In August, I participated for the first time in the Foodie Pen Pals program!
And today is Reveal Day!
I’d been reading about Foodie Pen Pals on several other blogs I follow and after reading the requirements and learning how fun and easy it was to participate, I decided to give it a try. I mean, you know I love to try new things, right?
The best part for all of you reading out there:
You don’t need to have a blog to participate!
Here’s how it works:
1. You sign up by the 4th of the month for each month that you want to participate.
2. By the 5th, you’re assigned a Foodie Pen Pal for that month.
3. You communicate with your pen pal about any food allergies or preferences, as well as where to ship their package.
4. By the 15th of the month, you send $15 worth of food to your pen pal that may include homemade goodies, local treats or just some of your favorite discoveries that you want to share! The box must also contain something handwritten.
5. You receive a package from another Foodie Pen Pal, who was assigned to you.
6. If you are like me, you squeal with delight when your package arrives.
7. You enjoy said goodies, which you may have never known about otherwise.
8. If you are a blogger, you post about the package you received on the last day of the month – Reveal Day! {If you are not a blogger, you do not need to do anything, but thank your Pen Pal, of course! However, if your Pen Pal does blog, you can choose to write a guest post, if you so wish.}
My very first Foodie Pen Pal package came from Frieda at Purple Oven Mitt. We’ve corresponded and she is so sweet! I love her blog and her no-nonsense, healthy recipes, too.
August Foodie Pen Pal package from Frieda at Purple Oven Mitt
Now picture me opening this package and squealing with delight! Frieda wrote me a nice personal note on the enclosed card, too. So sweet!
Goodness Knows Very Cranberry Snack Squares are made with Cocoa Flavanols to “support circulation of nutrients”. What does this mean?
Here’s your explanation!
I love any excuse to have chocolate. And dark is my favorite! On a couple of occasions, I took these to work and had them either as breakfast or a snack with a cup of coffee. Mmm… {I adore dark chocolate with coffee!}
I love that it’s not just a bar, that they come in little squares. It makes me feel like I’m getting 4 little treats!
Next up…
Kettle Brand Almond Butter
I didn’t know that Kettle made almond butter! Isn’t that the company that makes Kettle Chips?
I’d never bought almond butter before… until a week prior to receiving this Foodie Pen Pals box! In fact, I only bought a one-serving pouch of Justin’s Maple Almond Butter as suggested on another blog so I could try out making her best Green Monster Smoothie. I fell in love with the smoothie, but during Weekend Pantry Challenge, I cut myself off because I was out of almond butter and insisted that I could only cook from the pantry that weekend! Sure, I could have substituted peanut butter, but why change up a good thing?!
After receiving the almond butter from Frieda, I’ve been able to satisfy this new addiction ever since!
In fact, I enjoyed one of these smoothies night-before-race-day and I’m attributing that to me shaving off about a minute and a half of my most recent 5k race! 😉 Tee hee. I have now dubbed this smoothie the Magic Smoothie.
Green Monster Magic Smoothie made with Kettle Almond Butter
Canterbury Naturals Harvest Moon Vegetable Classic Artisan Soup Mix
I haven’t tried this item from my Foodie Pen Pals package yet. Why? Because there is a great recipe for Chicken Soup on the back. I am now hoarding it for that cold, rainy fall day when it will warm me up perfectly!
Chicken Soup Instructions
Thank you again, Freida!
If you’d like to see what I sent to my August Foodie Pen Pal, Noelle, check her out her blog called Norrey which depicts her love and life with her husband, Torrey. This month, they celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary, so be sure to stop by and send them some love!
My wonderful experience with Foodie Pen Pals was such that I want to continue. However, due to timing of international travel coming up, I may take the next two months off – not because I want to, but because it wouldn’t be fair to my Foodie Pen Pal if I am late or drop the ball.
If you’re interested in participating for September, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions. You must submit your information by September 4th as pairings will be emailed on September 5th.
If you were to send a foodie care package to someone you love, what would you send?
Cheers~
Carrie
Season It Already! 