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 tweeted the giveaway! @miss_marthalc
I would advise my younger self to live in the moment more and not to rush through the wonderful “wonder” years to reach adulthood. I look back now and cherish my high school and college years and only wish that I didn’t spend so much time longing to be “free” of my parents, their roof over my head and their reign on my independence, which now translates into missing my mom and dad dearly because we live so far away, a hefty mortgage along with many other bills and too many decision to make on my own.
Take more chances!
What I honestly would say to myself is not something I would want to post on the internet. I would build a time machine and go back and tell myself…. myself? Wording words aside, I would advise my tinier self to build a time machine. Besides saving the world, it would make my present life a lot more fun.
I would tell my younger self that my body is fine as is and my time would be much better spent having fun and not worrying!
I would tell myself to work on loving myself just as I am :) Also, to continue looking for the positive in every day and everyone. Your future is bright :)
My advice to my much younger and more attractive self would be to keep in contact with your friends. It is so easy to let those old high school / college friendships pass you by but as you age friendships become more important again and you miss them. My friend has a Blendtec and I have one on my wishlist on Amazon but I just have never been able to afford one. I am a vegan who juices daily and would love to be able to NOT waste the pulp and have a blender good enough to liquefy my fruits and veggies. Thanks!
My advice to my younger self would be this: Stop making out with so many boys! Save your lips for the really good ones. And, don’t try to please everyone. Be confident in you! Happy 4 years, Ange!! You inspire me. xoxo
Self, don’t start with the hair dying.
Just tweeted!
Pinned the stuffed baked apples which I made this past weekend. Delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re-pinned baked stuffed apples – Yum!
I would tell my younger self to take more risks and have more fun!
I would tell my younger self to make a bigger commitment to being healthy. Even though I have been vegetarian since High School, I didn’t focus on truly un-processed vegan food and running, yoga and consistent weight lifting until my late 20’s. I wish I’d started sooner, but I had many excuses, including focusing on guys, school, my career and not having any leftover money for yoga classes or gym memberships. If I had it to do over I’d make it my top priority!
I would tell myself to stop saying “no, I can’t do that” or “no, I’d be too embarrassed if I did that” or no to anything that would stop me from enjoying life experiences. Instead (obviously within reason and within legal bounds) say, “yes, I want to do that” or “of course, I may look silly on that stage but I’m certainly go to do this play” or to say yes to things that would encourage you to see the world with different eyes and to go an explore and learn like you did when you were a child.
Trust your heart…because it does not lie…and to be exact who I am, because I am enough.
Congrats on 4 years!! That’s amazing!
Dear 16 year old me:
Keep believing in Santa Claus. Tell your parents and your grandparents that you love them – often. Wear more sunscreen. You can do anything you put your mind to. Eat your fruits and veggies. :)
Catherine, you young over-achiever, you! Spend some extra time listening to your Grandpas’ stories, and join a swim team before you get to high school (believe me, it will be so fun!). Take care of yourself, girl, and keep things in perspective…ten years from now, you won’t remember any grades or awards, but you will remember good times with friends and family!
Erin–– Don’t sit on your legs constantly… your knees will pay the price when you are in your 30s!!
I would tell my younger self to enjoy being young. You are a grown up far longer than you are a kid so enjoy it! I would also tell her to not compare herself to others and that she is beautiful just the way she is! Happy Halloween!