Happy Halloween!
Before I get to part 1 of the giveaway, I want to share a last-minute Halloween idea.
I present to you: Spooky Shakes…
They are more homely than scary, but let’s just go with it!
I spotted this on Martha and I thought it was a cute idea. To make: all you do is melt a tiny amount of chocolate (about 1-2 tbsp) and then paint chocolate ghost faces on the inside of the glass using the end of a popsicle stick. Easy.
Place the glasses in the freezer or fridge to set the chocolate. For the shake, I blended vegan vanilla ice cream (I love almond or coconut varieties), with a splash of almond milk and some ice, served with a cinnamon stick. You could even make a healthier shake by blending frozen bananas with almond milk. The chocolate faces stay intact thanks to the cold smoothies.
Now, for part 1 of the giveaway…
Today, I’m celebrating YOU – the kick-butt, Green Monster chuggin, recipe-lovin’ Oh She Glows community! On October 31, 2008, I started the blog on a complete whim, not thinking I would ever have the attention span to stick with it, but here I am 4 years later still smashing my head against the keyboard daily and chasing my dreams. I am so grateful for each and every one of you who read the blog each day and my hope is that you find as much inspiration here as I’ve found in all of you.
Now, to celebrate!
1) Blendtec Total Blender & Twister Jar
Blendtec has been gracious enough to donate one of their coveted Total Blender Classic Wildside machines (picture above) valued at $454.95 USD! Whoa baby. I’ve reviewed the Blendtec before on the blog and I can attest that it’s a great machine.
About the blender: “Total Blender Classic Series® is the all-in-one appliance that makes smoothies, fresh juice, ice cream, milkshakes, cappuccinos, margaritas, soups, sauces, bread dough, dressings, salsas, and more! It replaces up to 9 other appliances with one fast easy-to-use machine, at a fraction of the cost. This package includes the new precision tuned 4″ blade in the large nearly 3-quart total capacity BPA-free jar. The new large blade / large jar combination powers through tougher blending tasks and larger recipes with ease, and in less time.”
In addition to the blender, they are also giving away a Twister Jar (shown below) valued at $119.00 USD!
About the Twister Jar: “Blendtec’s newest innovation, the Twister Jar, is designed to blend your thickest recipes such as: Nut Butters, Hummus, Baby Food, Dips, Thick Shakes, Dressings and more! Best of all, it’s compatible with all Blendtec Home Blenders.”
Update: The giveaway winner is….
Thank you for sharing your touching (and often hilarious!) “lessons to my younger self” comments. If you are ever feeling down and need a pick me up, just read through the comments. It’s amazing to see how many of us have struggled with the same life lessons.
The lucky winner of the Blendtec machine is #3659 – Alicia Woulfe! Congrats! I will email you shortly to collect your mailing address. Thanks to everyone for participating!
How To Enter:
Giveway is now closed.
I would tell myself to learn how to open up to other people, lean on others for support . I would tell myself it is okay to need other people, to need help, to be weak and not perfect. That is what makes you beautiful! I have tweeted your giveaway and followed you. Thanks!
I just repinned a recipe on Pinterest!
I would tell myself what my mother always told me but I never believed: “No one is looking at you!”. Realizing that everyone is more concerned with themselves than with me has completely liberated me as an adult.
I would tell my 16 year old self that I am just fine. Everyone has their problems and quirks. Don’t stress out if you are not perfect. It is not fun anyway!
I would advise my younger self not to be afraid to take chances and step out of the box more often! As the saying goes, “Well behaved women rarely make history!”
Tweeted the giveaway
I would advise my 16 year old self to be confident in myself! It wasn’t until about 5ish years later that I really felt comfortable in my own skin.
I would tell myself to relax and eat that second piece of cake :)
I would definitely tell my 16 year old self that I am smarter than I thought I was then (unlike most teenagers who “know it all” I thought I knew nothing!). I lacked such much confidence in my academics that I really limited my choices for my undergraduate degree and also limited myself to where I could go study for aforementioned degree. I didn’t think I was capable of achieving much academically in life but I proved myself wrong. During my undergraduate years I worked very hard and earned many awards; things that I thought not even a remote possibility when I was 16. I even went on and earned a graduate degree graduating with very high marks (Please don’t get me wrong – I am not being boastful. I just have learned after many, many years to stop selling my abilities short – I am capable!).
Over the years I have realized that our perceptions limit our possibilities over and over again. That would be a nugget of wisdom to give my 16 year old self. Something I try to pass on to my own children each day.
Apologies – “so” much not “such” much….but you get the drift! ;)
I would tell my 16 year old self that there is more to life then a number on a scale. After spending my high school and early college years suffering from an eating disorder I missed out on so many amazing opportunitties, when I could have been living. I would tell myself to appreciate my body and thank God that I had a healthy and blessed one. I would try to incorporate more balance in my life, spontaniety, and chocolate chip cookies. I would replace guilt with love and live each day in the moment.
Giveaway tweet complete!
Dear 16-year-old-me: When people tell you that you’ll never make it anywhere in life, just keep pushing and applying yourself. A short six years later, all of that hard work will pay off, and you will get accepted into medical school. Believe in yourself, and take advantage of any and all opportunities you are given to turn your dreams into reality.
Congrats on four years! I’d advise myself not to worry so much about what other people think of me.
I would tell my younger self to relax more!
To my younger self..Always look forward, sometimes life gives us detours but don’t give up!
I would tell younger me to be myself, smile every day, and to be happy (even if it seemed like my world was crumbling apart).
I tweeted about the wonderful giveaway! xoxo
https://twitter.com/SavingStacks/status/263772277248778240
I would say find what you love and do it. Life is too short to be stuck doing something you will never like.
I would tell my 16 year old self to chill out and be confident in the person you are. Do not worry about what other people think…
I would tell my younger self to keep an open mind. The goals and dreams I had for myself back then are much different now. It’s incredible what an open mind will do…especially the power to make your own decisions.