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 have pinned your Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf and it is on the menu for this week!
I pinned Quick and Easy Kid-Friendly Snack & Meal Ideas on Pinterest.
Dear 16 year old Emily,
The struggles you find yourself currently going through will one day be viewed as blessings, for you would not shine as bright as you do if you hadn’t had the courage to find your way out of the darkness. Don’t give up.
I would tell my younger self to keep up the hard work, don’t get sidelined by detractors, and stay true to what you love and what you believe in.
I just added one of these to my Christmas wish list!!! In desperate need of a good blender!
I would tell my younger self to do what makes you happy, don’t worry about the money!
I also tweeted the giveaway :)
Don’t get the dolphin tattoo, no matter how cool everyone says it is. DON’T. Just DON’T.
I wish I could tell my younger self that the mean things people may say or do have everything to do with their own insecurities, and nothing to do with the reality of you.
I would tell myself to stop focusing on all the things I am not, and love myself for the things that I am!!!
“Don’t take life too seriously, it’s too short.”
I would advise myself to develop a healthy relationship with food, my brother, and most importantly, myself.
Since that wasn’t all (too) long ago…eekk, I’d say be happy and live life! Don’t think about what others say. Do what YOU want to do! Explore your passions! (:
Advice to my 7 year old self: your brother may annoy you now, but he’ll be the most important person in your life someday, so love him! Even when he steals your toys and teases you… :)
and I Tweeted the contest as well.
I would tell myself that an easy way to save $ is by doing my own mani/pedis, renting books/magazines/movies from the library, avoiding take-out, and making my own coffee :)
And I just tweeted!
I would tell my 16 year old self to not be so critical of myself. Just because I was a little overweight, it didn’t mean everyone thought I was disgusting looking. Stop spending lunch time in the library, and try to make some friends. Focus on school, and not what everyone thought of you. High school was a rough time for me.
Happy Halloween All-
Great giveaway Angela!! Thank you as always for the opportunity. A piece of advise I would give to the younger version of me would be continue to stay active like the youngster you are and think outside the box every chance possible. It is very easy to follow others, but let yourself be YOU and pave your own path. Last thing! Be more conscious of the foods, clothing, and products you use and purchase. Just because someone says their good doesn’t actually mean their good for you or the environment. Always do YOUR own research :)
Just tweeted about the giveaway!! Twitter handle: catwallace22
dont see workouts and clean eating as a punishment. Learn to love your body and love your workouts at every stage that you will go through. Every step, even small, is a step in the right direction…keep at it!
Processed foods are addictive. Break the addiction to processed foods and life will be so much tastier.
Advise I would give my younger self would be to always have patience and be kind! Simple but very important. Patience is often times a virtue that eludes me.