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.
Younger self,
Always do what you know is best for you. You can be your best friend, but also your worst enemy. Hint. Hint… Choose the first one!
I would tell myself to embrace my body and to be confident no matter what because beauty is confidence
And i’ve just pinned your butternut squash and kale side..I’ve been meaning to make that!
Also, I just tweeted this awesomeness.
If I could tell my younger self anything it would be, don’t keep it all in. You have friends, family, and lots of support. They love you and want to see you succeed. You are amazing, and everyone your age feels pretty awkward, so you are not alone. It might take 5 years, 10 years, 20 years, but you will one day feel completely comfortable in your own skin.
Dear 16 year old Jenny,
You are about to graduate high school because you are so convinced that you need to graduate early and become this adult that you’re so convinced you already are. To you, sweet girl, I say – slow down. It’s ok to embrace this season of life and not fight tooth and nail to claw your way out of it. In the end, it works out wonderfully and you meet an incredible man that encourages you daily to embrace the moments you’re given, but if you can, sweet girl, take a second to remember that you are allowed to be exactly what you are at any given moment in any season of life.
With love and gratitude,
The Nearly 30 year old Jenny
I just repinned your Vanilla Cinnamon Buckwheat Crispies on pinterest. My user name is Amanda Roy.
I would tell my younger self to get out there and do things that intimidate me right away, rather than wait. The more fears you face, the easier it gets.
I wish I could tell my younger self that your body is perfect the way it is. No need for starvation and silly fad diets.
Love your blog ange, keep up the fantastic, inspiring work!
I would tell my younger self to relax and not let the small stuff bother me.
To my sixteen year old self: Enjoy being sixteen! Your still a kid, so go out, have fun, and don’t worry.
I would tell myself to make good choices and stick with them! Thanks, happy anniversary!
I would tell my younger self to relax and have more fun! And I would assure myself that even though it may take longer than expected – I WILL find and marry a man who is better than I could have ever dreamed!! He will be worth the wait! :)
Pinned the naked apple butter recipe!
tweeted! wait, twitted?
Advice to my 16 year old self? Ah. Life doesn’t end when you graduate from high school. Start preparing for that reality!
Just tweeted
I would tell my younger self to eat more whole foods. I used to live on fat free, fat free, fat free foods. I would also live off Candy!!! You might get skinny doing this, but you will feel like Sh*t. You WILL be tired ALL DAY LONG!
I would tell my younger self that she is loved, safe, and that every year gets better and better. I would also tell her to put on sunscreen! :)
I also tweeted about the giveaway.