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 to not try to worry about what other people think. All the time you put into pleasing other people won’t help as much as if you put all that energy into loving yourself just as you are!
I tweeted this sweet give-away!!
I would tell my younger self not to stress so much and just live in the moment. Wasted so much time needlessly worrying about stuff!
What I would tell my young self is that a bad truth is always better than a good lie.
Tweeted!
I would tell myself: don’t sweat the small stuff
Pinterest pins I have repinned (since I don’t have a twitter account!): Naughty Vegan Enchilada Casserole, 10 tomato recipes to knock your socks off, How to Prep and Freeze Veggie Burgers Tutorial, Speedy Summer Hemp Power Salad, Protein Power Goddess Bowl, 22 vegan ways to conquer the snack attack, Endurance Crackers, Top 12 Vegan Entrees of 2011 on OSG, Garlic Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable and Edamame Pasta with Basil Cream Sauce, Layered Eggplant and Zucchini Casserole… the list is never ending. Wait, we were supposed to only name 4? hehe
I would tell my younger self that happiness is not determined by how much you weigh, it’s based on how you feel. I would tell her that it’s important to love who she is, and take heart in knowing that she will be HEALTHY in the future, and veganism will help her get there. I would tell her to take heart and turn that frown upside down, because she will find a lifestyle that will leave her SMILING.
I would tell myself to stop worrying about what others think, and to love yourself (myself) first.
It’s advice that I would still hold myself to today.
Thanks, Angela!
To the girl in grade 4…Allie…sweety. Put down the Doritos. They don’t have to turn your fingers orange. You are smart, you don’t need to hide. Don’t worry about where you are going until you get there. Play sports, never stop. To Allie when you are 15…that boy isn’t important. Your dad is. He’ll be gone too soon. Tanya, your best friend is…she’ll be gone sooner :-( Spend time with those you love. And don’t worry…that man you dream about…exists…you find him a little later, but he’s so worth the wait :-) And darling..eat your veggies, lace up your running shoes and run :-)
I would tell my younger self to cherish family and good friends. And that true friends will accept you no matter what. So just be yourself and stop trying to please everybody else..:) And Have fun! :)
My advice to my younger self would be to just relax and go with the flow more, and let tomorrow’s worries take place tomorrow. Celebrate today!
I also tweeted this.
I would encourage myself to value and honor my friendships more, rather than always being so eager to meet NEW people. (As cool as that is!)
Thanks for hosting the giveaway. :)
i’d tell my self to study a little harder. high school is relatively easy, take advantage while you can!
Dear younger kristen,
1) you don’t have to get all As to be smart
2) you don’t have to weigh 104 to be lovely ..or loved
3) you don’t have to be so darn serious all the time.
love,
older kristen
I would tell myself that you are not as fat as you think you are!
Angela you MUST be reading my mind. I’ve been research the Blendtec Blender these past couple of days!! I just “tweeted” about your contest, thanks for the opportunity.
WOOT WOOT!
I would advise my younger self to heed the following: Slow down and enjoy the moment. There will be plenty of time; take pleasure in the journey.
I would tell my daydreaming but too-timid younger self to take every opportunity to travel (anywhere!) and see the world while you can. Please stop buying useless stuff and invest in life experiences instead, because “grown up” life catches up pretty quick… then you’re still left with those daydreams but the opportunities are up in smoke.
Live in the moment, and enjoy every moment. Life is precious and tomorrow is not guaranteed, so ~ don’t procrastinate and doubt yourself – you are capable of anything you want to be…and be kind along the way.