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 stop worrying about everything! school, boys, the future, my weight. All it does is stress you out and doesn’t fix a thing. If you just relax and let everything happen things always have a way of working themselves out for the better.
I also re-pinned your Dark Chocolate Cherry Energy Bites – they’re some of my favorite!
I also pinned one of your delicious recipes! :)
I would tell my younger self to be kinder to herself, and stop worrying about what everyone else may, or may not, be thinking!
I would tell my younger self that smoking definitely does not make you look cool!
Pinned spaghetti squash avocado pasta!
Take advantage that you get to see your best friends every single day at school!
Congratulations on 4 years!
I would tell myself that recovery is possible and that I can conquer anything as long as I set my mind and heart too it !
I would tell myself that no one is watching you as closely as you think they are, so lighten up and be yourself!
I would advise myself that being clever is something to be proud of, but not to rub it in peoples faces, that it doesn’t mean I don’t need to work hard and that boys can wait.
I am a huge fan of so many of your recipes, and can’t wait to try the homemade Twix bar recipe I just pinned!
My advice to my younger self would be that food/calorie restriction isn’t productive, what’s important is the content of the calories.
Don’t feel it is necessary to follow conventions, whether it comes to your wedding day, first house, or your dietary choices. Listen to that little voice inside urging you to do what feels right to you. Following conventions seems important at the time, but certainly not as much so later. Be true to your real self.
I would tell my younger self to listen and to ask more questions When you listen to people, remember their stories, remember their names and ask questions of them it shows you are interested and makes them feel great!
I would tell my 17 year old self to not get hung up on what everyone else expects of you or what everyone else is doing. It would have saved me from 4 1/2 years of college pursuing something that I was not passionate about just because going to college is what you are supposed to do!
Happy bloggiversary! Here’s to four more years! :]
I would tell my younger self to keep following her heart, read and never be afraid to push beyond her limits – it has gotten me far in life up to this point!
I would tell my 16 year old self that it will be easy to find someone else to love and hard to remember to love yourself as you make mistakes and grow along the way.
I would tell my younger self “WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!!!’ or at least put a hat on…
Dear younger self, just love yourself the way you are, because you are amazing!
I’m excited to try the Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf! I just re-pinned it, which will hopefully remind me to make it soon!