September Foodie Pen Pal Reveal

It is that time again, folks!  Foodie Pen Pal Reveal Day! :)

This time my Foodie Pen Pal was Ashlee.

I opened my box, and these are the goodies that were awaiting me...

• A bella chocolate nut raw bar- This was 100% new territory for me.  I did eat most of this right before a workout.  It is very heavy on the dates, but was tasty.  It is probably not something I would have ever bought myself, but it was nice to branch out and try something a little healthier.
• Matt's Munchies Ginger Spice Fruit Snacks- These by far are my favorite thing from my Foodie Pen Pal box this month.  These were like little spicy, sweet fruit roll-ups. ;)
• Beanitos Pinto Beans & Flax Chips- Okay, I was REALLY skeptical about these.  While I am not a junk food junkie, I am also not a health food nut.  But these were surprisingly yummy.  They actually reminded me of those wonton strips you get with your Egg Drop soup at the Chinese take-out.  ;)
• Organic Fair Trade Raw Honey
• Warrior Food Vanilla Enhanced Protein Powder- Okay, I am absolutely clueless about what to do with this one.  Do any of you all have some suggestions?  Ashlee didn't include a note with my package to give me some pointers with it, so any ideas is greatly appreciated. 
• 18-in-1 Rose Pure Castille Soap sample- I am pretty sure I am not supposed to eat this one, right?  ;)

This month's Foodie Pen Pal goodies definitely forced me into some new culinary territory.  Some of it was a pleasant surprise.  Other parts of it are still leaving me shrugging my shoulders a bit.  

So I know after seeing all the foodie awesomeness in my box, you are wanting to know how the Foodie Pen Pal program works and how you can get on board for next month, right? ;)
Basically, Lindsay from The Lean Green Bean matches up hundreds of participants each month to be foodie penpals.  On the 5th of each month, the matches are revealed.  You have until the 15th of the month to get your foodie goodies together and mail them out to your penpal. (By the way, the limit for the penpal boxes is $15  so it doesn't break the bank for those of us on a budget. ;) )  On the last day of the month, you post on your blog about the amazing foodie finds you received from your penpal.  That's it!
Of course there are some guidelines and rules, and you can find all of that plus how to sign up for October by clicking the giant button below.

August Foodie Pen Pal Reveal

So this is my favorite part of receiving my Foodie Pen Pal package....

The moment when I first get my package and cut the packing tape, and fling open the box.  I am always so excited to see what fabulous and tasty finds my Foodie Pen Pal from another state, another culinary locality has sent me.  My August Foodie Pen Pal, Maggie who blogs over at Picky and Healthy, didn't let me down with all the goodies she sent me from her "little" stomping grounds of NYC. ;)

You have to love the card, right??

So, here is what the lovely Maggie sent me:

• Yogurt covered graham crackers from the nutbox- These were definitely one of my favorites!  They were pretty addictive.  I can tell you that this bag of grahams has been LONG gone. ;)
• Natural Vines Strawberry Licorice- Yum!  There are only a handful of these left.
• Vegetable Chips from the nutbox- Okay, maybe not my favorite, but tasty as far as veggie chips go.  I can't help it.  This gal has a sweet tooth! :)
• And this one was my favorite...

New York City's Legendary Brownie from Fat Witch Bakery- I think this brownie maybe lasted 5 minutes after I opened my box. ;)

So I know after seeing all the foodie awesomeness in my box, you are wanting to know how the Foodie Pen Pal program works and how you can get on board for next month, right? ;)
Basically, Lindsay from The Lean Green Bean matches up hundreds of participants each month to be foodie penpals.  On the 5th of each month, the matches are revealed.  You have until the 15th of the month to get your foodie goodies together and mail them out to your penpal. (By the way, the limit for the penpal boxes is $15  so it doesn't break the bank for those of us on a budget. ;) )  On the last day of the month, you post on your blog about the amazing foodie finds you received from your penpal.  That's it!
Of course there are some guidelines and rules, and you can find all of that plus how to sign up for September by clicking the giant button below.

My Christmas in July ~ Foodie Pen Pal Reveal Day!

I cannot even tell you how excited I was to receive my package in the mail from my Foodie Pen Pal, Cecilia.  You see, Cecilia just moved to the lovely southern city of Charleston, SC.  I love charming southern cities.  Though I have never been to Charleston, I have always wanted to visit.  I have visited Savannah, GA a few times, and I always imagine Charleston is similar.  My goodies in my Pen Pal box make me want to go there even more now. ;)

Opening this box is seriously almost like Christmas morning for me.  Except in the middle of July.  And I can have my "Christmas" once a month if I so choose to!

So what did Cecelia send me?  Everything in my box was 100% Charleston local. :)

• A container of Benne Wafers.  This may have been my favorite thing in the whole box.  According to the label on the container, these little sweet crispy wafers originated in the plantation kitchens.  They tasted like thin crispy sugar cookies with a little nuttiness from the sesame seeds.
• Cold Pour Pickles.  Oh my, were these sour!  I am pretty sure I have never had a pickle this sour in my life.  And I thought they liked everything extra sweet in the South... ;)
• American Classic Tea form Charleston Tea Plantation.  I immediately made a pitcher of sweet tea with this.  Immediately.
• Newton Farms Lowcountry Sauce.  I haven't got to try this yet, but I am looking forward to cooking up a batch of shrimp in this sauce.
• Blenheim Ginger Ale.  I have not cracked this open just yet, but Cecilia assured me that it is a bit spicy. ;)

My note from Cecelia was written on the back of this awesome Piggly Wiggly bumper sticker.

So I know after seeing all the foodie awesomeness in my box, you are wanting to know how the Foodie Pen Pal program works and how you can get on board for next month, right? ;)
Basically, Lindsay from The Lean Green Bean matches up hundreds of participants each month to be foodie penpals.  On the 5th of each month, the matches are revealed.  You have until the 15th of the month to get your foodie goodies together and mail them out to your penpal. (By the way, the limit for the penpal boxes is $15  so it doesn't break the bank for those of us on a budget. ;) )  On the last day of the month, you post on your blog about the amazing foodie finds you received from your penpal.  That's it!
Of course there are some guidelines and rules, and you can find all of that plus how to sign up for August by clicking the giant button below.

June Foodie Penpals Reveal Day!

So, I am beyond excited to share with you all the goodies that I received this month from my Foodie Penpal, Danielle.  I first heard about The Lean Green Bean's Foodie Penpals program from a friend on Twitter.  She was tweeting about how excited she was to start on her Foodie Penpal box, and I had to know what she was talking about!  As soon as I clicked on the link she tweeted to me, I knew I had to be in on this for June!  Basically, Lindsay matches up hundreds of participants each month to be foodie penpals.  On the 5th of each month, the matches are revealed.  You have until the 15th of the month to get your foodie goodies together and mail them out to your penpal. (By the way, the limit for the penpal boxes is $15  so it doesn't break the bank for those of us on a budget. ;) )  On the 30th of the month, you post on your blog about the amazing foodie finds you received from your penpal.  

My Foodie Penpal is a lucky gal who happens to live close to Virginia wine country and fabulous farmers markets.  Here is what I received in my penpal package:

• Coconut Curry Cashews- Can I just say AH-MAZING?  I didn't tell her this, but cashews are my favorite nut!  
• Strawberry Long Island Loose Leaf Tea- I immediately brewed this blend for a pitcher of iced tea.  It was delicious and refreshing!
• Ripe Peach White Balsamic Vinegar- I haven't had the opportunity to try this yet, but I have a few ideas. ;) Perhaps a nice light vinaigrette or a marinade?  I may even try to make a sauce for grilled peaches with this.
• Homemade Strawberry Jam- Danielle used the same strawberries that a local winery near her uses to make their award winning strawberry wine.  I am pretty excited about trying this on some fresh buttermilk biscuits soon!
• Homemade Apple Jelly- She and her fiance made this jelly from apples they bought at a local apple orchard last fall. :)
• Aurora Wine Jelly- Now this might be my most favorite thing in the entire package.  This jelly is made from a chocolate raspberry wine that Danielle loves from a winery close to where she lives.  She suggested that I try it with cream cheese, and I had to oblige. ;) I spread the jelly and cream cheese over waffles for breakfast the next morning.  Delish! I also used the jelly in my new favorite quickie dessert- Chocolate Mug Cake.

I am so glad that I stumbled across this amazing program.  It is fun to put together your box to send out- to share some of your favorite local goodies and homemade treats.  And it is equally as fun to receive your Foodie Penpal box.  I was anxiously awaiting mine that Monday morning, and couldn't wait to open the box and see what new foodie treasures awaited me.  

Won't you join us next month? ;)

If you would like to see what I sent my Foodie Pen Pal, click here. :)