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 younger self to trust my instincts, including listening to my body, watching what I put into my body, and paying close attention to my gut feelings. I would say I’m doing a great job so far in life and to keep my eyes new and my heart open :)
I would tell myself to pursue my goals and dreams. Not to wait or stall my life for any guy. Also, easy on the sugar! :)
I would tell my younger self that 115lbs is not fat!
If I had the chance to give my younger self some advice (and will definitely tell my children when they are older) is that Things Work Out. They really, really do. It’s never as bad as you think it is, and even if it is, there is a way to stand it, live through it, and make it into a story later (sometimes a really funny one, too). Sure, it might not work out the way you’d like, but it all works out and there’s so much good that comes from things we aren’t sure of yet. :)
Also, tweeted! @agapeflower117 :)
I just tweeted!
Hi there Angela,
I would tell my 16 year old self that it is ok to be you. That no matter what always be true to yourself and that at some point in life everything will fall into place!!!
I would tell my 16 year old self “teach yourself about nutrition. It’s important and mom and dad had no clue that’s why they let you eat candy and sugary coffee for breakfast and Funions and Coke for dinner. Also, stop being a slug, go outside”
You are perfect the way you are and will only grow more wonderful with time. Love yourself. Have faith, not insecurity. Have hope, not fear. Things will generally turn out for the best. :)
I would tell myself that I don’t know everything, or even anything at all. I can’t tell you how much stupid stuff I did in high school with the mindset that I knew exactly what I was doing! Luckily I didn’t do any lasting damage, but I’m much happier and better off now knowing that I hardly know a thing.
I would tell myself: Surround yourself with positive people. You’re better off being alone, than wasting even one day with anyone who mistreats you or brings you down.
I’d give myself a Dale Carnegie pep talk to ‘stop worrying and start living” because needless worry is just a bad habit that gets more difficult to break with age. And then I’d give myself the same pep talk at 17 . . . and 18 . . . and . . . Hopefully, I’d get the message at some point!
I would definitely tell myself to chill out and to realize that you can make all of the life plans you want, but you have no way of knowing what is going to happen and you need to be flexible enough to deal with things as they come up.
I would tell my younger self to relax, stop worrying about what others think of you and just be yourself. Most of them will not be in your life later anyways and those who are accept you for you anyways.
Learn what a calorie is. Workout. Run.
I would tell myself how important a good, solid educations is. I didn’t finish college because I thought that being on the radio doesn’t require a degree. You can either talk or you can’t. That degree may not help with the talking part but to advance beyond being a “talking head” that degree is SUPER IMPORTANT. Now, at almost 40 years old, I realize that. The only regret I have in my life is not going farther in school. I knew at 12 years old what I wanted to do & I am doing it but I could be running a radio station now instead of just talking on one.
Dear Little Me-
Quit stressing so much, you’re just a kid!
I will pass out from excitement if I win this thing! Okay, so… advice to my younger self: BELIEVE in yourself, girl! Keep your chin high and follow your heart! You are more than good enough and deserve all the love and respect in the world!
Also: the world will NOT end if you make a B (or even a C!) in school! Relaaaaaaax.
And then I would hug myself. Yup. :)
not to worry so much
I have pinned many of your recipes! I love them! This is a favorite :) http://pinterest.com/pin/184577284697513264/
I would tell my younger self to just be herself and quit trying to be what she *thought* everyone else wanted her to be!