everyone<\/em> was!<\/p>\n GBK\u2019s charity this time was Focus Youth Center<\/strong>, whose mission is \u201cto provide dynamic and innovative programs that encourage healthy social, emotional,\u00a0physical, and spiritual development in children, adolescents, and parents.\u201d www.focusyouthcenter.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GBK\u2019S PRE-ESPYS GIFTING LOUNGE 2017 Many of you know how sports-obsessed I am, so, of course, I\u2019m really into the Espy Awards, and all the surrounding activities.\u00a0 That means that I was more than happy to be a guest at the GBK Pre-Espys Gifting Lounge last week.\u00a0 A ton of sports world celebs and I<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>