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 wish I could tell 16-year-old me to stop starving herself; that no matter how little she ate, no matter how painfully thin she got, it wouldn’t help her achieve true happiness and peace. I wish I could give her a hug and teach her that it’s ok to love herself. I wish I could tell her that she’s beautiful inside and out. I wish I could tell her that she’s not alone.
That would have saved me many, many years of illness and heartbreak. …but then I wouldn’t be the gal I am today. :)
I was so brokenhearted as a child, I made a lot of foolish choices what piece of wisdom would I give to my younger self? I would say, “do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Trust in God, and believe in Him.” John 14:1 & 27. I think if I knew Jesus then, I would have peace in heart and I would know that He would protect me and everything would be OK. As it happened, I am so grateful to have finally met the Lord Jesus and asked Him into my heart and I was saved and freed of all the hurt when I was 23, I am now 36, God is faithful, He keeps His promises, and He is a good Father. Thanks for letting me share. God bless you!
I tweeted too! :)
Oh wow, too many things! Mostly I would tell myself to just be more comfortable with myself. That the more “myself” I am, the more comfortable I am, the happier I am, the less agonizing I do, the happier I am. Make any sense at all?
I tweeted! And I would tell my younger self to pay more attention to those classic movies and novels about middle-aged angst that I thought were so boring.
Today is my 39th (yikes!) birthday, in addition to being your blog-birthday! :) I would tell my younger self to lighten up, not take things so seriously, and yes, you CAN wear that mini-skirt because your legs will never look this good again!
And, I pinned!
2nd entry…just pinned your roasted tomato soup. Made it last week and it was so delicious!
I wish I could tell my younger self to start thinking earlier about what I want to do for my career!
Don’t worry about what other people think. Be your own person and be true to yourself.
I also tweeted the giveaway! :)
I would tell my 16 year old self to dump him! He’s a loser..oh well you live and learn.
i would tell myself that i am beautiful. just the way i am. thick bushy eyebrows and love handles and all.
congrats angela! and thanks for this giveaway!
I would tell my younger self not to succumb to peer pressure so much & that kindness will get you further than anything else. Also to enjoy the present & not wish to grow up so quickly. Thanks!
Dear Younger Self,
I know you’re shy and insecure and in pain. But, truth is, those high school boys who make fun of you are also insecure. It doesn’t matter what they think. And those “perfect” blonde girls? Half of them will end up pregnant right out of high school, and stay in the same place all their lives.
Soon, you’re going to escape this parochial place, and go to a really kick-butt college, where you will make new, awesome friends, and have an amazing time. You’ll even find your calling as a radio journalist!
Oh, and as a bonus? You’re going to fall in love with, and eventually date, your Zombie Defense ExCo instructor. Your nerdy self will be (and still is) thrilled. ~^
I don’t know why this message form is still open….
I would tell my younger self to dare to be different and not worry about what others think!
I would tell myself to stop being so critical of myself and let go of perfectionism…. Happy Anniversary!!! Thanks for all you do!!!
I would advise my younger self to study study study.
Enjoy EVERY single day you get to sleep in, because when you have kids, you will NEVER get that kind of quality sleep again.
Also, don’t stress that you get C’s and D’s in math classes. You’ll never need to know99% of this stuff in the real world.
I just repinned your Warm Quinoa Salad…looks delish! Tonight we are having your black bean and sweet potato enchiladas…can’t wait to try them