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 my 16-year-old self, to listen to my gut and instinct and not what others think/say! “Stay true to yourself, you know what’s best for you.”
I would tell my 16 year old self to slow down and smell the roses. There’s no rush. Enjoy everyday and truly love yourself.
I’ve also just tweeted about it ;)
Thanks for doing this amazing giveaway!
Advice to a younger me:
Relax and enjoy your youth. It’s okay if you’re not perfect because you have a whole life ahead to work everything out. Take risks in love even when you suspect hurt may follow. Your regrets will stay heavy on you for a while. Life goes by too quickly to be anything but happy. But most importantly- wear your retainer!
I also tweeted your link!
I would remind myself:
You can’t predict the past any more than you can predict the future (a quote said to me by my sister who heard it from someone a long time ago)…so don’t have any regrets!
I’m still pretty young, but I’d probably advise my younger self to stop stressing out about things I can’t control and work hard on the things I can actually change!
I would tell my younger self that she was doing a lot of things right and that it was okay to make mistakes and learn from them. I spent a lot of time in my early 20’s worrying about making the wrong choices and missing out on opportunities. Somewhere in there I think I forgot how to really experience being alive.
I’m slowly making my way back to that place where there’s room to take risks and hope for the best. Here’s to being brave!
I would tell my 16 year old self to follow your dreams no matter what anybody else has to say. Stand up for yourself. There is always a way. And, I would tell myself to stop eating animal products, even if mom was angry about it. You love animals and hate hurting them, so stand up for them too.
I re-pinned your Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf! I made it a few days ago and I’m obsessed!!
Congrats on four years!
Good God where do I start with my younger self?
* Stop wearing miniskirts in winter.
* Eat less crap
* Remember school is IMPORTANT not that place you’re stuck in between parties
* Please Please Please do your homework, it makes everything so much easier later
* Don’t get depressed when some people turn out to be false and focus on the people who love you.
No matter how old you try to act, you are not fooling anyone. Enjoy being young, you can get away with more.
Tweeted here:
https://twitter.com/KarenWapinski
Thanks for the giveaway :D
To my sixteen-year-old self:
You only get one body, so treat it with respect. Love yourself, because you really are as awesome and beautiful as Dad says you are. Keep dreaming big, because you can absolutely accomplish anything that you set your mind to. Don’t doubt that for a second. Oh, and peer pressure is stupid, so don’t even go there.
Love always,
You, 10 years later
p.s. Mom does know a thing or two, although you probably don’t believe me right now :P
I would tell my younger self to not worry so much about what others thought and really listen to myself :)
I would tell my 16yo self, “Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid!”
I tweeted!!!
Angela, thank you for all of your creativity and healthy inspiration throughout the years!~ I would tell my younger self to remember that nobody is perfect, and I am not the only one with imperfections. We are all just normal people trying to make it. It would have relieved a lot of unnecessary anxiety from my past. Happy Halloween :)
I would definitely say listen to your parents…they really do know best! :) I also repinned yet another one of your recipes (that’s pretty much all i have on pintrest anyway) and tweeted about your giveaway!!! You’re awesome Angela…I truly look forward to your blog every day! Thanks :)
I will start by saying how much I love your blog :) and tell my 16 years old self to stop stressing about everything and really enjoy life, because that’s how we truly find happiness !