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.
Tweeted :o)
Don’t let your shyness get in the way. Follow your heart.
I would tell my younger (and current!) self to be fearless.
I’d tell my 16 year old self that when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Your legs aren’t thick, they are ATHLETIC and POWERFUL. You may not be creative, but you will get your Master’s of Physics. You may not be perfect but you’re loved!
I would tell myself to be true to myself and to always be kind to others. Seems so simple??!!
I tweeted :)
I would tell my younger self to slow down & enjoy the time as a teenager. Growing up isn’t something that has to happen tomorrow. Also, don’t be quite so independent, let some people take care of you for a while. You don’t have to do everything by yourself.
I would tell my younger self to enjoy living in the moment more than worrying about every little aspect of your future. You can’t control the cards you’re dealt sometimes, and in the end, all that matters is your happiness and who you’re lucky enough to spend your life with – enjoy your family, friends, and spouse as much as humanly possible for all that they are! :) And, drink a Green Smoothie every day! ;)
I tweeted, too :)
Tweeted! ;)
Pinned those delicious oatmeal raisin cookies
I would tell my younger self to relax and have fun! Getting the grades doesnt matter in the end as much as you think it will! Learning another language or picking up an instrument earlier would have been a more useful use of all that effort!
I would tell myself to enjoy each day – try more things and don’t be afraid to step out of my comfort zone more.
I’d tell myself to stay vegetarian, try yoga again and meditate more. (Saving up for a great blender would be a good idea too!)
I tweeted too :)
Live a little!!! I was always a worrier and would analyze everything. I colored inside the lines, followed every recipe to the word, stayed out of the pool for 30 minutes after eating, etc. Now that I’m older I realize that life is short and you can’t stress about the small stuff (and it may make a prettier picture or more tasty dish). Also, MORE SUNSCREEN!!!
I would tell my younger self to stop worrying about what other people think of me and just be ME. I spent way too many years hiding out and not being myself because I was afraid someone would judge me or not like me for those reasons. It was such a waste of time!
I think my comment with a link to my tweet might have ended up in the spam folder :(
I would ask my younger self to enjoy every bit of her carefree life as a kid and not to get too perturbed over petty things. They are just not all that important in the grand scheme of things in life.
Dear Ruth,
Please listen to the dietician when she tells you you should stop eating dairy products. You’re only making things harder on yourself by avoiding them for a year, then returning to them with glorious abandon. Also, don’t ignore the GI specialist when she tells you you’ll be more comfortable if you cut gluten out of your diet. And when you cut refined sugars out of your diet for a year, please don’t start eating sugar again because it’s hard to follow a diet that’s so different from those around you. But don’t worry. Eventually you’ll gain the wisdom, strength, and knowledge that will lead you to follow a gluten free, dairy free, no refined sugar diet, and it will all work out in the end. And remember, you are always precious and lovable, no matter what. Always remember that.
Dear Leia: I know it’s hard to be weird, it’s hard to be fat, it’s hard to have one eyebrow, but you are more than your physicalities and you don’t need to compensate in any way. You end up to be pretty wonderful.