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.
What a wonderful opportunity! I have tried, stopped, tried, and stopped again to write a blog and I never seem to feel convicted enough that the time is right. But, I have continued to enjoy your honesty and creative posts. I would tell my 16 year-old self to never over-think what brings joy to me and others around me. If it is dancing, singing, playing music, wearing a side pony-tail or running a gazillion miles that brings joy, then go for it with flames a blazin’! I learned that too much joy is kept within ourself when we don’t risk bursting it out for others to enjoy. One of my favorite quotes is from an American author, Kurt Vonnegut, “Everything is beautiful and nothing hurt.” If my 16 year old self had followed that advice then Oh, the fun we would have had!
I tweeted!
What a great giveaway. Angie!!
I would tell my younger self to value yourself much much more than you do. Oh, and to not be so anxious about so many things. Life really is good.
I would tell my younger self to be the person you want to be, not be the person others expect you to be.
I would advice my younger self that the issues that seem like the end of the world right now, really aren’t and all that stressing really isn’t good for your older self’s appearance ;) haha
Tweeted!
I would tell myself to not be in such a rush to grow up and to pick a different career. Ugh…depressing. Hope I win a blender to make me feel better. :)
I would tell myself… to not sweat the small stuff!
I would tell myself to not be so hard on myself and worried about what others think. Do what makes you happy!
Advice to me at 16: REALLY! Someday you are going to find out that REALLY you should not bake yourself in baby oil at the beach. REALLY. Your skin is going to be wrinkled someday and you’re not going to do anything about it. REALLY. I know you’re not going to believe it now, but if you follow my advice you will be a happier person later. REALLY.
I would tell myself this: Although life takes some strange and unexpected turns, everything works out exactly as it’s supposed to. It is a mixture of all things, good and bad, that will help shape the person you become.
I also might add that it IS entirely conceivable that someday, when you reach adulthood, The Offspring will no longer be your favorite band ;)
Yep. I tweeted, too.
Advice to self: #1- No matter how fat you think you are… YOU AREN’T.
#2- Cherish time with your BFF… you never know when it could all come crashing down.
I tweeted :)
I would tell myself to live in the moment, and listen to mom! :)
Awesome giveaway! Advice to my younger self- enjoy what age you are and what you’re doing at the time, whether it’s school, university, early dating days, or whenever. Enjoy the present!!
16 yr old Brit, don’t sweat the small stuff! You spend so much energy worrying, forget the stress and enjoy being you!
I would tell myself: “Julia, you are a beautiful person, inside and out. Cherish your life right now and celebrate the person that you are because it will go by so fast. But, the good news is…it only gets better!”
I’d tell my younger self to be more outgoing and not to worry about what everyone else thinks.
P.S. I’ve pinned a couple of your recipes and have one as my main board photo. (I’m actually surprised I only have two pinned, as I make A LOT of your food. My husband begs for your Pumpkin Gingerbread with Spiced Buttercream on a regular basis!