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 definitely tell myself to not be afraid to verge from the path that was paved for me by my family and community growing up. It’s scary to be “different”, but oh so worth it!
I would tell myself to: chill out, live in the present and follow my own passions, not what others think I should do. I wish I had learned those lessons a little earlier!
Rachy, keep on making those soap sud cookies while mom bakes. You will learn all you know from her-life lessons, fabulous meals and obviously desserts. One day you will be happy you watched her all those years. ….Always have a plate of warm cookies or pie on the table when your future man comes home from a hard day-it will make him fall in love with you all over again. :)
Tweeted the Giveaway! https://twitter.com/LissaShines/status/263664869902020609
Oh Carly – things always turn out just fine. Only worry about the things you can change. If it’s out of your control, the task is acceptance.
I would tell my 16-year-old self to learn to enjoy each moment with family and friends. You never know who will be gone tomorrow so enjoy the time you have with loved ones.
I would tell my younger self to be more spontaneous and to live and love in the moment. Life is not about perfection, it’s about BALANCE.
…and I just tweeted the giveaway!
I re-pinned your maple popcorn recipe. Looks so good!
Dear younger self,
Care less about what others think and more about what your heart is saying. Kindness, compassion, and grace are actions you’ll never regret.
Love,
Me
Plus, I just tweeted about the giveaway!
2nd entry, I repinned your Cinnamon Bun Granola: http://pinterest.com/pin/228205906089456315/
One thing I would tell my younger self:
He totally isn’t worth it. Don’t “fall in love” with him because someday if you wait long enough, your true love will come along. And mom is always right and knows best.
To relax and enjoy things a bit more … spent way too much time worrying & making myself sick! It all turns out fine.
I would advise my 16 yr old self to never take life too seriously and never take anything too personal. Love yourself and stay strong in who you are and always trust that things will work out just the way they were meant to be. In the end in only matters that you love yourself, love those around you that you hold close to your heart and that you are happy in whatever you do.
Judy, Don’t take a year off from college. I know you are burned out, but you only have one year left. Suck it up and get it done. You may never finish if you do. Which is exactly what happened.
I don’t have Twitter, so here is a link to one of your recipes I pinned: http://pinterest.com/pin/15833036161373852/
Don’t be so concerned about what everyone else is doing, just continue following your heart and being your true self, I know that is hard at your age, but seek those you respect who are older and ask them to share about your character traits, then enhance them! You will be amazed at what you are going to accomplish in the future! Lastly you are loved!
btw, I tweeted as mommyof3bz
This is an amazing giveaway – I’ve wanted a fancy Blendtec forever but can’t afford one. One piece of advice I’d tell my younger self is to not take life SO seriously all the time and don’t sweat the small stuff!
I would tell my younger self to drink more water! I grew up in South Florida and HATED drinking water. It took me until I was in college to really learn the value of water and suddenly my daily headaches disappeared. CRAZY!