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 that no amount of love from another person can replace the love you have for yourself. I’d also tell myself to slow down and stop wishing my youth away; before you know it, you’re 25 and wishing you were 16 again :)
I would tell myself to try and get comfortable with change since it happens constantly and there’s no way to stop it!
Dear Gabby,
Travel. Travel. Travel. Always say yes, I’m going!
Jules, two things I want you to tell you. First, be here now. This moment won’t come back. Focus on it. If you’re busy worrying about things you can’t control, you’ll miss what’s happening now. Second, always be yourself. Wherever you go, whatever you do — in school, at work, in love relationships — don’t hold back. Be yourself, no matter what others might think. “There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.” What they think of you, is none of your business anyway. Trust me, it’s enough.
oh i would tell my 16 year old self many things…. but most off of how proud i am of you for taking it upon yourself to become a stronger and healthier you (losing 50lbs when you were overweight in grade 9)! And as the 16 year olds say now a days i would tell my 16 year old self … YOLO!!!!
ps- i have pinterested many of your recipes both past and present! (:
crossing my fingers for this gorgeous blender!!!!
I repinned your stuffed apples recipe. As a lover of apple crisp, these look so delicious and so much healthier than the traditional version. Thanks!
I tweeted!
If I were 16 again I would tell myself to look after my skin from the inside out, to eat healthy foods that give you the glow that millions of people pay for countless bottles of miracle creams!
Younger Bess, don’t be so adamant that your personality and priorities will never change! Be more flexible and gentle with yourself and others. You will continue to evolve toward a truer You, winnowing the chaff and emphasizing the magnificent.
Invest in apple and google ;)
I would have to say I would tell myself to take advantage of every opportunity given to you because you’ve got nothing to lose. Work hard and don’t settle!!!! Know your self worth and don’t settle for anyone who treats you any less. They don’t deserve you! The right person is out there for you, don’t rush into it!
I would tell my young self to find her passions in life and follow those dreams.
I tweeted! (Christinehauber)
Don’t be so hard on yourself. You are beautiful. Study abroad and travel. :)
I would tell myself not to take life so seriously all the time… relax and enjoy the little things. Take a moment each day, every day to be grateful for something, even the smallest details. Time moves fast, soooo fast, so just breathe. :)
I would tell me younger self: “This too shall pass…” When I was 16 (and throughout the young years) there were things that seemed so insurmountable and clouded by direction – I can see in hindsight that they all were just small things, and they didn’t last. In fact some of those very things have made my tapestry of life quite colorful!
Hmm, I would tell my younger self to learn to love veggies; watch out for perfectionism; exercise more; and to not be afraid to try new things because failure at them is still growth.
I would tell my younger self to stay true to myself and learn to not take everything so personally. Not everyone is going to like you or your ideas and that’s okay. Tomorrow is always another day.
What a great giveaway – thanks!!
I would tell my younger self to get out and study abroad in college. I regret not doing that, as I know it would have had a significant impact on the rest of my life.
Also I would tell myself that I was right all those years ago about how I felt about having a child – my feelings have not changed at all.
I would tell my younger self to not worry so much about what other people think!
I would say,,,”younger self, be happy with who you are, listen to your inner self and go with it”
p.s. Love your site, your photos and your recipes….into november we go <3