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 myself to wait for the good things in life to find me rather than trying to find them myself.
I would tell myself:
“Don’t worry about the way you look, who is judging you, or making other people happy with your life. Instead of focusing on the image in the mirror, go focus on the beauty of the world. Explore how to make yourself the most happy and surround yourself with love. Most of all, be Ange, authentically.”
I would remind myself that I’m responsible for my own happiness – a lesson I keep relearning everyday!
Pinned overnight vegan oats on my recipe board on Pinterest :)
I’d advise my younger self that self love is necessary before you can adequately love others, and no matter what happens and where I am, I should always take time for myself.
That would have saved me a whole lotta time.
Dear Younger self….. You are hurting more than yourself with your low self esteem and its a sacrifice you should never make. By sacrificing yourself for your child you will hurt your child in the long…. stop now and start loving yourself. You’re worth it!!
I would tell my younger self not to worry about what other people think!
Hummm I’d tell myself to slow down. I was always rushing to the next thing. I’d tell myself to savor each moment! I’d also say – eat less sugar – hah! Oh and Get a mammogram (I’m a 38 year old breast cancer survivor). Cancer is horrid, but there are precious, unforgettable moments too. Lastly I’d tell myself to give my parents a break!
I would tell my younger self that being skinnier wouldn’t make me faster, stronger, or better at the sports I loved.
Don’t be afraid to have opinions and speak them. Be yourself.
The advice I would give my younger self: Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up!
I would tell my 16 year old self to stop sweating the small stuff and focus on the big picture. Learn to be grateful and that it always better to give! Also, start saving your pennies for that Blendtec you’re going to want!
I would tell my 16-year old self to reeeelaxxx and take a deep breath. Nobody expects you to be perfect :)
I just tweeted!
Hey younger Mike!
Spend more time practicing your guitar so when you get older you can be a world famous rock star instead of working a regular job!
Everything’s going to work out ok.
Pinned you!
I would tell my younger self that, sometimes when we feel like we are “lost” and that we’ll never move forward, that we should think of it as a time of “transition”, making us stronger for what’s to come:)
I’ve tweeted!
And, I’d tell myself to be both patient and kind, as much with myself as I am with others. This is a lesson I’m still learning – but maybe if I’d paid attention to it earlier I’d be a step ahead of the game =]
I’d also tell myself that there would come a day that I would yearn for naps. So, I would encourage younger me to take every nap time offered to me with gusto, because eventually when we grow up we run out of time… =]
Awesome giveaway Angela, but more importantly – awesome blog. Thanks so much for your inspiration! xo
Learn to have fun before it is too late.