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.
relax, enjoy the ride and travel any chance you get. DOn’t take life so seriously, it will all work out!
Love this contest, and the post idea!! I would tell myself to take more chances, not be afraid of making mistakes, and to not take myself so seriously!!! Happy Halloween!! I love your blog!!
I would tell my 16 year old self to not be so selfish, and to follow your parents every lead…they know what’s best for you :) Including moving you to california from texas in your sophomore year of high school. :)
I would tell my younger self to be true to herself rather than try and change to make others like her.
Life is unpredictable. Trying to plan every detail and the best possible outcome won’t always work (and frankly, shouldn’t – you can’t predict how other situations will go or where the path leads!). You change, situation changes, life. changes. That’s okay. It’s what’s supposed to happen. You won’t be where you expected 2 years, 7 years, 50 years from now. Not having it all figured out is fine. Changing your mind is MORE than okay.
(This one is to both my past and current (and future) self. I’m having an easier time accepting it and remembering that my path is unique and I must be true to it, even if I expressed a different desire previously. Doesn’t make the unknown any less scary!)
I tweeted the giveaway!
I would tell my younger self that all the little stuff I thought was so important when I was a teenager (like wearing the right clothes) wouldn’t matter one bit in the long run. Instead I should focus on being a person I liked and finding other people who liked me for who I was.
I would tell my high school self to pick a different field to study in university, go for something you enjoy, not what you think might land you a job that pays the most!
Thanks for the great giveaway!
I would tell myself not to take everything so seriously – Really, 18 year old self, you have no idea how good you’ve got it. This is the time to be stress free and really enjoy life!
I would tell myself to practice my instruments more, because now I can always tell when my students haven’t practiced, and I shudder to think how obvious and annoying it was.
I would tell my younger self to be more confident and take time for myself every day! Everyone needs a break now and then even if its just to take 10 deep breaths. Try it, it seriously works! Also I see self confidence lacking in so many young girls and I remember how this felt. It only leads to less than desirable decisions and behaviors.
Take a breath & Love!
I would definitely tell myself to embrace and enjoy everything there is that is so wonderful about being young. Real life stinks!
Also, I pin your recipes all the time! I pinned the carrot cake oatmeal today. SO good.
Very simple . . . . LOVE yourself unconditionally.
There are so many things I wish I would have known! Here are but a few I would pass back to myself: 1. Don’t let yourself go. Your body is yours so treat it with respect since there are no such things as refunds or body switches (as much as you would like to believe science fiction). 2. Diversify your interests so if/when poopy hits the fan, you have a good back up plan. 3. Don’t let anyone talk you out of some of your crazier ideas. They were great so go do them. 4. Boys can wait. Period. 5. Enjoy every minute of your high school years and stay in touch with those that matter. You will never regret it. :)
I would tell my younger self the following:
Don’t stress so much about it. It’s the imperfections, the mess ups, the trials, and the heartaches that make life worth living. You can’t truly appreciate the good if you don’t understand the bad. I would encourage myself to make all of the same mistakes, but not to worry about them like I did. In the long run, it really doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t change anything. The world traveling when I was broke, the studio apartment I lived in alone, the split-second decision to have a drink with a long-lost friend…who just last week became my husband. I wouldn’t change it for anything.
I tweeted!
I would tell my younger self to hold out for the right guy-it’s worth it!
I would tell myself not to be afraid of math! So much potential if you face your fears!
Oh…and I pinned this cute ghost shake! Well, actually I’ve pinned dozens of your recipes, and I can’t believe that I have been following your blog for over 3 years now! Happy 4-year blogiversary!!