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 remember what battles to pick and to ask the questions you only really want answers to. Took me 15 years to figure that out.
Tweet! I tweeted as well!
I would tell my new-mother self to play with the kids more. I’m talking about those stupid boring games that kids want to play for hours straight, like roll the ball and ring around the rosie. It makes kids happy and makes them like you. This is advice I’m giving to myself right now, actually.
(repinned your no-bake peppermint bars! )
from pinterest:
Can’t wait to try these for Christmas! Also, just for Angela, advice I’d give to my younger self: Do not lose sight of who you are, no matter how many people try to introduce doubt, deprecation, and disappointment. You are wonderful, unique, and deserve a place in the plan of the world. Remember that when you feel scared, or bullied, when you’re in love, when you’re sad, and when you’re at peace- you’re exactly who you’re supposed to be.
My younger self needed to let go a little bit… live a little, laugh more, not take the world so seriously, and be a bit more carefree. My younger self also never would’ve listened if anyone had told her that!
Pinned :) …even though I’ve already pinned most of your recipes anyways!
I would tell my younger self to not be too stressed out about day to day activities and “high school drama” because it will all be over soon and not matter one bit. Instead, focus on being the best person you can be and the best daughter and friend.
I would hug my 16 year old self and tell her that she is perfect just the way she is.
CONGRATS! I have been a loyal follower for… about 3 years now I believe and have enjoyed every second of it! You have most definitely opened my eyes up to various ways I can cook my veggies and new flavors!
If I were to go back and give advice to my younger self I would tell her that it’s not just about eating healthy and lifting heavy weights that gets and keeps you in shape (that just gets you big due to my genes), it’s about the quantity of what you eat, when you eat and EVERYTHING fitness related (not just olympic-style lifting) that gets you into the best shape of your life! You will still have TONS of muscle but it won’t hurt to put on a sports bra anymore, you will weigh less, look MUCH better, and be proud of yourself for not being as self conscious about your size!!!
Now the question is… would I have listened to myself back then?
Never pass up an opportunity to watch the moon rise with dad.
I re-pinned one of your cookie recipes – yum!
The advice I have for my younger self is to eat to live, don’t live to eat. I’ve had ups and downs in my weight loss over the years and it has always been a battle, but if I would have just relaxed and not resort to food for comfort and stress I would have been much better off. Congrats on four years!
I would tell my self to be less afraid of what people think of me !
Hmm, I would definitely tell myself that there are plenty of friends to be made, even if the ones you think are the best, come and go. Trying to fit in to groups of friends always seemed to be a challenge, and I realized in my early twenties that its better to have two great friends rather than 10 acquaintances. And to let go of the hard feelings over the friends who are no longer in my everyday life, the people who are meant to be in your life, surely will be for a long time!
Thanks!!
I also repinned your pumpkin butter recipe. Yum!
Besides my self advice, I tweeted this amazing giveaway : )
I would tell my younger self: Each time you put something in your mouth do it because your body needs fuels. Make it healthy so it runs properly. Never eat when you are sad, lonely or hating yourself. Enjoy and celebrate your body and yourself- put yourself on a high pedel stool where you belong.
my advice? you WILL get over him! hahaha
Advice to my younger self… Don’t sweat the small stuff. Eventually everything will fall into place, but in the meantime you might as well enjoy the ride!! Life is short.
I would tell my younger self to ignore all negativity and just be grateful of who you are and who you will become
I would tell myself that no one else cares that your hair is huge and frizzy- it’s what makes you, you!
I would tell my younger self to not worry so much about what other people thought and do things based on what I wanted. I’d also tell myself to take school a little more seriously and that hard work pays off!