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 swim more and run less…..your knees will thank you!
I pinned your Frankensoup article to Pintrest…delicious and seasonal! And unfortunately very relevant…hoping that you and your loved ones are safe and sound and with power.
I would also like to give my 16 year old self some advice: Christianne…don’t be afraid to say, or SHOUT, what you really feel! Doing what’s best for you is always what’s best for other people, and giving away your time and effort by trying to please others will never work. But you’ll figure that out along the way. :) Love yourself; I do, and I know you did the very best you could with what you had in the moment.
I would tell my younger self to enjoy the little things, and the lack of responsibility!
Mine is: You have worth. Stop hiding from the world because you think you are nothing. You have so much to give and you have to hold your head up. So many glorious adventures await you. It’s worth it. Get there.
Tweeted!
All those great times in your life when you were too busy obsessing about being fat and you were actually looking HOT;) Stop it already! And keep your fair skin out of the sun!
I just repinned your salt & vinegar chickpeas… Yum!
I would tell my younger self to slow down and pay attention to life.
And I pinned a recipe… :)
The advice i would give to myself at the tender age of 16 would be to fearless and take plenty of risks..for this is the time to have no regrets in life…they all go hand in hand because fear takes over your freedom to actually go after your dream and trust in yourself..its a hard task but I already have regrets and if i had a chance i would go back and take risks and be fearless. If you want to live in anew city when you graduate then go for it. I would be fearless and take risk with everything school, friendships and etc..
I would tell myself to always put myself in someone else’s shoes; it really helps you understand other people!
Cindy, slow down, relax, enjoy every minute of your life, because if flies by so fast!
Mother of a adorable 3 yr old boy and I finally learned how to enjoy every minute.
Cindy
I would tell my more youthful self to hold on to creativity as long as possible and and filter controlling impulses as much as possible!
I’d tell myself to enjoy the time with my kids before they had to start school.
Stop eating so much sugar…it WILL catch up w/you. Live like there is no tomorrow, but treat your body well by giving it nourishing foods. And…stop caring SO much about what others think…in 5 years they won’t matter!
I would tell myself to breathe. And to surround myself with wonderful people – life is too short for the un-wonderful ones.
Pinned it!
If I met myself from times past, I would venture to break silence to say that
Robert Frost’s wisdom (along with many others) was true in many ways:
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.” -The Road Not Taken
and being a woman, I would look into my searching soul, and speak what I still remind myself:
That I am beautiful as I am, and nothing anyone says can alter this.
Lastly, that though love and kindness may take their time in returning, when given and sent out, will be worth all the wait in the world.
Young Nina,
No matter what society tells you, no matter what you think others expect of you, follow the path that is best for YOU. Pursue your dreams, regardless of whether they are valued by the world or by others….because they are YOUR dreams. This is YOUR life. Live in accordance with who YOU are instead of who others want you to be. Be yourself. Be kind to yourself. Love yourself. And then share your true self with the world.
Thanks Ange….regardless of whether I wind the Blendtech, this was an amazing reflective exercise. It was oddly emotional for me.
Love your blog, by the way. I don’t say much, I’m more of a silent follower…but I have been here since the beginning, and your blog is the ONE that I have stuck with through thick and thin. You change lives, Ange. Every day. I have no doubt of this. I absolutely love what you do and who you are. So….THANKS.
I’ve had your avocado pasta recipe (amongst others) pinned FOREVER – its one of my favorite quick meals!