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.
Those little Spooky Shakes are the cutest! So creative! As far a my advice to my younger self … I would look that chubby little shy girl in the eye and let her know that she is wonderfully and fearfully made and that although she may not realize that at the time. She really is loved, liked and just fine the way she is and has a lot offer all the people in her life! ( That little chubby girl still lives inside me and I have remind her of that often
Give yourself a bit more credit. You know more than you think and just because people are older and a bit more traveled does not necessarily mean that they know better. We’re all just doing the best that we can.
Be more purposeful with your life. Don’t be afraid to fail, learn from it. Frustration leads to growth, so challenge yourself. Strive for continuous self-improvement but love yourself along the way. And by the way, don’t worry about high school boys, there is a whole world full of men who will be ready to appreciate you throughout your life.
I tweeted this!
16 year old Lindsay should know that everyone who ever made fun of her vegetarian meals at high school lunch hour will be going to university in 2 years and will be exposed to way more counterculture preferences than simple tofu salad- so they are the weird ones, not me! :)
I tweeted!
I would tell the younger me: Don’t stress about each and every thing in life. Be content with yourself just the way you are and trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. Only then will you find peace within yourself.
my advice to my 16 year old self is to take care of yourself now, so when you are my age you won’t be worrying so much about your weight, your health and the wrinkles. eat right, no processed foods, use sunblock (don’t bake yourself in the sun) and relax and have fun!
Be nice. In 10 years, you won’t remember how clever everyone thought you were with that witty insult. All you’ll remember is how that person felt.
hey shannon- appreciate your family. you may not always live this close to so them and they’re actually really cool individuals you should get to know.
in fact, most people are cool individuals, get to know them.
To my younger self,
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
Including you.
16 year old self — there’s no “normal, so be comfortable being you. Also, drive carefully..!
I would tell my younger self to not take life so seriously! Sometimes you just need to go with the flow, and what happens, happens.
Smile more!!!
Dear Young D,
Love yourself. Respect yourself. Trust your decisions. Oh, and use sunscreen, not baby oil when out in the sun!
To my 16 year old self: microwave meals are not REAL food! Start cooking vegan! NOW!
Just tweeted!
I would tell myself to invest in a certain company associated with fruit that comes in red and green, makes a great pie, and is much easier to process with a peeler/corer….
Dear 16 Year-Old Me,
Give yourself some grace and try not to be so hard on your parents. They’re doing the best they can and they only want you to be happy!
(I’ve also tweeted the giveaway!)
Pinned Pumpkin Pie Smoothie for two!
I would tell my younger self suntanning is not cool.
I would advise my high-school self to not freak out about college admissions! You’re going to be just fine, I promise :)