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.
In earnest, perhaps desperately, perhaps grasping myself by the arms and shaking me vigorously, and staring myself straight in the eye, I would say:
Quit being so judgemental and concerned with worldly beauty. Learn to look in the mirror and love what God has given you.
Treat your body like a temple.
Thank you for the giveaway, Angela! Your blog has helped me through so much!
To my former/younger self: Get off that couch! You may not like how you look now, but you’ll hate it even more if you don’t do anything about it. It will be MUCH more difficult to get in shape after 29 years of inactivity than it would be to start NOW! and PS – he isn’t “the one” move on and love yourself more :)
I tweeted!
I often think back on my teen years and feel disappointed that I wasn’t more secure about myself. It really hindered my ability to form relationships and excel in the things I was good at. So, my best advice would be to work on loving and believing in myself. My high school years would have been much different if that were the case!
Meg, you don’t have to put up with people who treat you poorly. You DO have the strength and right to defend yourself!
Note to younger self:
Sami-
Don’t be so worried about what people think of you. Don’t be so hard on yourself and stop expecting perfection. People who are going to love you, are going to love you in spite of your “flaws”. Perfection is overrated and imperfection is beautiful. Love yourself.
Dear younger self,
Be less afraid and more bold about the possibilities and directions that life can take you. You are not your past. Don’t just fit yourself within the framework of all you have known – reach out, take chances, be inventive, and dare to try what seems impossible.
Love,
Older Self
I actually think about this a lot as I watch my three kids (8, 11, and 15) grow up. I think I would tell my younger self not to be so focused on what I want to achieve in the future that I forget to enjoy life as it happens. That’s something I struggle with even now!
I tweeted!
I’d leave bad relationships sooner….and eaten way less sugar!
I would tell my younger self to slow down and enjoy each day. stop dreaming of days to come and start dreaming of today!
also retweeted the giveaway (@emilybrtaylor)
I would tell myself to not fret about having a perfectly ordered and clean house and to spend more time with family and loved ones!
I tweeted (and re-pinned)!
Re-pinned your Apple Walnut Lentil Loaf on Pinterest. I made it last week and it was AMAZING!!!
Hmmm… If I could tell my younger self something, it would be..”BE YOURSELF. SMILE and Dont sweat the small Stuff! ” I remember trying to fit in, and until I got to Senior Year (when it was too late) that I should just be myself, and I made SO MANY friends afterwards by just warming up and not being so “uptight” I would worry about sooo much stuff..like what I wore, or that my hair had to be perfect. Pshh…I wish I realized that when I was younger..I couldve used all that time to sleep ;P
<3
Be yourself. Don’t worry about what others think. Also embrace exercise and healthy eating
If I could encourage my slightly younger self with one gem of advice, I would tell her to always choose kindness. Kindness is ALWAYS the answer, except when the question is “What is NOT the answer?” The golden rule should always rule and of course a bangin’ diet and lots of excise only accentuates your ability to be nice to everyone else… try being nice after gorging yourself on potato chips… it’s hard! :)
I would tell my younger self to choose your battles wisely and don’t sweat the small stuff!
I would tell myself to not be so critical of myself and being happy with the person I am. I would also tell myself to start an exercise routine instead of waiting to start in my late 20’s.
I tweeted about the giveaway!