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 also tweeted this contest!
Don’t eat all those cookies, they WILL catch up with you one day! Maybe not in your weight/size, but definitely in your health.
Don’t worry about anything that happens in high school. None of it matters!
I would tell my younger self not to worry how skinny I was but how strong and healthy I was ; weight train, join sport teams, eating junk will catch up with you! Also wear sunblonkd ckadon’t use tanning beds! But most importantly, like my mama always said, everything happens for a reason, to make us stronger, smarter, resilient and appreciative!
*sunblock and don’t
I made OSG pumpkin spice muffins last night and they were delish! I posted the recipe on facebook and I will repin it today ! :-)
I have recently come to believe that everything happens for a reason. I shouldn’t take life so seriously and do things without worrying too much
Learn to sew!! Take more photos of everyone and eveything you do, they really are precious to the heart and mind later. Never take for granted the time you have with anyone you love, life takes away without discrimination. Write more hand written letters and call those who are important but are apart from. Enjoy the simple little things more, like a hot cup of tea, after playing in the rain.
Happy Anniversary and thank you for offering the giveaway! What a treat it would be to win!
I would tell my younger self to take a step back and breathe! Things aren’t as bad as they seem. Lean on God and He will pull you through anything. You are a child of God, and He has made you perfectly and beautifully, just the way you are to be the person He wants you to be. You don’t have to please anyone else!
I would tell my younger self that everything is going to be ok. Don’t stress the silly small stuff. All that matters is that you do your best and love yourself.
I would tell my younger self to not be so obsessed with body image and being skinny, (skinny not always healthy) I would tell myself to take care and respect my body, and to nourish my myself physically and mentally, by eating right and surrounding myself with positive people who lift me up instead of pulling me down.
My advice to my younger self…SERIOUSLY, DONT SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF!!! Is it really going to matter in years to come, or even days, or better yet hours if your “friend” doesn’t like your clothes, hairstyle, ideas, etc.? In the bigger spectrum of this world, what matters is what makes happy, as long as it is a healthy choice. Love yourself! And remember, nothing will change if you continue to do the same things. Surround yourself with people who love you for who you are. Your differences are what makes this world interesting. (OK, maybe this was really more than one, but OH how I wish we could understand the things we know in our 30s in our earlier years!)
If I could tell myself something, it would be “just go for it! Don’t worry so much about failing or what people think. Do want you want and enjoy the experience! It’s all yours.
You have a great blog and I enjoying reading it.
I tweeted about the giveaway.
To my fifteen year old self: start running NOW! It will help you through all the challenges the next few years will bring.
I would advise my younger self to not shop at Hot Topic! How terribly embarassing. In line with that I would tell myself not to spend small amounts of money often.
I would remind myself that “This too shall pass” and stop focusing on the negative! Took me a long time to realize this! I was so hard on myself and found so much to be upset about. Not anymore. :)
I pinned your No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Crispies with PB ‘Fudge’ (yum!!!!)
Listen to your parents… They really do know best! And start saving at like age 4.
I tweeted! (@kristiericedvm)
I would tell my 16 year old self to stop trying to be someone you’re not, chill out, and just enjoy being you.
Congrats!
Piece of advice? Easy! Love yourself. Own yourself. Love every curve and dimple. Own every mistake and stumble. Love yourself. Own yourself and others will still love you. Curves, dimples, mistakes and all.