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.
Tweet tweet. Left one under @geekgonenomad Love the site, keep up the great work! Also, I would advise my 16 year old self to suck it up and eat your vegetables! Oh, I would also have told myself to start reading your blog (though I don’t think it was around back then, or even the interwebs for that matter)…
hah thanks Kyle!
Remember that it is okay to not do what you always thought you were “supposed” to do and everyone said you should do and instead just do what you want to do and that makes you happy.
I would tell my younger self to not be afraid to try something new and to give yourself and others more grace. We all make mistakes sometimes so always treat everyone (including yourself) with kindness.
Happy Anniversary…you’re blog is really great!
You will be alright. Don’t take things too seriously, and more importantly, get to know yourself and be comfortable in your own skin.
I would tell myself to not take myself so seriously.
I would advise my younger self to be more confidant in all that I do.
Dear 16-year-old me,
I’m only three years older now, but I feel a lot wiser (five years from now, I’ll be laughing at this). Don’t stress about the little things. Don’t panic about the big things. God is holding you in His arms–He won’t let you fall. Breathe deeply and focus on Him. Life is easier when you aren’t gazing at your navel.
Sincerely,
Slightly older you
Do NOT swerve to miss squirrels on the road, it doesn’t end well. Also, go easy on yourself!
Young Diana, don’t be lazy because med school is 8 years… time flies, and it will be totally worth it. Just do it!
don’t waste your time on people who can’t appreciate yours. open up to people. experience more because you’re about to grow up quick. stop caring so much about things that really don’t matter because yes everyone that is already telling you that is RIGHT.
That ninth grade test to diagnose your destined career path is a good exercise to get you to think about the future but it and all of the people who will pressure you to go in one direction or another, while perhaps well intentioned, should be taken with a grain of salt. You’re the one who has to live with your life so make it a life you want to live.
My advice to my younger self would be to stop stressing so much! I spent so much anxiety and worry about things that did not even matter! Now I try to remember to worry about something when it becomes a problem and deal with it, instead of anticipating problems that usually don’t even come up!
I have also always wanted one of these blenders for better green smoothies and to try my hand at making nut butters :)
Dear young self, you are totally worthy as you are, love your body don’t hate it because it’s a gift from God!
Posted on Pinterest!!!
http://pinterest.com/pin/264164334364412339/
I would tell my younger self to write down grandpa’s stories/advice because once he passes, they go with him and you’ll find yourself wishing you would have written them down.
Dear 16 year old self,
Your thighs are not fat. Seriously, you look amazing. And stop being so hard on yourself!
To my 16yro. self,
My dearest Heather, Believe I am going to lay it all out for you. Let go of distractions, the boys and girls in the social circle, the worry about being to thin or to fat, and not being wealthy enough. None of that matters. Love your family, focus on school and keep dancing. Put education and healthy living first and you’ll be on target towards your dreams. Your right to study psychology, it’s your path. Not real estate and not ditching school to go to the beach. Take care of your grama Ruby, learn all her knitting, quilting and cooking secrets. Then you won’t look back from age 42 and wish you had.
I love you 16 yro Heather.
I wish I could tell my younger self that there is plenty of time left to grow up. Live in the now and enjoy where you are.
I also repinned on Pinterest :)
Also, I just repinned your recipe for Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts with Rosemary and Garlic!
I would tell my younger self that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it’s not what is on the outside but what’s on the inside that really matters.