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.
Dear Younger Sam,
Embrace your nerdy self and stop trying to impress others. Just be the book-loving, school-going, coffee-drinking geeky self that you are meant to be. And know that as soon as you do truly embrace who you are and what brings you joy, others will love you all the faster.
Yours Truly,
Geeked-Out Sam
I would say…girlfriend, start those healthy eating habits now! I know you think that since you’re young you might as well eat whatever you want, but really, that will NOT keep working as you get older! Start ’em early and it’s easier to keep ’em for life! :)
Happy Anniversary and congrats on the Best Blog in Veg News!!
In regards to the contest… I would tell my 16 year old self to enjoy every day and the first 5 years post-grad do not foretell the rest of your future! (speaking from someone 20 years post-grad and still trying to figure out the rest of her life, aside from an awesome husband)
I would say stay away from people who love drama…it’s not worth the time. Also…don’t eat out so much! LOL
Tweet!
https://twitter.com/tcrowley122/status/263839865613991936
I pinned the oh so yummy looking baked stuffed apples that I will be trying out this weekend :)
16 year-old me, don’t let anyone tell you you can’t. “You can’t be a writer”, “you can’t be a rock star”, “you can’t be an actor”, “the chances of being published are so slim as to be non-existant”. Tell them all to go to hell. Follow your dreams, 16 year old me. Never give up the faith. Do what you love, the rest will follow.
Congrats on 4 years!! Wow! I would tell my 16 year old self that she’s not fat!!! Oh hell, I was so scrawny and thought I was huge!
I tweted! My twitter is @ChubbyGirlTrain
Dear Younger Emily, (around15)
Keep you’re head held high, you are a beautiful, smart, intelligent, and strong young woman. Don’t let school, divorce, and anorexia break you into a meek self conscious mess. You can do so many things, you’re a great artist, actress, and friend. Stop second guessing yourself, go with your gut, and give EVERYTHING 200% of your effort, because life is worth giving it you’re all, no one want’s a half life. Take it from someone who knows from experience.
I’d tell myself not to worry so much about what others think, and when all else fails do yoga. You’ll feel better…promise.
Don’t get married in college. Follow your Peace Corps dream instead.
Don’t take yourself too seriously…tomorrow will come and things always look a whole lot brighter when you’ve had a good nights sleep. Oh, and learn to love and trust others…sometimes you’ll be disappointed but life’s too short to be unloved or unloving.
I tweeted… What a great giveaway!! Even if I don’t win, congrats on four successful years Ange…hope you have many more to come!! Thanks for your continued inspiration!!
boys are stupid, and less is more in terms of makeup… haha
I would tell younger self to not second guess myself and to pursue my passions because that is what will ultimately make me happy.
I think I would tell my younger self, don’t worry so much about what other people think of you. There is no use being shy just because you are worried about what other people might be thinking, because it doesn’t really matter what they think…it matters what you think about yourself! I would also tell my younger self, you are more confident and strong than you think you are – embrace it! :)
Oh, I also tweeted the contest. Yay!
I would tell my 16 yr old self to stop trying to be so cool and just relax and be yourself. Acting cool is hard, tiring and actually not cool at all. Just be yourself…and eat healthy!!!
Thanks!
I would tell my younger self to laugh. Laugh at the embarrassing moments, the mistakes, the troubles; it will make it all so much better and get rid of the anxiety.
I tweeted (yes, that’s totally a word) and boy would I love this blender!!!
Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway.
Sarah