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.
If I could advise my younger self, I would say, “Enjoy your children while they are young. Don’t worry about the future, it will all work out. Be in the moment. Treasure each memory and hide it in your heart!” My children are now 33 and 29….too late for me but maybe not for you.
Don’t follow the crappy advice in women’s magazines about “what everyone else is doing”. In 10-20 years those women are trying to make sense of their broken lives and wondering where it all went wrong. Find an older woman who is truly successful and happy without medication and learn from her!
Kenya one day you will understand that you are beautiful, intelligent and perfectly imperfect just the way you are! You don’t need anyone’s approval, just be comfortable with who you are because you are rare, unique gem!
Britt – value God’s opinion over that of anyone else. If you make THAT your standard you will always be happy. This is something I’m working on now – better late than never.
What a great idea for a comment prompt!
Tweeted the contest, fun!
Dear Katie,
Rather than tell you “I know it seems hard” I will acknowledge that it is hard and you are doing a great job. If you can trust me, please know you are loved tremendously and will be remembered for the beautiful way you move in the world; read ‘The Missing Piece Meets the Big O’ by Shel Silverstein; tell your parents you are grateful; keep singing; let yourself be silly; and don’t feel bad for not sticking to the plan, the detour will get you where you need to be.
To younger self, Everyone is created equal. Do not let fear stop you from trying something new. Life is short….just do it!!!!
Advice to my younger self would be to try and search who you are, not what your peers want you to be. Make goals and plans for yourself and strive/live for them and to remember most of your high school friends are not going to be around in 10 years so live for you.
I would advise myself that that diet coke and bag of doritos for lunch in high school would come back to haunt you in your middle age and that you really are what you eat. Please know that as you know better you do better. I forgive you.
You will enjoy fruits and veggies and that they really taste good! Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.
Teach and don’t preach because everyone is exactly where they need to be for their journey at this time. Accept others choices without judgement. Love yourself, Love your body and spread health to those who seek to know.
I’d tell my younger self to be true to who you are regardless of what others say or do. Respect yourself.
Love, love your website. Got so many recipes from. Thanks ever so much. Just pinned one of your recipes.
Thanks for a great giveaway.
Suzanne
Oh man the many things I know now that I wish I would’ve known then…Hmmm. two major things: 1. take good care of your finances. You don’t need those boots! lol and 2. make exercise and good eating your lifestyle now and you won’t have to keep trying later, it will be natural. : D
I don’t have a twitter account but I re-pinned butternut squash macaroni recipe. Love anything with butternut squash : )
I would tell 18 year old me to take time to really discover my passion in life rather than following the more popular path. Take courses in university that interest you rather than ones that you feel you “must” take.
LOVE LOVE LOVE Your blog Angela :) I can’t tell you the number of people I’ve told about this amazing collection of stories, recipes and photos. Keep up the awesome work!
One comment I would give to my younger self is that things ALWAYS work out. We all go through times of struggle and uncertainty, but there always comes a point where we can look back and know that we made it through. :)
My comment to my younger self is to never give up and keep fighting for your dreams.
I would tell my 16 year old self to stop comparing yourself to others. Your value is in that you’re NOT like them, don’t waste time trying to change who you are just to fit in. Bring your full self to life, and love that what you bring IS different and essential.
I have pinned countless things to Pinterest, and continue to do so…. All your stuff is so “pin-able”
I would advise my younger self to stop worrying so much, when you fail calculus the first time change majors, don’t re take it three more times, and don’t move into the Furman house!
Dear Kelly,
You are so beyond worth it. You do not need a man to confirm that for you b/c you are worth it just as you are! You don’t need approval from others about anything. Decide what dreams YOU want to chase, go after them and I promise you – even though you may not feel like now – you will SOAR! Your absolutely lovely so you have no reason to be or feel insecure – it’s a waste of your time lovely girl, trust me.