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.
Great giveaway!
Advice to my former self? You’re just as smart as you think. ;)
Advice to my 16 yr. old self: Embrace your curls! 1) Everyone tells you how beautiful they are… believe them! and 2) You can’t fight them for very much longer anyways :) O, and dump your boyfriend… you will find the man of your dreams very soon! Be patient! xoxo
I would tell my younger self to persevere with a vegan diet even when it seems difficult or people question your motivations. The benefits are worth it and anything you believe in is something you should fight for.
I’d tell my younger self to care less about what other people may think about you.
I would probably tell myself to not worry so much about what others think.
I repinned your homemade twix bars on Pinterest
I would tell my younger self to believe in herself and stop playing it so safe! Life is full of opportunities, you just have to take them.
I pinned a recipe as well, thank you for the opportunity!
http://pinterest.com/pin/102879172709225162/
I would advise myself not to worry so much about what people think is “right” or “good” and instead concentrate on what I think is right for me.
One piece of advice that I would give to my younger self would be to stop holding yourself back from doing the things you want to do and that make you happy. You are smart and perfectly capable of accomplishing anything you want to do but you need to get yourself out there and work hard and have confidence in yourself because those goals and dreams won’t just happen without action and determination!
I re-pinned one of your recipes on Pinterest. http://pinterest.com/pin/154107618470543207/
I would say, Dear Saar. It’s all going to be okay. Your body and mind are so much stronger than you now believe. You will get through this depression, you will get over this eating disorder. Yes, it might take you well into your twenties, but girl are you going to have an awesome life once you start choosing for yourself. Keep holding on, as lonely and dark the days may seem now, you will find love and you will find happiness in your days again. Don’t lose hope, just breathe. And eat a little, will you?
Amazing! I would tell my 16-year-old self to relaaax. Things will work themselves out, somehow. But then again, I still have trouble listening to that advice.
And I tweeted!
Dear young(er) self, you’re a smart girl with so much to offer the world. Don’t be afraid to let your voice be heard and share your thoughts and creativity, not just your smile. You were always a good listener but now it’s your time to be a good communicator. You’re a bright one hunny, don’t be afraid to shine.
I just tweeted about this awesome giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity :)
Congrats to you! The message I’d give to my younger self is: “Put trust in yourself, you have control and you will succeed”
I would definitely tell myself to eat healthy food and get movin’. Oh, and ditch that cigarette, while you’re at it. Makes you stink like hell! :)
I would tell myself to not sweat the small stuff. Life’s too short to be perfect!
To my younger self I’d say: never for one second take your family for granted. You’ll grow up, move across states and realize how much you’ve depended on them and miss your family ‘flow’. Spend more time calling and catching up with them because friends can sometimes come and go, but family stays on your timeline forever!
tweeted your blendtec giveaway today!