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 would tell myself not to stress out so much. It’s not worth worrying about the little things.
To 15 year-old Meghann I would say PLEASE stop worrying what everyone else thinks! Do what you love, and do it well :D
I would tell my younger self to stop being so hard on myself and to follow my heart, not what was expected of me.
Oh so much advice I could give my younger self!! One thing I would say is to not do such weird things to my hair! Leave it alone and you won’t look back at photos and cringe!
OMG I would love to make protein smoothies and my own baby food in a great blender like this!
I also pinned your recipe for “Creamy Orange Sunshine Soup” and shared it to my Facebook to have another entry!
Thank you for all of the wonderful recipes!
I also re-pinned your Homemade Crispy Twix Bars!
i would definitely tell my younger self that inspirational quotes are not cheesy!… and sometimes they’re just the moment of reflection you need during a chaotic day. :)
I would tell myselft not the sweat the small stuff… what seems like a big deal at the time does not always matter so much down the road. Relax more and have fun!
I would tell my younger self to have the faith and confidence to believe in myself and know that I have worth.
I’d tell myself that there are no shortcuts to good health. And the feeling of being healthy is worth taking the long road. Your blog has given me countless examples of this and helped fuel me along the way. Congrats on 4 years and thank you!
I would tell my 16 year old self that everything is possible. Don’t let fear stop you from being great…you can achieve anything you set your heart on.
Oh my, I would LOVE this blendtec! I was an early admirer of their YouTube videos – talk about making viral marketing work for you, but I continue to admire the strength of their blenders. I think I may have burned the motor of my cuisinart mini-blender last night trying to blend up some peanut butter smoothies.. whoops.
I tweeted the giveaway – thanks! @adreareed
I re-pinned your warm quinoa salad recipe on pinterest :)
In high school when I briefly thought I might have an issue with wheat but dismissed as absurd…I would tell that 15 year old self she’s right and to cut gluten and dairy. I’d have saved myself two surgeries, countless $$$ in meds and at least a years worth of sick days. But since I can’t I’ll just take care of myself the rest of my life!
I would tell my younger self that what you eat matters! Healthy habits are so much easier to develop when you’re young. But it’s never too late to start and have an active lifestyle!
Dear young Carla,
Don’t let people say you are dreaming too high! Dreams are never high enough if you are willing to do your best. Face your fear, challenge yourself. You can always be better. You can always do more.
ps: I already tweeted this!!! =)
Sara,
First of all, please, start breathing. You need to slow down and take a step back. Remember there is always more than one way to “skin a cat” (squash, zuchini or beet), and only when you breathe and take a look at the whole picture will you discover the mandolin sitting in the corner just waiting to help you out.
Love yourself. You are BEAUTIFUL inside and out. Beauty is so much more than the jeans you’re wearing, the party you want to go to, or your crush. Beauty cannot be attained with makeup, hairspray, or the right clothes. Beauty comes from loving, trusting, and respecting yourself for who you are, and who you want to be.
Throw away your scale! Beauty is NOT what you weigh on the scale, what size your jeans are, or how your bum looks. Beauty comes in ALL shapes and sizes and is NOT the same as skinny. Fit is beautiful. Strong is beautiful. Capable is beautiful. Sick, insecure and self-harming is NOT beautiful. You are not FAT, and FAT is a terrible word. Don’t use it for yourself or others, it doesn’t help.
Love. Tell your mom and dad you love them. Today. You never know where they will be tomorrow. Hug your sister. Protect her. FAMILY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU HAVE.
Put positive energy into the universe and you will get it back, and more.
Remember what dad always says “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. He’s right. He’s always right.
Most importantly, Sara: Breathe. Love yourself. Love others. Treat yourself with love, respect, and admiration: others are sure to follow.
I LOVE YOU,
your 26 year old self.
My advice to my 16 year old self would be to never give up the things that you love to please others. You may think it’s for the best but it will leZve you lacking fulfillment and contentment, two key pieces of life’s puzzle!