To usher in my new book 365 Vegan Smoothies, last month I announced this contest. $2,000 in smoothie lover prizes sponsored by my friends at DOLE Bananas and DOLE Salads.
Today I announce the Smoothietude Contest finalists! But first, thank you to all the readers who took the time to send in an entry. They were ALL fun, creative, inspiring and smoothie-tastic. Thank you for sharing them with me. Check out these finalists..
Update. Remember the DOLE Show Me Your Salad-tude Contest I hosted a while back? Well here is the Healthy. Happy. Life. grand prize winner Corrine with Clinton Kelly in Napa Valley, enjoying her amazing grand prize! Winning happens!..
*photo courtesy of DOLE
(This was Corrine's entry...)
But now back to smoothies!
People Love Smoothies. I have learned that I am not the only one to have a special sort of enthusiasm for smoothies. Those frosty, cool, fruit-filled, colorful, tall glasses of blended bliss have a unique way of putting a big smile on a face. One sip and we are filled with wellness, energy & happiness from the inside out. I summed up all this smoothie love in one word: smoothietude. Yesterday I went through the over 60 Smoothietude Contest entries. Today I get to share the finalists!
Choosing the finalists: Did the entry make me smile? Have a great recipe or ingredient idea? Express a passion for smoothies? Have a creative twist or unique voice?
SMOOTHIETUDE CONTEST FINALISTS
FINALIST #1 - Jamie S. - tweeted
FINALIST #2 - Kristen - blogged
FINALIST #3 - Miriam - tweeted
FINALIST #4 - Nyki - Pin
FINALIST #5 - Maria - FB
FINALIST #6 - Alicia - Blogged
FINALIST #7 - Kimmy - blogged
FINALIST #8 - Helyn - blogged
FINALIST #9 - Amy - fb
FINALIST #10 - Kara - blogged
FINALIST #11 - Meghan - blogged
FINALIST #12 - Maria - tweet
FINALIST #13 - Manda - fb
FINALIST #14 - Shelby - pin
FINALIST #15 - Nyki - pin
*note you could enter up to 5 photos, so a few finalists have multiple entries
Meet The Judges: Gena and I! (pic via: The Seed)
Gena and I will choose the winners (8 entries from above will win prizes) - leave a comment to voice who you think should win! Prizes: (1 winner) Grand Prize Winner: Vitamix TurboBlend VS (or a culinary store gift card for $449.00 in value) + copy of 365 Vegan Smoothies + an HHL tee + featured in blogpost on HHL! -- (2 winners) First Prize Winners: $150 Smoothie Lover Kits -- (5 winners) Honorable Mentions: Signed copy of Kathy's 365 Vegan Smoothies Book
SPONSORS:
My Book. 365 Vegan Smoothies (in stores July 2nd - just in time for 4th of July heat!) Get sneak peek book pics.
Thank you to DOLE Bananas and DOLE Salads for sponsoring this contest and giveaway with $2,000 in smoothie lover prizes!
Want to enter another cool contest? Check out DOLE's Taste of Spain Contest. Want to win a $40,000 trip to Spain? (Ya, me too!!) Well you can enter to win that and a wide array of other prizes on Dole's Taste of Spain page.
Finally, just as a bonus treat, here is a simple smoothie recipe from my book. This recipe uses delicious bananas and sweet summer strawberries..
Get my tips: 10 things every smoothie lover needs in their kitchen!...
Anna S says
Amy (#9) all the way!!
Oscar_de_Jarjayes says
Finalist #3!
eattolive says
Jamie! This smoothie tastes amazing and her post is reflective of what true healthy living should be.
Dawn says
Definitely Kimmy (Lucky #7) Love the ingredients - looks so yummy! Great presentation - so appealing!
JW says
Finalist #9 (Amy) embodies smoothietude! Definately my vote.
mmwhites says
Helyn #8 has my vote. Her recipes in her blog are amazing too!
Green banana fan says
Green banana all the way--voting for Kristen, #2!
M&M says
GO GREEN! Amy # 9 ! Love that SMOOTHIETUDE !!
Thündergün Grümbledüke says
I like #7
CF says
Coco-licious! My vote is for #7 - Kimmy and her Cocochew smoothie!!! Delicious flavors and a beautiful beach backdrop for sharing her recipe.
Diana says
#7 Kimmy!!! Nothing beats a coconut smoothie, in a coconut, by the ocean... with a tiny umbrella!!! 😀
RockMyVeganSocks says
As much as I would love to vote for myself... just can't do it ;p I think smoothie #13 (Manda) looks pretty awesome and I love the pics =)
Cathie says
I love Meghan's Smoothietude family!
Susan dodge says
Kristen finalist#2 I love the grenn banana shake!
Angela Sullivan says
I vote for Kristen.....no 2 finalist!
Who could resist smiling with Kristen as she enjoys her sweetly simple , highly nutritious
GREEN BANANA ?
I know I couldnt ! She looks so happy!
In a creative twist Kristen gives us the recipe for POWER ! ENERGY ! STRENGTH !
Where? ....GREEN BANANA SMOOTHIE ..!
Go Kristen!
isabella says
#12! its bursts with attitude and freshness!
Melissa Mattie says
my vote is for #14 - babies need to start off early with fresh foods...we need more mommas doing this for their children!
Robyn says
#8 Helyn
Peachy says
#11!!! Great smoothie AND cute kids!
Terry Vaskor says
Entry #7 looks fantastic!
Sarina JW says
I love #7 Kimmy's Cocochew Smoothie. Looks delicious and gorgeous photo!
Roland says
Finalist #7 for sure. Coconut! that cup looks amazing too 😀
Linda dc says
#11 showing the whole family can enjoy smoothies and great mum is getting them started so young.
Becca says
I vote for finalist #2, Kristen. Her recipe sounds really healthy and delicious, and plus just look at how adorable she is!
Alison Gothard says
Kimmy! I loooove coconut and cashews!
Organic Girl says
Wow! #9 is showing some serious 'tude! Love her photos!
liz says
Vote goes to # 11 sure looks like the photo taking was enjoyed by all and the drinking of the smoothies enjoyed even more. Need to get in the smoothietude mood.
Doug Masto says
Gotta love #11. Those kids are cute, they should be in movies.
Leslie Samchuk says
Finalist #7 - Kimmy. Super creative and comes in it's own "glass"!
Steve Dehner says
#9 Amy's is my favorite: fun, enthusiastic, energetic. She get's my vote!
KJ says
Hey you! (Yes, you.) Are you in a smoothie mood?
Let me introduce you to Miss Smoothietude!
Amy is her name and nine is her number –
Her smoothie recipe features spearmint and cucumber.
And don’t forget there’s pineapple, and on top of that, some spinach.
Blend it up yourself and you’ll find that it’s delicious!
Just by looking at her entry, you can tell she’s super fun,
And in case you haven’t guessed yet, hers is my favorite one!
Meghan B says
They are all great! But Shelby's recipe looks like a real powerhouse smoothie. Plus her smoothie sidekick is adorable!
Amanda says
Finalist # 2 -- I love it!!!
Carol says
I vote for Kristen Lyall, finalist #2
the recipe is terrific and the photos say it all.
I just hope the dog gets some.
disqus_wsPvJRAfJP says
Amy (#9) is bursting with VIRIDITAS (look it up)!!!
Guest says
Nothing could be finer than # NINER!!! (Amy #9)
Kelley Elkins says
Not sure if anyone else noticed, but finalist #5 and finalist #12 are the same person... not sure if that matters. I vote finalist #14. What a great looking smoothie!
Ashley Qualls says
Finalist #2! Delicious recipe, plus the adorable Vizsla. <3
Lindsay Herndon Ortega says
I vote for #2 Kristen!
John Magnuson says
Finalist #2 has the most impressive recipe and photos.
Samantha says
Finalist #1 - Jamie S. She is such an inspiration and really knows her stuff!
JB says
I love # 9!!! Makes me think of a fun smoothie filled summer!!! Plus it doesn't have banana....so many smoothies have banana's it's hard to find for someone who is allergic!!
Meredith says
I vote Kristen, Finalist #2 all the way!
Katharine Coffin says
#2 Kristen strong to the finish! (& her adorable dog Captain)
Masen Ewald says
#2 fa sho
Bethany Rose Weber says
Although they all look great, Finalist #1 Jamie S.'s entry is definitely my favorite. It has the best photos and is just beautiful. Plus the smoothie sounds super refreshing and delicious!
Cassandra Madrid says
Finalist #12 (Maria) !! It is very creative, colorful and fun! I love it!!
Steph Radford says
#1 Jamie!
Robyn Doviak says
definitely finalist #11.. i love how meghan is teaching her little ones the delicious benefits of healthy living! so many kids have a tough time eating fruits and vegetables.. smoothies are such a fun way to introduce fantastic eating habits at a young age (and they look so darn cute too)!
Kathleen says
My vote is for Finalist #2 Kristen. She has the Smoothie recipe & entry that inspires me the most. Even her doggie wants one!
Ed Darling says
Finalist # 1 is my vote. Even I could make this ... it has to be simple for me ... even I can freeze a banana!
Sara Herman says
Kristen's recipe sounds invigorating!! Plus her pup is adorable- I bet he likes to go on a long run after that smoothie!! I vote for #2!!!
Janene Brunk says
I love the watermelon smoothies. Watermelon juice is great for reducing fevers. And the tangerine/banana I am going to make as soon as I am done typing!
Frozen bananas are a must for my smoothies. I never add ice but freeze my fruits.
Freeze citrus whole, then cut/peel the top layer of skin. Leave the pith for an extra boost of nutrition.
I add Arbonne Vanilla Vegan Powder to make it like a creamy orange Julius.
If anyone wants a protein sample I can hook you up. [email protected]
Great job to all the contestants! Pictures were fun and energetic, just like we all strive to be
Ketu Patel says
#2 Yummy!
Liz says
Another vote for Jamie, Finalist #1. Stunning photography; it looks like a professional photo shoot. And her pictures do away with unecessary words since they say everything for her.
Patti Lyall says
# 2 Kristen has an amazing presentation for a smoothy that is delicious and packed with great nutrients. She shows you how to blend great ingredients that are not the usual! Colorful and creative !
Tammy says
#9 all the way, green is my favorite!!!! yummy
Garrett says
#2! Anything with Chia seeds makes my day.
Sharon Purdy says
FINALIST #2! Can't go wrong with the green banana.
jane says
Finalist number 12 amazing graphics on her photo. That was neat. And I'm sure drinking smoothies are a way of life for everyone who entered not just 1. Finalist 6 and 10 also had recipes I'd like to try.
Chasity Grome says
I think that Finalist #2 definitely deserves the grand prize!! I also liked numbers 4, 13, 14, and 15 as runners up.
kllmaca says
So thankful to be nominated as a finalist! Thanks guys! (and, if I can shamelessly vote for myself, Kristen, I will.... I'm preggers and can only imagine how amazingly helpful a Vitamix would be at this time and in the future!!) In any case thrilled to be nominated, I love the other entries!
Jerilyn says
#7!!! Sounds sooo delicious!
Nezumi says
It's so hard to choose! I'm really debating between Kristen (#2) and Amy (#9). I'm inspired by Kristen's recipe. I really like Amy, she looks like she's having fun.
Nyki's (#4) made me giggle. Helyn (#8) has a smoothietude glow. Also, Miriam (#3) and Maria (#12) really inspires me to get a smoothie NOW!
Lauren says
FINALIST #9 - Amy = SO MUCH SMOOTHIETUDE!! Love the cucumber glasses!!
Liz S. says
Finalist #1 - Jamie S. She has my vote!
Cheryl says
Finalist #8 Helyn! Deep purple smoothie. It's a simple recipe with my favorite easy to grow ingredient KALE!!
Lynn Thomas says
Finalist #1 Jamie Swyers! The smoothie looks delicious and her photos are really inspiring!
Erica Yeung says
Finalist #1 Jamie Sawyers' Smoothie is my Favorite!!! love it
A. Cook says
For me it's a toss-up between Jamie S. (finalist #1)--the photos and general message are beautiful and inspiring--and Meghan (finalist #11) and her wonderful Smoothietude family! I also am really intrigued by Helyn's (finalist #8) recipe for Deep Purple Smoothie. Sounds like something I'd definitely like to try and she looks so happy drinking it!
Guest says
OMG #7! Why am I not drinking that right now???
Sarah Ann Gardner says
Finalist #1, Jamie S.... she she has to win! She is one of the most healthy and inspiring people that I know!
Zachariah M. Greene-Rettig says
Finalist # 1!!!!! Jamie S. entry definitely shows how she in operates her smoothie into her daily routine of running. It's the best one fire sure!
Samantha says
FINALIST #1 - Jamie S. has got my vote! Jamie is truly an inspiration to us all. This is more than a smoothie contest for her, it is a way of life and she is the perfect cover girl for Smoothietude!!!
Donna says
Jamie's entry (#1) is great! She definitely has "smoothietude" and it shows! Have to try her smoothie recipe!
sigen92 says
I would vote for Maria! So creative and fresh! Though Manda's smoothie also gets a vote just because it's pretty much the same smoothie I make myself!
Allison says
Amy's smoothie (#9) looks so yummy! Definitely a smoothie with tons of attitude!
Maureen says
What a fun contest! I'm going to go get my Smoothietude on and make myself a drink! I love all the finalists, but Meghan (finalist #11) gets my vote! The kids in their sunglasses drinking their smoothies are adorable. What a fun, healthy treat for those two cuties!
Kelsey says
I love Amy's entry! Her smoothietude is FUN, FRESH, and COLORFUL! 🙂
(Finalist #9)
Suzanne says
I love all the entries!! I can't wait to try some of the recipes myself; it's a smoothie filled week!! I'm counting down the days until my copy of the book arrives!