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.
Dear younger self:
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Don’t worry about how you look. You look good. But it really doesn’t matter. Be a good friend. Sometimes you have to work at it. But it does matter.
i repinned your twix bar recipe, because i’m making them today!
Don’t believe the negatives that you feel toward yourself. Believe in all your good qualities and keep working on them. Sometimes being funny isn’t the most important thing.
I would tell my younger self to put down the credit card!
Oooh, I want this. My best advice to my younger self would be to worry less! The right man will come along. Just enjoy yourself!
A piece of advice I would give to my high-school younger self is that if boys won’t put in the effort to actually date you, stop putting in the effort to get them to change their mind. There are plenty of fantastic guys out there who will put in the effort to be with you, and those are the ones who are worth your time and affection.
Man, this is hard… I suppose I’d tell my younger self to get tested for ADHD much earlier, and don’t be so afraid of meds, they will change your life in a very, very good way. Also, keep practicing things that don’t come to you easily. I know you’re a perfectionist and you’re smart, so it’s dangerously easy to coast through life, but resist the temptation! Make fun wild goals, and WORK at them, fail spectacularly, work some more, develop self discipline and self pride. Keep trying, keep reading great books, be generous, don’t be afraid to cut toxic people/things from your life, practice kindness, eat your veggies.
I would tell my younger self to relax and explore more to learn about my passions. So I don’t have to do it when I’m 28!!
I would tell my younger self that I am stronger, both mentally and physically, and smarter than I think. Thanks for all the amazing recipes. Congratulations on your four years. Wish I’d found you sooner.
Pinned this recipe: http://ohsheglows.com/2011/11/25/last-minute-protein-energy-bars-creamy-holly-nog-smoothie/
Thanks!
I would tell my 16 year-old self: not to take my parent’s new car out for a spin on some windy roads that one day, not to continue playing sports while I had mono, and not to wear some of those 90’s outfits (thank goodness for no facebook at that time!). I would also tell myself to love my body – it’s a gift not an enemy, to love my parents – they are wise and any day could be their last, and to not be afraid to trust myself and chase my passions. I would tell myself to choose love.
I would tell my younger self to not sweat the small stuff – especially the boy drama! And I would tell myself to stay close to good friends – don’t lose touch, make the effort it takes.
Younger Self: greens, rest, and exercise make you feel like your perfect self. Don’t skimp on those three and you’ll stay healthy and happy!
P.S. Just made a green monster that I’m very excited to enjoy!
To my younger self:
Always think twice about the actions and words that you use toward those who know and love you. remember that there won’t always be time to take back negative words and behavior. No matter how bad you think your situation is, take five minutes to choose your words wisely. You may lose someone you love too early, and you don’t want your memory of them straight.ed with words you wish you could undo. And God forbid something ever happens to you, you want to give everyone around you a reason to remember you as a person with all the love and kindness in the world.
I would tell my younger self not to care so much about appearances and be nicer to my parents :)
What a great giveaway! I’d tell my younger self to get yo shiz together and figure out what you want to get your degree in! It took me years of flip-flopping to finally decide on something. :-)
Angela, first of all, thanks for all your recipes!! I have a serious sweet tooth, so your recipes let me indulge in a healthier way… I would tell the 16 year old me to take it easy with school and extra-curricular stuff!! Enjoy the last few years of high school with your friends and share those moments with your family… Thanks for this giveaway!!
I wish I could tell my younger self not to sweat the “process” because I’d be happy where I am today, although I didn’t get here the way I thought I would, and it isn’t really how, or where I envisioned I’d be. It would have taken a lot of pressure off if I knew I’d end up in a happy place one way or another.
Use your time wisely, you only have so much of it.
I tweeted! :-) Thanks for offering this!