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 my younger self not to worry so much about what others thought of me, to be confident, and just be myself!
I would tell myself that, no matter how falsely seductive laziness and junk food can be, no harm can come from eating well and staying active.
I would definitely tell my little self to eat less crap. p.s. I tweeted :)
Tweeted!!
Enjoy the present moment and stop caring what people think so much!
I have re-pinned some of your recipes on Pinterest!
Younger Julz, don’t care about what others think of you!
If I could give some advice to my younger self, I would say to stop feeling so self-conscious and awkward about being taller than everyone else. I’ve wasted so much time worrying about something that can’t be changed. My younger self probably still wouldn’t listen, though. hah!
I would advise my younger self to be more confident in my own skin!!! If only teenagers knew how to do that, things would’ve been so much easier!!!
I would tell myself that there is so much more to life than high school and hang in there!
Happy birthday OSG!
I would advise my younger self to never be anyone different than who I am. I have always been a “strange bird”, as my parents would say. I didn’t fully accept my uniqueness until after high school. I was always so concerned with what others thought I should be. It wasn’t until later that I shed this façade and could be comfortable in my own skin.
I would tell myself that he is not the right guy for you…..and neither is he!
Hey Ange,
If I could, I would tell my younger self that I am beautiful, and I would tell myself that everyday. I had this horrible mindset (and still do sometimes) that I had to look like a carbon copy of today’s photoshopped celebrities. That I had to be pin-thin, have clear skin and long, shiny hair. This idea of beauty helped me to meet some new friends: anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. Today, I honestly still fight tooth and nail to recover. However, I am finding that a healthy vegan diet full of variety (thanks to your amazing recipes!) as well as yoga are helping me to believe that I AM BEAUTIFUL!
I want to thank you personally for helping me with my recovery.
I’ve been following your blog for just over 1 year (since I became vegan) and I have looked through your before and ‘after’ post so many times. I remind myself that you did it, so I can do it to.
You are an amazing inspiration for women everywhere. You are following your dreams, living concientiously and helping others all the while! Plus, your recipes can please even my carnivorous boyfriend. ;)
Thank you so much! I am looking forward to reading this blog (and your new cookbook!!) for a long time.
Allie
I would tell my younger self, don’t let people get you down. No matter what anyone says – you are wonderful. Naysayers are just jealous.
I would tell my younger self not to worry so much, things have a way of working themselves out and I can’t be in control of everything. Sit back and enjoy the ride, what’s meant to be will be.
I tweeted the giveaway! :)
Take every moment as a lesson!
Advice to past self-
In short: Like what you like because you like it.
At length: Don’t spend so much time worrying if people will judge you for liking something that’s not popular, and at the same time, don’t knock something that everyone else is into until you’ve tried it. Watch/read/wear/listen to/do what YOU enjoy, and you’ll be a lot happier than either the hipsters or the mindless sheep.
I pinned your sunshine soup and thanks for the giveaway!! Oh yeah, congrats to you too. Never tried that mag, will have to look for it the next time I’m out
I would tell my younger self to be less critical and be kind to herself. Self-love and a little bit of confidence would have made things a whole lot easier back then!