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 also just pinned one of your recipes!
Feli, Feli… you will end up in places you’ve never dreamed of going, and you would leave your homeland, your family and start all new far far away… Don’t you ever forget your roots, where you come from and how you grew up. Stay humble, love people and most of all continue to love God all the time.
Tweeted as wel!!!
I would tell myself “you are beautiful! Don’t worry about not being perfect, and don’t try to fit into what everyone else is. Be yourself, just like you are meant to be!”
The best piece of advice I think that I would give my 16 year old self or another 16 year old is that no matter what happens, live will indeed go on and get better. It can only get better. Keep loving yourself, treat yourself right and you will come out on top.
I tweeted the contest!
I would tell my younger self to trust her instincts…go with her gut….it’s pretty much always right.
Take care of your body now–
I would advise my younger self to have more patience and to sleep more. I would say that what is coming is only better, but that you will never *know* what the “right” thing to do is going to be, so just make your best decision and keep moving forward. I would try to clue myself in about mindfulness, real food, and exercise and how much better it will make “us” feel…though, being my sixteen-year-old self, I wouldn’t listen. ;)
I would tell me younger self to not worry so much about what other people think of you and to be kinder to yourself!
Repinned your 2 Minute Apple Cinnamon Peanut Butter!!
I would tell myself to seek more balance. I was so buried in books/had to get A’s during my academic years, that I missed out on a lot of fun and a lot of bonding with female friends.
dear young lady, (this could apply to my former self or my daughter of current)
remember above all things to be kind to others and try hard not to be judgemental on any level, of other peoples expressions, as we are all human and vulnerable. oh and enjoy and spoil to pieces, those who are close to you in life!!
I would tell my younger self to eat healthier “real” food, rather than thinking a meal of Ramen Noodles or sugary cereal was sufficient and healthy!
I would tell my younger self to take time to grow up, enjoy it more and don’t rush bc being an adult isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, especially as easy as you’ve got it now. Appreicate your parents more and stop being such a know-it-all, they really do have your best interests at heart when you’re 18 and you want to marry your high school sweetheart. Also, be kind to your body. Those aches and pains after gymnastics and cheerleading get worse in your 30’s and then you’ll realize it probably wasn’t worth it! Don’t you dare give into peer pressure, stay strong, do what you know is right. Also, be nice to your brother bc there will be days when you will need him. He becomes a mechanic and owns his own business painting homes! Very valuable in the land of adulthood!
If i could give myself advise at 16 I would tell myself that I only get one life and one body and not to take it for granted and to take care of yourself. Be the healthiest you, you can be. One thing I do now that I wish I did then is start my morning off with a green smoothie!:)
Dear Younger Self,
Find healthy recipes you love and keep your pantry stocked those ingredients. Healthy doesn’t have to equal “Gross”. There are delicious healthy options.
I would tell myself not to fear failure or let it get in the way of trying new things.
I just Tweeted your giveaway offer!
Annnnd, to my younger self I would say:
Trust your gut instincts. That quick flash-whisper of your inner voice is what will take you safely from one lesson to another. Listen to her, EVERY time. And no matter what happens, show yourself compassion and allowance for every way you feel, whether it is an ecstatic high, a despairing low or a flat, apathetic wasteland. You are a glowing rockstar!!!
Just pinned your Fall Detox Salad – can’t wait to try it!!